The Service Outlet

I would only take my car here. Reliable and trustworthy. Excellent customer service!
They really put care into their work and making sure you leave with a smile and a great running car!

I have been taking my cars to the service outlet for 15 years. Efraim and the rest of the staff have always made me feel like an important customer, and that they truly care. They know me by name. I feel like they always give me honest suggestions, and they even tell me when I don’t need to have certain work performed. I trust their work, and their prices are usually less than the dealer.

I have been bringing my car to The Service Outlet for years. I have always received excellent service and most importantly, I trust them with my car! They are reliable and trustworthy and I highly recommend them. I have also used the Lafayette location as well and both are good — but San Ramon is where I have brought my car the most due to convenience of the location as well as the relationship I have established with them — namely Effron (sp?) who always provides the best customer service. Thanks for a job well done guys!

The Service Outlet specializes in Japanese cars. So when my daughter was up during the Holidays and needed some routine service, I remembered seeing an ad for them. Looked up the Unilocal reviews and decided to make an appointment. The location is in a auto service complex. The waiting room and service counter is almost like a dealership service dept. Brought in the Acura at 8 am and was told it would be ready at 11 am. «perfect» in and out Plus they honored the 20% Unilocal check in discount. $ 120 for a B1 service. Professional staff.

I am so thankful the for excellent service I receive at the The Service Outlet. They go beyond to take care of me and my cars. They make their recommendations and work with me on what needs to be done now and what can wait to fit in my budget. They make sure I understand what is wrong and what they are recommending.
I had a strange noise that the car was making every time I turned right. I made an appointment and took the car in. Of course, it did not make the noise. They next day I was driving somewhere else and the noise started. I drove to the shop and they rode with me to hear the noise. They then fixed the problem immediately while I waited even though I did not have an appointment.
I am always treated with respect. The office is clean and comfortable. I am so glad we found this place!

My husband and I have been customers of the Service Outlet for a while now and have recommended them to others on many occasions. We used to love them. Unfortunately, I will not be going back.
I replaced by front brakes in April at the Service Outlet. At the time, they told me my rotors were warped. They installed the brakes, machined the rotors, and I was on my way.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. I noticed a grinding sound in my front brakes. It was the weekend, so I called Toyota and made an appointment for Monday. On Monday afternoon, I get a call from Toyota telling me my rotors were warped and needed to be machined. They suggested that since the brakes were virtually brand new (I had only put 6k miles on the car since getting the brakes in April) to go back to the Service Outlet and see if they were under warranty. I called the Service Outlet, told them I needed my rotors machined, and made an appointment for the next day.
On Tuesday, I took my car into the Service Outlet. I told the man at the front desk what Toyota had said and offered to show him the Toyota work order with the specs and recommendations on it. He declined. I sat in the office for about 15 minutes, waiting for the shuttle to come. While I was waiting, the mechanic came out and said that there was nothing wrong with my brakes and the rotors were not warped. I insisted that there was a grinding sound that was more prevalent when the brakes were cold. The two men at the front desk and the mechanic spent about five minutes suggesting things that could be wrong (i.e., condensation, brake dust, rocks, metal flecks, etc.). They asked if I could leave my car there for the day. I told them I couldn’t as I needed it by noon (which I had mentioned when I made my appointment the day before). I told them that there was something not right and I was taking a road trip that weekend and didn’t feel safe in my car. The front desk man assured me that everything was fine and I could take the trip and bring the car back when I got back. I left, feeling uneasy, but giving credit for previous reliable service.
The next day I drove to Oakland for work and heard the grinding again. I called the Service Outlet and told them I was still hearing grinding. I asked about a warranty on my prior brake/​machining service and was told that they stand behind their service. I told him again that I didn’t feel safe in my car. I asked if they had to take the wheels off to measure the rotors. He claimed that they had done that when I was there the previous day. I am sorry. That was a flat-​out-​lie. As mentioned, I was there a total of about 15 minutes and they wanted me to believe that they test-​drove the car on the streets and highway, put the car up on the rack, took off the wheels, measured the rotors, put the wheels back on, parked the car, and then talked to me about it in fifteen minutes. No. They did not. I am confident that all they did was test drove it and didn’t hear or feel anything, so concluded that there was nothing wrong. He suggested that I bring my car back the next day so they could look at it, but again, assured me that it was safe to drive.
I was so unsettled by the conversation, I called the Toyota service department and asked how sure they were that the rotors were warped. They said they were certain and read me the specifications. They said if I brought the car in the next morning, they would take care of it.
Having completely lost my trust in the Service Outlet, I took my car to Toyota. And guess what? Yup. The rotors were warped. And they fixed them. And they didn’t patronize me and weren’t condescending and they didn’t tell me that it was nothing. And the brakes no longer grind. And I no longer feel unsafe in my car.
Maybe the Service Outlet was having a bad day. Or maybe their customer service really has declined. It doesn’t really matter to me. I have to trust my mechanic and I no longer trust them. They lost my trust and my business (any my referrals) when they lied to and were condescending to me. That is no way to treat a good customer.

