Sams Smog Shop

Sam’s smog is very quick. Sam is very friendly, even though there was a little language barrier, but I can see that he really tries to satisfy his customers. Definitely recommend him, it may cost probably a couple bucks more than other places around the area, but it is definitely nice to leave my car with him and stroll around on Broadway instead of waiting for my car in front the shop.

I’m so disappointed. I chose this station because I read bad Unilocal reviews about other places, I should have done my homework a little more thoroughly. I got there and Sam was very nice and told me he would have my car ready on 20 minutes. He called and said it was finished. When I went to pay I noticed the slip said $ 69 + $ 8 for the certificate. What? I know most places charge about $ 40. I asked about the price and he quickly said «oh, I will give you the coupon price $ 49» — then charged me $ 49 + $ 10 ($ 59!!) for the certificate. I told him I had seen the price was $ 29 and $ 8 for the certificate, he said «not at my shop.» The high price aside, he was obviously trying to rip me off by trying to charge me over $ 70 and hoping I wouldn’t question it. I do not appreciate people trying to take advantages of customers and I will not go back.

Ethically challenged — I will not go here again.
I stopped in for a smog check. He quoted $ 59.95 and I said, «That’s expensive. Other places charge $ 45 MAXIMUM.» (I didn’t mention that $ 45 INCLUDES the smog certificate. At that price, only an inexperienced motorist wouldn’t know that.) He quickly dropped the price to $ 49.95 and I agreed (saving an additional couple of dollars was not worth haggling over).
He performed the service right away and I bided my time reading one of the many outdated magazines in the waiting room.
When it came time to pay he wrote $ 49.95 and then ADDED another $ 8.25 for the certificate, bringing the total back up to $ 58.20. That my friends, does NOT fly with me. I immediately protested and he reduced it to $ 50.00 (I’m no math wizard, but even that is still more than the agreed upon $ 49.95). I accepted and proferred my credit card to which he requested that I pay cash. I told him I have only my card. He gave a sigh and charged it.
He is NOT AN ETHICAL OPERATOR, in my opinion. My policy is to write reviews for positive service and no review for disappointing service (because I don’t want to penalize the business for a possibly off day by one employee). But UNETHICAL/​CUNNING businesses need to be called out. Everyone is entitled to make a fair income, but I expect that once a deal is struck you stick by your word. A deal is a deal. His attempt to wring a few more dollars out of someone who already expressed concern about the price was a stupid, greedy mistake that cost him my future business and a negative review. I don’t expect him to change but at least I can warn my fellow Unilocalers.

Fast, clear, helpful. Got it done.

good service. Fast if you can get right in. just call ahead and get the price set before you show up. I have been here twice. All in $ 50 the second time. It was $ 20 more the first time.

Needed to get a same day smog at 5p! This was the only place I could find that was open late and had time to actually do it. It’s super expensive but the guy is very nice and even offered to stay later for me to get there after work! Nice place to go of urgently needed but in the future I won’t wait until last minute to smog my car and research for a local place that is waaayyyyyy cheaper.

Expensive and poor customer service. The guy charged $ 69 after I complained about him charging $ 79. He bareley knew how to drive a stick and drained the battery in the process.

Been going here for years. Not as cheap as it once was ($ 79 out the door) but is fast, convenient, friendly, & efficient. Small shop (one car at a time).

Went here a while back because I was looking for a place to get my car smogged quick. Sam’s was right on it, and got my car done while I waited.
The place was really small, and I had to wait for him to finish working on another car, but after a quick walk to the gas station shop nearby to get a drink, and Sam was underway.
Fast, efficient, cheap service. No problems.

This place is terrible. I have a car that has no mechanical problems and it failed the smog emission test twice. However, I wasn’t convinced that the car had problems and so I called my friend who knows a lot about cars and he recommended the 76 Smog Test Only Center in Belmont. The guy there was incredibly professional and gave the car a good look-​over and told me he didnt understand why it didn’t pass. He made sure the engine was nice and warm and my smog test passed with flying colors. The guy there told me that places that charge a second time for a second test are usually red herrings for people who purposely let cars fail the smog because they can then charge them a second time. I went back to Sam’s Smog Shop and confronted him about his poor service and he was very defensive (almost like this wasn’t the first time that someone had come to him with this accusation.) I asked for my $ 100 back and he wouldn’t budge. He told me that he considers something like warming up the engine a repair and that he doesn’t do repairs. Anyhow, Sam’s Smog place is complete garbage and will take your money. I definitely recommend the 76 Smog Center on 699 Ralston Ave in Belmont.

His garage is rather tiny, and you have to shimmy your car along the sidewalk to get to it… but Sam was fast, got my smog check done for $ 49.95 + $ 8.25 (certification) + $ 0.80 (dmv sending fee) in under 20 minutes. I suspect if I haggled I could have gotten a bigger discount, but hey, 49.95 is already pretty competitive.

Sam’s Smog is the BEST — friendly, professional and courteous, super fast, super patient. I am impressed with the service — independently run by the owner (Lee) himself. Conveniently located right off Broadway and El Camino — I was lucky I live around the corner and just randomly chose this place, because it is awesome!