- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Simon's Shine Shop
Rating Details »
Categories: Car Wash, Body Shops, Auto Glass Services [Edit]
Neighborhood: DePaul1439 W Shakespeare Avenue
(between Clybourn Ave & Southport Ave)
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-2000
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
39 reviews for Simon's Shine Shop
Make sure when coming down Shakespeare, you go to the car wash at the far end of the street. I made this mistake once and it was very bad. You are looking for "Simon's" - and don't stop until you get there.
This is not a cheap car wash. They DO get the car very clean, but they still don't get the windshields as clean as I can. The process can sometimes be slow, but it is easy to understand and I don't feel upsold. I don't mind because of the homey indoor waiting area with magazines, books, and newspapers. We get a lot of coupons from them and you can grab some from the website. Definitely the only place I trust with my mid-size economical sedan.
I used to love this place, but then I woke up and realized that I was being hypnotized by a nice waiting room and good magazines.
My experience with the wash itself is consistent with some of the other reviews on Yelp - it's subpar. The interior is rarely completely wiped down. And the car is usually still dripping when I get it from the guy at the end.
Simon's *does* send coupons, but they don't maintain them in the computer. If you don't have it with you, it doesn't apply. "Sorry buddy - $31.99". When they're giving you a crappy wash for $31.99, the least they could do is see in the computer that you're on their list and give you the coupon.
The final straw for me was last week when I went in for a wash. I have a small SUV. The price for the mid-level wash is $31.99 (ridiculous). When I pulled in, I asked them to take off my old city stickers (no problem). When I got to the register, the fee was $41.99. I asked why it was so much and was generally confused. The cashier told me they charge $5 to remove each sticker, and since I had 2 stickers, it was an additional $10 (!) In fairness, she voluntarily cut that to $5 (I didn't even ask). But I find it ridiculous that a wash is $31.99 and that they charge $5 for something most car washes will do for free (or for an implied extra tip).
I can definitely afford to go to Simons, but I no longer choose to. My suggestion - get your car washed at a place where they're friendly, do a MUCH better job and charge 1/2 the price.
They do a good job washing your car...but it's way over priced. You're probably paying for the nice couches and fancy waiting area...but I just want a clean car.
This review is going to be short & sweet.
If you're the type of person who drives a BMW or Audi, this is the kind of place you should get a car wash. You pay a premium, but it's worth every penny.
If you're the type of person who drives a Chevy, you should consider going somewhere else, as Simon's may be a bit expensive for you.
In all seriousness, if you want an amazing car wash and are willing to pay a small premium for it, Simon's offers the best car wash in the city.
My experience from Simon's is not favorable. I went to the their website to pick my detail package. I priced out my options which is a Interior detail and a exterior wash w/ premium wax. Told the person on the phone with these services and made my appointment. I went there today and asked what services I wanted, I guess they did not write it down, when I called. I told them and somehow, the prices in-store is different than the website. The detail cost me more than I expected. They also told me that this detail will take 5 hours, instead it took only 3 hours.
I was surprised to see that the interior detail was not perfect, there were parts of my bumper and mud flaps with and without armour-all. Looks terrible, when it is half covered. For this type of detail work, I got from Simon's, I should have brought it to Delta Sonic, at least the price matches the work performed. It took a couple of days to dry out the interior and decided to put my floor mats in, found out that I was missing a mat. Called them and they told me that I was missing one before the work was done. I can't believe how not cooperative they are to resolve this problem.
I've been going to Simon's for well over 3 years now and I highly recommend them.
If you value a clean vehicle and respect the fact that you get what you pay for then Simon's is the car wash for you.
The staff is extremely knowledgeable of PROPER paint/finish care and spares no expense on equipment and methods to provide the cleanest vehicle for their customers.
Dog-friendly too!!
If you are a car enthusiast, living in the city then you really don't have many options for a decent detail at a reasonable price.
I don't drive a BMW or Audi, mostly because I prefer more minimal cars. However my 2003 Subaru WRX is perfectly at home here. Honestly, due to the care ive put into it (that and having the body resprayed once, hood twice) my lil blue Subie gleams like a flawless sapphire when its done here. Sure they miss some spots occaisionally, but overall they leave the 105,000 mile paint scratch and swirl free.
