O’Brien Station

The mechanic is fast, cheap, honest, and not afraid to show you around the shop. Tony is a very friendly individual. :)

I had a good experience taking my car in for smog test, which it passed. Tony the manager was very friendly and chatty. We had good conversation on foods, restaurants and traveling while I was waiting. The service was fast. I was in and out in 25 minutes. The only reason it didn’t earn 5 stars was the price. It costed $ 70 total adding smog cert. cost and other fees. I later checked other places and found many offered the same service at $ 50 range. So I have to deduct some points for being $ 20 over priced. I was in a rush so I didn’t check price around before taking my car there, assuming price would be fairly standard. Lesson learned.

Update10−28−15: I appreciate the owner taking this situation seriously and addressing the problem with Clyde. Thank you for listening to your customers.
I should have read the reviews before I took my husband’s ’92 Jeep Wrangler in for a smog test. I could not agree more with Tim’s previous review that Clyde is a complete CROOK!
Clyde tells me at the end of my smog test that the car failed because the check engine light was not working properly. Okay first of all your «Technician» admitted that he noticed this light not working properly in the very beginning. Only a complete crook would continue the test and not tell the owner of the car first knowing that the car would not pass. His response to this is was it is MY job to know the smog test law and that I should have had my light fixed before I brought the car in. Oh my gosh dude you just won the award for RIP OFF ARTIST of the year!
All that needed to be done was a 5 dollar fuse changed and then the check engine light would have worked fine. However he would not do another smog test unless I agreed to have a full diagnostic test and repairs done by HIM first just so he could make another 100 bucks…
SO UNETHICAL! Not only did he lose our business but we will also NEVER take any of our cars to this gas station again. Owner I hope you read your reviews and realize you have a serious issue with your mechanic and his moral compass.

Rip off Artist!
I took my truck into O’Brien Station to get a smog check because they have a sign outside saying «special, $ 39.99». I went inside and they told me it would be $ 59.99 because I had a truck. This should have been my first clue.
Well, my truck did not pass inspection due to a cut (I mean split hose).
Clyde (should have been my second clue) told me that I needed to go to Toyota to get the small horseshoe hose because they didn’t carry that part. He then proceeded to charge me $ 62.00 and so I asked if I brought it back to him when it was fixed would I get the second check for free. Like most other smog check places. He said yes, «if we do the repair, you will only have to pay the $ 8.25 for the certificate».
I went to Toyota to get the part, which was a small 2″ hose and proceeded to put the hose on myself, because it took 5 seconds to put on.
I returned today to have it rechecked, and sure enough it passed.
Clyde tells me I owe $ 70.00, I asked what for and he said for the «pass» smog check. I then reiterated what he told me last week. He said, «You didn’t allow me to make money on the repair, so you have to pay full price».
Make money on the REPAIR!!? It took me 5 seconds to put the hose on! I’m not even a mechanic!
I will never use this station for anything ever again! Including gas or snacks!
Tim

It is a gas station friends. They sell gas, do some repairs and have a little store inside.
I am surprised that this little gas station sits on such a big piece of prime real estate and does not monetize their investment. The parking lot is gigantic and almost always deserted. I predict a gold mine will be located here in a few years.

I go here for oil changes and even minor repairs and the guys are good to work with and I trust them. I feel like the price for most repairs is good. I have not smogged any cars here but I have gotten oil changes for a couple of our cars and took my sister’s car here for a battery replacement. For me the place is convenient and I haven’t had any problems so I will continue to use em. I also like that they use NAPA parts.

Most gas stations put the buttons left-​to-​right in order of cost. This one puts the cheap gas in the middle to trick you into buying mid-​grade. I’m already emotional because of the price of gas, so this deceit is most unwelcome.
Otherwise, it’s a fine enough gas station.

GARAGE — Replaced bad alternator for a reasonable price.
GAS — Pumps now take credit cards and debit card. Price not as low as CostCo, but still competitive.

Good prices on gas usually, AND they finally remodeled the place and their pumps so you lazy whiners can pay at the pump now. Normal selection of gas station food and drinks, beer too. Friendly owners, and a garage too if you need work on your car.

O’Brien’s used to be a locally family owned gas station. OK, they didn’t accept credit cards at the pump but if that’s the worst thing in your life then you should be just fine. However O’Brien’s sold out to Exxon Mobil, the absolute worst oil company of all, and there’s no way I can support them now. They accept credit cards at the pump now but leave your conscience at the door.

Filled up tank with gas, and cleaned the windows. I noticed tree sap on the car and tried to get it off. I was there maybe 10 minutes total when an older man from the station (might be the owner) came up behind me and startled me by yelling, «This is not a car wash!» I told him there was no one behind me at the island, and there were other spots open to pump gas at other islands. He said he wanted me gone. I said I wouldn’t be coming back. He said, «I don’t care.» With that, he turned and hurried back into the station.
My husband and I no longer go to this gas station, but we do go to the one across the street, and there has not been a problem over there.
The Better Business Bureau let us know in a report that they gave an «F» rating to this O’Brien station because the business did not respond to customer complaint. This man’s behavior was beyond poor customer service. Although we went to the station for many years, we haven’t missed it and manage to get good deals by checking on-​line price guides or using a grocery discount card. Best of luck out there in getting the «service» part of the service station experience.

Felt like I was back in 70’s. No pay at the pump, middle island takes cash only. ATM or credit card you have to inside, give them your card go back out pump gas then go back for your credit card. Seriously? Oh, and they have the old nozzles so you have to hold it to pump gas the entire time. Was way cheaper than the Chevron next door, now I know why. Definetly will not be back, station across the street is awesome.

My new «go-​to» for low-​cost, local gas in Encinitas. I come here exclusively for the great prices on gas. With fuel costs being what they are these days, I’m really glad I found this place (thanks to Gas Buddy on my iPhone). By «great prices» I mean usually about the same as Costco Carlsbad (but closer to home for me). Never used their mechanics, but did once get a smog quote from them years ago and it was a bit pricey.

I had take a 1995 Chevy P/​U there for smog… told me it would need a catalytic converter. After spending nearly $ 800 for the repairs, I passed the smog check.
Next time i needed a smog check for the Chevy, went back and was told I need another catalytic converter.
I went for a second opinion at another garage and passed the smog on the first try.
I will NOT EVER go back to O’Briens…not even for gasoline.