California Smog

Along the same lines as that other reviewer, I was referred here by my usual smog place which was re-​certifying for STAR tests. The technician lied straight to my face about honoring the coupon. Ended up paying about 100 granted it was for a truck and a STAR test. My car failed and need a simple repair which I was able to get the same day at another much better smog and repair shop in Walnut Creek. I tried to make it back to this place to get my free retest and the technician said they were all booked up for the day. You know that moment when you can just tell someone is feeding you B.S. Yeah, it was like that. But I didn’t fuss and made an appointment on another day having to take time off work.
Looks like they got away with charging double for a smog this time. Somehow I paid double for a smog and that was supposedly WITH a coupon… Shame on me this time. I am never returning here again and I recommend that anyone else who needs a smog test to steer clear.
Come here if you have an extra $ 50 to burn.

I went here because my usual place in Walnut Creek was awaiting their STAR recertification. They told me that this place would honor their coupon pricing — WRONG! The young guy wrote me up, charged me $ 14 more for a truck rate, and $ 14 more for STAR price. I questioned it, but didn’t push it — my bad. I called and spoke with the manager — Effrim, who wouldn’t do good business and refund me the $ 28, but only said he could honor the price for a future job — NOT on your life! Why he couldn’t do a credit is beyond me, except that he is not to be trusted. As a business owner, you don’t accept another company’s coupons unless you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. His young worker wasn’t exactly on top of it, but then I should have been a more astute consumer, as I usually am. Unfortunately, the stickey, unexpected turn of events for what I thought was going to be a simple morninng for getting my car smogged turned out to be a loss of $ 28. Not very good business practice here. DO NOT GO HERE, unless this is the ONLY place you can find as a last resort.

Quick service, moderately friendly. Only issue is price and needing to bring printed coupons. Smog checking is such a racket, but would be nice if they honored coupons off website.

I was reffered here by a very good friend of mine. While waiting I decided to check out there Unilocal page. Upon reading the reviews I was very concerned and brought it to ian’s attention about the price issue. He was very apologetic and sincere. I feel that the price is very reasonable. The technicians are friendly and the service was wonderful. I really like that its connected to a snack shop so I was able to have a cold mt. dew and some candy while I waited. Before I knew it they were done. I will recommend them to all my friends and family.

«California Smog» Check. Buyer beware, you may get charged double… Price on the website says $ 39.95, they wanted to charge me $ 79.95. I told Ian Baker the technician, that it was cheaper online. He stated there may be a coupon on the Internet website, but on the Internet it does not show that it is a coupon nor that you need to print it to come in. When I brought this up he ended up charging me $ 50 that would be $ 41.75 for the inspection and $ 8.25 for the certificate. Fishy to me that he did not know the price that was on their website (He stated he didn’t know the price).
Reason for 2 stars. I believe he did a fine job at it (it was a 09 TDI PZEV) So it was a simple (15mins) visual inspection as compared to a Gas Vehicle.
What I didn’t like:
— Price that was quoted, when I told him it was online cheaper (I think I said around $ 50 (I wasn’t sure)) he stated he didn’t know the price online (really?) and it was a coupon. (it’s not a coupon, NOR does it state you must print (or show) the website to get the price. It looks like it’s their normal price when online. I was able to show him it was $ 39.95 before I left but price was still $ 41.75 (plus $ 8.25 cert) = $ 50
— He seemed to just give me the price I said. So he just made up the price.
— We called on the phone (for fun) later and was quoted a DIFFERENT price $ 68.20 «with certificate» (Are they just making these prices up?)
No big deal since I was technically only OVERCHARGED by $ 1.80. But had I not said something it would have been DOUBLE (for the inspection) Overcharged by $ 40!
Their website should state that it is a coupon, AND/​OR PRINT.
BUYER BEWARE, PRINT THE WEBSITE!
Technician: Ian Baker
Cashier: Efrem