Woman’s Seminar on Car Purchasing

On June 9th Bernardi Honda held its second Woman’s Seminar on Car Purchasing at its dealership on
Worcester Street in Natick. The seminar was held to dispel the image of the woman
not be a key participant in the car purchasing process. In fact 75% of the vehicle
purchases in the United States are made by women. This seminar was designed to empower
woman with the knowledge necessary to successfully make a vehicle purchase.

Lemon Laws
Guest Speaker, Paula Fleming Vice President of Communications for the Better Business
Bureau (BBB) began the evening with important criteria pertaining to Lemon Laws.
The documentation given included helpful tips and phone numbers consumers can contact
at the BBB for information on area businesses. She also provided information to
help identify dealerships with proven records of excellent customer service –as
well as those who fail to make the grade.

Dealership Selection
Heather MacKinnon joined us from DealerRater.com and provided our guests with the
best way to find a consumer review for a dealership utilizing the internet. She
addressed specific ways to search for a reputable dealer on-line by using Google.com
and their reviews will pop up automatically. Adding that a consumer review is most
important to get an accurate read of how you will be treated and that Bernardi Auto
Group’s dealerships have a great reputation for a pleasant experience with Sales
or Service.

Credit and Financing
The next speaker was Karen Fisher, Business Manager for Bernardi Auto Group. She
was able to answer several questions from the audience regarding what great vs.
not so great credit entails. They were also given a handout that included a pie
chart with the compilation of a Fico score and what the ranges mean. She continued
on with the benefits of leasing a vehicle and the “extras” that are helpful with
your purchase, such as extended warranties and GAP insurance.

Service
Christine Kristoff-Cote Service Director at Bernardi Audi brought her 20 years of
service expertise to the table. She was able to squash common fears of engine lights
and provided guidance for the best maintenance on any vehicle. The tire gauges and
tread depth measuring tools were terrific props for the ladies to learn how to use
properly and they were encouraged to take them home at the end evening.

Throughout the evening their were many great raffle prizes. The grand prize was a free one month membership at Curves Fitness of Natick. Curves also provided each attendee with fitness
magazines and guest passes.

Dinner was provided by Fresh City of Framingham.

We would like to thank the following local businesses for their giveaway gifts:
Beauty Way Cosmetics and Hair Products, Curves Fitness of Natick, DeliMax Pizzeria,
Dolphin Restaurant, Five Crows Hand Crafts, Salon Paradiso, Stephanie Sandler of
Strands and the Vitamin Shoppe of Framingham.

Special thanks go to Sallie Longeri, Tom Parks, Jim Blaney, John Shuberth, Paul
Dibasio and Robbie Walker of Bernardi Auto Group for their help with the evening.

The next Woman's Seminar is scheduled for October. Please call Kristin Cullinane at 774 290-1423.