Great Bear Auto Repair & Auto Body Shop

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  PriEagle
a month ago
2023:The best auto shop I've had the pleasure to go to for everything my car needs at great prices. Highly recommend! Seriously!Update 2-27-24:I still stand by my claim of great prices for the quality work Great Bear performs. They are the most honest mechanics I know so far. Please kindly bare in mind the longer the work takes the more you'll need to pay for labor but that's to be expected anywhere. If you want peace of mind that your car is taken care of properly, Great Bear Auto is the honest place to go. Grateful they are my mechanics and will be a long time customer.Audra and her front desk team needs strong appraisal too. John is very charismatic, listens to everything you request and is excited for you. Appreciate greatly his willingness to always try to help. Carrie is kind as well, genuinely caring to work with you and your needs. Audra is just the most amazing, honest and most helpful person I have encountered. Her leadership is reflected by the work achieved by everyone at Great Bear Auto.For the past year and change, I have gone to them reliably fixing all my issues for my 2015 Scion tC. I'm ecstatic at how it runs and feels. Will update this review again in the future to make sure people know the truth of Great Bear Auto.

  Joanna Pawel Tiede
a week ago
Great, honest mechanics. Women owned, have been going here for a few years, all members of my family. They explain everything upfront, great customer service, they listen and they make you feel "heard".They complete the work fast, otherwise they tell you if it takes more time. They even looked up my old father car for free and evaluated it and told him what was wrong and suggested to go back to another mechanic who completed work for a lot of money,to fix his new problem for free.he listened to them, and he got his new problem fixed for free.

  Joe C
6 months ago
I ve been a regular customer for almost 10 years. I ve also introduced my wife to the shop a few years ago. The service provided by Audra (Owner) and her team has been nothing but spectacular. I can speak from doing regular maintenance work with them such as oil changes, tire rotations, brakes and tires. However you want to do it, you can just pay for the labor and buy the parts yourself. Their technicians are pretty good as they also provided us with recommendations and problem areas to look out for without the pressure to get the work repaired right away.Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenance

  CHRIS GRAZ
5 months ago
We are happy, loyal customers and highly recommend their service to you. My family has 3 cars that are always serviced at great bear for 10+ years. Thank you Audra and the whole Great Bear Family for keeping us safe on the road!!

  J S
2 days ago
Audra was very attentive, kind, and helpful. i appreciate this place s integrity as well. I ve never felt like they were trying to get over on me . I ve been getting my car serviced here for 3 years and I have no complaints. 5/5

  Catherine Park
7 months ago
I recently had an outstanding experience at GREAT BEAR. From the moment I walked in, the staff & the manager Carrie were incredibly welcoming and attentive. They provided a detailed explanation of the repairs my vehicle needed and gave me a clear estimate.What really impressed me was their attention to detail in the repair work. My car came back looking as good as new, and they even took care of a few minor scratches that I hadn't initially mentioned. The work was completed ahead of schedule, which was a pleasant surprise.Throughout the process, they kept me informed about the progress of the repairs. The communication was excellent, and I never felt left in the dark. The staff's professionalism and expertise truly stood out.I can confidently say that GREAT BEAR goes above and beyond to provide top-notch service. If you're looking for a reliable and skilled auto body shop, I wholeheartedly recommend them. My car has never looked better, and I'm extremely satisfied with the entire experience.

  KyleWhoo
4 months ago
Brought my car in for an inspection for $37 dollars. The employees here are very welcoming and efficient, treating me like friends and family. John, one of the people at the front desk was notably friendly and we had a nice chat about some cars while I waited. The techs are also very knowledgeable and honest, they called me into the shop to report that my rear tires were going to need replacement soon after showing me the tread depth.Came back after about an hour for lunch and my car was waiting for me in the same condition it came in. Walked into the office, paid, and walked out satisfied.Safe to say you can trust them with your car.

