View Full Version : List your Bill Kolb problems here
OK, I'm starting this up to have an official "problems with Bill Kolb" thread. I want to hear how many other people have had unpleasant experiences with Bill Kolb Jr Subaru in Orangeburg NY. I can tell you many stories. From going 10 or so times to get a recurring CEL problem taken care of to them outright lying to me that I could only get my custom leather/suede seats (which were part of a dealer package) repaired by the dealership itself, to telling me they replaced an air filter only for me to find the same dirty one still there. Their lies never end. Everyone there is an expert liar that tries very hard to make you feel like they're helping you when they're more often trying to get away with something. It really gets out of control. I'm starting this up to warn people. At the very least, if you're going to buy from them, be VERY careful.
derffred
10-28-2005, 06:35 PM
that stinks dude... i bought my car from a scooby dealer near me... and i was kind of wishing i bought one from bill kolb instead... but if they're dishonest.. **** that!!!
People say they've had good experiences with Kolb but I've had nothing but problems. Check out this blatant false advertising. http://www.bkcars.com/gxr/ "rear window wiper de-icer"? I mean, come on. Do you know of any usdm legacys with a rear window wiper? Outright lies, & that just scratches the surface. Unbelievable what they try to get away with. I want people to know so they don't buy into the bullshit. I've posted many times in other forums about Kolb's questionable business practices so I decided to start a new one dedicated to the topic.
*Jedimaster*
10-28-2005, 06:50 PM
Repost from an earlier thread- I participate in all Bill Kolb threads, because they suck so badly.
"I bought mine there too. They're really good about the buying experience. But wait until you go back fro something. Then they're awful.
True story: I traded in a 2002 WRX wagon at Stage 2. The deal was that they wouldn't sell the car modded and all my parts would come back to me once they were removed. If you've noticed, there are quite a few modded WRX's that are parked at BK Subaru- they work there. Well, my Helix flex uppipe never made it back to me- they "lost it" . I went there, which is an hour drive for me and they told me they'd call me when they found it- the guy who took it off would be back to work in a couple days. No calls, no responses to e-mails. So, I called Mary Ann Kolb, the owner's wife- never returned a call once. So I called Subaru and made a formal complaint- then I couldn't get them to stop calling me! All roses and happy-happy. "So sorry we didn't get back to you? Did you check your cell phone? I left a message. Maybe it was in a bad signal area". Uh huh. Long story short, they told me they were going to ship me a Perrin uppipe and downpipe for my trouble. OK- so, it never reaches my door- I call and they "forgot" to send them. Finally, they arrive- I had been told they were brand new, Perrin pieces. Not so- they were obviously used, full of soot and had no Perrin, or kind of, markings on them. So, it's back to dealing with Subaru."
Was waiting for you to chime in on this one Jedi. Lets warn people as much as we can. I'll give you another ancedote. My CEL problems came about after changing the oil. I brought my car to them, their answer "dirty gas". They asked me again & again if I'd put 87 octane in (which of course I would not). Go back again, "faulty cam sensor". They replace it, CEL comes back. I go back again, they tell me "your wiring harness is faulty", so they replace that, no good. (Keep in mind each time I bring it to them it's a day to check the problem & then another I have to come in to get the repair done. So each visit is 2 visits.) So, I go back again about the problem. I tried to be paitient but now there's no point. So the guy tells me "oh, it's just a faulty harness, we'll replace it & it'll be fine". So now I really lose my cool. I tell them, you JUST DID THAT!! Anyways, after another visit, & another visit, & dealing with Maryann Kolb & their SOA regional rep, turned out to be an OCV problem. Now, wouldn't that make a whole lot of sense if the problem started after changing the oil? Of couse it would. So, anyways, after 15,000 visits do you think they offered me any compensation? Of course not. Not even the standard free oil change. Just shows you how ridiculous they are over there. (Thankfully I have not had another CEL problem since then & hopefully I will not.)
GTSpeed
10-28-2005, 08:30 PM
He compares himself to Carroll Shelby - He should be comitted for this!
red beast
10-28-2005, 10:22 PM
they do change the filters.
from one legacy to another
Ha ha ha. They're a disgrace. They got mad at me for not wanting to bring my car in during the week (about the CEL problem) because I needed it to drive to work. Of course they didnt offer me a free loaner either.
mach_six
10-29-2005, 02:45 PM
Call Subaru, they call you back with a tonal change in their voice like they've been kicked in the nads and happy to kiss your ass.
godwhomismike
10-31-2005, 12:16 PM
Goatse Nav
'nuff said
*Jedimaster*
10-31-2005, 12:21 PM
Call Subaru, they call you back with a tonal change in their voice like they've been kicked in the nads and happy to kiss your ass.
