Kens Automotive

After coming here for 4 years for their overpriced and deceptive services, I'm taking my business elsewhere from now on. Granted that I don't know much about cars, I initially trusted the highly rated google reviews on this place since they seem to be run by honest people who are trustworthy. I really should've trusted my guts after my car's AC suddenly stopped working after taking it in for a yearly inspection here a couple of years ago, but I kept coming back in hopes that it was just a one-time thing (when I took the car back to have them take a look at it after that incident, they claimed the issue was not reproducible that there's nothing wrong with it. As if by magic, my AC suddenly worked after I picked up my car from them). This year, I dropped my car off with them for the yearly inspection and oil change (each of those services cost at least $100 btw). I was pretty busy at work when they texted me several images of my car tire. When asked if it needed a change, I was told it's highly recommended but not needed to pass the inspection. On the other hand, since I just replaced my car battery, I needed to drive my car in order to generate sufficient emissions data for the inspection. When I called them to ask about the tire issue on the phone, I was also told that the tires would only last around 25 more miles before they gave out. Since I don't wanna risk having a flat/blown out tires, I asked them to give me the quote for the cost of the tires. On the phone, they mentioned a set would be around $621. I thought it sounded a bit expensive, but after checking online, it seems like a reasonable range so I proceeded with it. They later sent me a text that all services (oil change + state inspection + 3 tires) would cost around $840. Mind you, whenever someone mentions a set of tires, one would assume they meant the entire set of 4 tires unless you're driving a tricycle. I didn't pay much attention to the part where they mentioned 3 tires since I thought it was a typo. Nope. I was fooled. They REALLY meant the change was only for a set...of 3 tires. Since I picked up my car at the end of a workday, I didn't have much energy left for anything else than to just get home and rest. Granted that I've been going to this place for the past 4 years, I also thought that my loyalty to them would allow me to trust them with a high level of service. To hell with that expectation since none of the following were provided on the day I picked up the car: 1) the digital invoice (they link they sent on the day of service did NOT work), 2) the physical copy of the invoice, 3) the information on the tires' warranty, which they claimed verbally was only 6 months from the date of service or the tires' thread life, 4) the safety inspection results. Before I picked up my car, I looked up Yokohama tire's website (the manufacturer of the kind I purchased), and it clearly states that they offer a warranty up to 65,000 mile and a 30-day trial satisfaction guarantee. After mentioning this to Ken's Auto on the call, they said that guarantee is only applicable if I were to 1) purchase 4 tires, and 2) submit the claim on my own on Yokohama's website. Granted that I last changed all 4 of my tires at Costco at the same time, I fail to understand why they'd only change only 3 of them ESPECIALLY if it would limit me from being able to get the manufacturer's warranty honored. Any automotive resources would also tell you the replacing either a set of 2 tires (front-wheel drive) or 4 tires (all wheel drive) would be optimal to prevent uneven wear and tear and maintain balanced handling. This place has snake oil dripping down their teeth when they mentioned that the last tire didn't need to be replaced since it's still in good working condition and that I'm being charged fairly since I wouldn't be able to find a business that'd install my tires without charging for the labor costs (hello, Costco does this ALL the time). If you're looking for an honest and trustworthy car shop, this place isn't it. Keep looking elsewhere and save your money.

They man who helped me was extremely nice and took the time to explain costs upfront as well as different options that would be more cost effective. He went above and beyond checking on different parts of my car to help diagnose the problem as well. Really solid and honest shop!!! They’ve earned a lifelong customer from me

Yesterday my second time coming here, the first time was great! That mechanic was amazing and helpful. This second time around the staff at the front desk were rude / dismissive. I called ahead in the morning for an oil change & they said they had time to take me. They proceeded to take 5 hours to complete it. A women came into the shop right after me who seemed to mainly speak Mandarin Chinese. The front desk staff refused to help navigate any form of communication with her (one of the guys kept repeating “Google translate” and then would turned away from her right after ). When she began to try to speak clearer English, they said they can’t help and to come back some other time because the still couldn’t understand her. When she left they began laughing and saying things like “do I look Chinese to you, go somewhere else”. There was another customer in the store along with me while all this was happening. When I came back to get my vehicle at 4:30pm they told me there was a nail in my tire but because it was so late in the day at that point they wouldn’t be able to replace the tire so they went ahead and put my spare on without asking because it would be dangerous for me to drive with it. They said the nail that was in there must have came out on its own when they showed me a picture of the whole. Then they told me to give them a call Monday if I want to replace the spare donut on my car and they will order a new tire for me. They did come out out to my car to clean off some dried pink substance that wasn’t there when I brought it in which was good of them but otherwise awful feelings about what happened all around.