  Ria Lawrance
2 months ago
We're thrilled to be loyal customers of Great Bear Auto Repairs for over a decade! I have 2 cars consistently serviced here, we confidently recommend their exceptional service to everyone. Huge thanks to Audra and the entire Great Bear Family for their dedication, Knowledge on the work, Honest and Friendly approach.

  NYC prof
a month ago
Went to support a women owned business and had the nastiest most unpleasant front desk experience with a woman at an auto shop ever thanks to a worker named Amy. It s never ideal having to drop almost $2000 for auto work it s a nightmare to have to drop $2000 for auto work AND a nasty attitude. Had my invoice thrown across the counter at me on the way out because I tried to give some feedback. Obviously I will not come back even if their auto work is good or bad (how can I get follow up service from staff like that?). I DO NOT RECOMMEND any woman patronize this business if they are looking for a welcoming environment for women.

  Marie Aguiar
2 months ago
Great Bear Auto Repair & Auto Body Shop is one of the best place for Car repair. When I reached out for help with my car issues, I received top-notch assistance marked by expertise. The team members displayed impressive knowledge and patiently clarified every issues on the Car and making it simple for a non-car enthusiast like me. Simply awesome service made by them. Higly recommended place for best service.

  regophil
3 weeks ago
At Great Bear, the owner, Audra is very professional and knowledgeable.The cost of repair is reasonable and it was done on time as promised.And thanks to John as well for his professional advice.Yes, I would recommend this business to my friends.

  LORNA RAYMOND
2 months ago
Excellent, honest and friendly service. I went in to check on why my overhead light was not working and to replace a blown bulb. I often ask the mechanics to check my fluids. In the process they found a leaking battery. This was important in light of the freezing cold weather we have been having. Kudos to them, I continually praise their HONESTY. So glad I found this repair shop.

  ToLoveis2Heal
2 months ago
Great Bear you Auto Know is a God sent! I have never in my life been so blessed to be serviced by a such a professional caring experienced mechanic business. They litterally care about their customers. Go over and above. They are like a 911 family for your car be it in a crisis or regular maintenance and care. As a woman it is very difficult to not walk into any kind of automotive business regardless of dealerships brokerages or repairs and not attempted to be targeted violated in all kinds of ways even if you can negotiate them to their knees while batting an eyelash. Why should we have to? Audra and John entire staff is legit. I been going to them almost 2 decades already. They been by my side with my old 2003 Toyota Camry so I know them through the good bad and ugly. Now I have a brand new 2024 and I still to go them for whatever minor thing. They have been so solid over the years empowering their customers especially a single mom like me educating us to be self sufficient independant knowing the basics under the hood while they doing the heavy lifting at a reasonable cost as possible under the circumstances. I was putting washer fluid in my car once on the street and a staff member came running out to do it for me who didn't know me. Just said he wanted to make what fluid I was using and if I was putting it in the correct place before I killed the car. He didn't have to. He was busy doing his job. He was able to see that I was doing it right but the point is he had to make sure since as he said many don't and it blows their entire inoperable and this is the kind of care & service you get here and so much more.If you need any kind of service you auto know Great Bear is Legit!!!

  Pamela S
6 months ago
Wow I can't say enough about Great Bear Auto, my mom and I are clueless when it comes to cars and going somewhere that we can trust is essential. Audra and her staff were incredible at putting us at ease with all the work our car needed. She constantly checked in with us knowing we didn't have another car to use. The staff there really goes above and beyond for you and your family. I won't be going anywhere else because I know my money and my car are safe with Audra. We went to another shop and almost scammed but Audra was honest and charged us half the price of the other shop. Her work was outstanding and fast! We got our car back in half the time we thought it would take. Don't go anywhere else, don't look anywhere else, go to great bear auto they will treat you like family!! Thanks Audra!!!Services: Tires, Electrical, Vehicle Inspection, Brakes

  Dina Macchia
a month ago
Honest, informative and friendly. I always feel like I m in great hands with Audra and her team. I highly recommend Great Bear. Also hanging with Jenny the dog is an added plus

  Will Walters
2 weeks ago
Terrible and rude customer service. Brought my car to be repaired on 4/2/2024, and had follow-up issues the next day from the new tire. The woman was very condescending, told me to not be upset, and that it was completely my fault. They said I hit a pothole and it could never be their fault, but there was no pothole.

