| Veronica M. - Google users |
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Jan 27, 2011 |
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WOW!!! What great service! I drove up to SF for
a week to visit with my friend. By the time i got
here, my mercedes was making a horrible noise...I
called the dealer, they couldn't see me for 3 days
:( My friend recommened I call International Sport
Motors...Talk about service. They offered to tow my
car right away and get it checked out. So efficient.
Within hours I got a follow-up call. They got me back
on the road the very next day...And didnt try to overcharge
me or sell me things I didnt need. Just honest, perfect
service. Thank you Giovanni!
| Adam D. - Google users |
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Jan 26, 2011 |
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I can not recommend highly enough a better place
to take your car for any type of service be it mechanical
or auto body.
I found International Motor Sports (ISM) through Yelp!
and, based on the reviews, decided to bring my car
there for service. I had just bought a used 1982 Mercedes
Benz 300D Turbo Diesel with unknown milage and needed
a good mechanic because I was going to use the car
to commute from San Francisco to Santa Rosa on a daily
basis, so I needed my car reliable.
I brought my newly bought car in for a thorough inspection
(which I should have done before I bought it) and
ISM gave me a laundry list of problems. They were
very nice however and well aware that I didn't have
a lot of money, so they kindly told me what absolutely
needed to be repaired and then helped me form a plan
to take care of the other repairs in the future.
Long story short, the Mercedes ended up being a money
pit and I sold it. Then, I bought a 2009 VW New Beetle
and decided to continue to use ISM as my repair shop
rather than the dealer just because of their superior
customer service.
Regina, Matt, Giovianni, and the rest of the team
are great. They know me by name and remember little
details about me which really makes a difference.
They always address me as Mr. Decker and are always
enthusiastic when they greet me.
I'm picky when it comes to my car, so when I requested
a specific type of oil be used during an oil change
that ISM didn't carry, Giovianni went out of his way
to special order the oil for me and get the oil change
done within a matter of hours.
Then, I got into an accident with my new car and did
some body damage and damage to the rear axel. I took
my car to ISM and they arranged everything with my
insurance company and got the job done efficiently.
The work was spectacular and you wouldn't even know
that I had gotten into an accident. At the time, I
also had them change the oil in my car since it was
at the shop anyway and Giovianni was kind enough to
give me a discount on those services since I just
dropped close to $4000 in repairs at their shop.
Trust me guys and gals, ISM is the place to go to
get your car serviced! They are staffed by wonderful
people, expert technicians, and do exceptional work.
ISM is definitely THE one stop shop for all of your
auto repair needs.
| Jerry S. - Yelp User |
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1/15/2011 |
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Disclosure: I did not get any body work done at International
Sport Motors. I am writing a review based on my experience
there when I was checking out body shops for an insurance
claim.
International Sport Motors was the first of four
body shops that I went to when I was researching body
shops for repairs on a relatively new BMW. I walked
in without an appointment and was immediately helped
by Antonio. He was extremely friendly and professional
and answered all of the questions that I had about
the repair process for my situation. He prepared a
quote for my insurance claim and another quote for
some touch-up work that I was interested in getting
done, which he offered a discount for if I got it
done together with the insurance claim. I left extremely
happy with the experience and the customer service.
After my visit to ISM, I went to two nearby body
shops based on Yelp reviews. At one of these shops,
I didn't feel like I was treated with the same amount
of respect as at ISM. In fact, I thought the admin
there was kind of a douche. The other shop that I
went to told me that I needed to make an appointment
in order to get a quote and was not able to book me
for a time that was convenient enough with my regular
work schedule.
I was pretty sold on getting my repairs done at ISM,
but I ended up going with a body shop in the South
Bay that was recommended by a car-enthusiast-type
friend whose car advice I trust a lot. Despite not
having gone with ISM, I have already recommended this
shop to two of my friends. Out of all the body shops
I visited, ISM presented me the lowest-priced quote
while still giving me a lot of confidence in the quality
of their work. They were also super friendly.
| Tom Hunt - RepairPal User |
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January 15, 2011 18:15 |
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Top Notch service and communication!
THANKS!
| Jules Lebaron - RepairPal User |
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January 14, 2011 22:38 |
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My most recent experience at I/S/M had to do with
a Disturbing front end noice.to make matters, it was
only "some times".In the last few couple
of hundred miles or so it had become more frequent
and louder.All the popular MBZ Exclusive shops said;It
could be this it could be that,maybe a major front
end repair and on and On.No one but Giovanni took
the time to listen to Me(I'm not very mechanical minded).Giovanni
drove the car with me until the sound was duplicated,then
had it put on the lift and he and the Tech looked
for a simple answer first;something loose.Bingo a
loose bolt.Giovanni believes in doing the basics first;to
Identify "The Problem",not the possible
or even probable problem.This save the customers like
Me money.
| Bret 001 - RepairPal User |
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January 14, 2011 11:18 |
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I wanted to thank International Sport Motors for
the fantastic repair/paint job of my 2002 BMW 540.
I was rear ended on the freeway, and Giovanni Palazzo
(the owner) was able to repair my car to "like
new" condition. The car looks like it did when
it was brand new! I would also like to state that
the service and professionalism of the entire staff
needs to be applauded. International Sport Motors
worked with my insurance company and resolved all
the issues to bring my car back to pre-accident condition.
