Berkeley Auto Body

Barney McComas

★★★★☆

Edited 9 years ago

This is revised from one star after the shop went above and beyond to correct all the mistakes they made the first time around. Normally I wouldn't give 4 stars after such a bad first experience, but not only did they correct everything to perfection, they did it without any hesitation or argument and did nearly $1000 worth of work repairing something that was my fault, not theirs, for free. Here's my original review: I had very minor body work and paint done to a quarter panel and front and rear bumper covers. I was told it would be less than a week. It took two, and communication regarding the delays was poor. They'd broken chrome-looking plastic inserts in the rear bumper cover when they were reinstalling them. I'd planned a small road trip and, long story short, if I hadn't called the dealer from which the parts had been ordered, my trip would have been really screwed up. When I finally picked my car up they'd broken the tips off of the similar, chrome-looking plastic inserts in the front bumper covers, scratched the quarter panel they'd repaired and painted, scratched one of the exterior pillar covers, improperly re-installed the interior pillar cover, leaving off one of the clips, soiled the headliner in an attempt to fix that, neglected to reconnect the front marker lights and had "somehow" managed to reset the entire navigation and entertainment systems, despite claiming they never disconnected the battery. This was all a couple of weeks before Christmas, so I didn't have time to take it in, but the couple of times I'd called about it my messages weren't returned. After the holidays I called to again ask about having everything taken care of, but the person I'd been dealing with was no longer working there. The person who answered the phone seemed sincerely concerned about the issues I'd had and assured me all would be taken care of. He asked me to send him an email outlining the issues, to which he never responded. Since then I've tried 3 times to have them look at everything so the correct parts could be ordered. I'd thought they'd already been ordered, and it's not as if there's any confusion about what need to be ordered, but I thought that maybe the new guy needed to see it. The first time they said the new guy wasn't there, but he had received my email and was aware of the problems. The 2nd they were too busy and the 3rd time I just showed up 45 minutes before closing and the only person there was an office person who said he wasn't qualified to look at it and explained how those who were started work early, so if I wanted them to look at it I'd need to arrive earlier - because I have nothing better to do than work around their schedule so they can fix their mistakes. Again, I'm willing to modify this review depending on how this is handled going forward, but at this point I'm ready to file a complaint with AAA, which recommended them, and the California Dept of Consumer Affairs. I hope they're willing to send someone to me to look at the damage they did, and make it extremely easy for me to bring my car in to remedy their mistakes.

Ellen York

★☆☆☆☆

7 years ago

I was referred here by my insurance company with damage to the driver's side door. At first they were super helpful, fit me in for an estimate on Christmas Eve and said they'd call me in a week. Then dead silence, I called them twice a week for a month trying to make an appointment and they blew me off every time. I tried asking to speak to a supervisor, calling at different times of day, but each time they seemed unsure of my case (literally asked me to describe what the guy who did my estimate looked like) and said someone would call me back. Eventually I just went to a different shop because it became clear that Berkeley Auto Body didn't want my business.

Michael Rancer

★☆☆☆☆

5 years ago

Too bad it's not possible to give a "zero" rating, because this shop destroyed my car. I never got it back. Berkeley Auto Body is by far the very worst body shop I have ever dealt with in my decades of car ownership. We drove our car (a Toyota Prius) to their shop after a minor accident (left front fender, bumper, headlight), expecting it back within a week or so. They successfully repaired the damage, and then, through their own negligence and incompetence, accidentally DESTROYED THE CAR. After an investigation by our auto insurer and their liability insurer, over a period of several weeks, the car was declared a total loss. Their insurance paid us the nominal value of the car, taking into account the make, model, age and condition. What we received was less than a third of the value of the new car we bought as a replacement. What exactly did Berkeley Auto Body do to the car? The car had been in their shop for over a week and during much of the work they had left the doors open with the dome light on, which drained the battery. So after they completed the accident repair, they had to jump start the battery. However, the car was a hybrid and the mechanic working on it either did not know or had forgotten that jump starting a Prius isn't exactly the same as working on a car with just a gas engine. He apparently connected the jumper cables the wrong way and BLEW OUT THE CAR'S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. We never saw the car again after this. However, at the time this happened, nobody else in the shop seemed to understand what the problem was. So they had the car towed first to one dealer than to a second one, which finally diagnosed the issue and declared the car to be irreparable. The body shop's liability insurer took possession of the car, had it towed to a dismantling yard far from our home, and gave us a "take it or leave it" compensation figure which we had no choice but to accept. I give the shop credit for repairing the accident damage and for finally admitting their mistake. But we live in what might be the most Prius-populated region of the country and I find it incredible that their mechanics couldn't do a simple jump start without destroying the car, putting us through weeks of inconvenience and uncertainty, and leaving us with a payment that was a fraction of the cost of buying an equivalent new car. My recommendation is that nobody should ever use this body shop. I've never seen such incompetence, will never recommend them to anyone else, and will certainly never take any car I own to them for repair. If your car needs body work, avoid this shop at all cost and find another one.

