Dana Meyer Auto Care

This shop treated me very unethically. I made an appointment because my service light came on. When I pulled into the shop at my appointment time, I got a couple of sideways looks and some muttering from the mechanics on the floor, but nobody said «how can I help you?» I finally get help from one of the guys and take off waiting to hear the results of the checkup.
A little while later, I get a call from one of the mechanics saying that my brake fluids were contaminated and that I had torn windshield wipers. He quoted me an outrageous $ 400. I said no way. I requested that he go forward with the brake fluid flushing, and also asked him about my engine oil and whether it needed to be changed. He responded in a lying tone «yes».
When I got back to the shop I found out that instead of just plugging that code reading machine into the car (which I’m sure takes about 5 minutes), they took the liberty of doing a completely unnecessary 23 point courtesy check. When I looked down the checklist, I saw that the mechanic circled «ok» for the engine oil.
All told, they charged me an outrageous $ 244.52 for changing the engine oil and brake fluid, and they charged me $ 189 in labor. The lady at the front desk said that they charge a labor rate of $ 135/​hr, meaning they supposedly spent 1.4 hours on a job that I can’t imagine would take nearly that long.
The lady was also behaving very arrogantly and defensively, unapologetic for their bad service, and unrepentant for the lies that she told me. She said that their mechanics are very experienced, and that’s why they charge top dollar, and I can actually respect that. But ultimately, I would not ever take my car back here for any mechanical work either complex or simple.

Overall, they were very good.
Pro’s:
–It’s a company with people of integrity
–Very meticulous inspection of car
–Excellent, professional documentation of services rendered
–Transparent on pricing and process
Con’s:
–Could be a bit more communicative on estimated times of completion and more pro-​active on phoning with updates

Update: Dana himself called me after seeing my previous review to follow up with my case. He asked whom I took it to and what the services performed were. He also asked that the next time I brought my car in, I bring a copy of the invoice from the other shop so that they could keep it on file for my car. I was impressed by the steps taken to ensure positive customer relations as well as the specific care for my car. I did take my car in again when I needed an oil change and a turn signal to be fixed; the service I received was prompt and professional.

My wife and I have entrusted the care and feeding of our beloved 1986 Toyota Camry to Dana Meyer for many years. This most recent experience is a perfect example of why they continue to receive our business.
After returning from a wonderful two-​week vacation, I decided to drive over to Lucky’s for a few breakfast items as the fridge was bare from our long absence. To my horror, the intermittent problem with the ignition cylinder suddenly took a turn for the worst. It would not turn at all. I could feel the key bending in the lock it was so frozen!
I called AAA, and though the driver was able to jiggle the steering wheel and the key enough to get the cylinder to turn and start the car, I knew it would need to be fixed ASAP. I drove it to Dana Meyer, and Noe said that there were several replacement cylinders available in the East Bay, but depending on how quickly they could be obtained would determine how quickly the car would be ready. I walked out the door on a late Wednesday morning with an estimate for $ 450 and the car being ready by Friday.
Thursday afternoon we get the call that the car is ready, and the cherry on top was that the final cost was actually LOWER than the estimate! Now the ignition cylinder rotates as smooth as silk. We didn’t realize how badly it had been damaged by the last attempted theft until this replacement.
Many thanks to Noe and crew for keeping our old blue horse running free!

They are very professional and give great customer service, Car is now 11 years old. They have never recommended any work besides routine maintenance.

Ok for routine maintenance but…
This time I asked to upgrade the brakes on my Sequoia for towing.
Spoke to them twice stating there’s nothing mechanically wrong but want better stopping power. The second time we discussed what the upgrade would be so I thought there was an understanding.
Pick up my car only to find out $$$ was charged to diagnose there was nothing wrong with the brakes (which I knew) and yet towing grade brakes were not installed because the mechanic «didn’t think it needed them».
Off to find a shop that is able to do a bit more than oil changes and happens to listen to its customers.

They were terrific. My car died on Sunday night. Triple A came around 10:00 the next morning, did a quick check of the electrical system and found that my alternator had to be replaced.
I called Dana Meyer and had my car towed to them. The service agent was polite and professional, quickly taking down my information. A few minutes later they gave me a price quote and told me when I could pick it up. I was only there about ten minutes.
A few hours later they called. The car was available almost two hours before they told me it would be and the cost was slightly less than estimated.
I was very pleased with their service. I highly recommend them.

I went to get an oil change here rather than go to downtown Berkeley to the Toyota dealer. It is close to home and how much could it be? The tattooed gentleman at the desk said it would be 95 $. Yikes! I asked if he was joking and he said ‚“We don’t just do an oil change, we also check all the fluids.” So does everyone else and they do it for $ 40.

