Don Beyer Volvo – Dulles

I’m only giving 1 star as that is the minimum rating. As my current lease (Infiniti) is nearing it’s end, I have started to shop for a new car. We decided to swing by Don Beyer on a Sunday afternoon as the website advertised they were open 12 – 5. We arrived, saw the car we wanted to drive out front and took a quick look at the vehicle. After giving it a once over, we stepped inside to speak to a salesperson. We were approached by a man who (putting it mildly) was less than friendly. He asked if he could help us and I explained that I wanted to drive the new S60 «Special Edition» (they had one on the lot… about 50 yards away from where we were standing). The salesman gave me a confused look and asked «Special Edition?» in a rude tone, implying there was no such car or that I was confused? I said, «Yes, the gray one out front.» His response? «Ok, well we work by appointment on Sundays, so do you have an appointment?» I’m sorry, but now i need an appointment to purchase a car? Mind you, no indication on the webiste that you need an appointment. I digress. I responded no and he acted put off and said we would have to wait in the waiting area until someone was available. After waiting 10 minutes, he came over to let us know that we probably were not going to be able to be helped. Honestly, I have never experienced such a rude salesperson in all my time buying cars. We left, went to Audi of Chantilly and were promptly greeted by a smiling salesman who was VERY helpful and friendly. It’s a shame that this experience has completely ruined my perception of the Volvo brand.

Another great visit for routine maintenance for my Volvo. My Service representative, Mr. Ted Ibach, once again provided superior support. Organized and efficient, he summarized what needed to be done, provided me an estimated time to completion, and followed up with my satisfaction on the work. Don Beyer Volvo continues to provides support that displays their appreciation for me — the consumer. It has been this VOLVO EXPERIENCE that will lead my decision when it comes time to shop for my next automobile, Thanks Team!

Awesome dealership with very friendly dealers and staff. Good quality cars too.

Very low-​pressure buying experience with knowledgeable and friendly people to help and answer any questions we had.

Greg always does a great job telling the service technician what needs to be done. My daughter drives my 2004 XC90 that has just passed 200,000 miles. Don Beyer Volvo has been taking car of this vehicle and my other Volvo for years. Thank you!

Great service an pricing! I had an issue with my S40 and Tae was a great listener – which resulted in coming up with the best approach for diagnosing my car’s issues.

Background
My wife and I have purchased two vehicles from Don Beyer and have about five years worth of experience using their service department. Back in 2009 we originally went to a competitor in Fairfax to check out an S40, but no one even acknowledged that we were in the show room (and they were not busy). So we headed over to Don Beyer and the rest… is history…
Sales
I recently purchased a very low mileage, fully loaded CPO 2013 S60 R Design — The price was a few thousand below KBB and cheaper than comparable models on Autotrader. That, combined with the Certified Volvo warranty, PLUS the fact that the prior owner purchased prepaid maintenance and wear & tear coverage, made this a rare opportunity. Kelvin and Stuart were great to deal with and didn’t use any pressure tactics (the car and price pretty much sold itself). Given the warranties and prepaid maintenance that was coming with the car, Stuart didn’t even bother trying to upsell us on all that extended warranty stuff. Very happy with the purchase so far and I love my car.
Service
Although it’s a bit out of the way for us, we really only need to bring each of our cars in for regular service once a year or so. It’s no problem since we always get a nice loaner (alhtough it will entice you to upgrade!). Only problem we had was one situation in which we were quoted a $ 3K repair — After my we looked at our records, we realized it was under warranty and most of it was covered. The dealership should have already known that, but mistakes happen. So, be sure you know your warranty info!
Overall though, we clearly enjoy going there and recommend it to any current or potential Volvo owners. We’re always impressed with the friendliness of everyone.