Thank you ISM!
| merlyn88 - RepairPal User |
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December 12, 2010 14:38 |
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ISM's customer service is excellent. The special
$20/day rate with the nearby Enterprise Rental is
a great help, and they drop off/pick up from there.
I also like how they can communicate via e-mail, including
sending you soft copies of quotes.
| jboyle21 - RepairPal User |
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December 10, 2010 19:35 |
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They were very easy to work with. I set things up
over the phone first and then brought my car in. I
was actually surprised at how quickly they got back
to me with the good news that my car was already done.
I'll definitely go back and use them again.
| Ron Boring - RepairPal User |
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November 14, 2010 16:43 |
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Giovanni and his team are the best. I've gone to
him for engine and body repairs for many years and
have never been disappointed. He has my full recommendation.
| Vegas1971 - RepairPal User |
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November 13, 2010 07:58 |
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What can you say about International Sport Motor.
They are the best from the customer service to office
staff and everyone in the shop going above and beyond.
This is the only place that I would take my care or
reffer anyone to.
| storres1299 - RepairPal User |
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November 12, 2010 12:48 |
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I went to ISM for the first time two weeks ago to
receive a diagnostic for my driver side & rear
passenger window. After returning today Nov. 12th
to have the parts installed. All I can say is outstanding!!
The Customer Service was excellent from all ends,
from the Management, Customer Service Reps. to the
Service Mechanics. I traveled from San Leandro, Ca
because I could not find a shop that I could count
on in my area. They were fast, efficient and polite.
I couldn't be happier anywhere else. I will continue
to use ISM in the near future, because they are dependable.
| cthehaze - RepairPal User |
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November 12, 2010 09:06 |
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I have taken my can into ISM several times for repair
work. Everytime they have done an amazing job. Giovanni
and his stall are very knowledgeable. Great people!!!!!
I highly recommend them.
Jessica H.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
8/10/2010 |
Antonio & ISM was recommended by an acquaintance
who saw the heinous streak on the passenger side of
my M3. Since he also had a BMW, I thought ISM would
be good choice.
They did a great job, work with the customer about
price and turn over was quick. When I left the car
for work, they dropped me off back home which was
a huge plus.
Jazmine S.
South San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
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9/24/2008 |
When your car has been in an accident or has been
vandalized it's hard to find the right shop to bring
it in for repairs. You don't want to get jacked because
sometimes that tends to happen.
Well...not at ISM!!! A friend referred me to them
to get the dent on my hood fixed as well as the key
scratch that was all along the drivers side. So I
went in for an estimate. Antonio was very helpful.
He took a look at my car and told me everything that
would need to be done and the process that they would
go through to get those things done. He took down
my information, started a file for me and made copies
of everything he did. He didn't pressure me to leave
my car there or even use them. He told me what he
could do for me and let me on my way. No hassle. I
called my insurance company to let them know what
had happened to my car and I was taking it to ISM.
So after two weeks i've finally gotten my car back.
YES!! It only took that long because I needed a new
hood since it was cracked and for some odd reason
Scion parts are always special order jobs...I had
the same problem with my tires. Anyway...my car looks
like BRAND NEW!!! They did such an awesome that you
would have never thought anything was ever damaged
on it. The paint job they did too was great! Blended
PERFECTLY! When i saw my car outside I couldn't believe
it. Whoever washes and polishes their car does a good
job too because it was SO SHINY! Just like I bought
it off the lot.
I've referred a few people to them and hopefully
it works out for them the way it did for me. I have
another car that needs some fixing up as well and
i'll for sure be taking it here. Another plus with
them is that they do service here and no just body
work. It's a one stop shop!
Gray M.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
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2/19/2008 |
Unfortunately I came to meet the folks at ISM because
my car was smashed in a parking lot. Fortunately they
were honest, kind, and demonstrated the kind of professionalism
that anyone would hope for in an auto body mechanic.
My car looks so wonderful and there were no issues
or problems with ISM's work. I think the world of
Giovanni and his amazing staff (Sabrina in the office
is really awesome). They were MOST helpful and I couldn't
of asked for a better experience out of this bad situation.
I am ALWAYS going back there even if I move far away.
THANKS ISM!!!
Dan V.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
11/27/2007 |
I was worried about taking the car some place in
the city, because the place that the dealership recommends
is commissioned by the dealer, so you can't trust
them. I also hear they overcharge and take advantage
of insurance companies.
Anyhow, I took a leap of faith given the good reviews
on yelp and it paid off. The work exceeded expectations,
made the car look brand new by replacing a door and
matched the paint perfectly. Also, they detailed the
car for free and it was a top quality job. Would definitely
go back to him again. Great work, and reasonable pricing.
john s.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
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8/12/2009 |
If you're looking for an honest and friendly place
to take your car, then look no further. Giovanni and
Antonio are the best. I brought my Porsche Cayman
S here after I had a little bumper issue and they
did an excellent job with both the repair and the
service. The repair looks like new, can't even tell
anything was done. Antonio was great at promptly getting
back to me through email or a phone call to answer
all of my questions. They gave me a great deal, and
I left extremely satisfied.
After a month I had to take the car back to get a
clear bra put back on and they were great again. The
clear bra service people took a whole day, which I
was a little surprised at. I picked up my car the
next morning and the first thing that Giovanni mentioned
was that he wasn't happy with how it looked and the
job that the clear bra people had done... without
me even having to tell him about it. That's what I
like in a shop, an honest man who takes pride in his
work and doesn't wait for the customer to notice things
and have to mention them. I brought my car back a
week later and they re-did the whole thing and polished
out some fine scratches that had surfaced from the
repair, it looks great! Thank you Giovanni and Antonio,
I will recommend ISM to any of my friends who need
auto work!
