Google Reviews
Rosario Sollazzi
★
☆☆☆☆
5 years ago
I dropped off my 1977 Chevy Monte Carlo off to have him replace the door and roof rail weatherstripping on it. One week, then two weeks went by. When I started calling to ask how the work was coming along, I was told that they were having difficulty removing the glue from the old, deteriorated rubber. At the end of the third week, Dale informed me that they weren’t able to start the car, indicating that the fuel pump was going to need to be replaced. Now I knew that if my car sat unused for a week or more it would be difficult to start. On two occasions I had to use starting fluid to get it running. Because ethanol destroys rubber components on antique cars, I told Dale to go ahead and replace the fuel pump. Towards the end of the fourth week, I hadn’t heard any status report, so I stopped by Dale’s to check on progress. I found my car parked in the lot with the hood popped open. I opened the hood and was shocked by what I saw – the whole front end of my engine was taken apart – alternator, water pump, timing chain cover etc. (the alternator was laying on my new heat riser pipe, damaging it) Johnny the mechanic came out and told me that they had to do that because they couldn’t remove the fuel pump rod that rides on the cam, and they figured it would be easier to get at it by removing the front end components of my engine. Now I was never asked if they could perform this extra work - they just did it! Dale suggested that if they couldn’t remove the fuel pump rod they would have to, as a last resort, install an electric fuel pump. Reluctantly, I agreed to that. Having failed to remove the rod, they installed a block off plate and electric fuel pump. Because the front of the engine was torn apart, they changed the oil and ended up replacing a piece of fuel line that had rusted. The day arrived that my car was finally ready. A simple weatherstripping job that should have cost less than $200 ballooned to $850!! Upset, I paid the bill and just wanted to drive my car out of there. Halfway home, I turned the air conditioning on. Good thing I did that, because the a/c belt started screeching because the mechanic failed to properly tighten it after taking it apart. My anger growing, I returned to Dale’s. The mechanic, presumably Ollie, came out and started wrenching under the hood without the use of a fender cover. When I asked him about it, that’s when he went to get one. As I stood there, I noticed scratches and parking lot dings that weren’t on the car when I dropped it off. Dale said I could bring the car to Phil’s Body Shop where they could buff the scratches out, but the scratches are still visible. Getting the car home, I discovered that they removed the dome light and failed to reinstall it. I found the plastic dome light cover behing the front seat misshapen. Opening the trunk, I discovered that they had left the garbage (packaging and old weatherstripping) in there. I also found what looked like a piece of new weather stripping. I opened the passenger door and learned that the mechanic cut off a piece of my brand new weatherstripping and cobbled it together with the old, worn weather stripping!! I returned to Dale’s and ask he and Johnny for an explanation why this was done. Johnny replied that Ollie, the mechanic who worked on my car, had botched the installation of a headliner on Johnny’s personal vehicle, and yet they had him work on my car! They offered to at least install the rest of my weatherstripping, but to do that correctly they would have to buy a brand-new piece of rubber because they ruined the one that I supplied. I asked Dale if they tried using starting fluid to start my car. He said no because he doesn’t like using it. I wish I knew beforehand, because I would have been able to start the car and save myself the aggravation. This experience was so overwhelmingly negative that it cancels out any positive ones I had previously. I am highly dissatisfied with the treatment I received at Dale’s, and would discourage anyone from using them to service their vehicle.
Verified Guide
★★★★★
6 years ago
Dale , Jonny and Wendy are a great family run business with high values , honesty and integrity . They do a great job and care about their customer. Jonny is a very knowledgeable mechanic and they do everything they can to take care of you at fair prices. They are a great small family owned business and I would highly recommend them to anyone.
chris timmons
★★★★★
4 years ago
Dales is by far the best Garage I've ever been to. It's run by good people doing great work. They strive to save you money not take it from you.
