Dave’s 76

I was looking specifically for a gas and service station on my route that had a compressed air machine. After stopping by three other locations, which had «out of service» posted, I was happy to see that Dave’s 76 had one that didn’t have a sign posted.
The cost to use the machine was $ 1.50. After placing my coins into the machine, the compressed air started. As I attempted to add air, the nozzle would not properly fit. It was broken!!! I approached the attendant and informed him of my problem. He said he was aware of it. This is how our conversation went:
Me: Hi, I place a $ 1.50 into the machine to add air into my tires only to later find out that the nozzle is broken.
Gas station attendant: Yes, it’s broken. I had a sign up there this morning and took it down.
Me: What??? Why did you take down the sign???
Gas station attendant: (silent like a mouse)
Me: Ok so you obviously knew this was broken and took down the sign for whatever dumb reason. I would like a refund.
Gas station attendant: I can’t give you a refund.
Me: Why???
Gas station attendant: Because we don’t give refunds.
Me: Well that’s great. I see you guys can use this broken machine to scam people out of a $ 1.50. Well I am going to let others know so people know what kind of business you are running.
Gas station attendant: Ok. have a good day.
Me: ##@ $!$@ $!@$ !$@$ % @ !%!^ @%^ %!@^ %!@^ %^! @% %!@^%@^%!@^%

Normally, I love buying my diesel here.
Top shelf fuel at rock bottom prices.
However, tonight, after repeatedly making unsuccessful attempts to pump fuel from both pumps for a good 10 minutes, I went to the manager to find out what’s the hitch?
«Oh — other people already complained, those pumps are out of order!»
You mean you can’t hang an out of service sign on the pump so your loyal customers don’t have to beat their heads for 10 or 15 minutes trying to pump fuel from a broken pump?
«No — they are owned by Propel & I am not allowed to touch them!»
THEY ‘RE ON YOUR PROPERTY, DUDE!
«I cannot touch them — you must go somewhere else!»
After that comment & being harassed by winos in the parking lot, he made going somewhere else sound like a fantastic idea.
I’m done with this place.

I’ve noticed that most of the excellent reviews here are actually for the 15 Minute Smog Test Only and Oil Change, which is the mechanic that shares this space with the gas station. Indeed, Jose is pretty awesome and I will continue to go to him for smog tests and oil changes. You can find his Unilocal page here:
As for the 76 gas station itself, not so much. The gas is usually relatively cheap but the guys working here have no customer service skills whatsoever. Once I had a problem with two of the gas pumps not accepting my credit card and was simply told to use a different pump. Not only did they not care, but they had a bad attitude like I was inconveniencing them by telling them about it. I can understand if you can’t do anything about it due to a technical glitch but don’t be a dick about it.
Another time I let them know that the pressure gauge on their air pump was broken. I was told that they already knew and again was given a shitty attitude for having the audacity to bother them about it. Here I thought I was doing them a favor. Now I’m doing myself a favor and not spending my money here.
Also, every other time when I used to come here someone would approach me asking for gas money saying they ran out of gas and needed to get back home to some far away destination. That’s either a striking coincidence that that many people are running out of gas near this particular gas station (and need to plan better) or these folks are just looking to make a dishonest buck. If it’s the former then I hope they got home without too much trouble.
I’m hoping this gas station is eventually sold to someone who gives a damn about the maintenance of their station and providing some semblance of customer service. Until then, never again.

This review is for the oil change, not gas attending. I’ve been coming to Jose for three years after finding him on Unilocal.Quick (30 minutes), thorough (tells me what needs fixing), and affordable $ 35 for a 2005 Prius. Even though I live in Oakland now, I always come to him. Also open on Saturdays, which is great, since so many places are closed on the weekends for oil changes except the corporate ones that charge «an arm and a leg.»

A great auto repair shop if you need something done well, quickly, and affordably. Jose diagnosed my thermostat problem on the spot. When I dropped it off the next day to be repaired, he even came to pick me up at my house after he was finished. It’s nice to have a friendly neighborhood mechanic you can count on.

I stopped here an hour ago (against my better judgment – their pumps are often malfunctioning) and gave the attendant $ 40.
He rang me up for $ 20 and pretended to believe that I had only given him one $ 20 bill. I asked him to open his register and double check. He refused and threatened to shut down the store.
I told him my next step would be to call the police. As soon as I said the word «police,» he opened up his register and gave me back my $ 40.
I went to the gas station next door and had no problems, and then I filed a police report.