Yes thats right, even high mileage cars can come out of Simon's looking fresh. If I had an Elise or Boxster Id certainly take it here too.
Those of you with exotics can probably do a little bit better though, so I might refrain from bringing the Gallardo or Testarossa here... but when I was there last there WAS a flawless Aston DB7 Vantage out back...
I bought a used 07 VW GTi 5 months ago, and it had some noticeable swirl marks on it from the previous owner's improper washing of it.
After reading reviews from yelp, and other online sites, It seemed as if Simon's Shine Shop was the best choice to replenish my car's exterior finish.
They spent over a half a day on my car while I spent $250 on a "complete exterior detail".
Right off the bat I should of became wary since when I dropped the car off I was told that i should pay up front for the detailing service. After a short discussion with the cashier I was told I could just wait until the car was finished with detailing before paying for the service.
After they "detailed" my car, I performed a through inspection. It looked great. Honestly, it looked better than the condition which I had i originally purchased it as a used car.
At the time I was told that I shouldn't wash it for a "few days" so that the sealant they applied could cure. I didn't wash it and I made sure the exterior saw no moisture for the next 4 days. At that point the car still looked great... That is, until it rained on the 4th day. That's when the holograms from their buffing came through.
Upon noticing the (previously non existent) paint damage, I brought my car back. Yet upon my return, I was treated like a stranger. It took quite a bit of time and effort on my part to point out the obvious damage they had done to my car's paint .
The owner of the shop treated me as if either I didn't know what I was talking about, or that I was trying to pull a fast one on him. Either way, he continued to assert that the people he had working on my car could not of caused any damage simply since the car had *first* been clay barred.
He even told me (multiple times) that he checked the video surveillance to "verify" this! He also suggested that my rinsing the rain spots off the car at a coin op spray wash (once) caused the horrible hologramming.
At the end of this discussion he finally suggested that if he waxed the car again all would be fixed. Unsurprisingly, it was just another 2 day cover up.
For the record, I have California plates on my car.
I can't help but feel that Jim (and nikki) Lafeber really have no idea what's going on in their shop. They seem to cater to those who are too rich or naive to care about the actual condition of their vehicles.
I've got mixed feelings, too.
In my search for a solid detailer in Chicago, I've been to many car washes in and around the West Loop, Bucktown, Lakeview, etc. I've been to Simon's four times and feel I can offer a good review. All four times I received the "To the Nines" package.
The cost is higher than average, but not by a lot. The service people are very nice and professional, something a lot of other places simply lack altogether. The lounge is certainly nice--far nicer than anywhere else I've sat while my car was being washed, but I honestly don't really care where I have to wait so long as there is a chair and my car comes out immaculate.
*As far as the actual car treatment itself, I just don't think it's on par with the rest of the place.*
The car comes out clean, but all four times I had to wipe the wheels where they missed the areas that were facing the ground during the wash. I can't get myself to be the guy who pulls the car back around to point this out. For $35 a pop, they really shouldn't miss something like this.
That said, when I need a thorough wash/vacuum/wipedown, I'll probably stick with a different shop that does the same caliber work for $21, as most of the places I've tried seem to offer about the same quality of work. They all miss a little here and there. Granted, that other place only offers a TV and a folding chair for me to enjoy while I wait, and rarely does anyone speak much English.
On another note, I would consider Simon's for a complete detail for the simple fact that their staff is so professional, and I think I might actually be able to convey what I wanted them to do to a person who could understand what I was saying. That alone would be worth the premium.
I've easily gone to Simon's 30 times in the past 2 years to keep my black car clean (which is a challenge), and am always very satisfied with the service (both the staff and the wash). I'm somewhat amazed by the reviewers who complain about the cost -- it's a hand wash car service, so of course it's going to be more expensive than automatic car washes. Buy their book of washes and you'll feel better about the price!
There's a reason that uber expensive cars flock to Simon's, along with the rest of us in need of a really good hand car wash. They do a great job at a fair price in a really nice environment. They've won me over and then some.