I’ve been a customer of The Service Outlet in San Ramon for more than 10 years. What keeps me going there? It’s the reliable service and trusted employees. I used to work in the area and could always count on a friendly driver taking and picking me up from work. I now have a commute so I use their convenient lock out service and handle everything over the phone. I have always received excellent service which kept our 1991 Honda going for over 250,000 miles. They are keeping our 1998 Acura in great condition and it’s over 210,000 miles. The positive experiences we’ve had with the Service Outlet team make me very confident to refer family and friends!

We were referred to the Service Outlet San Ramon by our neighbor. Best referral ever! For over 10 years they have kept our family Toyotas running and safe. We have had only positive experiences with the Service Outlet team and I continue to refer family and friends!

Great place and service! Thanks Efrain for years of great service!

I am a road warrior averaging more than 35,000 a year on my cars. I wouldn’t trust my most valuable business asset to anyone other than The Service Outlet. They have taken care of 7 cars and more than 1million miles of service and repairs over more than 15 years. They provide the highest level of customer care and quality of work that you will find. In a word, you can TRUST them. Have they had to give me bad news, yes. Have I had repairs that cost a lot of money, of course. But thats what happens to cars and the manager, Efram, has proven himself to be a person that I can trust to take care of any problems that come up in a manner of both time and money that work best FOR ME. I Trust this company and Efram as valuable partners in keeping me on the road and safe.

My engine and VTM light on my Acura MDX were coming on and off. I asked a local Mom’s group for a recommendation and The Service Outlet came highly recommended. They diagnosed my car this morning @ 9:15, needing a valve adjustment and spark plugs and quoted a price. My car was done at 2:45 p.m. I went to pick up the car and to my surprise they gave me a discount on the price quoted. Andrew at the desk was extremely professional and helpful! I will definitely be using them again for maintenance and repairs if needed (hopefully not)! Thank you Service Outlet team!!!

As a woman I appreciate being able to trust who is taking care of my car, and knowing they aren’t taking advantage of my lack of knowledge for necessary services. Andrew is the man. He helped me out so much, giving me an accurate account of what I should do, needed to do, and had to do before working on my car. And they took me in the same day.

I have been using Service Outlet for many years now for both of my cars. This place is unbelievable! First there prices are so much better than Lexus and Toyota. The main reason I go to Service Outlet is because of Efrain. His customer service is excellent!!! He goes out of his way to make your experience a great one and he is so honest! I highly recommend anyone to go and try them out!