Yup, that's what it took for me to get any action.
Precise
10-31-2005, 03:46 PM
bought my car from there too...dealt with them online via email to get a fair price. They hunted down the exact car I wanted (color combo, tranny, and options). It was fairly quick and painless.
however, I don't plan on going back to them for anything though and its probably a good thing from what everyone is saying
carman493
11-01-2005, 07:10 AM
none
*Jedimaster*
11-01-2005, 08:11 AM
none
Wrong thread.
Qship
11-01-2005, 09:15 AM
A few years ago I put a deposit on a used Legacy and then decided not to go through with it.
The salesmen called me more multiple times asking me when I was picking up the car and only stopped when I threatened legal action. And to put icing on the cake, I had to dispute the deposit charge with the credit card company to get my deposit back after being told more than once they(BKSJ) would take care of it. Oh did I mention just last week I was told I would get a CEL if I changed tire sizes? I wonder how many bad reports they have at the Better Business Burea. Subaru USA should sue them for defamation of character.
End-of-rant.
Deep.....cleansing.....breath. Ohmmm
none You are the minority on this
A few years ago I put a deposit on a used Legacy and then decided not to go through with it.
The salesmen called me more multiple times asking me when I was picking up the car and only stopped when I threatened legal action. And to put icing on the cake, I had to dispute the deposit charge with the credit card company to get my deposit back after being told more than once they(BKSJ) would take care of it. Oh did I mention just last week I was told I would get a CEL if I changed tire sizes? I wonder how many bad reports they have at the Better Business Burea. Subaru USA should sue them for defamation of character.
End-of-rant.
Deep.....cleansing.....breath. Ohmmm
Rant away man. That's why I started this up. I want people to realize what a scumbag operation that place is. I want to warn people so they dont buy from them. Like I said on the other thread, THEY offer 18" wheels on the LGT as an upgrade so they're full of shit.
carman493
11-02-2005, 04:14 PM
You are the minority on this
I may be the minority on this thread, but there aren't that many people that have had problems with this dealership. I understand that you and several others have had problems. That's fine, there are people that have problems at every dealership. I personally will never EVER go to Ramsey Subaru. Liberty I wasn't too fond of either, but never had a real problem. Stanford Subaru just opened and the people there are very nice. I prefer Bill Kolb since I have some friends there and they have always taken care of our cars.
I can put it to you this way, I have had some major issues with Jim Smith Chevrolet, even though I have a friend there, however, there are many people that keep going back. It's not that any one of these dealerships are horrible or shouldn't be in business, its that unfortunately, there are situations that are able to get out of hand and escalate beyond the norm of acceptable behavior.
red beast
11-02-2005, 04:28 PM
i agree^
i bought 4 subies from liberty and haven't had a problem. some have. out of those "some" they where asshat wrxers that like to drop clutches and break tranny's.
*Jedimaster*
11-02-2005, 07:38 PM
:offtopic:
And let's not forget the Bill Kolb Explorer fiasco :lol:
Edvig
11-02-2005, 08:05 PM
i agree^
i bought 4 subies from liberty and haven't had a problem. some have. out of those "some" they where asshat wrxers that like to drop clutches and break tranny's.
Actually, one of these "asshat wrxers" was a good friend of mine. His STi clutch blew up and he got screwed by Liberty Subaru. He never raced his car and never dropped his clutch.
Do a search in the Tri-State on nasioc for his screen name, pk!. He's 40 years old and has 2 kids...so be careful when you throw that "asshat wrxers" phrase out there.
After reading his story...everyone should stay away from Liberty Subaru.
:offtopic:
And let's not forget the Bill Kolb Explorer fiasco :lol:
I can't forget since I don't know :icon_surp
*Jedimaster*
11-02-2005, 08:22 PM
No search? You gonna get linked! http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=334822&postcount=25
resititution and a $10K penalty? They are laughing all the way to the bank!! The NY AG should be ashamed of themselves.
*Jedimaster*
11-03-2005, 05:51 AM
NY state in general should be ashamed. Some day I'm moving to the south.
carman493
11-04-2005, 11:17 AM
So should we start a new thread "List all your Liberty Subaru Problems Here"?
*Jedimaster*
11-04-2005, 11:32 AM
So should we start a new thread "List all your Liberty Subaru Problems Here"?
GTFO.
Edvig
11-04-2005, 12:24 PM
So should we start a new thread "List all your Liberty Subaru Problems Here"?