I’m taking this survey since the initial question was asking if the service was «above and beyond» — it takes a lot to achieve that level of service so I imagine all customers should be taking this survey.
On a side note, I’d still like to know why my passenger and driver side mirrors are adjusted to different positions after I have my vehicle serviced. Is there a feature I don’t know about? (Probably — as there is a lot of technology in these vehicles)
I asked the service guy and he checked with the technician. They didn’t know either. If anyone knows about these adjusting mirrors and could provide information please let me know. Maybe it is some safety feature I need to read about. Thanks again — have a good day!

This review is for their service dept.
I went to DB for a new XC90. They did not meet my price expectation so I did not buy the car from DB. However I have been taking my XC90 for service to DB. I have had a great experience with their service dept. Rental car, updates on the work done and follow up call. Overall good work.

We made a reservation before we went to Don Beyer Volvo. However, when we arrived there the guy at the front desk told us that he would call our agent right away and he asked us to wait in the waiting room.
The problem was there were no waiting room. I mean there was a big room with full of computer desks but there was no place to sit there.
Then we learned that, in fact our agent was there in front of us but working with some other customers.
This is the part that I hate: don’t use the reservation system if you cannot commit. Just say «come whenever you want, we will deal with you as soon as we are free».
Then the funny thing happened: we were telling what kind of cars they have in their inventory using our smart phones!
We’ve been to may be 6 different car dealers, this was the worst dealer by far. They treat their customers like sh*t!

Short and to the point. I purchased a Volve from Carmax, right next to the Sterling Don Beyer Volvo dealership. The Volve had problems immediately and within 30-​days the car would experience engine damage from sludge for oil. To their credit Don Beyer did not sell me this car but here is where my experience with them comes in and completely sours me. Carmax generously offers to have a brand new engine installed in the car using Don Beyer right next door. They authorize the cost of a new crated engine and I leave the car with Mike at Don Beyer. I pick the car up a week later and Mike gives me the receipt at which time I ask him for the certificate for the new engine (comes with all new engines). Mike tells me «they don’t do that anymore» and I did believe him and did not challenge him. I continued to have severe issues with the car including a check engine light that would not go out post new engine. I took the car back to Don Beyer repeatedly to no avail and finally in total frustration I traded the car in for a Toyota. I told the sales rep that the Volve had a brand new engine on it to get a better trade value and showed him the paperwork from Don Beyer — he comes back to sadly inform me that the «brand new» engine was actually an engine from a wrecked Volve and not a new engine. This was found out by tracking the manufacturers number all engines have on them. I think very little of Don Beyer and having purchased many cars beyond this experience I have never even considered their dealership.

I am happy with the way Ted treated me. I came in to get the knocking and rattling sound from the rear of my car fixed. It is not Ted’s fault that the mechanic did not find any noise and that I have to go back again to ride with the mechanic to duplicate that rattle and knocking sound. I just wish that someone had taken a better look and I am sure would have detected the source of the sound. Again, I am very happy with Ted’s service.

