St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.
Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.
First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.
Nov. 28 Becket Federated Church, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.
Dec. 5
Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.
We're trying out blogs to offer shorter, easy-to-find news. Let us know what you think.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.
iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.
By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff 03:49PM / Wednesday, June 03, 2009
ADAMS, Mass. — Richard King was nervous but confident last week that General Motors wouldn't put the brakes on his longtime dealership.
His hopes were confirmed Tuesday with a letter designating McAndrews-King Pontiac, Buick and GMC Truck a "key dealer" based on sales and service.
Others weren't so lucky: Berkshire GMC of Sheffield, the only new-car dealership in South Berkshire, is reportedly one of the 1,100 GMC dealers being scrapped. Southgate Motors in Pittsfield also sells GMC.
"We are so relieved and so excited to be chosen," said King. "We've worked very hard for the past 36 years to do something right."
McAndrews-King has been located on the corner of Columbia and Friend streets since its opening in 1973. King and General Manager Lawrence Choquette have been there since the beginning, and two other employees have 35 years each.
General Motors Corp., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, formally notified its dealers on Tuesday whether they would be offered "wind down" agreements that would provide them with financial aid in closing by the end of their contracts in October 2010. Most had already been warned two weeks ago that their contracts would not be renewed.
GM plans to trim its more than 6,000 dealerships to around 3,600 over the next few years.
Auto giants GM and Chrysler LLC, also in bankruptcy, have been reeling from a precipitous drop in car sales over the past two years caused by a spike in gasoline prices and the global financial crisis. Dealerships are awash in unsold vehicles as the carmakers grapple with rising costs.
Chrysler will close at least a quarter of its dealerships; GM plans to shutter another 900 as contracts run out and from selling off or discontinuing its Hummer (being sold to a Chinese company), Pontiac, Saab and Saturn lines.
King said his dealership shouldn't be affected by the loss of Pontiac, a line he's sold for decades.
"We sold a lot of Pontiacs," he said, which the dealership will continue to service and cover under warranty. But he'll still have plenty of Buicks and GMC trucks. "We've been here for 36 years. We have no mortgate. So, we're going to survive it."
He and other surviving dealerships were offered new agreements covering changes from the bankruptcy and reorganization of GM, which expects to emerge from bankruptcy within three months.
"My desk is covered with paperwork," King said. And that's a good thing because it means: "We're going to be here."
We appreciate a healthy discussion on the pros and cons of GM and its dealerships. However, I would suggest everyone reread their posts before hitting the submit button. Name calling and angry rants aren't constructive criticism - they're just bashing. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you'd put your real name on it. Also, avoid using all caps, no one likes a screamer.
from: Editor:
on: 06-10-2009
I'm sure you are the most perfect human that ever lived! Are you without flaws? Are you HAPPY all the time? Your attitude must be one of Zen. Didn't your mothers ever teach you that if you do not have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all?
Get a Life!
This comment has been edited. No name-calling, swearing, or dissing moms or other people's religion.
from: Get a Life
on: 06-10-2009
HAVE BEEN TO MCANDREWS-KING DONE ALL RIGHT THERE, HOWEVER I WENT TO PAY A LARGE REPAIR BILL TO THE WOMEN WITH 10 AND 20 DOLLAR BILLS, SHE HAD AN ATTITUDE. I;M SORRY IF I HELD YOU UP FROM GOING TO LUNCH LADY I SURE DID NOT WANT TO GIVE OUT THOSE BILLS IT WAS AFTER ALL KEEPING YOUR JOB SECURE
Edited for personal comments. Also, please stop screaming.
from: SUE G
on: 06-09-2009
I am a former McA-King customer who was always very satisfied with the product, service and the people that worked there. The reason I said former is because I moved away. I was a customer there for more than twenty years and would STILL be one if I lived in Northern Berkshire.
Rick!!! I happy to hear the good news and send my best wishes to your McA-King family.
from: Old Customer
on: 06-09-2009
will never buy a car from mcandrews -king again! service dept is awful gave me a hard time about warranty work and i bought it there. if you want a good deal go to albany or springfield!!!!
from: never again
on: 06-09-2009
I agree with the statement about McAndrews refusing to service a vehicle bought at another dealership. I was told by Glenn in the service department this exact same statement, not once but 3 times when I needed to have my truck serviced. Needless to say they got immediately reported to GM, and all GM did was to set me up with another dealership for the work (who did a phenominal job I might add). We as consumers are paying $20,000 to $45,000 or more for vehicles that are supposed to have a nationwide 50 state coverage, only to get told to go elsewhere by these arrogant people?
from: ThisIsTrue
on: 06-09-2009
"also told me that they 'couldn't service a car bought in Albany', which I found out was against GM rules. "
So Richard King is a liar AND a bully?