I love Simon's, its the ONLY place I get my car detailed. They do impecable work, with a wide price/service range(quick outside wash to full detailing). Yes, their customer service is what keeps their clients coming back for more. The location certianly doesnt hurt, its super easy to walk to Barnes and Noble and read a magazine while your waiting for your car.
But BEST of all, Simon's is an animal friendly buisness. They do an annual car wash to benefit PAWS(just southeast on Clybourn) and your dog is most welcome to come sit in the waiting room with you. Definately give Simon's a try, you wont be disappointed.
Wow - the one time Yelp reviews have really let me down.
My car got pretty badly scratched the other day and I decided a car wash would make me (and my car) feel better so upon reading Yelp reviews for car washes, I took it here. I also realized they had a body shop and thought I might as well get an estimate on the damage while I was there.
The car wash was the worst I've ever seen. They left streaks from soap and water all over my car. I was very disappointed. The guy who gave me the estimate said it'd be $340 to repair the damage, and that because the car was so new they would have to remove the bumper blah blah blah blah blah. He said it'd take 2 days.
Long story short, I took my car to the place my parents recommended in Kenilworth and the guy fixed the damage on the spot and refused to take any money for it. That's right, he fixed it for FREE. In 15 minutes. I know body shop people are known for giving girls crappy estimates but this is ridiculous. I will never take my car back to this place again, and I recommend you do the same.
The basic mechanics of getting your car washed at a car wash or detail shop is the same just about anywhere you go:
1. You tell the guy with the clipboard what you want done to the car and hand over the keys
2. Find your way to the counter and pay for the service
3. Sit around (or stand) and wait (the length varies on the services you request).
4. When you spot your car at the designated spot, walk over exchange tip/receipt, get in, and drive off
Simon's is no different in this aspect, but the quality of the time you spend steping thru the four steps is an unusually pleasant experience at Simon's, which deserves a sterling five-stars rating from me.
For one, your car gets washed, dried and (depending on what you paid for) pampered INDOORS by uniformed (red sweat shirt) crew. This is very different from other guys where your is ejected from the car wash into the outdoors elements, and depending on the particular weather (today, it was 30 F), you have a motley crew that attacks your car with dirty rags to get the job done as soon as humanly possible.
The difference in the quality of the wash, at the end, really doesn't depend much on the soaping and rinsing part (every guy does pretty much the same), but in the FINISHING of the job -- and I find that it is the little sloppy misses like wet patches, dirty spots or cutting corners (not wiping the rubber trims or failing to reach the corners of the windshield) that are tell-tale signs of a mediocre job. When I did my usual inspection of the car after I got the keys back, I was surprised at the thoroughness of the job they've done. Of course, nobody can do as meticulous of a job as I can in taking care of MY car, but these guys came closest. Very impressed.
I got a basic wash with the armour-all treatment on console and doors - about $20-25 worth of service. A crew of two worked full-time on my car for about 25 minutes, for this; about 5 minutes worth of washing/rinsing, and 20 minutes on drying, vacuuming, polishing, shining, etc. I doubt that other places where the finishing crew works outdoors can afford to pay similiar attention to my car.
Now, with this being my first time here, I was paying a lot of attention to the work they were doing to my car (I probably don't need to go on about this); from next time, I can probably spend most of the waiting time enjoying the ammenities they provide for you while you're waiting for the car.
The waiting area is in the corner of the garage, comfortably decorated like a small cafe (with sofas, magazine racks, small cafe tables and chairs, kids' toys) with large windows all around -- you have a full view of your car being serviced as well as abundant natural lighting coming in; it is a very cozy place to spend time. You can see when your car pulls around the corner when it's done (or they come in to fetch you), so there's no guessing on when the crew is done (which is often the case with other places). Unless you have some place urgent to go to, you can just sit, RELAX and enjoy a brief pause in your busy schedule over (reasonably priced) drinks. It really feels like a nice cafe -- except with better (and up-to-date) magazines.