The first time I went to this gas station (about 8 months ago), I needed to purchase air to fill up my car’s tires, as they were getting low in pressure. After feeding $ 1.00 in quarters into the machine, the air would not turn on. I went inside to talk to the cashier to see if he could help me, and said that there wasn’t anything he could do. WOW, thanks for going out of your way to help a customer. Jerk.
I haven’t come back since. A few days ago, I absent-​mindedly pulled into the gas station when I meant to go to Chevron next door. I was in a hurry so decided to just fill up anyways, despite having avoided this place. Inserted my credit card and was ready to pump, but the gas would not come out! I could hear the pump working, but it was as if the handle was broken.
My boyfriend went inside to talk to the cashier to see if they could help. Once again, and I’m not sure if it was the same person, they were on their phone completely not paying attention, and said, «you haven’t paid, there’s no credit card in the system» — this is after inserting my card TWICE and having the first transaction cancelled. He had no interest in helping us out, or doing his job.
You work at a gas station. How hard is your job? You lost a $ 30+ sale and I will ALWAYS avoid this place and go to Chevron next door. Their gas might be a few cents more, but their pumps actually work and their attendants actually do their job.

We rented a Dodge Ram for our NorCal trip this past weekend, and noticed a badge on the vehicle that said Flex-​Fuel E85.
Being rudely shit-​talked to at another station in Concord, i checked Unilocal and found this place, fairly close to where we were headed.
We got here, saw the pump, bought some drinks and smokes, and got gas.
The staff is cool, and they new what flex-​fuel was (which surprised us when other gas stations didnt).
Oh and the gas was cheaper at the pump than what it was advertised for on their sign. SCOOORE!!!

Had a wonderful experience at this 76. I brought in my BMW in for a smog check and an oil change, and the mechanic, Jose, was very nice and clearly knowledgable about my car. He pointed out a few things that needed fixing and wrote them down for me. In addition my boyfriend, who drove his new Mazda speed 3 across the country brought his car in for Jose for a smog check as well and Jose noticed that a seal on the top had an almost imperceptible leak. Turns out as my boyfriend brought his car to the Mazda dealership and had those parts replaced. Would have been bad if he let it go past warranty of the car! Thanks Jose!

Sunny West Berkeley
Catch rays and get your car smogged
Cheap, fast, you’re gone

Good prices usually. One of the best in the area.

the propel fuels pump here has a B20 blend biodiesel. on days when you can’t afford to run B100 from biofuel oasis you can stop in here and get a blend higher than anywhere else in the east bay for the same price as regular D2.
note that the pump is separate from the operations at the station. you can’t pay with cash inside, only credit cards right at the pump.
the station is easy to get to. the propel pump also has E85.

Awesome. Very friendly and straightforward. For $ 30, the oil was changed and the mechanic gave the car a quick look over, notifying me that the rear wiper blade should be replaced. They also washed the windows, very nice touch. Thank you Guys! :-)

Great service, quick. Showed up 15 min before closing and the mechanic still changed my oil, filled up my tires, and wiped my windows for me. Worth the $ 35

Got a $ 35 oil change today. Quick and easy. Will definitely come back.

Dang, just a mirage in a desert of expensive fuel. Same price as my neighborhood gas station.
Time to get my eyes checked.

Went here for an oil change today, it took about 20 – 30 minutes, which was a little longer than they told me it would take. I have to give them props, though. IT only cost $ 30, even after taxes and the fee to get rid of my old oil. Also, they are open on saturday, which is really nice. Apparently, a bunch of the places on San Pablo are not.

I got an oil change at the station today. They were really friendly and quick. I love how they have chairs and a table outside for you to sit down (Today’s weather was beautiful). The price is also fair and competitive; you probably won’t be able to find a better price around town. Last time I went to Purrfect Auto Shop (I think that’s how you spell it). So Dave’s 76 Oil change is as good as Purrfect if not better. The only thing I wouldn’t know is the quality of oil they use, so I can’t comment on that.

Berkeley’s 15 Minute Smog is the best! After being quoted a ridiculously high price at the nearby behemoth 7 Days A Week Smog, I used a flier that was placed on my car. I should’ve gone here in the first place. Friendly and fast and no BS. I was in and out of there in 10 minutes (not 15) for $ 45 total, including certificate.

I had a rather odd experience at this 76 trying to get gas for my car that randomly ran out of gas. The meter got stuck that once and only time. There was some business about buying cans of gas. I dunno, I just needed to walk the gas a half block, and they were being difficult (and weird) and difficult If my gay husband had let me, I would have just pushed the car. Sigh. Suffice it to say, I finally convinced them I wasn’t a terrorist.
Anyway, prices seem pretty decent.