Dewey “VooDew_Nomad” Corage
★★★★★
10 years ago
Dale and Jonny always do great work ! I've been a customer of Dale's Automotive for about six years now and have never looked back !! Great work and is always willing to explain things and answer questions , if I have a question about my own repair, when possible . They are very honest mechanic's with great customer service , quick turnaround time, quality parts , that have made me a long time customer and always will be !! The prices are very fair and just adds another reason I always go to Dale's ! Perviously I had gone through at least 8 or so garage's prior to finding Dale and always had a repair bill of at least $ 500 dollars or more and always had second opinions and was told otherwise by the next garage !!! Then after a visit or so it was the same thing ! But not Dale's, always fair and honest. So I would highly recommend Dale's Automotive to anyone including my grandma ! If she still drove! Thanks Dale and Jonny , And the entire staff !! A good honest mechanic is very hard to find !!
Joe Powell
★★★★★
11 years ago
Not sure where the previous reviewer visited but it was not Dale's. I am a recent transplant to PA and went to Dale's for my emissions and safety inspection. Everything was quick, friendly, honest, fair, and reasonably priced. I will definitely return for my next inspection and would not hesitate to bring my car in for other service as well should the need arise. Highly recommended!
Rick S
★★★★
☆
8 years ago
I thought about giving only 3 stars, but I decided that I really appreciate Dale's attitude and integrity. I brought my vehicle in for fluid changes and other various things. They did a good job. After NTB told me that my shocks needed changing, Dale told me that my shocks were still ok. My only complaints are that when I asked if the tire pressures were checked they said yes, however I found that the tire levels were not good. Also, they aren't very good about answering the phone or getting quotes back quickly. Overall though, I would highly recommend this place.
Isabel Frey
★★★★★
Edited 4 years ago
I was a lil confused where to take my car to, many different recommendations from different people and I called Dale's and the very pleasant Kim fiy me in and I finally new what was wrong with my car after 2 othemechanics. Jonny did fixed my car and explained what the problem was and what he did, and it was all a good positive and honest experience for me. I would recommend Dale's to anyone looking for honest, reliable and responsible rates service. Thank you Kim and Jonny, u guys were awesome
Montez Hill
★★★★★
3 years ago
Awesome service. Everyone is friendly, and treats you with respect. Some mechanics make you feel like they are getting over. Dale's always made me feel like they had my best interest in mind.
Matthew McDanel
★★★★★
a year ago
I have lost count of the people I have recommended Dales to over the last decade... I guess it's time to write a review. Honest shop.
Jason Frantz
★★★★★
9 years ago
My family and myself have gone to Dale's for around 3 years now. We have never had anything but top notch and professional service. And most importantly, honesty. They will tell you exactly how it is and will even make suggestions about whatever is needed and when it should be changed. If I ever move away, I will still come back to Dale's because of how good their shop is.
Virginia Lee
★★★★★
8 years ago
We have taken our car here for several years and each time are met with honesty and wonderful service. We have tried getting work at a couple other local shops but we others always charged too much or to fix things that were not needed. Dale and Johnny are honest men and know what they are doing. Literally just got another fix today and we were quoted 308$ somewhere else and Dale said that what the other guy wanted to do wasn't necessary and we ended up paying less than half. Always amazing here!
Scott Kennedy
★★★★★
3 years ago
This shop is great. Went there for the first time for my state inspection and they did a thorough job without looking for anything extra to being me back for. I hadn’t even mentioned that there was a rattling noise around my exhaust and when I picked up the car they let me know they fixed it for me already, and only charged me $15 for it! They let me know of anything that passed inspection this time, but may eventually need replaced, so I don’t have any issues this winter. Incredibly reasonable pricing and a nice summary sheet on the invoice for your visit.