I had made an appointment for 8:30 this morning for an oil change. This company gets a five stars for professional, efficient, pleasant and cost effective service.
When I arrived, I was told that my car would be serviced within four hours despite my arrival more than two hours after my initial appointment time and the fact that they were short one technician. The gentleman behind the counter was courteous and pleasant. I also asked if I could be driven back to my house and they were happy to oblige despite not having a driver that day. The manager or some else from their staff was going to drive me back home. While I sat down to wait for the ride, they came back to me to let me know that the technician was actually going to service my car right away. I chose to wait while he worked. I spent less than ½ hour in the shop from start to finish and with an online coupon, paid $ 33 total. Very good experience.

The Toyota Service Center Outlet is a Godsend! I’ve been coming to them for a few years and so grateful to have found an HONEST, RELIABLE, EXPERIENCED and CAPABLE service center. The staff: Effron, the receptionists, the driver, etc. are so pleasant to work with and feel that I’m given very direct and honest information about what needs to be done. I’m so grateful that this shop was recommended to me. Look no further!

I just moved to San Ramon and was looking for a place to get my oil changed. I usually go to Concord Lexus, but it seems like every 5000 miles the price for a basic oil change increases every time I return. I’m very picky with my 2008 Lexus IS350 so I didn’t want to take it to any joe schmoe quicky jiffy lube oil changer place that treat you like cattle to get you in and out.
Based on a recommendation from a customer at work I decided to try out The Service Outlet. I liked the fact that they use factory oem oil filters. Most places use generic filters. I didn’t have time to make an appointment so thought I’d try my luck and walk in. I was helped by Efrain and Rolando. Very nice guys. They were very friendly, and know how to build rapport with customers. They were busy but we’re able to service my car. They offered to drop me back off at my house or Starbucks so I wouldn’t have to wait around, but I had no plans so I decided to wait around in their lobby. The lobby was very clean. They even had free bottled water.
To my surprise they were finished with my oil change within 30 minutes! Wow! That’s the fastest I’ve ever gotten an oil change. I definitely will be returning here for all of my car maintenance. Glad to have found a new place to get my car service and not get ripped off by the dealership and feel harassed and up sold on random service not needed.
Keep up the great work guys!

I got rape in this place. I took my car there for an oil pan leak that they quote me for $ 325.00+tax and got it back with still an oil leak in the Oil Pan. the mechanic did n’t notice a crack on the oil pan. so if i want to have it re-​done it will cost me another $ 499.00. so my oil pan still leaks and i’m down two days of work and they are laughting it off with my money in their pockets.