Timothy D.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
6/9/2006 |
I've been coming to this shop for regular auto repair
/ service for several years now, on both a Ford Explorer,
and a 350Z. Excellent service, and friendly guys who
are happy to explain things and answer questions.
Aaron S.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
6/23/2007 |
Giovanni and his staff do an exceptional job!
I brought my 2000 BMW M Coupe in with some a minor
body damage and was very pleased with their work.
Beyond having the basics logistical things down (good
relationships with insurance companies, timely etc)
they did a very clean job on my ride.
They were referred to me by Phaedrus, BMW/SF who
I have yet to need but I hear is very good.
They have been doing work in SF for a long time and
they must have a good reputation as their were several
Ferrari's and other exotics that they were doing both
body and mechanical work on.
Joe N.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
3/24/2008 |
As recommended by the folks at Phaedrus, Giovanni's
work on my M3 was flawless and much less than I expected.
It was ready when promised and he even took time to
walk me through some other options for making the
car look better. There's no place I'd rather go.
Bre G.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
11/8/2007 |
I'm a first time customer at ISM and unlike most
automotive shops that try to make me feel stupid for
not being knowledgeable about cars, Giovanni and his
staff made me feel very comfortable.
I took in my car because of a horrible grinding noise
I heard while driving. When I picked up my car Giovanni
showed me what the problem was... I had run my brakes
down to pancakes and totally screwed up my rotors,
which ultimately had to be replaced. I felt embarrassed
that I let my brakes get so bad, thankfully Giovanni
explained to me that my car doesn't have a warning
light to inform me of a brake problem like the newer
vehicles. After a few laughs at the whole situation,
he gave me a great deal on the job and he has gained
a customer for life.
John F.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
7/10/2008 |
From my experience International Sport Motors is
the way to go for sure! I was involved in a car accident
in my new Audi and after visiting my local dealership
I did not feel confident in using them for the repairs.
I did hear about ISM through a friend who is a car
nut, who said ISM is one of the best if not the best
in the entire bay area. My car looked brand new again
after ISM was done. The personal service I received
from Giovanni and his team was exceptional. In addition
to the bodywork I had my car detailed and was very
pleased all the way around. When I informed my Insurance
agent that I was using ISM he was happy to hear it
and also informed me that ISM has a state of art paint
color matching piece of equipment that he doesn't
see at very many shops in the area. All in All a great
experience as far as getting a car fixed after and
accident goes that is :-o
Dwight L.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
7/23/2009 |
One Sunday, some idiot parked his car next to mine
at Land's End and opened his door, putting a dent
into my rear quarter panel. Luckily the paint did
not crack in the deep dent. My regular mechanic at
Phaedrus recommended International Sport Motors for
body work. Took the car there and Antonio and Giovanni
gave me an initial estimate of $200 to have the dent
removed by the paintless dent remover pro. After letting
the shop work on the car for one day, the dent was
gone and I could not see any traces of a dent. Just
beautiful ! The actual cost came out to $250 but much
cheaper than if I needed to have the whole quarter
panel repainted.
Hawk E.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
3/19/2008 |
After several horrible experiences with the big dealer
shops (both body and service), I decided to give the
smaller shops a try.
Today I brought my car back from ISM and I am absolutely
pleased with my four new Michelin PS2 tires. I previously
called the dealer to get a quote for these tires and
it was $1,500. I then decided to shop around; http://Tirerack.com
quoted me $1,380 and Costco quoted me $1,460. So I
decided to give Giovanni (ISM owner) a call and without
any negotiation, he quoted me $1,359. I had previously
had body work done twice at ISM and was pleased both
times (the paint job was great, the people were absolutely
friendly and professional, delivery was on time etc).
With great past experiences and now unbeatable price
for the tires, so I took my car back and sure enough,
I am very satisfied with my decision. oh ya, did I
say Sabrina is great. People here are passionate about
their job and care about their customers (at least
that's how I feel). good job!
Makina W.
Albany, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
3/30/2009 |
I needed a Mercedes mechanic after my dealer warranty
expired and I didn't know where to take my car to
repair the AC. I consulted with my uncle who is a
mechanic down in So. CA and he recommended taking
my car to an AAA approved mechanic. After determining
that ISM is an AAA approved mechanic and having received
many excellent reviews on Yelp, I decided to take
my car in and have it serviced here. Their diagnostic
fee was very reasonable, $120 (compared to dealer
pricing). The parts that needed replacing and labor
hours charged, as I described them to my uncle before
proceeding with the entire repair order were very
reasonable and in line with the possible causes of
my AC problem. My car was repaired to my satisfaction.
The owner, Giovanni, has been operating this business
for 20+ years and runs a top notch shop. The staff
is friendly and helpful. I got a lift back to work
after dropping off my car and I was pleasantly surprised
when I picked up my car and they washed it for me.
I got my car serviced on a Friday and the following
Monday, Giovanni called me to see how my car was doing?
Talk about follow up on service! I never received
a call from the dealer service dept following my repairs.
I am happy that I have found a reliable and trustworthy
mechanic for my car.
