I've been a long time customer here, brought several cars in, and even referred friends because the service was fast and convenient. The good reviews on that are fair, which is why I stayed loyal. But the reviews about scams are true too.
In the past year, I've noticed reviews regarding scams disappearing, including one that said the staff shows customers dirty air filters to pressure them into buying replacements, even though the customer's filter looks different when they check it themselves. Based on my experiences and of others, this place targets people they think don't know much about cars.
My family owns an auto shop in the South Bay, and I've been taught how to do most of my own maintenance, but I come here because it's right next to my house. When I came in the first time for an oil change, they showed me a dirty cabin air filter that looked completely different from the brand I had just installed myself weeks prior. I ignored it at first, but it didn't sit right.
Another pattern I've noticed: every single time I get an oil change here, my car's system alerts me that the tire pressure is low. The same thing happened to my mom's car after she went here. I checked both cars with a tire pressure gauge, and every time, the pressure was lower than before the oil change.
A few days after the last time this happened, I went back and asked them to fill up my tires...nothing else. While I was in the lobby, they tried to ring me up for an oil change! I told them I only needed air in my tires. They gave me a look like I didn't know what I was talking about and must been too stupid to fill up my own tires. Then told me "it was about time" and that I'd "be safer". I said no, because why would it be about time for another oil change if I had one last week? Let me guess my cabin air filter is filthy... Anyways, after they "finished," the low tire pressure light was still on, even after recalibrating, and the pressure reading hadn't changed at all.
There was also a review mentioning that the oil seems to wear out faster after coming here compared to other shops. That actually makes sense because when your tire pressure is low, your engine has to work harder, which causes more resistance and makes the oil break down quicker. It feels like this place is intentionally setting people up for more problems so they come back for unnecessary services.
When I sent my mom's car in about the low tire pressure, they said her sensor was broken. They said the same thing about my car's recalibration system and my friend's car too. So I decided to ask my boyfriend to take the same cars in, and the "broken" sensors are suddenly fixed and the tires are fully inflated.
This whole situation really frustrates me. I've supported this shop for years, but it's clear they take advantage of people who they assume won't notice the small things. It's not just shady, it's manipulative. And judging by how many negative reviews have mysteriously disappeared, they're trying hard to hide it. Don't be fooled by their quick service!!! read more