My dad took his 2000 Honda Accord to Dana Meyer from the time he purchased it 14 years ago. I inherited the car 5 years ago and have moved around some in that time. Due to location changes I’ve seen 4 different mechanics and have been most satisfied with the service I’ve received at Dana Meyer. Dana picked up the phone yesterday when I called to schedule my car drop off (they were able to fit me in today!) and he came down and chatted with me when I was picking it up today. I have always found the communication regarding the servicing clear and easy to understand. I’m no car expert and I appreciate the level of respect I receive, despite the fact that it’s clear my knowledge is limited. I have never felt that there were purchases or services recommended that were unreasonable or unnecessary – essentially I’ve taken my car in for an oil change and walked out paying for an oil change and receiving a detailed description of how my brake pads, battery, etc are performing, allowing me to anticipate the larger expenses like a new battery or new brake pads. The SRS airbag light has gone on recently and instead of running potentially costly diagnostic tests, Alex recommended that I contact the Honda Dealer as they will fix it for free under warranty.
Overall I am extremely grateful to have a place to take my car that I trust, and appreciate the level of honest and direct communication that I receive at Dana Meyer. I would highly recommend them!

Wow, what a classy response Dana. And complete validation that it’s time for a new mechanic. No thank you for being a customer for 15 years (yes, it’s been 15, not 11), no phone call to discuss my dissatisfaction, just a public attack in front of Unilocalers reading this. Clearly a customer service focused company.
For the Unilocalers reading this, I ended up taking my car into a new mechanic who read the codes in 30 minutes, printed them out and showed them to me and actually told me what he thought was wrong with the car, none of which were fuses or batteries. In his response, Dana mentioned reading codes, that I obviously paid for, but never got any printout or indication of what was wrong.
And auto mechanic = physician, yeah, you keep thinking that. lol.

I found Dana Meyers (DM) incredibly professional & accommodating. I was juggling going to work and looking to buy a used Subaru around the dealerships in Berkeley. Based on reviews, I chose this shop. I was not sorry. I drove my prospective cars to Dana Meyers during my lunch hour, picked up in about an hour and a half. While I was there I noticed there were other «Subie» owners bringing their cars there. Got thorough «peace of mind» reports; would not have bought my car unless I got a green light from DM.

The best in the business! Professional, courteous, truthful, completes the job in a timely manner.

I brought my Toyota in about a month ago for a tire rotation and a once-​over. The staff was friendly and the waiting room was decent. One of the mechanics reported that my right front strut mount was worn, which would be $ 1100 – 1200 to repair, and that my drive belt was cracked.
I decided to get a second opinion and took the car into the trusted mechanic my parents use back in my hometown. They reported that the right front strut mount was completely fine, but agreed with the assessment of the belt.
I saved hundreds of dollars by getting that second opinion. I won’t be going back to Dana Meyer Auto Care.

I am a student so money is tight. These guys are awesome. Great customer service-​How great?
I purchased an online deal for 2 discounted oil changes. The first one went smoothly and efficiently. Their waiting room has a free automatic coffee machine and is well stocked with great magazines.
Months flew by and then I got a call reminding me to come in and claim my next change as it was about to expire at the end of the week.
They didn’t have to do that, but they went above and beyond– a really rare and awesome quality in a business.
After a rough week of class, I made it in on the last day and with a little creative reshuffling they were able to fit me in. My engine remains safe and happy and I will be surely returning for any future auto needs.

I’ve brought my cars here for years and felt they were overpriced but trustworthy. I was mistaken — they are overpriced and NOT trustworthy. They completely ripped off someone I referred — didn’t do the services claimed, didn’t check and replace things they should have, and charged a fortune. I’m never going back. No wonder the shop is empty. Folks have caught on.

Couldn’t get my regular mechanic (Peoples Precision). So I took a chance on this mechanic shop in Albany. Eh, not so great. Poor communication. Told me they serviced VW alignment issues, but they couldn’t fix it. Headlamp was affixed with temporary mounting, which actually looks ok now. My biggest problem though was that they didn’t call me to let me know that they couldn’t fix it, waited until all the other work was done, and called me 30 minutes before they closed. Not cool.
In the end I paid over $ 200 for an oil change and a headlamp mounting. Overall I wasn’t very happy with the experience. I wouldn’t recommend it, and I wouldn’t go back.
Sorry :-(

I’ve been taking my 1998 Ford here for six years, and am always satisfied, pleased, and reassured by the experience. Now that I live fifteen miles away instead of around the corner, I still go back for service because trust in a good mechanic is hard to build, and once you find that you don’t let go!
Today I went in with a budget and when they discovered a bigger problem with my spark plug wires than I could pay for, I was delighted to learn they had a pick-​n-​pull vehicle in the yard to substitute a replacement part for the new one I couldn’t afford. Thank you Dana and Crew for being creative and persistent in solving the problem! I was ready to come back in after my next paycheck, but didn’t have to because they were so on top of it!
They sure do deserve that AAA-​certified rating, and I hope you’ll give them a try!

Been coming here for 11 years. EXCELLENT service, and kind, honest people.

Dana and his people are great but the price and the service are not worth it.
After years of bringing my cars here I am going somewhere else.
I brought a car to do a check before I bought it. No problems. No warning, Everything okay.
Five months later I have to have a new transmission that is going to cost me $ 4,0000!!!

We just learned that Dana Meyer Auto Care can fix an issue we have had with our Jeep for over 3 years! For an extremely reasonable rate along with other persistent issues we had forgotten to mention when dropping off the car.
Thorough, reasonable, and communicative.
If you’re in the Bay Area, don’t hesitate. Simply put, best car repair service, ever.