That already exists on NASIOC.
mach_six
11-04-2005, 02:10 PM
The problem with bill Kolb Subaru is bill Kolb himself. Also should throw in Hillside Subaru. You going to get something over there.
carman493
11-04-2005, 03:13 PM
So its every dealership that there is a problem. we all knew this, i guess some people need to let their emotions out!
*Jedimaster*
11-04-2005, 04:14 PM
Again, GTFO
andrew.anderson
11-04-2005, 04:21 PM
I like our dealership. Our family has bought seven cars there. We even flew back from Germany to purchase our car there.
Am I messing up the bad vibes! Should be more negative? :)
ChruiSSer
11-04-2005, 05:57 PM
Have you guys seen the paint on their spoilers on the GTX's...
GTSpeed
11-04-2005, 06:20 PM
I think I'm going to start using the word "Kolb" regularly in my daily vocabulary. From now on I'm just going to say "you Kolb" instead of "you cheap-ass, no good, piece of trash, dirty-scamming, steal from your own mother bastard." It really slides off my tongue much easier...
Someone call Websters:
kolb adj 1: a person willing to openly and intentionally deceive or cheat another due to their complete absence of moral and ethical scruples.
I think I'm going to start using the word "Kolb" regularly in my daily vocabulary. From now on I'm just going to say "you Kolb" instead of "you cheap-ass, no good, piece of trash, dirty-scamming, steal from your own mother bastard." It really slides off my tongue much easier...
Someone call Websters:
kolb adj 1: a person willing to openly and intentionally deceive or cheat another due to their complete absence of moral and ethical scruples.
AMEN brother. & to everyone who wants to tell me how Kolb is great or all dealers have these issues, to quote the Jedi "GTFO!!!"
*Jedimaster*
11-04-2005, 06:54 PM
I think I'm going to start using the word "Kolb" regularly in my daily vocabulary. From now on I'm just going to say "you Kolb" instead of "you cheap-ass, no good, piece of trash, dirty-scamming, steal from your own mother bastard." It really slides off my tongue much easier...
Someone call Websters:
kolb adj 1: a person willing to openly and intentionally deceive or cheat another due to their complete absence of moral and ethical scruples.
:lol:
you should put that up in wikipedia!
so far no issues but only been back there once for my free oil change. you know i never did check to see if the filter and oil were new- oOH SH+T!
mrjoshuanyc
02-24-2006, 03:51 PM
I bought my LGT from Kolb and everything was fine until my car had a minor flood condition. My car was flooded at the train station and I brought it to Kolb to have them check it out. I actually thought that the car had a leak somewhere but they could not find any problems or did not want to be bothered. Long stry short it turns out my car was flooded when water reached the bottom of the car, new carpets installed and upon inspection I found a ton of water under the new carpets. The mechanic did not bother to dry the car fully before putting new carpet down! They promised me that the next day my car would be dry, so down I go again and again the car was wet!! The mechanic failed to dry both sides but dried the spot I found wet. Finally I got my car back from them and it all worked out but it got ridiculous!!
Oh and bye the way this was their second top mechanic. Bottom line is they want to do oil changes and minor maintenance, anything more than that and I would stay far away from them.. They had my car sitting there for 26 days!:lol: Gotta laugh!
carman493
02-24-2006, 05:51 PM
Here I go again. But my story is a little different, JEDI might begin to like me now lol. I still think BK has some great prices on their vehicles and in most cases cant be beat, especially with those "windstorm damaged" cars...we bought one, nearly $6k off sticker! From what I have seen they are honest with their new cars sales. As far as service goes it has been just ok. I have heard so many stories over the years, that I really can't say I think they are the greatest dealership in the world.
One thing that bugged me was Bill Kolb came out and asked my father as he was picking up the car if he was offered tinted windows on his outback XT right in front of our sales person, who happens to be my close friend. This pissed off both my father and the sales guy. My father's response was, I honestly wouldn't know, my son handled the whole deal. The reason why Kolb asked, was to make sure that the sales guy had asked my father if he wanted tints, cause as most dealers go, they try to hound you into buying all these dealer extras.....that was kind of dick of him in my opinion and i dont like that.
So who thinks this is just a honest mistake http://http://www.billkolbjrsubaru.com/Preowned/index.cfm?sFuse=ALT&iVehID=30000278&CFID=6678272&CFTOKEN=19962556
Quick ?, I live in CT so any local dealer is part of Suby of NE, if I bought a car at Kolb or any non SNE dealer would I have to go out of NE for service???
carman493
02-25-2006, 07:03 PM
link doesnt work....and no you wouldnt.
