IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND READ THE 1 STARS FIRST - PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS:I recently brought my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport to Rick after being dissatisfied with another local mechanic. There were some things I have neglected to take care of over the years and am too lazy to do myself, so I preferred to pay someone to take care of it for me. I took the time to read some of the negative reviews on this shop and I have to say that I am surprised (not really, some people are crazy). Quick summary of the work I requested to be done was:a) slow leak on passenger front tire (found nail in tire - was offered to be replaced)b) replace rear shocks (replaced without indecent)c) diagnose possible O2 sensor(s) issue/service light [thermostat housing issue/not O2 sensor(s)]d) bleed brakes from work I had done earlier on the SUV (no air in lines, another adjustment was made)Maybe I could address a few of these with my personal experience (for those readers who would like another perspective):1. I read how Rick pushes for more work. I did not get this at all. The truth is I would expect a mechanic to take the time to observe and be proactive rather then myself be reactive to a preventable issue - there are typical things that go wrong with cars, especially ones not taken care of, it is a mechanics job to inform "us" of these issues - it is sad that mechanics have such a bad reputation to where people are threatened when someone is just being thorough for the customers benifit. Rick found a few things that may need my attention. One of which being my thermostat housing (found from running a diagnostic I had asked him to perform to check my O2 Sensors). Please note that the thermostat housing is a much less expensive solution then replacing both O2 Sensors - which I was pretty determined might be the problem after running my own diagnostic (with an ELM 327). I was even text an image of the issue (before any work was done) - upon talking with Rick on the phone he even mentioned I "could save a little if I did it myself"(this was suggested because I had explained to him that "I was mechanically just smart enough to be dangerous and did not want to spike up a bill", even though I KNEW there were issues). I am not too familiar with mechanical robbery, however I would think this is the opposite? no? - Did I pay him to run a diagnostic? yes? should he have done it for free? I don't know - should we all go to work and not get paid for that time, equipment cost, etc? In the end I paid him for a service I could not do myself or otherwise.2. Rick overprices things 3-4 times what he pays for them. I ended up purchasing mid-range rear shocks after everything was said and done. I was not overcharged, nor did I feel ripped off (it was very comparable to what I might find online). Could I have found them cheaper online after searching through eBay or farming around? sure, but I am also paying for a convenience and service for guys who drive these parts around daily and supply mechanics like Rick - I am also not waiting to have a product shipped from a warehouse or buying wholesale. The mark up is marginal, it is a business - Do I know what Rick paid? No. Do I know how much it cost Whole Foods for the cereal I purchase? No. As I do not expect a grocery store and etc to sell me the product at their cost, I would not expect Rick to do any different, it is a business and needs to make a profit. If you would like to see a mark up you should go to your local Dealer for your vehicle and ask for that same part O.o...3. Overcharging hours to replace a part. I would start off by explaining that I own 4 vehicles (2003 SRT 4, 2002 M3 E46, 2002 Explorer Spt & a 1971 Nova). I work on all of these cars and race 2 of them (I am sure you can guess which 2). I can spend an entire day replacing a light bulb - this is also why you will never see me, nor pay me for my time to work on your vehicle(s). I am very familiar with the software Rick uses to make up his tickets, it is a well used and National brand that is used by almost ANY mechanic you will encounter in the United States. It is no strange coincidence that most mechanics are very close in hours charged or why all their tickets look the same, no matter what business or their experience level. If I would open a business fixing cars using this system recommended settings I would go bankrupt in the first month due to the fact I am terribly slow and screw up more then I fix. As a professional myself, I respect years of experience and, as most professionals get paid more through raises/promotions in an office setting, it is a mechanics stripes to become more efficient over years of experience being able to get the job done in a more timely manner - it would be ludicrous to expect them to charge even less now as a professional then what they were getting paid and charging when they were spending more hours then billed (as I explained why I would never go into the practice). The hours charged to me were exactly as expected (if Rick or his mechanic was able to get it done in less time then the National Recommended Allotted Time, then my hats off to them). I was tempted to drive my SUV down to Mexico where they would do it at half the rate and throw in free plastic surgery, however the idea of getting a illness from drinking the water down there was a deterrent enough, in the end I was happy to pay a fair price for a seasoned mechanic to get the job done AND get it done correctly the first time.All in all I was perfectly happy with the work done. I met both Rick and the mechanic who worked on my vehicle, they were both courteous and down to earth individuals who did exactly what I paid them to do. They were thorough with their diagnostics and repairs. I can confirm that they test drove my vehicle as they said they did (due to the trip to the gas station I made after my visit - note: do not bring your vehicle on an almost empty tank to a mechanic when you know they need to drive it). I saved myself a week of work and countless bruised knuckles and elbows, as well as a trip to Mexico. I hope this is informative and useful to anyone considering using Ricks Automotive Repair in the future. In my personal experience I can say that they are professional, offer services like texting images and email updates, fair priced and above all else probably the only mechanic in the south bay with paint on the building that is not 40 years old. Sometimes it is the simple things like a clean/organized shop and lack of mold/clean walls that help to define what type of mechanic that is really working on your vehicle.
Thanks for the very long and detailed review, Howard. You made some really good points in our defense and are very grateful of your sympathy of the type business we're in. We are looking forward to being your regular go to mechanics. Thanks again for your business and very insightful review.
- Rick's Automotive