6÷18÷2013
Since my last update I’ve visited Beyer 4 – 5 more times. and experience was top notch. One time, my trunk wouldn’t open and they helped me troubleshoot over the phone… then stupidity hit critical mass, he asked me if i had locked my glovecompartment in which i laughed and said ‘uh-​huh’. Conclusion? User failure, great great great customer experience. thanks guy!
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
I received my car back from service and they said they ‘recharged my battery’ vs just replacing it which was instructed to me by the towing guy. Also I mentioned that my Moonroof was malfunctioning when i brought my car in – Well looks like they didn’t take a look. I showed him what the issue was again and he said they’ll need to order a new control mechanism. so i’ll have to make a trip back. I shouldn’t have to pay for gas when they loan me a car again, as its their fault. so my 5 stars went down to a 4. still not bad.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Upon reading other reviews I’d thought to take precautionary steps and slightly use a defensive tone. I regret doing so as they were gosh darn friendly. I’ve had forgotten my credit card for the loaner vehicle they were most willingly to hand over (don’t worry they only hold on to its numbers in case you don’t fill up the gas) I can’t say how I ended up resolving the matter because it might give some of you bad ideas — But, it ended well and they gave me the s60 R-​design! I haven’t had time to return it today as I will bring it in tomorrow morning but man that thing is fun to drive. (i drive the t5 model, holds it’s old but doesn’t compare to the R)
Exterior:
It was raining, but it resembled Don Beyer Alexandria, which was nice. Plenty of s60’s (sorry volvo, but i’m glad s60’s aren’t popular)
Interior
pretty nice — again it was much like their cousin company in Alexandria. Before the friendly staff can even greet me, I walked in and was complaining rather loudly about how I was so absent minded in forgetting my cc card and proper id. They handled me quite well and we ended up with a nice conversation. So if jerks are the only ones that are getting fabulous treatment, then that’s a shame, otherwise I recommend this place highly — And please don’t go in there like a primadonna. There is no need, you’ll only look like the fool that I have become. Maybe i should bring them a goodie basket.
In fact, the first thing that I’m going to do is apologize to one or two of the staff for coming in like Joe Pesci.
btw, there’s a sign the size of my car that pretty much says «WE GIVE OUT VOLVO LOANERS TO OUR CUSTOMERS’ (I didn’t notice that because i stormed in)
My advice, don’t take the reviews here seriously, they’re all subjective and come from different times and experiences. Stay reserved and see for yourself before making judgments.

Not a good experience at all. My wife and I went shopping for cars and found a great deal on a used BMW. When we test drove it, the Service Light was on. Not a huge concern since they all are on timers and go on quite often. Also, the car had failed emissions at like 35K miles. So, I asked if they could please confirm why the emissions failed and if they could fix the service light issue before delivering the car. This was agreed but when we arrived the next day, nothing was done. The Service light was still on and they claimed that ‘it was a computer thing’. Also, the failed emissions excuse was along the same lines. They were pretty much selling me a car that wasn’t ready for delivery.
We proceeded with the sales contract under the understanding that I would get the service light fixed and send them the bill. Horrible. They couldn’t just call me ahead of time and let me know the car wasn’t ready for delivery? It would have been the right thing to do.
After all that, I still was going to move forward (I have no clue why). My financing was a great rate but I was able to get a lower rate using one of their banks. Perfect. This gave me flexibility to purchase an extended warranty without increasing my montly payments too much. Unfortunately, the finance guy changed the terms to lengthen my monthly payments without me realizing.
After all the paperwork was finally signed, they gave me one key to the car. One key. In all my years of buying cars, I never was just given one key. The sales guy told me I should have asked how many keys to the car there was from the beginning. I guess it’s my fault for not checking in with them on how many keys they offer on cars. Ridiculous. After that I asked for my check back and for them to shred the paperwork.
They clearly didn’t treat me right as a customer. They had a sale but instead made the whole entire process uncomfortable and uneasy.
I left feeling I made the right decision.

Traded in our beat up old 850 for a used XC90. Sales team is OK but the Service department is great. Josh is the best service guy and his team makes it right. Always get my car back in time and there’s always a loaner car if needed. 5 Stars for the service team.
Don Beyer is also cool about letting you test drive any car without them babysitting/​hounding/​calling.

Got my first Volvo here and couldn’t be happier with my brand new 2012 S60 t5. I was welcomed by Alex at the internet sales. I looked through S60’s they had, test drove a Volvo, got a quote for my trade-​in car and made a decision about which s60 to get in one hour. This process couldn’t be easier for me. I got exactly what I asked for my trade-​in, got the monthly payment that I wanted, but the Volvo that I got was far above my expectations. With their special offer, I got a much nicer s60 model plus all the extra features for the price I though I would get for an entry model.
The dealership looks clean, there’s a nice waiting area if you’re waiting for the car, and if not, you get a nice loaner Volvo. I had to come back two weeks later to get a missing part from a trunk and Joshua already knew my name and helped me right away with few questions I had. So far I’ve been very happy with this place and I’m even happier with my new S60, amazing car. I hope Volvo can keep it up. Maybe splitting away from Ford was a good thing after all.