Can anyone corroborate this, or was he just caught on a bad day?
from: Noid
on: 06-08-2009
Just a follow up...McAndrews King is noted for not "dealing" on a purchase. My two Pontiacs were purchased at sticker minus manufacture incentives and a trade at blue book. I could not get them to budge either. I was told that they would "make it up to me with better service" when I referenced the lower prices available in Albany. They also told me that they "couldn't service a car bought in Albany", which I found out was against GM rules. Still don't consider them a bad dealership, they just don't negotiate as a rule.
from: Adamsite
on: 06-08-2009
I've never had a problem with McAndrews-King, the dealership. Great service, solid people...just selling marginal cars (GM). The last two Pontiacs I bought there were crap. I bought my last car at Haddad's (will never do that again...worst service in the Berkshires with incredibly inflated prices). I'm now in the market for a new car and will look at Honda and Toyota given reputation.
from: Adamsite
on: 06-08-2009
i went shopping for a car there @ mcandrews -king
no deal made reason? won't give you anything on trade in won't budge on sticker price. keep the business in the berkshires? i tried but saved 4.000 going to albany. tried to talk to rick the owner but he was just a hot tempered guy that does not want to listen. close the place or sell it rick
from: senor
on: 06-07-2009
I really like my new Tundra. But you know, it has the some squeaks and rattles my GMC did and I just had a wheel bearing replaced, it is nice, but in hind site it isn't better, just new!
from: not better
on: 06-07-2009
Hey JT. How bout you READ before you engage your mouth and show your ignorance? The fact is that I SAVED $7,000 more on the vehicle sale from the other dealer, translated it means that the dealer knocked off $7,000 more than McAndrews would in Adams. See, it is simple math we are talking about here. If you go online or go to read the window sticker of a car on the lot, there is a price listed. If you subtract the actual sale price from the sticker price, then you come up with the amount that you saved. Does this make sense to you now? The bottom line is that McAndrews will not sway far from the sticker price and will not even try to compete with other dealers who go the extra mile to strike a deal with the consumers. I urge everyone to do their homework, go online to see prices, and shop around in person and you will see just how good the deals are out there and then folks will see just how bad the deals are here.
from: shameful
on: 06-07-2009
$7000 more... hmmm who said another sucker is born every minute?? I think its the springfield dealer that did the screwing if you think you saved $7000... and considering your crappy attitude.. I can't blame anyone for not wanting to deal with you!!
from: JT
on: 06-06-2009
It is true. Hondas and Toyotas are better products than GMs. And they, generally, cost less.
Heck, Fords are much better than GM. That's why GM has been unprofitable as a company since 2004 and then went bankrupt even after receiving a $30 billion bailout from us taxpayers.
So there is no reason to buy a GM unless you are off of your schizophrenia medication & you think some dead guy is talking to you.
from: KingKong
on: 06-06-2009
First of all, I work for no dealership, so stop making such clueless assumptions! I am an average consumer like everyone else who knows for a fact that you can get better deals at any of the larger dealerships who actually want to sell cars. I bought a vehicle in the Springfield area and they knocked $7,000 more off of the sale price than these bandits would. Now you do the math genius! As far as their service is concerned, they WILL refuse to work on your vehicle for warrantee service if you did not buy it at their dealership. THIS IS A FACT!
from: Shameful
on: 06-06-2009
McAndrews-King is a genuinely pleasant place to to do business. Their service department is the best and you can tell that the people that work there are happy to work for Richard King because of the smiles on their faces for everyone that walks in the door.
Honestly, Captain Oblivious , give it up.
from: Adams
on: 06-05-2009
Because of the inbreeding in my family and my second grade education I am not in a position like you who is obviously a wealthy man with many beamers and benzes to buy overpriced foreign cars and also not in a position to pay for high priced service and oil changes. Its nice to have rich and brilliant people like you in the Berkshires. Maybe you should run for Mayor.
from: to captain obvious
on: 06-05-2009
Its great to see a solid business like McAndrews King providing good jobs in Adams. The dealership has also been very generous to our schools and kids in the local area.
from: Jobs in Adams
on: 06-05-2009
Your uncle was killed in WWII and so we should waste our money on an inferior product?!?