Javier Nova Rosa

★★★★★

5 years ago

I came in on a rainy afternoon for an estimate to get the liner of our Prius either reattached or replaced. Not only did they take care of it in less than 10 minutes from when I walked in the door, they said it wasn't worth charging money for. Both folks I talked with were friendly, kind, and helpful. A+++! If we need any body work done in the future I know where I'll go, and where I'll recommend to friends.

C. J.

★★★★★

4 years ago

Best place ever. A couple hours ago my two week old Tesla had an incident with a pole while leaving the rock gym. It’s been a summer of car drama (&trauma) so I was freaked. Bill put me totally at ease & I drove right over, he’s genuinely a good person. Juan did magic on the scratches in practically no time (& didn’t make fun of me when in astonishment I immediately put my fingers in the wet paint). From incident to this review has only been a couple of hours. I’m amazed & incredibly grateful. But it’s not the speed that was most impressive, it’s that they are incredibly good & honest people who couldn’t have been nicer— I’m loyal for life (but hope I don’t have any incidents that cause me to return, however if I do I know I’ll be in good hands).

Karl Reeh

★★★★★

4 years ago

I had a very good experience with them last year when my Catalytic Converter was stolen twice. This was the third attempt to my catalytic converter (failed, but they cut/mangled the exhaust pipe). I called and spoke with Casey and I emailed the the pictures I took. Within 10 minutes Casey called back and let me know what him and his senior estimator, Justin, thought. I took the car in on Monday morning and it was done by Tuesday 5pm. Exhaust pipe repaired and catalytic converter anti-theft protection plate installed, everything for a very reasonable price. Justin and Casey are very competent and have very friendly personalities. Nice doing business with Berkeley Auto Body!

Xuan Q

★★★★★

5 years ago

This was recommended to me by AAA. They did a fantastic job to repair my rear bumper. I initially thought the bumper had to be replaced, which would result in a higher insurance premium for next year, but the folks here suggested they could just repair my old bumper, which they restored to perfection and delivered earlier than the scheduled due date.

Max Ramey

★★★★★

5 years ago

These guys are incredible! They went above and beyond when it came to repairing my car. Justin was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I felt like I could trust them, which you don't always feel when you go to an auto body shop. I will definitely be bringing my car here in the future.

Steven Barnum

★★★★★

5 years ago

This joint is a true body shop! I appreciate and respect the staff there because they're dependable when it comes to repairs and genuinely honest with their estimates and quotes. I didn't have to deal with dodgy repairs or have someone try and gouge me with the bill. Today I paid $100 to repair a dent in my front bumper and $500 for a through paint job!!!

Joe Barge

★★★★★

7 years ago

I am an unlucky driver. I have been to Berkeley Auto Body for repairs for no less than 5 incidents, one of them major. In that time the entire car has been repainted. Additionally, I am a very picky customer. I will bust out a ruler to check gaps, and I will look from all kinds of angles to make sure the color is perfect. Berkeley Auto Body has made me happy time and again. Their lifetime warranty is fantastic, and the one time I had to come back, they took care of things quickly and professionally, never questioning my complaint. Highly recommend.