Jennifer S.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
2/9/2008 |
The Best auto repair experience I've had. Giovanni
and his team turned a stressful car accident into
a stress less situation by working directly with my
insurance company, keeping me informed and accommodating
my busy schedule. Thank you.
Jean R.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
4/15/2008 |
These people, Giovanni in particular, have changed
my whole idea of car repair and body shop services.
I was in an accident in the fall and the tow truck
driver took me to ISM. Giovanni conducts business
with great personal integrity. I was so heartened
by this. He quickly became my "knight in shining
armor" as AAA wanted me to buy a low end radiator.
Giovanni helped me know where I could save money and
where I should go for the higher end. Thanks to Giovanni,
it was as if the accident had never happened by the
time he got through!
rachel y.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
4/25/2008 |
My husband and I take our cars into Giovanni every
time we need it. I've been going to Giovanni faithfully
for over 5 years! He holds the rare qualities that
are hard to find in mechanics: honest, friendly, reliable,
and economical. It's also a one-stop shop because
he does both body and mechanical work. I sincerely
know that when I leave my car there, I'm in good hands
because he will work with me according to my priorities
and budgetary needs. It's almost like trusting my
car with my own father. I also think that Giovanni
is a VERY hard worker! I have recommended a number
of friends to him and would tell anyone to go to him
at any time!
Dan k.
San Rafael, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
8/6/2008 |
ok- i didn't use the shop but i did buy a car through
these guys. they acted as the middleman to sell a
car one of their customers wanted sold. buying a car
is always a stressful event and most car guys have
a unsavory rap. they could not have been more honest
or nicer. they were clear and fair about what was
being sold, always called me back, had all the right
paperwork, smog etc. Even as the buyer of a car from
one of their customers i felt like they were taking
care of me. I hope i don't need any body work soon-
but if i do, i'm taking it to ISM. These are honest
good business people and they deserve to be patronized.
(this experience is actually what prompted me to sign
up with yelp just to confirm all the reviews i read
here before buying the car).
FANTASTICO
By umbriainc
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Jul 23, 2010 |
I AM A FEMALE AND I LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO. I HAVE
SEVERAL CARS THAT, BECAUSE I LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO,
ARE CONSTANTLY IN NEED OF REPAIR. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT
COMFORTABLE AND AT EASE WHEN GOING TO INTERNATIONAL
SPORT MOTORS. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SECOND TO NONE.
GIOVANNI AND ANTONIO ARE EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL AND
I CAN ALWAYS BE ASSURED THAT MY CAR WILL BE RETURNED
TO ME IN IMPECCABLE CONDITION. I HAVE AN ALFA ROMEO
SPIDER, WHICH NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO CORRECTLY
WORK ON. IT IS NOW PERFECT! AMAZING! I HIGHLY RECCOMEND
ISM TO ANYONE WHO HAS MECHANICAL OR BODY WORK NEEDS.
THANK YOU ISM!
thrid time is a charm
By briankelly
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Jul 21, 2010 |
Well What can I say again. But thank goodness for
International Sport Motors. Once again a little problem
with well you know the rear bumper of my car and once
again all I had to do was drive in get my estimate
and on my way to enterprise got my rental and in two
days my car was brand new again. The customer service,
they way you are taken care of is why I keep coming
back and also they clean my car so I do not have to
do it. lol Thank you again and I am sure I will be
back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best body shop in town
By peterbenjamin
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Jul 21, 2010 |
So Got into my car and noticed that my drivers side
door lock was missing called International Sport Motors
they had me come down when it was good for me took
my car around back while I waited so they could pull
apart my door, turns out all it was that the lock
cylinder fell into the door. They put it all back
together and sent me on my way they would not let
me pay for anything now that is what I call customer
service they went above and beyond like they always
do that is why I will only go there for anything that
I need!!!!!!
Best auto repair shop in San Francisco
By gerald
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Jul 19, 2010 |
This is a great auto repair shop. I give them a
perfect ten for customer service, reliability and
honesty. I took my car in, because when I have to
make that hard left, in order to get into my garage
I would hear and clunking sound. That's what you don't
want to hear from 2003 i35 A little personal background,
I know next to nothing about cars.....So my first
thought was "Here we go" I took my car in
and they fixed it, for the grand total of 68.70!!!!
You can pay that much for an oil change in San Francisco.
Thanks guys. Best wishes, Gerald Miller
"What to say about ISM"
By bryankelley
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Jul 12, 2010 |
A few weeks ago I was involved in an accident no
other cars just me myself and a building. So thank
goodness that I have a great body shop called International
Sport Motors. I have to praise them they took care
of everything the only thing I had to do was pick
up my car when it was done. The workmanship and customer
service is why I go back and oh yeh they clean the
cars. If and when I have another loss good thing I
know where I will go. Thanks again ISM
A Day From Hell ISM to the rescue!!!!
By reginabenjamin13
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Apr 30, 2010 |
These guys are freakin awesome!!! Not gonna lie,
I am friends with the owner so when I was in an accident
I knew exactly where I wanted to take my car. Here's
the kicker, someone else was driving my car when someone
else plowed into me. I was at work at the time and
couldn't get away. I was so frazzled I called ISM
and told them my situation. The person who was driving
my car did not know what info to get so get this:
ISM actually sent someone to the scene of the accident
to gather all the necessary information to file a
claim. They were so professional while assisting both
parties open the claim. Luckily my car was drivable
so my car was escorted to ISM. Later that evening,
I called to follow up to check the status of my claim
and my insurance company tried to direct me to another
shop that was select with them. Naturally I said no
way! Especially after the crew went above and their
duty to accommodate me!
