Dave Barbato and the entire service team exceed expectations - Kanowakeron Hill UE
Nine years ago, at 31,600 miles, I took my used XC70 into Best Volvo for the first time for scheduled maintemance. Today, with 108,700 miles, my Volvo not only looks the same as when I bought it (photos as proof) but more to the point, it runs the same as when I bought it. In addition to recommended oil/filter changes, anytime the car was in for *any* service if there was more than 3,000 miles since the last LOF, it's had another change. With each servicing - even just a state inspection - the entire vehicle is checked out and VADIS software updates are loaded. The scheduled maintenance is followed meticulously... long story short, my XC70 has been pampered since I bought it.
Dave Barbato understands the crucial nature of me having a 100% reliable vehicle; I'm disabled and a breakdown while on the road has more than just inconvenient ramifications. Dave is personable, straight-talking, sincere and the quintessential professional... in the 47 years of owning cars and having some of the most slipshod, unethical and abusive auto servicing imaginable, there's no question that Dave and the entire service technician team are finest I've ever dealt with or heard of. Estimates of servicing times and most importantly, costs involved, have always been accurate. I trust Dave's advice and expertise and appreciate his understanding some issues may have had to wait.
If I suspect a repair will require a part potentially expensive, I do my due diligence and check out prices of the part online with a number of genuine Volvo parts sources. Best has always matched or come down in their part charges in an effort to help an economically challenged and disabled 65-year old. That sort of personal care and concern still amazes me, given decades of service centres where their bottom line always took precedence over any issues a customer may have. Best Volvo will work with you but like any other service or retail centre, the importance of an educated consumer cannot be overstated. Skipping scheduled maintenance, not addressing known issues promptly or expecting premium service at 'corner garage' prices will all result in a bad experience.
Are Best's hourly rates high? Compared to the commercial chain auto centres, yes, Best will cost more for labour; servicing by consumate professionals usually does cost more. The ten-minute oil change shops might be cheaper, but figuring in the cost of a hastily replaced oil plug where the threads were stripped, losing oil and requiring a new oil pan (past experience), it becomes obvious that paying a bit more upfront for a professional can be cheaper in the long run.
Rather than 'pay and cross your fingers' as you drive away, I've always left Best Volvo confident of what's been done has been completed by the best Volvo-trained professionals available. On top of that is Volvo's Lifetime Parts *and* Labour Guarantee; pay for a repair at an authorized Volvo dealer once and never pay for it again.
To me, the reassurance that comes with the confidence my XC70 has been serviced by competent and consumate Volvo professionals can't be measured by dollars.
Thanks to Best Volvo, considering the performance and durability of my XC70's first 100,000 miles, I've been assured continued care will make the next 100,000 just as reliable.
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