Alpha Smog Station

Madre

September 4, 2009 at 09:54 PM

Okay, so here's the thing...You know you need work done on your car but unless you know someone who knows someone you will just have to take your chances at some chain auto repair place and pray tha you don't have to use every penny in your bank account to get it out. Once you get in there and they start talking shop, in the back of your mind you wonder..."Are they for real? Or are they just trying to jack me because they know I don't know shite about cars?"And forget it if you're a woman...you might feel intimidated and totally vulnerable but dammit, you gotta get your car fixed right? When I was at R & L's the other day it occurred to me that I had never written a review for them but as good as their service is and as friendly and decent as they are I knew they had to have a string of compliments...not so, I'm the first one!!! Maybe most folks who go there just want to get their cars fixed and don't give a hoot about leaving reviews but here you go....They are in South Chula Vista right off Palomar Ave on the West Side. You hang a right at the light and it is immediately to your left. Yes, it's a divey looking joint to be sure...and yes, it's totally old school Mexican style with junky looking old cars parked all over the place but man oh man...are they some good mechanics.The place is owned by two brothers but in truth I have only dealt with Luis, I think his brother prefers the back end of the business. They have an assortment of very sweet, very quiet sisters who work at the front desk and it's a total family business. Luis is the front man and what a hell of a guy...early 30's, genuinely friendly, reliable and educated about all things that are cars. I have NEVER gotten anything but excellent customer service from them and even my poor hubby who thinks everyone is out to rip you off was happy with them!Example 1: Took in the old Explorer because of some funky, annoying scary, whinning broken sound by the third row seat. Turns out to be a broken fan and Luis tells me "If no one sits back there, you may want to rethink replacing it because it's a $300 piece...no thanks Bro, appreciate the heads up!Example 2: Took in my Ford Focus at the last minute desperate because my signal light was out...talked to Luis, he said, "no worries" and fixed in within 20 minutes.Example 3: Again took the aging Explorer in for a 100K overhaul/checkup and although Luis quoted me a certain price for the whole shebang  but it ended being a couple hundred dollars less because he found out that a couple of things didn't need to changed. If you want patronize a family run business where you can become a regular, really trust the mechanics and know that you will always get the straight truth and a decent price...give your business to these gentlemen...and if you're a girl...never hesitate to drop by..they treat everyone wonderfully...give em a shot!

Madre L.

September 2, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Okay, so here's the thing...You know you need work done on your car but unless you know someone who knows someone you will just have to take your chances at some chain auto repair place and pray tha you don't have to use every penny in your bank account to get it out. Once you get in there and they start talking shop, in the back of your mind you wonder..."Are they for real? Or are they just trying to jack me because they know I don't know shite about cars?"And forget it if you're a woman...you might feel intimidated and totally vulnerable but dammit, you gotta get your car fixed right? When I was at R & L's the other day it occurred to me that I had never written a review for them but as good as their service is and as friendly and decent as they are I knew they had to have a string of compliments...not so, I'm the first one!!! Maybe most folks who go there just want to get their cars fixed and don't give a hoot about leaving reviews but here you go....They are in South Chula Vista right off Palomar Ave on the West Side. You hang a right at the light and it is immediately to your left. Yes, it's a divey looking joint to be sure...and yes, it's totally old school Mexican style with junky looking old cars parked all over the place but man oh man...are they some good mechanics.The place is owned by two brothers but in truth I have only dealt with Luis, I think his brother prefers the back end of the business. They have an assortment of very sweet, very quiet sisters who work at the front desk and it's a total family business. Luis is the front man and what a hell of a guy...early 30's, genuinely friendly, reliable and educated about all things that are cars. I have NEVER gotten anything but excellent customer service from them and even my poor hubby who thinks everyone is out to rip you off was happy with them!Example 1: Took in the old Explorer because of some funky, annoying scary, whinning broken sound by the third row seat. Turns out to be a broken fan and Luis tells me "If no one sits back there, you may want to rethink replacing it because it's a $300 piece...no thanks Bro, appreciate the heads up!Example 2: Took in my Ford Focus at the last minute desperate because my signal light was out...talked to Luis, he said, "no worries" and fixed in within 20 minutes.Example 3: Again took the aging Explorer in for a 100K overhaul/checkup and although Luis quoted me a certain price for the whole shebang  but it ended being a couple hundred dollars less because he found out that a couple of things didn't need to changed. If you want patronize a family run business where you can become a regular, really trust the mechanics and know that you will always get the straight truth and a decent price...give your business to these gentlemen...and if you're a girl...never hesitate to drop by..they treat everyone wonderfully...give em a shot!