Great Customer Service
By Brenda
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Apr 8, 2010 |
3/26/10 - I had this shop replace my alternator
and belt. The customer service with Regina Benjamin
was impeccable - she was thorough in explaining the
work performed and broke down the billing - where
there was no guess work. The expedited workmanship
performed on my car was exceptional. The automobile
repair service staff was very thorough with my repairs
and followed up with me on future recommendations
needed for my vehicle's future upkeep. I will definitely
be back and recommend this shop to anyone that needs
auto repair services. It was a welcome surprise to
also receive a 10% discount off my bill for being
a new customer.
Super Honest Mechanical shop
By Big Deal
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Jan 25, 2010 |
These guys give repair shops a great name. found
them after my dealer quoted me a next level price
on some repairs. when i am about to spend that kind
of cash i will get a couple of quotes. these guys
said i only needed about half of what my dealer was
pushing yet the bill was way less than half.
top notch
By Paul
San Francisco, CA - (Google Review)
 |
Apr 10, 2009 |
I suffered a minor accident in stop-and-go traffic
the other week in my BMW. The insurance company recommended
here and one other location for repairs. I read the
reviews on a few websites and went with IS Motors.
I have honestly never had a better experience -- great,
friendly, knowledgeable people, top notch customer
service, and a great shop. They definitely take pride,
not only in their work product, but in their integrity.
They walked me through every question I had, and I
received regular email updates on how repairs were
progressing. I also took a tour of the shop when I
came to pick up the car. They streamlined all dealings
with the insurance company. They detailed my car.
Within a day of driving off, some additional internal
damage from the accident came to light. They got me
in immediately for a diagnosis, recommended necessary
and optional steps, and worked with the insurance
company to make sure there were no problems having
it covered under the claim. This shop sets the standard.
Rick T.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
4/1/2010 |
One stop shop for everything. Auto body, mechanical,
electrical, etc..
Family owned business & they are all very dedicated
to doing the job correctly. If your car needs bodywork
go to ISM. ISM has been around for a very long time & the
experience that they have is awesome. Go to ISM they
rock.
michelle m.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
1/24/2010 |
this place may seem a little hole i the wall-ish
but i have to tell you they are one very affordable
and they fixed my car for half of what the dealer
said it would cost. took my Mercedes to the local
dealer and was told i needed $3400 worth of mechanical
repairs. My office mate recommended i go here. Regina
helped me out. she told me the dealers tend to be
over cautious and try to up sell you a bit much. After
her mechanic looked at it he said i only need about
half of what the dealer told me i needed. With that
i was out of there for less than $1000 and my ride
is strong as ever. Felt like they were honest and
didn't pressure me into anything.
yousee
San Francisco, CA - (Yahoo! Local Review)
 |
10/30/2007 |
Super accommodating staff, took away the headache
of dealing with insurance drama completely. The work
was perfect, definitely made my car look like new!
I could tell this shop does quality work because of
the detail which was explained to me when I picked
up my car.
A Yahoo! Local User
San Francisco, CA - (Yahoo! Local Review)
 |
04/19/2005 |
great place, but not one you want to visit!: i'm
being ironic here, of course. if you're visiting a
body shop, it's usually because you pulled a bonehead
move, or somebody had their way with your dashboard
(and is enjoying your stereo). That said, i've been
to these guys twice with my brand-new VW GTI and had
great results and great service both times. I happened
to find them because my car was broken into while
parked on the street right outside their shop. No
- it wasn't them drumming up business! Anyhow, they
did a great job with that repair and their next one
went equally well. I can't tell a thing ever happened,
and they are a good group of folks (from my experience).
David Ho
San Francisco, CA - (Email Review)
 |
06/25/2010 |
Hello Antonio.
Happy Friday. I just wanted to thank you and your
crew (Nicky and Cody) for doing a marvelous job
on replacing the rear bumper of my BMW 335i. The
extra little touches (such as driving me and picking
me up from work and resolving my bluetooth) are
truly appreciated. I am really happy I took
my car over to your shop, despite it not being on
my insurance's "preferred shops". I've recommended
to my insurance that you should be added
to their network. I would take my car back to your
shop in a heartbeat should I need any other repair
jobs. The communication you've provided much
appreciate, which is a notch above most other places
I know. I felt like I could really trust your business.
I have a question for you. The 4 year maintenance
and warranty program will expire on my BMW soon, which
means I will have to start paying for the maintenance. If
it was any other car, I would probably take it to
any shop for tune up and service. However, being that
it is a BMW, and they seem to provide all the bells
and whistle at the BMW service, such as diagnosing
your car by reading the car key, I was wondering what
your opinions on that was. For some reason, I feel
like only the BMW dealership can properly diagnose
my car and its computer readings. Perhaps this is
not true. Should I take my car to the more expensive
BMW dealership and have them maintain my car, or can
I take it to a certified shop which I assume is less
expensive? Do you have any recommendations
for service shops?
Regards,
Dave Ho
Brenda Coats
San Francisco, CA - (Email Review)
 |
07/12/2010 |
Once again - ISM International Sports Motors - has
proven
their unsurpassed customer service and auto body skills.
