Reviewed : 08/16/2025
Comment : It's a little sad having to write this review because I genuinely like to support local businesses.
(e.g. I know all my Dunkin Donuts servers by name 🥰)
But I recently had an unfortunate experience with Nerger's...and I have a funny feeling I'm not the only one.
FYI: If you’re reading this review and thinking a 4.7 rating for a car shop is good, please note:
-- 4.6 is the bare *minimum* for adequate service.
-- Nerger’s is only *one* point above this threshold.
-- My regular mechanic is a solid 4.9 🏆
When it comes to my car, I don't mess around. However, after a shaky first experience with Nerger's (details not important), I wanted to give them a second chance. 💚
I tried them again because they really seemed like nice people. So I left the past in the past and decided to stop by in person to get some quick info about addressing an urgent issue with my car.
But here's what happened:
1.
I explained the issue and asked for a ballpark estimate for the cost of a diagnostic.
2.
Unfortunately, when I asked how Nerger's $189/hr diagnostic rate compared to the dealership’s quote of $239 plus tax, the Nerger's front office rep got oddly defensive.
I just wanted a way to do an apples to apples comparison instead of...apples to dinosaurs.
But, instead of answering my honest question:
3.
The Nerger's front office rep went into a 30-second speech about how Nerger's has been around for 30 years...how they really know what they're doing...and how they really have the expertise and technical skills to do a thorough diagnostic...none of which had anything to do with my question.
4.
She then complained about me asking a similar question in a conversation we had a *year* ago. Yes, really.
5.
She made it personal. This was not only unnecessary, but unprofessional.
I wasn’t being rude. I wasn't disputing Nerger's "30 years of expertise." I just wanted to understand their pricing in the context of the quote I had gotten from the dealership.
When the Nerger's rep became visibly upset (talking faster, raising her voice), I tried again to clarify my question.
- I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be commissioning diagnostic labor that would expand beyond the scope I was willing to pay.
- Nerger's open-ended hourly rate seemed like a financial gamble.
- I wanted to respect both Nerger's time and my budget.
But, somehow, this was not the right thing to do...?
😮
The Nerger's rep seemed more interested in airing out a 1-year grudge (why?) than helping a customer who was just trying to give them a second chance.
Ah well...I tried. Lol.
FYI: I’ve dealt with plenty of car shops over the years - from local shops, to national chains, to dealerships - and I've never had this experience before. It was kind of insane.
THE LESSON:
⚠ If you ask a car shop to clarify their pricing and they instead launch into a speech about how they know what they're doing and they've been around for XYZ years, etc, but they never answer your question? That's a red flag. They're likely over-charging you for the same work a dealership does.
⚠ Any car shop worth their salt should be able to handle a basic question about their pricing model in a professional manner, without deflecting the question, taking offense, or making it personal. *Not if they truly care about you as a customer.
⚠ Also: I don't tolerate unprofessional or abusive behavior. As a customer, you shouldn’t either.
✅ I’ll be sticking with my regular mechanic in Manville - 4.9 stars. They do phenomenal work, give pricing that makes sense, don't get offended if you ask questions, and they treat customers with genuine respect.❤ And they once saved me $2000 in maintenance work. 💸
They're busy at the moment (ahem, cuz they're 4.9 stars) but, after the experience I had with Nerger's, 4.9 stars is worth the wait!
And if you had a similar experience with Nerger's, please don't feel bad - you're not the only one. And you deserve better.
My advice: Find a car shop that's 4.8 or above. It's like night and day. 😉 You can thank me later.
Hope this review is helpful to you. 🌺
#vroomVroom