RaceComp Engineering
02-27-2006, 12:27 AM
CARMAN call me please.
Take a look in your for sale thread please.
Myles
someone got a photo of BK himself? i wanna know so that if i ever go into the dealer and see him i know who to avoid.
So, I gotta add to this one. My car was brought there by the body shop after my accident for mechanical repairs (w/o me knowing). They didn't do the repairs correctly & I had to bring it back. They banged out my insurance company for another $6k & then decided to replace an O2 sensor under my extended warranty. Why, I don't know. I didn't think the O2 sensor was faulty since it worked fine before the accident & the accident itself couldn't possibly have caused the problem. They replaced it & then tried to charge me a $100 deductable for the warranty repair. I told them to go **** themselves & that it should've just been charged to the insurance claim. After a emails to SOA the $100 was waived & they're now being investigated by SOA for shady business practices. I don't expect much to come of it but at least I don't owe them anything & SOA is fully aware of how they operate now.
Edvig
07-11-2006, 01:40 PM
btw: everyone's "favorite" Bill Kolb is in NY.
Mods...can someone move this thread to the Tri-State forums?
btw: everyone's "favorite" Bill Kolb is in NY.
Mods...can someone move this thread to the Tri-State forums?3
yeah yeah. I started this thread before there were 2 seperate forums. Yes mods, please move it to the tri-state forums
*Jedimaster*
07-11-2006, 03:10 PM
Geez, I wonder if they read this forum (and Nastycock) and know what a joke they are in the Subaru community. I looked at their website today and they have some really interesting models including a Subaru Legacy wagon in 2.5i GT trim :iam:
^^I'd love for someone from there to reply. I'd pwn their a$$$ good
NASIOC - Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru - Orangeburg, NY (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103585&highlight=kolb)
this guy actually got into it with someone from kolb on nastycocks & mrs kolb got invovled. The guy that worked at kolb seems like a real ass
NASIOC (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/member.php?userid=66430)
seems like she hasn't posted over there in like 2 years. whatever, I wish they read some of this stuff. I'd love to fight with them on here. BRING IT BITCHES!!!!!
heightsgtltd
07-11-2006, 05:01 PM
NASIOC - Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru - Orangeburg, NY (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103585&highlight=kolb)
That thread is exactly what scared me away from purchasing there before I knew the whole story.
Job well done I'd say! :lol:
I am waiting for them to start offering the Subaru legacy GT eddie Bauer edition wagon :lol:
*Jedimaster*
07-11-2006, 05:31 PM
NASIOC - Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru - Orangeburg, NY (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103585&highlight=kolb)
this guy actually got into it with someone from kolb on nastycocks & mrs kolb got invovled. The guy that worked at kolb seems like a real ass
NASIOC (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/member.php?userid=66430)
seems like she hasn't posted over there in like 2 years. whatever, I wish they read some of this stuff. I'd love to fight with them on here. BRING IT BITCHES!!!!!
Great username: NASIOC (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/member.php?u=74998)
Maryann is the twunt that had me on speakerphone with Subaru and promised to make it all better. She did not.
Precise
07-11-2006, 05:52 PM
i detached my billkolb keychain from the subie keys today. Another small victory!
*Jedimaster*
07-11-2006, 05:54 PM
I have mine in a drawer- not sure what way exactly to defile it....
I'm sure we can find a way. Those pricks! I hate em so much.
ANashTy
10-18-2006, 07:30 AM
Should I rant and bring this thread back from the dead ..... ???
LoL
All I have to say is my buying experience was incredibly terrible. From a salesperson who didn't know their subarus cause they were "new", to an owner backing out on his offer on my trade in, then actually CHARGING me for keyless entry ..... I thought it was all funny and it all makes sense now that I read some of these posts.
I will do everything in my power to AVOID them like the plague in the future and hope that my car doesn't end up a POS like some of the others they sell.
*prays to the LGT Gods*
Andy
they tried to charge me for keyless entry too. I told them I know it comes with it so I'll take the free one. That's like charging for A/C. Every car comes with it
heightsgtltd
10-18-2006, 11:43 AM
Man.. that is beyond gross. Did they want to put in an aftermarket keyless entry instead of the stock one? :lol:
This isnt 1984. Keyless entry is standard on a Hyundai.
gfxdave99
10-18-2006, 12:02 PM
My problem is I think their GTX package is lame. :)
they dont even make that gtx crap anymore. Their ford dealership got shut down. then they sold it to an in-law or somethng & re-opened it. Now that one's closed too. LOL. What a bunch of crooks. I wish they'd come on these boards & try to defend themselves.