Sam Conlogue

★★★★★

5 years ago

I had an accident which my auto insurance wouldn’t cover. I was referred to Berkeley auto via the Dealer who I take my car to for routine maintenance. Obviously the dealer was charging a substantially higher cost than an independent shop. I gave a few local East bay shops a call, all with very high estimates, eventually I called Berkeley Autobody. THESE GUYS ROCK. Best service in the car Industry I have ever received. 1) very timely and worked with my difficult schedule (I work 3rd shift) 2) Picked up my car from Concord and dropped off at my house the very next day at no extra charge! 3) offered a substantial cash discount 4) very clean work, easy to contact throughout the entire process. Seriously great shop and great people. Highly recommend this shop if your looking for a reasonable coast and great service while supporting local business !

Michael Hurd

★★☆☆☆

a year ago

I had went here before and there was an amazing front office worker named Oscar who thoroughly explained things and was professional aboout each interaction they had. However, this time when I went there was another indivual in the front office who was very uninfromative and nonchalant. Do not go to this auto shop for services through your insurance. Like many autoshops they will capitalize on this. Repairs were not explained, papaers was only asked to be signed. I had to ask them to explain repairs to me. For me as a business professional thisis a major red flag. THis business should be reviewed for SOPs. Use all the cultural capital and support you have if you fod go to this shop to best defend yourself against bad business practices. Overall my services were tended to but teh way in which it was done was not professional which still leaves skeptisim in my head about the quality of work that was done. Support a female owned auto body shop in Oakalnd instead : Uptown Body & Fender - Auto Body Shop and Collision Repair in Oakland. The owner is wonderful and has a great attitude. Check here for an appointment here for quality and fair work with transparency. They often are busy but its well worth it if you have the privelage to wait out your repairs.

Mel Aden

★★★★★

a year ago

It was really easy... they gave a good price quote and then ordered the parts, during which time I could still use the car. Then, a week later, with a scheduled appointment, they took the car and turned it around in a week, and it looked and felt like new. They also did me the favor of removing the obsolete commute stickers. My calls for updates were answered promptly. Altogether, it was pleasant dealing with Berkeley Auto Body, and they are now my first choice.

George Mixelogj

★★★★★

10 months ago

They did a great job with my BMW. Initially I was worried because it is a BMW, but they fixed all the internals, suspensions, as well as the external parts (i.e., the frame). The vehicle returned as new and in reasonable time.

Kent Davis

★★★★★

5 years ago

If your wife drives a Bentley, you look for a shop that will meet your wife's demands for perfection. Of course, I was quite nervous. In advance, I enquired about their experience with the paint that Bentley used and would they be able to match the unique and beautiful "Magnolia" paint? The Bentley is a hand made car and my wife wanted it to be a show piece. There were places that had rusted under the paint on the sun roof and around the trunk lock. I had been told that to fight the rust, the old paint had to be removed and the metal sandblasted prior to repainting. I was assured that they would take great care to honor the car and do the job right. I was even sent pictures of the sandblasted panels. When I got the car back, and before I let my wife inspect it, I carefully checked it out. It sure seemed perfect to me. Next, what would the wife say? Well, I put it in the sun and let her look it over. There was absolutely nothing that she could say but "WOW, it looks GREAT" Thank you to all of the guys that made it perfect. Happy wife....

Katya Gerwein

★★★★★

7 months ago

They were so wonderful in having the car done when they said it would be done and not only that when it was missing a piece they went and found a piece in the back that fit and were able to finish it even earlier than they said they would. Nice efficient kind. Just FYI it is cheaper if you pay in cash or with debit

Carlos Flores

★☆☆☆☆

a month ago

I had to share my experience at this Shop! I took my vehicle so they can do the inspection. They guy that I can’t remember his Name told me that the inspection was done and was going to sent the info to the insurance and also that he was going to call me when the parts arrived. Is been 2 months and haven’t received a call from them! I called them a week ago and they said they will return the call. And nothing!😒 yesterday i received a letter from the insurance that they were going to closed the Claim because no Activity they didn’t sent any info. I don’t recommend this Shop they just wasted my time.