I recently
had the unfortunate turn of events to have someone
rear-end me at a
dead stop - hence my car sustained considerable rear-end
damage. The
staff and crew did an outstanding job of fixing my
car - it looks
great. Their staff made an often horrible situation
into a painless
and painless encounter. They go above and beyond and
not only take
care of your immediate task "to get your car
fixed" but will facilitate
any other requests asked of them - rental car services
etc. I live in
the San Joaquin Valley and commute to Mt. View and
with their shop only
minutes from the Bay Bridge - makes it a desirable
location to drop off
the car and get home and/or to work. I will make this
shop my one and
only stop for all my mechanical and bodywork needs;
and encourage my
friends and acquaintances to pursue their services
when the occasion
arises. Thank you - Giovanni and Staff!
Gerald Miller
San Francisco, CA - (Email Review)
 |
07/19/2010 |
These guys run a reasonable, honest, and surprise
free
operation.
I would give communications and customer service a
perfect ten. I have
been using this shop for a few years now, and I have
never had to bring
anything back that wasn't done correctly. I've also
never felt like I
was over charged, or sold something that I didn't
need.
Thanks for your help guys,
Sincerely yours,
Gerald Miller
Al Freshko
San Francisco, CA - (Email Review)
 |
08/02/2010 |
To put it short...they hooked me up with an awesome,
professional, meticulous & supreme job on my M3 & Honda
Accord. I would not waste my time going anywhere else.
These guys do everything!!!
Thank you ISM!!!
Antoine Nauleau
San Francisco, CA - (Email Review)
 |
07/27/2010 |
You guys are great, great customer service and work.
I recommend all my friends and friends families to
you guys, no joke.
Karen Chiles
San Francisco, CA - (Email Review)
 |
08/24/2010 |
Dear Giovanni,
Thank you for the terrific job on my new Mini Cooper.
My brand new car was 'dinged' on the rear door causing
quite a bit of
damage. Giovanni and his son, Antonio, matched the
colors beautifully,
and restored my car to its 'off the lot' condition.
Thanks for getting it done so quickly and at the best
price!
My best to you both.
Karen C.
San Diego, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
08/24/2010 |
Dear Giovanni,
Thank you for the terrific job on my new Mini Cooper.
My brand new car was 'dinged' on the rear door causing
quite a bit of
damage. Giovanni and his son, Antonio, matched the
colors beautifully,
and restored my car to its 'off the lot' condition.
Thanks for getting it done so quickly and at the best
price!
My best to you both.
Josh S.
San Diego, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
01/11/2010 |
My experience with this place has been a bit unusual,
mostly due to my own mistakes. And though I'm not
done with their business yet-I'm currently awaiting
an estimate and will update after any work is done-I'm
more than ready to echo all the other great reviews
here.
After getting into an overwhelmingly stupid accident
with a tiny median strip (the annoying one at 19th
and Junipero Serra that they only recently decided
to plaster with reflective flags), I called AAA to
come pick up the car. As another reviewer here stated,
AAA recommended this shop, and as the tow guy hooked
up my car I took out my trusty iPhone to look up ISM.
I was surprised by the ratings and unhesitatingly
sent my car there.
Now on to my own mistakes. I ran into a long and unnecessary
snafu with my insurance after the accident. It would
be unnecessarily long-winded for me to retell it here,
but everything here mostly comes down to my own naivety.
It was a learning experience.
But its also been months since the car was brought
in, just sitting in ISM's lot collecting dust. Nevertheless,
they have been extraordinarily patient with me. And
even though my "handler," Antonio, was running a little
late this morning, he still managed to return my call
immediately. Now that's service!
I truly hope the car is reparable and that the cost
of the repairs will be affordable (I'm a grad student
making the awesome life choice of studying philosophy,
so we'll see how this goes). As is always the case
with the places I really love, my hope is that I can
do copious amounts of business with them. And one
day, when I'm somehow absurdly wealthy, this place
is going on my list of places to leave a massive tip.
Tom McIntyre
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
04/28/2010 |
You folks have done great work on my wife's car
(a BMW E39
wagon you put an M-sport [M5 look] bumper cover, etc.
on). I backed into a newer BMW (E60 5'r, I think)
and cracked a filler panel just above the bumper cover.
I want to get this fixed without my (and his) insurance
going up, so I will be paying for the repair. I have
given him your information. His name is Nathan Brown.
How should I handle the payment? I can stop by with
a credit card so that when he comes in you can order
the part without delaying him too much, if that makes
sense.
I am sure I am not the first to be in this situation
- how is this
usually handled? Thanks!
Sam
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
01/21/2010 |
Giovanni! Thanks for all the effort. The car runs
better than it ever has. The body and interior is
outstanding. You should have charged me for the paint!!
I called ALGAR, you got the last set of air cleaner
nuts. The least I can do is pay for them, so I added
the cost plus shipping to my payment. Thank You!
Bertha Joseph
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
04/20/2010 |
Mr. Palazzo & Antonio, Thank you for the beautiful
job you did on my Toyota. It really looks "brand
new."
I do hope that you will be able to help Brother Haig,
also. May the Lord bless you. Gratefully in Him, Sister
Bertha Joseph. Thanks to Regina, too!
Benjamin Storck
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
04/12/2010 |
Giovanni and his crew are hands down the best in
San Francisco. They
have worked on all of my vehicles and I have been
completely satisfied
every single time. I constantly refer friends and
colleagues and they
end up thanking me profusely.