So my review of Simon's is basically done. However, being ever the curious cat that I am, I actually noticed that there was another car wash/detail shop adjacent to Simon's. I parked my car in the street and strolled over to check it out. (Yes, I'm THAT crazy.)
The place had a crew of 8-9 people dressed in jackets of various griminess working on the cars outside once they were ejected by the automatic wash line. Watching people working barehands to wipe down just washed cars in 30F weather just felt impossibly miserable -- I know that this is where the logic of PAYING someone to wash my car comes in, but that doesn't wash away the feeling of guilt. Most of the owners were standing around in the waiting room (there ARE a couple of chairs, but the room was, by any stretch of imagination, a place where I'd have sat down and felt comfortable), staring out through the window with cold, silent stare as their cars were being wiped down with rags by the miserable, grimey crew. Sadly enough, this IS the typical experience at most car washes I've been to so far.
Getting your car washed at Simon's costs about 10-15% more than other guys in the area, but seeing how my car was being treated (pampered), how I was being treated (wouldn't have minded if the wash took longer!) and how the crew was working indoors, it sure is damn worth the extra few bucks.
Ah, speaking of "a few bucks," you can go to http://www.simonsshine... to find some coupons. Now there's no excuse. :-)
What more could you want! An amazingly clean car, great coffee, and water, comfortable clean chairs, fun magazines, organized staff and goodies for the kids!
This is a car wash, and an fun afternoon outing.
If your car isn't dirty -- get it cleaned anyway.
Awesome. I can't imagine going anywhere else after having been here. The hand car wash is really gentle on your car, and even though it's more expensive than most automatic washes, you can't beat the service. I was very impressed by the lounge, too, which seems silly, but when you get a more deluxe wash, you could be waiting for a while.
The staff was extremely nice, too, explaining how everything worked, since I had never been before. Great experience. I'll be going back.
Simply stated, this is the only place I get my car washed at. I'm quite meticulous with anything that has to do with my car. I love babying it and I always take a precautious approach when I hand my keys to someone for some type of car service.
Note: Simon's does a great job cleaning my SILVER car and I've never really had any complaints with their service.
Sure there are times when a few spots could be cleaned up alittle bit more, but that's why they let you walk around your car to spot check.
Plus, in their waiting room, they let you look at car while it's being washed. So instead of reading magazines or sipping on some free coffee, I just tend to stare at my car as it's being washed. Weird, I know, that's how much I love my car.
All in all, this is the best place to go. Its clean, you see a lot of GOOD cars coming through here and their service is great. You really can't go wrong. (maybe if you have a black car, you can)
I had two different cars washed in one day at Simon's Shine Shop. One had the "To The Nines" wash and the other had the "Just Fine Shine" wash.
I was not completely impressed with what is their highest level of wash. I had high expectations based on previous reviews. It was not perfect, but I at least expect the sticky residue from Chicago parking tickets on your window to be included. I can't be the only car in town that has these pesky tracks on it. There was also some confusion about a special request I had made and paid for that was not completed initially. Other than that I was happy enough.
As for the lowest level of wash, I didn't expect quite as much and was pleasantly satisfied with the wash. My new baby, Bella Blu, came out clean as a whistle and shining brighter than the sun. The only thing I found weird was that the seats were pretty wet after and I felt like my whole back was soaked.
I love that they use CLEAN towels and mitts for every car that comes in. I love that I can chow on free candy (all of my favorites) for the whole time I'm there, sip a cup of free tea, sit on a comfy chair and read the nice pile of magazines, work at a small table and chairs, or lounge comfortably outside.
BONUS: This seems to be a great place to meet people (wink, wink) and I will be back to do just that! ;)
SYNOPSIS: Not bad for $20 simple wash, but will save my $35 wash for only the rarest of occasions. Beware of the snotty counter girl. Eh.
no, no, no, it's all wrong -- that last review was HARSH.
I'm thinking maybe the reviewer who gave this place a crummy rating got Simon's confused with the REALLY crappy place next door? The place that rhymes with "Tight Guv?" Where you feel dirty as soon as you roll in, and then just wish you had used the auto wash at the gas station?
These people at Simon's work on collectible Ferraris and Porsches, so if the people that own these $100K+ vehicles trust Simon's, you can probably trust them to wash your car!