ANashTy
10-18-2006, 02:17 PM
The David Ford place?? They JUST remodeled it as I was leaving school last year and I get back this year and its closed. HA!
ANashTy
10-18-2006, 02:18 PM
Nope, definitely used the stock keyless entry, i was stupid and bought them anyways, they made an extra hundred bucks on me .... I felt stupid.
*Jedimaster*
10-18-2006, 02:58 PM
Maryann emailed me a while ago asking what she could do for me to make me happy. I told her to leave me alone unless she can go back in time and NOT try to screw me.
LegGTLT
10-18-2006, 05:50 PM
:lol: I wanted to read more Kolb-tastic stories and this thread just got bumped. YEEAAAH! :D Did you know on their 2007 model page for the Legacy, one of the 2.5i GT Limited standard features is a Hood Scoop (http://www.bkcars.com/new_cars/07/legacysedan.htm)??? They got it right at least! :lol:
*Jedimaster*
10-18-2006, 05:56 PM
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
red beast
10-18-2006, 06:17 PM
he exists
mach_six
10-19-2006, 07:25 PM
:lol: I wanted to read more Kolb-tastic stories and this thread just got bumped. YEEAAAH! :D Did you know on their 2007 model page for the Legacy, one of the 2.5i GT Limited standard features is a Hood Scoop (http://www.bkcars.com/new_cars/07/legacysedan.htm)??? They got it right at least! :lol:
Those are the wind damaged cars...there are just so many shady Subaru service around me like Lynnes and Hillside on Rt 22. Both of which I bought from and found out later thru experience or reading it. I never brought my car back to Lynnes and hillside just tried to screw me.
How's the one on Rt 46 which i know a fellow Nastycock works at. I've been to Towne Motors but I have to take off work to go.
motoracer
10-20-2006, 07:36 AM
hey i'm sure every dealership is gonna have it's problems.
when i had my accord i had problems w/ mahwah honda w/ warranty work.
we had problems w/ ramsy nissan w/ our murano.
if you ever decide to go back to BK subaru, ask for me to work on your car, im a tech there (i'm the onlly tech there who gets paid by the hour not flat rate so i'm in no rush to scam people ). there are many (over 30) customers that come in w/ wrx /sti / lgt who come in and ask for me to work on there cars.
and no i'm not defending bk subaru, i'm just lookin out for fellow enthusiast. i have seen some shady sh*t go on also.
i got my lgt 2 months ago (new) w/ a chip on the windshield and i still don't have a new windshield. they told me that they would repair it. i told them thats unacceptable, i bought a new car and i want a new windshied.
^^wow dude, I can't believe you work there & they're screwin you. I gotta say that place is garbage. What is wrong with those people??? Why is everything just outright lies with them?? Go find work at a different dealership. They're gonna be outta business eventually.
so I get a message on my machine last week (paraphrasing):
"Hi, this is Bill Kolb Jr. Since you're such a loyal customer we'd like to offer you a great deal. You can trade in your 05 LGT for max value towards the purchase of a new 07. Please contact us immediately about this great offer."
So, I get in touch with the SOA rep I deal with & she tells me that's absolutely ridiculous since she specifically told them NOT to ever contact me again. I also called Mr Kolb back. I got his voicemail so I left him a nice message. "Hi Mr Kolb, this is Mr Coxx. I thought you were told by myself & by SOA never to ever contact me in any way shape or form. Since you ignored this, I'm returning your call. For the record, I will NEVER buy another car from your wife-cheating secretary bangin crooked ass again!! Have a nice day ." :icon_bigg I was praying for a callback but no such luck. I would've loved to rip him a new asshole
LegGTLT
11-03-2006, 10:56 AM
Niiiiiice... the secretary bangin' part really added to that message in my opinion. :D:D:D
ANashTy
11-04-2006, 11:44 AM
Maybe the secretary bangin is why there is so much shady stuff going on???
LoL
And what was in the GTX package, I saw one the other day and i figured maybe a DP and some springs?? Im just curious if anyone knows.
motoracer
11-04-2006, 03:52 PM
Maybe the secretary bangin is why there is so much shady stuff going on???
LoL
And what was in the GTX package, I saw one the other day and i figured maybe a DP and some springs?? Im just curious if anyone knows.
some silly seats, blk leather w/ blu center (sti look).
borla cat back.
and of course gtx badge on trunk, ha ha
ANashTy
11-04-2006, 04:21 PM
Well that would explain the rumbling I heard, but I the cans looked stock to me. Oh well, leather isnt my ish anyways. And Im sure I could do without that extra 5 HP the badge radiates off.
Thanks moto.