Brenda C.
Tracy, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
03/26/2010 |
I had this shop replace my alternator and belt. The
customer service with Regina Benjamin was impeccable
- she was thorough in explaining the work performed
and broke down the billing - where there was no guess
work. The expedited workmanship performed on
my car was exceptional. The automobile repair service
staff was very thorough with my repairs and followed
up with me on future recommendations needed for my
vehicle's future upkeep. I will definitely be
back and recommend this shop to anyone that
needs auto repair services. It was also nice
to receive a 10% discount off my bill for being a
new customer.
David Kaufman
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
01/21/2010 |
Dear Giovanni, Thank you so much for the great work
(as usual!) on my 4-Runner. The work was great! The
treatment was great! The price was perfect!
Sam & Dian Sexton
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
11/30/2009 |
Hi Giovanni. I just wanted to let you know how things
are going. The car runs the best it ever has. It
has never started this easily. It starts almost
instantly, hot or cold. It has used no measurable
oil. There is still a smell of burned oil at
times, but it must be minimal. It is a real
joy to just get in the car, start it, drive it and
know that nothing is going to happen. But it
is a Ferrari after all, so I always make sure I have
a charged cell phone and the number of a tow company
with me (a little insurance).
We wish you, your family and your company a Merry
Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.
Jennifer S.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
02/09/2008 |
The Best auto repair experience I've had. Giovanni
and his team turned a stressful car accident into
a stress less situation by working directly with my
insurance company, keeping me informed and accommodating
my busy schedule, Thank you.
Bradley F.
South San Francisco, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
04/18/2008 |
I've been a long lime AAA member and when I got into
my accident I assumed I'd be in good hands. Before
being in an accident and opening a claim I've never
heard of what body shops call "steering" before.
I was referred to international Sport Motors by a
work associate SO I decided to give it a shot. When
I opened my claim with AAA and told them where I wanted
to take my car they told me to take it to one of their
shops and told me if I took it to ISM the work would
not be guaranteed? ... I was confused because the
person I know who recommended ISM to me thought very
highly of this shop. I decided to give ISM a call
directly as I spoke with the owner Giovanni. He explained
to me that insurance companies sometimes steer the
insured to shops in contract with them because those
shops work for less and use aftermarket parts to keep
the cost of repairs down. After doing some research
of my own I found that Giovanni was telling the truth.
I was surprised and kind of annoyed as to how hard
my insurance company pushed to have me go elsewhere.
I did end up doing the repairs at ISM and I have no
regrets, There were no corners cut and my car looks
brand new. Giovanni said it best: Insurance repair
shops work to please their insurance companies, our
repair shop works to please our customers.
AJ G.
San Francisco CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
02/19/2008 |
Go there tell your friends and anyone you know to
go there. My car was scratched and the seat switch
came off. I met Giovanni and told him of the costly
estimates I receiver from the dealer and other shops.
He looked at it and said, I can fix the switch and
will buff out and touch up the scratch as a COURTESY.
The scratch is gone. The switch s fixed and I paid
a fraction of the cost (rare for a European car) :
Giovanni is an honest, no nonsense man. He will tell
you what you need and, more importantly, what you
don't need.
Carol C.
Palo Alto, CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
02/14/2008 |
When my car hit a hand truck someone had let toll
into the street on 19th avenue, it sustained severe
damage to the front end and undercarriage.
Giovanni, the owner of ISM was so helpful. He patiently
explained exactly what needed to be repaired, how
long it would take, and made all the arrangements
with my insurance company.
The bodywork was done so well I couldn't even see
where the damage was. I really appreciate his cautious
attitude in deciding to replace rather than repair
my gas tank.
Giovanni kept in the loop at all times and even followed
up with me after I had my car back just to see if
everything was OK.
I highly recommend this place. In my humbly opinion,
Giovanni is an honest man who keeps his word.
Jack L.
Mill Valley CA - (Yelp Review)
 |
01/24/2008 |
#1 best auto repair experience I've ever had. Not
only did they do a great job on the repairs, and finish
when they said they'd finish, they washed and vacuumed
the car, replaced a brake light, topped off the fluids
and checked/corrected the tire pressure.
Very friendly. Very focused on customer satisfaction,
and it showed.
Erin G.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
01/24/2008 |
When I first moved here to the city, I went through
the tedious and sometimes painful process of setting
up my life in a place where I knew no one: there was
the task of finding somewhere to live, a job to maintain
that life, and the borage of people/professionals
that will help you when You are in need, such as a
new doctor, dentist, and of course friends. When I
decided then to buy a car, I was nervous to try and
find a mechanic who I could trust as much as I had
come to believe in these other people in my life here
in San Francisco. As my car began to have problems,
one of these people I relied on most told me to take
my car to International Sport Motors. and I'm so glad
they did!
Mr. Palazzo, the owner, was so helpful and great
with explaining exactly what was wrong with my car
and what was necessary to get it working again. Everyone
was so kind, hard working, and friendly. They made
me feel important and taken care of so I knew my car
was in good hands, The service was steadfast and done
promptly. They fixed my car and had it running like
brand new in no time! It was clear to me by the exploration
of my services, that they were doing their job with
precision, respect and the utmost care,
International Sport Motors came highly recommended
to me and I want to do the same for whoever may need
help with their car in the future. I've never had
a more reliable and HONEST mechanic in my life and
I really do thank them all for that.
