Larini’s Service Center

04/​02/​2014 — Ken, the owner of Larini’s Service Center, was very aggressive and rude to my wife and I today. He sells defective used garage-​sale type items on the side and is quite defensive and impolite about the whole thing.
Yesterday, when my wife stopped off to get gas there, the attendant told my wife they sell used items for cash on the side. So, my wife bought a used bike from them for $ 70 cash and said she would pick it up the next day. Ken, the owner, told my wife the bike was worth $ 300…and that he’s selling it for only $ 70 because the rear wheel is a bit wobbly and can easily be fixed by tightening up the spokes. Today, when I went with my wife to pick up the bike from Larini’s, Ken the owner assured me that the back wheel was a simple fix… and that it was a great bike.
So I put the bike in my trunk and took it to Kopp’s Cycle located at 38 Spring street in Princeton and asked their opinion about the bike and the rear wheel. They told me:
1. This bike is is worth around $ 150 new.
2. The back wheel is warped way beyond repair. They actually put the following in writing on their letterhead for me to show Larini’s and get back my money: «REAR WHEEL BENT BEYOND REPAIR. CANNOT TRUE WHEEL TO MAKE RIDABLE. COST FOR REPAOR: $ 50 — $ 80.
So I took the bike back to Larini’s just to let them know about this and see if I could get a refund. Ken, the owner of Larini’s says to me, yelling: «no damn way I’m taking this bike back. It’s your own problem for letting your wife buy it in the first place, so you’re now stuck with it. Don’t even take it out of your trunk. This is a $ 300 bike that I gave you for $ 70 ! The both of you just get out of here.» So I told that it was never about the money. My only intention was to let him know what the bike shop told me. I also told him I didn’t appreciate his yelling and aggressive attitude towards my wife and I. That’s when Ken laughed and said: «you actually think I’m gonna apologize for a dumb mistake you made? Forget about it, because I’ve had a long day and I don’t need your nonsense».
So the above was my experience at Larini’s today. You be the judge!

These guys were quick and efficient when I drove in to get my car fixed. The guys are friendly and provide good customer service. Highly recommended.

This is the worst mechanic I’ve ever been to.
I came in with a problem with my car. They charged me $ 160 and said it was fixed. It was not – the same problem arose when I started driving it again. I bring it back and they charge me another $ 200+ and then tell me that actually the problem is unfixable. That’s around $ 400 for no repairs.
I later brought it to another mechanic. They fixed it for less than $ 100.
Don’t go to Larini’s. They are either dishonest or incompetent, not to mention rude.
UPDATE 08/​01/​2013:
Over the past year I’ve spoken with several students who have had similarly horrible experience with Larini’s. Their rating on Unilocal seems to be inflated because all of the negative reviews are filtered.
DO NOT GO TO LARINI’S!

Larini’s was able to fix my car electronics problem within a day. It’s probably not the cheapest place to take your car, but the location for me was awesome (as a Princeton student).

This is the second time I’ve used Larini’s, and I’m 95% sure I’m happy with it.
My car broke down twice in two days, and after Pepboys told me their mechanic was on vacation for a week (yes. Pepboys has ONE mechanic who can do anything other than oil changes — whole other issue), Larini’s saved me. Pepboys told me there was a problem with my battery and ignition after 5 minutes of looking at it — but Larini’s kept my car for an extra day JUST to run tests and make sure they knew exactly what was wrong, and what needed fixing, so as not to over-​charge me. Turns out, I needed a piece of my engine replaced, and Larini’s was able to take care of it in 3 days time (testing, waiting for part, labor), and didn’t over charge me, or even charge much at all, considering. The mechanics were incredibly sweet and helpful, and didn’t treat me like I was car-​dumb (which I am a little). The only reason I say 95% is because my engine and battery light come on for a second as I start up my car, and I’m a little nervous about that. Otherwise, yes, I’m a fan, and I plan on using them for all future mechanic-​needs. NOT Pepboys. Blech.