  Ann Milutinovic
6 months ago
Their professionalism and kindness is 2nd to none. Their quality of work and thorough knowledge is impressive. Their prices are reasonable and detailed for clarification up front. And the follow up is appreciated!!Cedric went above and beyond to get my cars needs met.I took a class with Audra over 6 years ago and it still serves me to this day.Services: Exhaust, Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto maintenance

  Russell Targove
5 months ago
When something goes wrong with my vehicle, I do not ever panic. I call my dear friend Audra and her Team Great Bear, and they solve my issues quickly and with ultimate care and courtesy. It is a pleasure and I feel like I am with family.. My car thanks you. And i thank you.. Congratulations on celebrating 90 Years of providing great service to the Queens Community. Great to be a part of it.

  Billy Liao
3 weeks ago
I have been coming to great bear auto for years. Audra has been always helpful on all my auto needs. Highly recommended.

  Jasmine
5 months ago
Honestly I had the best experience here. Front desk is amazing and so helpful. I know little to nothing on cars and being a woman I feel like I'm always getting ripped off any place I've been to but here the prices are great and they service is great. They have so much patience with ppl who don't know about cars. I'm definitely a regular now. Thank you so much again!

  Joanne Zhou
6 months ago
They helped me to fix my honda . I am very satisfied with their work. Well done.I went back there for more services this morningThanks

  Andrea Love
2 years ago
Great Bear on Sanford Ave is the Best experience I ve had ever at an automobile repair shop. They are super friendly and honest. They fixed my car in a timely manner with great communication. Jenny is the mascot who greats you at the door, she s a super sweet dog, love her!Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenanceServices: Tires, General repairs & maintenance

  S. Delince
5 months ago
Went there for an inspection and they tried to charge me $3,000 for required repairs . Went to another auto shop same day! and the car passed inspection no issues! The other mechanic laughed when I showed them the reasons it failed their inspection. I Just needed washer fluid! Claims to be a woman ran auto-shop when really it s just an overpriced scam shop. Almost used them to repair a fender bender and they wanted $2000 to repair a chip in the front grill. Would not recommend unless you re using insurance and even then I wouldn t give them the business because they will overcharge!!

  Todd DeGennaro
7 months ago
I have been dealing with Great Bear for close to 40 years. They handle my personal vehicles as well as my fleet at work. They are top notch and very affordable. I have read some of the poor reviews and felt a need to set some of them straight. No shop works for free. And any shop that would pass plopyour inspection with bald tires is not where you should go. Carrie , Cedric, Betty and Audra are amazing folks. If you don't like any of them I promise you are the issue.

  Thomas Seweid-DeAngelis
9 months ago
Great Bear is consistently excellent. Everyone who works there is kind and easy to communicate with. They call you with updates, they answer all of your questions, and are transparent about prices for parts and labor. Every time I ve asked them for estimates before the work was done, the price has always been what they said it will be. They are very organized, clean, and efficient. It s always a pain to deal with car troubles, but the understanding and honest people at great bear make the process much easier. I ve had my car here 3 times and will take it here forever.