I've been going to this place since they opened several years ago, and literally have never had even ONE bad experience. When you first drive in, it's usually pretty crowded with cars, but there is always someone there to direct you to one of three wash bays. You pull up and they say "hello" and "which wash would you like today?" in the most pleasant way. They have 3 different washes that range from very nicely done to almost detailed, and they also do heavy duty detailing and some light body work.
Before Simon's, I almost wanted the people at all the other assorted car washes around the city to hurry the hell up and finish it, because I didn't want to stick around for myriad reasons: there's not really a comfortable sitting area, or it's wet, or grimy, or you can't figure out where to pay, or well, whatever. On top of all that, the wash would be inferior too.
Not here. You tell the guy what kind of wash you want, he gives you a ticket and then you walk into the lounge. It's as nice as your living room -- well-lit, cushy leather chairs, ceramic floors, wooden tables and chairs, wi-fi, cool tunes, coffee, water, tons of current magazines and the daily papers.The owner also has a great eye for antiques, and has a couple of cases of interesting "treasures" for you to peruse while they work on your car. It's super clean and very relaxing.
Who am I kidding -- maybe it's nicer than my living room.
The only thing that ruins the experience in the lounge is when a loudmouth has to make sure we all know he/she is VERY important, by yelling into his Bluetooth/Borg earpiece device. Resistance is futile.
There's a person behind the counter right when you walk in that you pay, and they are computerized so that they can keep track of who's a repeat customer. The communal tip jar is conveniently located on the counter too.
Here's the best part -- when you see your car out the big picture window, you know it's finished. You step outside and there's a guy waiting there to take your ticket, and you can walk all around the car and inspect their work. This is a HAND wash and dry -- hurrah! My car is always dry inside and out, pet hair is always well removed, and if there are wet drips trailing down anywhere they wipe them up right away, before you go.
It ain't cheap, and the service takes a bit longer than other places, but who cares - it's a noteworthy experience. Indulge your car, and enjoy a few lingering moments of relaxation between your bouts of contention with the urban jungle.
The best place to get your car washed in Chicago. Is it expensive? Yup. But you get what you pay for. Our car looks like Chewbacca inside, but they always manage to clean up all the pet hair and baby detritus and they do it with a smile. I bought a book of ten washes because I can't imagine going anywhere else. The waiting area is great and it has a kids' play area, but if you don't feel like waiting (which is often 45 minutes or longer--they take their time) you can leave your car there while you see a movie at Webster or grab a bite in the neighborhood.
So yes, it's great, but the main reason we go there is because they use only biodegradable, non-polluting, environmentally safe cleaning products. How many of these back-alley car washes can say that?
eeeh.. Im really mixed about this place.
Honestly.. I dont care about the couches, or wifi or coffee or dog in the corner, or any of the other stuff that attribute to the higher wash cost.. I just want a good wash from people who know how to PROPERLY wash a car. Simons does accomplish this most times.
But as for weekly/bi-weekly washes in Chicago winter.. I cant justify the $20 every week.. sorry. Theres places that do just as good of a job for a lower price. I would get a detail here, because zymol wax is the cats ass (i hope they arent using the lower end cleaner wax)
I have been using Simon's for some time now and I can't believe I haven't thought of yelping about them before!
The owner's of this business really know what they are doing. They must pay their employees really well (wonder if they are hiring) or send them to customer service school because I have never once NOT had a wonderful interaction with any employee of theirs and I have made many trips here! Every time you pull in you are greeted with them opening the door and a pleasant how are you today and what can we do for you? Their waiting room is always clean and inviting. The service is accurate and timely. Their website has coupons and they mail a lot of them out too.
It is amazing how you can get your car looking and smelling brand new for around $20.00! They have a variety of packages to choose from AND air fresheners to add.
If you are in the neighborhood and need a wash, check them out. $20.00 or so won't seem like that much to you after you have shared the Simon's experience.
I have meant to comment this place for sometime now, but , you know, whatever.