Kenneth Kramer
★★★★★
4 years ago
I used Dales for the first time this week for service on my 2019 Subaru. I met with Dale prior to scheduling my appointment and found him to be kind, respectful and able to answer all my questions and concerns about using an independent shop rather than the Subaru dealership. I felt assured and comfortable after our discussion. At my appointment, my car work was started right away and completed in the amount of time he initially told me. My experience was very good and I will continue to use this shop for service. Thanks Dale! Ken Kramer
Bill64allen
★
☆☆☆☆
Edited a year ago
Can’t give me a low high estimate on a blendoor motor. They want you to pay for diagnostic and my mechanic at a 5 star garage called pine hill automotive said it what needs fixed. There garage is to busy right now. The lady said I needed to provide VIN for it but didn’t want me to provide it for her. So I’ll keep calling around for a low high estimate or a mechanic that actually takes the time to give them my vin to choose there shop or not. 3 stars only because it’s my only encounter. In addition I already have the motor/actuator too. So I could’ve paid labor. They just didn’t want the buisness
Tarra Bircher
★
☆☆☆☆
11 months ago
I had several people recommend Dale's for my VW CC for the check engine light. I dropped my car off at 8 am Thursday. I called at 3 pm to get an update and they said they THINK it a PCV valve based on the code and a previous vehilcle (not the same year or model but close). They couldn't get the part until the next day because it had to be an OEM part and they only deliver once a day (which is understandable). Picked my car up Friday and specifically asked what if the check engine light comes back on and was told they would do what they could but they couldn't push back other appointments just for my car. 4 days and less than 100 miles later and the check engine light is back on. I called as soon as it came on (today- Tuesday) and was told since they dont know if it's throwing the same code (well of course you don't know that's why you need to get it in ASAP to check it especially when it's most likely the same code since it's only been a few days) I could either drop my car off and they would get to it in a day or 2 or I could make an appointment for 2 weeks from now. I would think they would figure out a way to squeeze in a car that was just in their shop less than a week ago to read a code that take 5-10 min. I'm not expecting them to jump through hopes for me but I would expect something better than go another 2 days without a car - more if they have to fix it again or go another couple weeks until we can get you in.
Jay Shomper
★
☆☆☆☆
11 months ago
Dales Automotive charged me $1800.00 for a oil change, state inspection and to repair a gas tank sensor. After three attempts, their shade tree mechancis were unable to repair the gas tank sensor. My car was returned unrepaired. And I was charged a $1000.00 for a oil change and state inspection. After 8 years as a customer, my family and I have have called it quits. This was not the first issue I have had with that pathetic garage..
Ron Hetrick
★★
☆☆☆
Edited 7 months ago
I previously left a 5-star review for Dale's Automotive. My Air Conditioner experience this past May 20th has left me disheartened. My AC wasn't cooling very well, and they quoted me for an $1,100 condenser replacement. I sought a second opinion and found that a $40 coolant recharge resolved my issue. I have been using the AC for the past 2 months with no problems. I am not sure if this was an isolated issue or some new folks there might be attempting to drum up some additional business.
Triston Nye
★★★★★
11 months ago
Absolute life savors. Been having issues with the fuel system in my Audi A4. After taking it to a couple other shops to be looked at, I received several misdiagnosis and was charged for parts that most likely did not need to be changed (to be fair, Audis are knows to be trouble cars). After leaving it with the guys at Dales I was give an extensive diagnosis and an honest opinion as to what the issue was. Long story short, I would have saved a good bit of time and money if I had just gone to Dales in the first place! Honest crew and great company, will definitely be taking my vehicles here for now on!
Sammi
★
☆☆☆☆
4 months ago
We’ve used Dales automotive off and on for years (we do a lot of our own work at home) we used to love them. However, the inspection that we just had done this past week (11/7/25) has left a sour taste in our mouth. What should have been approximately a $70-80 inspection ended up being $170. When I dropped the car off at 09:40, I spoke to the lady behind the desk and told her not to do anything to the car without authorization from us. They replaced and headlight and supposedly had to do some electrical work for the taillights, which cost an additional $80. I drive the car every single NIGHT, and I am a very competent driver, a CDL driver. I do pre-trips and post-trips on my car, both headlights were in working order, actually had just replaced them about 3 weeks ago, and the taillights were also in working order. I agree with a previous review, I believe they are just trying to make a quick buck off their customers. Disgraceful, will not be returning.
Pamela Parson
★★★★★
3 months ago
This place is the best. They do excellent work. They are honest, thorough and pleasant. Costs are reasonable. They never try to upsell things you don't need. And they'll shop around for the best deal on parts.