This updates my original review in response to comments by the owner.
I went to the company’s Lafayette branch to get an inspection before driving my old car to Las Vegas to be sure it was safe, and indicated that this is why I was getting this inspection. They recommended a minor inspection and since they assured me it would be safe, I got the air conditioning fixed. Had I not relied on their assurance, I would not have gotten this fixed and would have flown to Las Vegas and rented a car. But two days after I got to Las Vegas, the car broke down because of leaks in the radiator and thermostat problems, leaving me with the option of paying about $ 750 for repairs, but even then I was advised the car might not make it because a gasket could blow, requiring another $ 1600 for repairs. Rather than driving home as planned, I spent about 10 hours dealing with the breakdown and getting an assessment of the problem from a gas station mechanic, Pep Boys, and the Toyota service center in Las Vegas. Due to the cost and safety concerns of getting stuck in the 250 mile Mojave Desert, I bought a new car I couldn’t really afford.
I felt that the Service Outlet had some responsibility for what happened given their assurances my car would be safe to drive to Las Vegas. Then, when I contacted the company based in San Ramon about at least getting a refund for the air conditioning repair which I wouldn’t have gotten had I not driven to Las Vegas, the owner not only refused to take any responsibility or provide any refund, but was insulting to me, disparaged my detailed letter of problems which had been reviewed by an attorney before I sent it, and claimed that if I tried to take this to small claims court, he would bring his lawyer and I would have to pay his legal expenses (when in fact, lawyers aren’t allowed in small claims court).
Here’s my response to the owner’s comments: First, my name is Gini. Secondly, my car had 144,000 miles on it, not 180,000 miles. Third, the heat in Las Vegas during that period was 105 degrees not 116. Fourth, and most significantly, I originally brought the car in for what Toyota calls a mini or minor inspection to make sure my car was safe to drive to Las Vegas. I advised the service manager of my plans for this trip and my concern that the car be safe to drive there. I was aware that the car hadn’t been serviced for some time, since I only drove about 2000 miles in 2 years and I didn’t need an A/​C repair for local driving. It was only after I was assured the car would be safe to drive to Las Vegas that I authorized the A/​C repair due to the high heat there. Had I had any warning of the risks of taking my car to Las Vegas due to the heat, I would not have authorized the A/​C repair which I didn’t need for local driving and I would not have driven to Las Vegas. I would have flown and rented a car. I have since done extensive research, and there is a duty to warn under certain circumstances, such as when one looks to someone who claims to be an expert in something, as would be the case in taking a car to a mechanic for an inspection or repairs. I have very little knowledge about cars, and so I looked to your service manager or mechanic for this advice in asking if my car would be safe to drive to Las Vegas, and only drove it there and arranged for these repairs based on those assurances. Knowing about the risks of taking an older car there, as you have suggested in your response to me, the manager should have given me a warning, but didn’t, perhaps because I would then authorize the repairs.
I initially only asked for a refund of the cost of repairs, which I would not have made but for the assurances my car would be safe to drive to Las Vegas with these repairs, and that would settle the matter. I did not originally ask for anything for the cost of the car which I had to purchase, given the cost of additional repairs to the radiator system, and the dangers of other systems in the car failing on the drive through a 250 mile desert, which could be deadly. The possible problems in these other systems were not identified in the inspection. But in your phone call to me you responded to my offer with insults and threats of legal costs should I pursue this, though there are no lawyers involved should I take this to small claims court or seek a refund through a claim to my MC account. You also did not respond to the letter from my lawyer affirming my claim for a refund.
I also want to point out that I originally used your service, since your sign to service Toyotas suggests you are acting as an authorized, certified, or otherwise sponsored representative of Toyota, and I have long had an excellent relationship with Toyota for over 30 years. So this may have been an inappropriate use of the Toyota name to imply this representation, and had I been aware of this lack of authorization from Toyota as well as the negative Unilocal reviews, I wouldn’t have used your servi

I just bought an old (2003) Toyota from a good friend. It was making a terrible noise. I did not know of any good Toyota mechanics. Lo and behold I get a flyer in the mail for a free oil and filter change for new customers. I instantly check Unilocal (of course!!) and they check out.
I used to be a mechanic so I’m very car savvy and always on the lookout for shady practices from mechanics…
They got me a Friday appointment and said I could drop the car off Thursday. I dropped it off Thursday and got a call a couple of hours later that the oil change had been done (FREE! as promised) and they noticed the noise was a result of the dealer completely failing to bolt a transmission mount back on after a clutch job. They could tell that someone had just worked on the car.
I was told to take it back to the dealer. No shady business. No bait and switch. They were knowledgeable, professional, courteous, and their labor rate is reasonable.
I’m sold. The Service outlet just earned themselves a new customer.

It’s very odd that this place has so few reviews, and by new reviewers as well. I just recently noticed their advertisement, so perhaps more exposure is necessary to get their name out?
I saw their shuttle driving around town, and after a very bad experience at Dublin Toyota, I decided to check them out. I called in on a Tuesday and asked for an appointment on Thursday and they took me without an issue. I also asked to get my car back by noon so I could pick up my son at 1pm from school. They just asked that I drop off my car as soon as they opened at 8am, and I got a call that they were done at 11:40am. Not bad, at least compared to how Toyota keeps your car all day long!
I had them put in a new headlight, do an oil change, and check tire pressure especially on the spare on my RAV4. With a 20% off coupon, it cost $ 65. I liked how quick they were and will be back to try them again, especially when I have maintenance needs on my aging car.