I went to get the inch of nastiness that this winter has left on my little car washed off. They are always fast and reliable. The cleaning crew does a thorough job and my car is always squeaky clean and ready for me to dirty it up again. I like driving through puddles at a fast speed (to splash those on the sidewalk.) JK. Hee hee.
Anyway, my only bone of contention is the girls that work in the office. They never pay attention and last time, tried to ring me up for a more expensive wash. As big of a fan of texting that I am, I don't do it at work and neither should they. OK. SOMETIMES I text at work, but I don't work with the public. Anyhoo, other than that, I will go back to this nifty car wash. Its just as cheap as any neighborhood wash and will do a better job.
I really baby my car and until Simon's opened, I would not let anyone other than myself wash it. They use great, safe cleaning products and always use freshly laundered wash mitts (dirty wash mitts can have grit and other bad stuff that can get trapped and scratch your car). If you're a do-it-yourself person, Simon's carries a full line of the better wash products out there, like Zymol, Lexol, and P21S.
They've never missed a spot on my car. I thought they would be more expensive than others in the neighborhood, but the cost difference is small ($2 or $3 more for their basic wash) in comparison to the significant increase in quality of work.
Simon's is always passing out coupons too, so with a coupon you're really getting a great deal. Get on their mailing list and they'll send you coupons from time to time, as well as a birthday discount!
I think business owners everywhere should take note at what's happening over at Simon's. It doesn't matter if you're selling furniture or running a bank, they have hit the customer-service nail on the head and as a result have an impeccably awesome car wash to show for themselves. Simon's should be considered the yard-stick by which all other car washes are measured.
I went here with my girlfriend to get her car washed after driving it on a weekend road trip. $20 for a good hand wash is great, especially since you can easily go to one of those "nicer" machine wash places and get your car washed for the same price. Never again. I will be back with my car in the near future.
I went here last week for the first time and couldn't have been happier with the service.
My car was in bad shape since I park near the el. The track dust/goop was embedded in the paint and no matter what I tried on my own, I couldn't get it out. I read about Simons on Yelp and decided to give them a shot.
It took about 3 hours for the detail to be done - which I expected. I hung out in Borders to pass the time. When I came back, the owner/manager told me my car would be done in about 10 min and mentioned he had the guys clean/vaccum the inside as well. I didn't order an inside cleaning when I dropped the car off since I have a dog who sheds and my car never stays clean on the inside anyway. I mentioned this and he said it was no problem/no extra charge, he just wanted to give it back to me looking good inside and out.
When I went out to get my car, I was very happy. The original shine was back and there was no trace of the el dust/goop on it. It looked great. The inside being clean too was the icing on top of the cake. Well worth the money. I will be going back there again.
Great little car wash, it's as easy as telling them what you need, sit back, relax in their comfy lounge and presto, your car appears looking brand spanking new. Probably a little more expensive then other car wash businesses in the area, but you get what you pay for.
Just looking at my car today made me write this review. It's time to go back to Simon's. They do a really thorough job and were able to get the hideous orange rust junk off my car effortlessly when I used to live and park under the el tracks. They have a great waiting area with cushy seating, plenty of non-car magazines, and coffee. The people who ring you up are really nice and they are always sending discount coupons in the mail.
Great place to get a wash! Took about 20 mins to get a hand car wash. Very reasonable price of $22 plus couple dollar tip. check out there site for coupon, saves you $2. Simon's also has a referral program setup at no cost. A must stop shop for a car wash!
They do a great job. The only place in the city I trust with my car. The waiting area is clean, they have free coffee and tea. Very unlike the normal greasy car wash place. Only downside, it is expensive.
Now just like everyone else, this can be a little pricey when you compare it to the drive through ones, hmm I wonder why? You have people actually taking care of washing your car not a machine. They constantly are washing and cleaning towels that they use on your car not one that they just used on the last three. They do a really awesome job. Plus their lobby is nice and their staff is really friendly. Also if it's a nice day they tend to get busy so you might have to wait, but I still think it's worth the wait.
Best car wash in the city. Nice staff, great waiting room, consistently a great wash!
