Avoid Auto Drive 1 in West Bridgewater!

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Total scammers, rude, ignorant, offensive. Sure - they'll give a loan no matter how bad your credit is, but they won't tell you the rate unless you ask - and it will be a lot higher than the going rate. Then, if you complain, they'll tell you for a little more down you can get a better rate - but they won't offer that unless you complain.

They offered us 1 car and 1 car only. Did the old "It just came in and won't last long so give us a deposit to hold it" BS. After a little searching we found their price to be THOUSANDS more than any other price for this same make and model anywhere in all of Massachusetts - and that was even looking at models that had more extras like heated seats and dvd players and the price was still way, way off. They wanted $10,500 and the nearest I could find was for $8,300 (again with a lot more options). So my husband makes a call and leaves a message. No call back - shock. We had sent an email asking for the car fax and details the day before. No reply. Another shock. So we try again and manage to get the guy on the phone. My husband asks why the price is so high - and the sales rep, Mike Salerno, doesn't offer any explanation or excuse - he simply says "I'll send your check back to you and cancel the loan" and hung up.  Yup. That's exactly what happened. Nice huh? Wait - it gets better.

So I called and ask for a manager. I get a guy who identified himself as Andrew. He talked over me right from the start, not letting me get out the entire story and trying his best to BS me like I was some kind of idiot. He actually tried to tell me that sites like Autofinder and Carfinder and even Kelly Blue Book "don't tell you that the price they show is after you put a couple thousand down"  Um... that would be illegal and he had to think I was a real moron to believe that. They can't list a car as "list price of $X" and then when you get to the car lot they say "oh - but that is actually the price only after you give us $2,000". Can you believe this? And he started telling me that the car has leather seats and they had to pay a lot for it at auction.... blah blah blah. I'm sorry - if Kelly Blue Book says the value is X and you paid that much for it for resale then you are the one who's an idiot because you can't expect people to over pay for a car. He constantly talked over me and no matter how many times I pointed out to him that one of the main reasons for my call was the way his salesman treated us he refused to even acknowledge it.  Then he said "listen lady, I've let you talk for like 3 and a half minutes" Um - actually - no he hadn't - he tried to talk over me the entire time and we'd barely been on the phone that long - I have a digital clock across from me. And his tone made it very clear that he thought it was some great concession on his part that he'd let a woman talk at all - I don't even have the words to describe his voice when he said "lady". 

So - I told him I'd be coming here and anywhere else I could find to let people know about them. Don't waste your time. They will try to sucker you in with an outrageously high interest rate and gouge you on the car price and obviously have the worst customer service skills ever.

If you know anyone in the South Shore area looking for a used car - pass this on to them! And if you don't believe me, just do a Google see how many other bad reviews come up for this place.

My Musical Journey: Boston to Broadway

I love musical theater and I am fortunate enough to be married to a man who enjoys it as much as I do.  In fact, on our very first date he took me to see Phantom of the Opera at Boston’s famous Wang Center.  Below I have compiled a list of musicals we have seen, musicals I have wished I had the chance to see and my “wish list” of musicals I wish I could have seen that I was too young to see.

Phantom of the Opera (x2): Was so nervous the first time we saw it because it was our first date, but ‘Masquerade’ was the most magical thing I’d ever seen at that time.

Guys and Dolls: One of my most favorite musical movies, sadly, was not all it could have been on stage.  Lorna Luft did not impress.  Though the costumes were colorful they fought with the garish backdrop. Though I sang along (as did others) with ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat’ and enjoyed that all-too short song immensely.

Forever Plaid: Fun, FUN, FUUUUNNN!!! If you ever have the chance – see it! Constantly looking for it to come back. Audience participation – need I say more?

Miss Saigon: Beautiful, tragic story. Awesomely amazing scene with the helicopter. But sadly, after a few weeks I couldn’t remember any lyrics or hum any tune.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat: Loved it! Pharaoh as Elvis – what’s not to love? Great story, great music, beautiful costumes and sets. And come on, who doesn’t love a great Bible epic?

Wicked (x3): Probably my most favorite I’ve ever seen. Loved it so much, we went back the next week with the kids. The songs are all so great and catchy and stay with you. The sets are amazing and we all grew up with these characters, so how can we not relate? Admit it, if you’ve seen it, you went around humming “Popular” after :)  We went back again when it came to Boston last summer! Love, love, love!

 Julia and Aidan outside the Boston Opera House for Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins: I hate to say it, because I am a big Disney fan, but I thought this was awful. I couldn’t understand anything that was being said or sang. If I didn’t know the story I’d have had no idea what was going on.  And the scene with all the toys? What was that doing there?  ‘Step in Time’ was great of course, but we all know and love that song. And we were fortunate that Mary flew right over our children’s heads. They enjoyed it so I guess that’s all that matters.

Beauty and the Beast: Couldn’t be more opposite of Mary Poppins. Fabulous in every aspect! Costumes, sets, staging and, of course, songs. Highly entertaining for children and adults.  We left there wishing we could see it again.

Evita: Had the good fortune of seeing this on Broadway, 2^nd row center with Ricky Martin as Che. The lead was played by an Argentine actress who, unfortunately, was very difficult to understand.  Luckily, we’ve watched the movie so often we knew all the songs by heart.  Though I will admit, she had wonderful energy, style and presence.  Martin was superb! A very thrilling performance.

Midnight Catechism: Ok – not a musical – but I wanted to mention it. If you ever have the chance – the performance depends on audience participation and it is a riot! Do not miss!

Missed and wish I’d Seen –

Hairspray: Will forever lament I wasn’t able to see this on stage. I have loved it since the original John Waters’ film.  Love the story, love the songs.  Hopefully it will revive someday soon.

Chicago: Just couldn’t afford to go (why do they have to make it so prohibitive?). Really want to see this on stage.

Million Dollar Quartet: Sadly, don’t remember it coming to Boston

Man of LaMancha: Dan actually saw it but we weren’t dating at the time. Darn! Raul Julia was reportedly amazing!

Into the Woods: So clever and funny! At least we can watch a film version of the stage play.

Was Too Young to See and wish I’d Seen – 

Camelot: With Richard Harris – I’m sure a lot of people wish they’d seen this. I love the movie, love the music and love Harris in the role.

The King and I: What lover of musicals doesn’t wish they could have seen Yul Bryner on stage in his signature role? Even now, at 45, this movie still thrills me when I watch it. How I would have loved to have seen him in person as the charismatic King.