  DarknessWolf Gamer
2 months ago
Great experience had my rear break serviced and was treated kindly and they worked quickly and properly. I would highly recommend this shop for service

  Cwork
7 months ago
They're the best in the neighborhood and I've been using them for years now. I love how honest and real they are with you! Got so much work done on my car the other day and they are the only ones I trust with my car! Definitely have referred all friends and family!

  rudy luo
5 months ago
I came in with the expectation of killing engine light on and passing inspection.I came out with nothing done after paying almost $1,400.Sept 22nd Friday, I brought my 2004 Volkswagen Touareg in for repair due to engine light on. The inspection is due by end of October. This is my first visit to this car shop, despite it s very close to me.Sept 28th Thursday, I came over to check since I haven t heard from them for a week. They said cylinder #2 spark plug was stuck so they couldn t do it because it involved great risk. I need to sign a release authorizing go-ahead. They claimed they contacted me several times but I had only one call from them and I picked up but they hanged up. It wasn t a missed call. My phone call record shows it lasted one second. I signed anyway. That was the beginning.Sept 29th, I got a call saying cylinder #2 coil and spark plugs needs to be changed. They did successfully remove the spark plug that was stuck and will start working on it.September 30th, they said the repair is done and total cost $1,150. They charged $500 for diagnostic and replaced all 6 spark plugs and #2 coil.I asked why replaced all 6 spark plugs when only #2 broke. No answer. Just silence.Then they said I would still have misfire on #1 and #3 cylinder. I would also need to change the oil sensor they haven t done. They did check the oil level and it was good. So it must be the oil sensor. I agreed to the oil sensor replacement but reluctantly accepts the #1 and #3 coil change.Sept 5th, I stopped by to get something from the trunk. They told me my car is done. Again, they never contacted me it s done.Sept 6th, I came to pick up my car.Final bill:$26 each for spark plug, Amazon $30 for 4.$500 diagnostic, which I already had paid $700 at dealer for diagnostic report and I sent it to them before.Total $1,360 for something I never needed to do.I knew I could have rejected to pay but I thought I would never come back. I drove out and the warning still says oil pressure low , can you believe it?The check engine light is still on. The catalytic converter/flex pipe leaking, the hard part, was never done.This lady was very good at talking her way out like an attorney that makes her sound good.She would say you said this and that to overwrite you.She would say a lot jargons that you couldn t argue.But remember: those who say, don t do. Those who do, don t say.Bottom line: don t lose your focus. Just get the job done. Don t let her elaborate on everything else not important.Bottom line: I was never happy throughout this experience. I read all the good reviews before I came. Nobody refers me there. I think all the good reviews are probably fake and misleading. I wouldn t trust them any more. Once too much. It s a place of mediocre mechanics that looked lazy and slow every time I was there. They can probably only do simple easy and routine things.Update to the reply: this lady who replied to me can do talking as eloquently as an attorney or politician, and that s all she can do: talk. We provide the best possible service We discussed in detail ensure you re comfortable strive to provide high-quality service and repair options you were comfortable complex and challenging sounds familiar? Slick talking.Remember: those who talk, don t do. Those who do, don t talk.First: she claimed she called twice Sept 22nd (the 2nd day after I brought in) but my phone shows no missed call, and the only call I got from them, they hanged up after I picked up. My phone showed it s a 1 second phone call. Then, they just left my car on the street until one week (Sept 28)later I came back and asked what s going on. Never trying to reach me ever since.2nd, seized spark plug, misfire, catalytic converter, coil. Every old car needs to replace converter. That s a no-brainer. Misfire? Seized spark plug? 3 previous mechanics never talked about it, including dealer, suddenly it just broke?3rd: I told them I had a dealer diagnostic report, why would I need them to do diagnostics for me?

  Hoon
6 months ago
Went to this shop several times. Decent work. Like the fact that I can leave my car at night with an explanation in a note and they would fix it for me while I'm working the next day. The only complaints are that it's a bit more expensive than other places but its the closest one i got so its worth it i guess and that they are always too busy so you have to wait if you are in a hurry or asked to come the next day or to leave the car behind. The longest I have waited in person was more than 1hr and half so I would call in and visit if it's an emergency.

  everton douglas
5 days ago
This my second visit it great coming and get my services great people to deal with understand your needs I will recommend anyone