Decent, but not spectacular. SLOW washes (slower than other hand car washes), and sometimes they leave marks on the paint with towel swirls. Great staff, and nice waiting room.
Very nicely designed car wash with a lounge, etc.
The place is expensive though! People in the city must be rich but I can't afford $20 car washes and then having to tip the guy who washed your car. Went there once and they did a great job, but I really can't justify the cost.
Recommended for the rich.
The car was beautifully cleaned, inside and out, within a half hour visit. Sort of expensive ($44 for the whole thing) but really well done, and let's face it- I'm not going to drag a hose and bucket out onto the street in front of my house and do it myself.
I first met Jim and the staff of Simon's shortly after they opened as I was searching for a place that would provide a quality hand car wash for our work vehicles. How lucky we were to find this place with over the top quality and a country club atmosphere while you wait for your car to be completed. Clean towels, hmm what a concept. This is just the beginning of the attention to detail that you will find here. Our love for this place doesn't stop with our work fleet. You know how they tell you not to buy a black car cause its so hard to keep clean? Well we didn't listen cause we knew where to take it, and yes, we drive from the SUBURBS weekly for our 'to the nines shine' that has kept our Black Lexus SUV looking just as good as the day we bought it. THANKS SIMON'S!
Meh. After all the rave reviews I thought I'd venture into the city and check this place out. I wanted to get my car cleaned inside and out and get an estimate on a small dent on my rear bumper. I didn't even want it repainted, just have them pop out the dent. They wanted to charge me $350. No thanks. I got the $35 "To The Nines Shine" and wasn't all that impressed with the results. They didn't do a bad job, by any means, but they could have been a little more thorough. I guess that's what their more expensive ($75) "Express" detailing includes. I didn't have any issues with their customer service but based on some of the reviews here I was expecting to be wowed. I did receive a thank you card in the mail a couple of days later, but I probably won't be making the trip back. If you have money to burn and enjoy having your car serviced among Benzes and Hummers while you sit in a leather chair and sip gourmet coffee, than I'm sure you'll dig Simon's.
I have to give this place a 4/5 because I've been here many times and I always left happy but once. I'm sure most ppl wouldn't have came back if they were treated like I was that one day. I just took it as if he didn't know what he was washing and went on with my day. The short story: My car is prettttttttyyyyy well known at their shop and that one day someone decided to wash a certain spot with direct water and flooded my intake duct. I wasn't aware of it until I pulled away and the car started to bogg out. My engine light came on and I called my head mechanic then I called Simon's and I explained what was going on with my car. He said to come back and they would look at it. Before getting there I had a good feeling on what happened. When I arrived he didn't check nothing but was more on a defensive mode if the car was acting that way before it came in. I'm a super laid back dude so I really don't get pissed off too easily, so I just told them to make sure his workers know where not to apply direct water because not all car owners are cool as me. I take it was just a random mistake so its forgotten. I brought my car to the dealership and they ran a scan on the cars computer and it indicated a sensor was misfiring due to water. Nothing major. ***** Other than that I enjoy coming to this shop and getting my cars pampered!!! The workers work very hard and I'm sure they're all under paid!!! The lobby is comfy and enough magazines for you to re-think your life. I hope that my story doesn't veer you away from this shop. Its really an awesome place!!!
I went to Simon's for the first time today after Turtle Wax (or whatever the hell that shit place is) wasn't open like it said it would be. Thank God I went to Simon's. My car has never looked so clean. The sheer amount of people that they have paying attention to the details of your car, in getting it clean, making sure it's dry, going back if they missed something, was remarkable. My interior looked amazing, everything shined, my mats were scrubbed - heaven. The waiting room really is a piece of work - beautiful. They are articles on the wall about the shop when it opened, how the owner only had a modest budget when she started that place (and did because she's got a hairly Malmut that Simon's is named after), and she put so much detail into just the waiting area that's incredible. They offer mini massages on certain days as well. As far as the price goes, it was much CHEAPER than I thought it would be for that level of service. I paid $35 bucks and got the interior and exterior clean as a whistle. I paid almost $30 for the same service back in NC. Do yourself a favor and if you love your car, and want it to be clean, take your car to Simon's.