Gray M.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
02/19/2008 |
Unfortunately I came to meet the folks at ISM because
my car was smashed in a parking lot. Fortunately they
were honest, kind, and demonstrated the kind of professionalism
that anyone would hope for in an auto body mechanic.
My car looks so wonderful and there were no issues
or problems with ISM Is work. I think the world of
Giovanni and his amazing staff (Sabrina in the office
is really awesome). They were MOST helpful and I couldn't
of asked for a better experience out of this bad situation.
I am ALWAYS going back there even if I move fair @way,
THANKS ISM!!!
Dan V.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
11/27/2007 |
I was worried about taking the car some place in
the city, because the place that the dealership recommends
is commissioned by the dealer, so you can't trust
them. I also hear they overcharge and take advantage
of insurance companies,
Anyhow, I took a leap of faith given the good reviews
on yelp and it paid off. The work exceeded expectations,
made the car look brand new by replacing a door and
matched the paint perfectly. Also, they detailed the
car for free and it was a top quality job. Would definitely
go back to him again. Great work, and reasonable pricing.
Rachel Y.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
04/25/2008 |
My husband and I take our cars into Giovanni every
time we need it. I've been going to Giovanni faithfully
for over 5 years! He holds the rare qualities that
are hard to find in mechanics, honest, friendly, reliable,
and economical. It's also a one-stop shop because
he does both body and mechanical work. I sincerely
know that when I leave my car there, I'm in good hands
because he will work with me according to my priorities
and budgetary needs. It's almost like trusting my
car with my own father. I also think that Giovanni
is a VERY hard worker! I have recommended a number
of friends to him and would tell anyone to go to him
at any time!
Joan R.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
04/15/2008 |
These people, Giovanni in particular, have changed
my whole idea of oar repair and body shop services.
1 was in an accident in the fall and the tow truck
driver took me to ISM. Giovanni conducts business
with great personal integrity. I was so heartened
by this. He quickly became my "knight in shining
armor" as AAA wanted me to buy a low end radiator.
Giovanni helped me know where I could save money and
where I should go for the higher end. Thanks to Giovanni,
it was as if the accident had never happened by the
time he got through!
Charlotte C.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
06/25/2008 |
This place is amazing to say the least. I was recently
involved in a car accident. I have a german car (audi)
and did not went to go to our local dealership because
of the horrible service and reviews. I did some research
and heard about ISM through another business. I took
the chance and could believe the service from the
moment I walked in the door. Everyone greeted me,
smiled, walked me through the quick registration,
etc and I was Out of there. They communicated to let
me know status while it was being repaired and when
I went to pick up I thought it was a brand new car.
Not only was it gorgeous, they polished and detailed
the whole car Giovanni, who is the owner. walked me
through exactly what they did to the car. I know he
added in a few extras at no cost to me and it really
does lock like I bought a brand new car. The prices
were great and of course lower than the Audi dealership
Today, 5 days after I picked up the car, Giovanni
called to see how everything is with the car. How
can you beat that?
Hawk E.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
03/19/2008 |
After several horrible experiences with the big dealer
shops (both body and service), I decided to give the
smaller shops a try. Today I brought my car back from
ISM and I am absolutely pleased with my four new Michelin
PS2 tires. I previously called the dealer to get a
quote for these tires and it was $1,500. I then decided
to shop around; Tirerack.com quoted me $1,380 and
Costco quoted me $1,460, So I decided to give Giovanni
(ISM owner) a call and without any negotiation, he
quoted me $1,359. 1 had previously had body work done
twice at ISM and was pleased both times (the paint
job was great, the people were absolutely friendly
and professional, delivery was on time etc). With
great past experiences and nova unbeatable price for
the tires so I took my car back and sure enough, I
am very satisfied with my decision. oh ya, did I say
Sabrina is great. People here are passionate about
their job and care about their customers (at least
that's how I feet). good job!
Sleeping P.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
05/12/2008 |
I'm another AAA member who came here after my car
was run into. It took longer than I expected, but
that was partly because I had to deal with my insurance.
Giovanni was very patient during 'this initial period
when my car just sat at his shop and he could do nothing.
I spoke with Giovanni on several occasions and each
time he offered measured advice based on his experience.
He didn't try to push me one way or the other. I'm
very pleased with the end result, and the additional
work I needed done ended up being cheaper than he
quoted.
Expect Giovanni to return your calls the next day
if you leave a message with the receptionist. That
might not be quick enough for some people, but he's
probably busy and he does indeed return your calls.
Liz B.
San Francisco, CA - (Yelp
Review)
 |
11/28/2007 |
Our car got backed up into while parked but luckily
the driver left a note. The hood was crushed in, causing
the inner frame to be pinched, as well, (I know, a
hard back up.. it was on a hill). The other driver's
insurance (Geiko) suggested ISM, We reluctantly went
believing our car would never be the same. As long
as they had the car up on the blocks we asked that
they check out an existing oil leak and gave them
previous estimates to fix it. Other than the fact
it took 3 weeks to get out car back (it was over a
holiday and Geiko did set us up with a rental the
whole time), Giovanni personally handed the car over
to me with an extensive review of everything they
did and possible future problems to keep an eye Gut
for. Also, on top of the amazing paint job, they detailed
the whole car and gave us a break on the existing
problem since they were already inside the car anyway.
I would definitely recommend ISM to others.
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