Horrible experience! (originally submitted 4÷16÷2011)
Bought a new XC-​90 about 6 years ago and brought it back to DB for it’s regular maintenance since. The buying experience and most service appointments were very good UNTIL the past few times that have gotten progressively worse. The most horrible experience I’ve ever had with a customer service rep. ANYWHERE came today at DB Volvo.
A month ago we had 50K service performed, which came to almost $ 1K and one of the items I asked them to fix was a burned out Daytime Running Light. Got the car back home (an hour away) and found that the DRL was not replaced. Rather than taking another 2 hours drive and cycle the car up there again, I went to Pep Boys and replaced it myself. But I did call the service rep. to tell him that they missed the DRL. He barely apologized and that was that. Soon after I received a survey from Volvo Corp. asking me about the latest service, and I did not rate it high due to missing the DRL. I didn’t hide my name, and it was an honest assessment.
Took the car in this morning to a scheduled appointment and after taking my information and key, the same service rep. berated me for giving «him» a low rating and, I quote him directly, «just want to let you know that it affects me personally when you give a low rating». it was all in a threatening tone with several «do you understand?! thrown at me for emphasis. Well EXCUSE ME, IT AFFECTS ME PERSONALLY WHEN I HAVE TO FIX SOMETHING YOU NEGLECTED TO DO!!! I didn’t actually say that back to him as I was too shocked to believe a service rep. would treat a returning customer like that. After thinking a minute, I demanded my keys back, walked out the door, and will not be returning for service or car purchases at DB Volvo in the future.
Updated 11/​17/​2011:
Well, I still don’t take our Volvo to DB and have found a great place close by that services the car. But I don’t understand why Unilocal filters this review. Every word is true and the experience is accurately reported. Does Unilocal not allow one star reviews? My experience certainly warranted one star.

I felt kind of intimidated walking into Don Byer Volvo to test drive an $ 8,000.00 used Honda Accord in a land of $ 50,000.00 Swedish cars.
I wasn’t intimidated very long, because I was lucky enough to get Kam as my salesman. He took his time with me and was extremely patient and professional. I believe he treated me the same as he would have treated a customer who was ready to drop $ 50,000.00.
Based on my experience, I would recommended Don Byer Volvo Dulles, and Kam to anybody.

I’m surprised by Don Beyer. I used to hate the place, especially when the economy was good, they treated their customers like sh*t. I bought a 2005 XC70, and the first time I took my car in for service, the courtesy car was a beat up Ford Taurus! What was up with THAT?
But lately I started to notice a difference. It started in the middle of last year when gas was over $ 4 for premium. I took my car in for service and was expecting yet another Ford, and to my surprise, a 2008 S40 was available for me. The service staff was kind, and took time to explain to me what they did for my car. It was a much better experience and I hope they keep up with it when the economy is «GOOD» again.

Four years ago, after being promoted to Captain and returning from my first deployment to Afghanistan with a good chunk of cash in hand, I walked in to the Volvo Diplomat and Military Sales office in Korea. Little did I know then that the TRUE cost of ownership would be so damn high (way beyond what
will tell you).
Customer Service — Ok, honestly, these guys were good at the beginning. I guess after realizing that I’m not immediately in the market for a new car, they relegated me to «the rest». I mean, I didn’t pay almost half a year’s salary for a Swedish car, only to be given a Ford Taurus as the loaner. Give me a break! I drop a Volvo off, I want to drive a Volvo. Three stars.
Mechanical Service — These guys are very hit or miss for whatever reason lately. I send my car in for service and it will come back… nearly the same. I went in for a service that ran me nearly $ 1000 (a couple of repairs and flush/​fills hit all at once). Well, the light was still on when done, the engine still made the squealing noise, and the performance of the car hadn’t improved as time past. One star.
Price — Well, I just won’t go there. Reference the previous cost of my service to get an idea of how I feel.
Man, if they just didn’t have a monopoly on the area… oh, and if my warranty was expired, I’d go find one of those «specialty» shops.