You a are living example of 1) bad education and 2) good inbreeding.
GM has not made a profit since 2004 and has now gone bankrupt? Why? Because most consumers make good decisions and purchase quality products like Honda, Toyota, BMW, and Benz.
If you are so deluded that you think that buying American pacifies the ghost of your dead uncle, then buy a Ford.
from: captain obvious
on: 06-05-2009
Thank you for helping our school for the past 10 years.
from: car wash
on: 06-04-2009
The owner and employees at this dealership have provided my family great value for 26 years. My uncle was killed in WW 2 and I believe it is important to support American Companies and good local businesses.
from: An American
on: 06-04-2009
You can tell who works at McAndrews-King (those making up positive comments as if they are customers) and those who are telling the truth (actual customers who have been disappointed by this company).
Personally, I don't know who would buy a GM when you can buy a Honda, a Toyota, a BMW, or a Benz.
The truth is in your face: GM went bankrupt because they sell horrible products. Who cares if McAndrews-King has good service (or not). Go buy a real car!
from: captain obvious
on: 06-04-2009
Sounds like Ripped-Off is having a bad day. McAndrews-King is a great place to do business. They have always treated me fairly and done there best to help solve my problems.. Thanks for being a good local business with good long-time local employees
from: Jim T.
on: 06-04-2009
NO WAY THIS PLACE SHOULD BE OPEN, YOU CAN GET A MUCH BETTER DEAL ANYWERE ELSE. DAN MALONEY SERVICE MANAGER IS A RUDE DUDE.ABOUT TIME THESE CON-ARTISTS CLOSE
from: RIPPED OFF
on: 06-04-2009
I don’t know what dealership “Shameful” works for but people who criticize competitors are have no shame just to make themselves look good. The fact is, 30 years ago I bought a Buick elsewhere and had trouble getting it serviced until I went to McAndrews-King and Dan had it looked at and in no time my problem was fixed. I have been getting my cars there ever since. The service and sales department are the best anywhere.
from: gnb
on: 06-04-2009
McAndrews-King is run by hard working dedicated people who live in the community and give back to the community...CONGRATULATIONS on the great news!
from: MASAKI
on: 06-04-2009
My family has been buying cars from McAndrews King for 23 years and we have always been impressed by the quality of the service we receive in their service department. We also have always been treated fairly on our purchases and Tom has gotten us great financing deals at the credit union. Keep up the great work in Adams. GM is lucky to have you!
from: Frank Lewis
on: 06-04-2009
I've purchased a new vehicle from McA-King every 3 years for the last 25 because of the SERVICE! It's incomparable. Dan and Glen are reliable and totally trustworthy. No hassles and the job is done right the first and every time at a great price. I just bought a new Pontiac G6 for about 30% of the sticker with all the GM incentives because I know the McA-King service will be there for us. I suspect the last poster is a competitor - he/she jumped on the article as soon as it was posted.
from: anti-shameful
on: 06-04-2009
I live in Conneticut and always shop around. McAndrews-King always has the best price and service, bought my last 3 cars from them. It is worth the drive
from: carshopper
on: 06-03-2009
I can't believe that this place gets to keep their GM dealership open! They have been screwing people for years and preying on the older generation in Adams with their car prices. They will not offer you any kind of deal and will negotiate very little on the sticker prices. You can go out of the area and save several thousands of dollars on the exact same vehicle that they gouge you on! Then for their service, you better have bought the vehicle there for them to do warrantee work on it, or they will flat out refuse to do it, this is an obvious violation of GM corporate coverage policy. I know many people who have been screwed over by these people, and I am one of them. If GM is choosing to keep dealers like this one open, then their "new" company is in as much trouble as the old bankrupt one is!
from: Shameful
on: 06-03-2009
Top Stories...
Recount Countdown in North Adams NORTH ADAMS - Poll workers were steadily making their way through more than 5,000 ballots today to...
Auto giants GM and Chrysler LLC, also in bankruptcy, have been reeling from a precipitous drop in car sales over the past two years caused by a spike in gasoline prices and the global financial crisis. Dealerships are awash in unsold vehicles as the carmakers grapple with rising costs.