Main Street Shell

We always enjoy our experiences at VA Tire and Auto and find the staff knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. They are also timely and efficient, all reasons we keep bringing our cars in. Recently they have been very helpful with a tire problem I was having, and looked into the issue without charge.

Follow up:
They hassled me with calls trying to make things right but in the end they never did anything. Action speaks louder then a bunch of phone calls promising nothing or doing nothing. Avoid this place like a plague, don’t know where the good reviews come from.

Amazing place. I was getting inspection and it took less than 20 minutes. Friendly staff. I appreciate your service!

I have been going to this Shell for the past 3 years. There service is fast, you can always get an appt, and the customer service is excellent. I have no reason to go anywhere else.

I’ve gotten gas there many times over the years, maybe an inspection or three; never really thought much about it. Then my car needed its 60,000 mile maintenance, while I was in a rather busy time. (60k maintenance is basically an oil change, tire rotation, engine and cabin air filters replacement, and inspect a bunch of stuff.)
I contacted Main Street Shell (though the form on their website) to ask about how much it would cost and how long it would take. Unlike a couple other places, they got back to me pretty quickly.
The next day, I dropped my car off on the way to an errand with my wife. They called to say it was ready, a bit more quickly than originally estimated. The only additional work needed was something trivial (tag light), for which they charged me a fair low price. I don’t think that was on the maker’s list of stuff to check, but they were thorough. The bill came with a very complete report on the various things that got inspected, right down to the exact pressure and tread depth of my tires.
All interaction was fast, friendly, and polite. The premises are clean and neat.
The only thing that could use a bit of improvement is a tiny nitpick. When coming into the site from the street, there’s not much parking, and since it’s a gas station, it is sometimes a bit crowded to get through quickly to the parking lot of the strip mall next door. So, if you’re coming in for a repair rather than gas, I’d advise you go in via the nearby entrance to the strip mall parking lot, and park there. That’s where I wound up parking, and it’s perfectly OK, in fact they seem to prefer it. (And, the strip mall has some great restaurants to eat at while you’re waiting. See my review of Curry Mantra!)

Sorry, their honesty is not what others have posted. Took van in for inspection and failed for foggy headlites. Cleaned the headlites real well and took back for reinspect. Was told headlites fail for illumination and must replace headlites since they could not be adjusted. Cost $ 650. Went to another inspection station because I did not believe the headlites were that bad. This different and highly recommended repair and inspection station thru checkbook cleaned and adjusted the headlites and passed car inspection. Cost — $ 60. Savings — $ 590.

The people at this facility are the most honest and helpful that I have encountered in the car repair business. They are efficient, their prices are very fair; they are thorough, and keep you informed about your vehicles progress. I have had oil changes and most recently had my cars headlights restored and they look like new. Being New to the area I was very hesitant about finding a mechanic I could trust. I can’t recommend this business highly enough.

The staff is nice, but nice doesn’t fix my car. The location is very convenient too, but they have messed up twice on me. I usually got my oil change there, but then I found out that they weren’t doing all the checklist items listed on the oil change– they also didn’t provide me with a report or advice on things that needed to be fixed or replaced. The final straw was when they failed to inform me that my car’s tags were expired. I didn’t realize it until a month later and it is on the list of things «they check» This just shows me lack of attention to detail and they aren’t very professional. I won’t be going back even though it’s very convenient for me. I’d rather to go somewhere where I can trust that they are doing what I am paying them to do.

These guys are great. I stopped to fill up a very low tire with air. It was 20 – 25 minutes before they opened. We decided it was best to take the tire off and have them check it. They would put the full-​sized spare on and I would leave the original. I was expecting to wait 20 minutes or so until they actually opened for the guy to do the work and I was going to get a cup of coffee. Instead, he did it right away and I was headed to my meeting on time. Great customer service. I don’t know if I’ll need a new tire, but I trust these guys. It’s why we bring our vehicles to them.

Took our Tahoe in for inspection service Wed evening — one car ahead of us but they were still professional, quick, efficient, replaced burned out bulbs, and we were finished in less than hour after getting line. They also diagnosed another problem that we can address later but gave us an estimate. Nice to deal with professional upfront people.

Main Steet Shell is a staple in the community. For several years I have taken my car there not only for gas but for state inspections. Each time I am there the greeting is courteous and the work prompt. Everyone I have ever dealt with has been professional and kind. Also, the facility in spotless including the rest room. Nice to know there is a reliable good small business right down the road.

Main Street Shell is a gem in the auto servicing business. It is trustworthy, fairly priced and does excellent work in reasonable time.

I took my car in this am for a state safety inspection. My car was rejected because there is a hole in the right tail light cover. The light works and is not shining white light. This car was inspected and passed with the exact same issue 2013 and 2014. The light damage occurred in early 2012 I asked about what it would cost to fix it. I was quoted $ 307 to replace the light assembly. I got to work and started to tell a coworker about my experience. She said «wait, don’t tell me. Did you go to Main Street Shell? I had a similar experience. I simply went down the road and had my vehicle re-​inspected and it passed.» I live next door to main Street Shell and was getting my gas and oil changed there. I will no longer do any business with them.

After I posted my bad experience here the other day, the service station actually called me apologizing for my unsatisfied experience. I am happy that they are listening to their customers and am veryyy pleased with this. This is my first time my Unilocal review has been heard by employees and they are actually trying to make it up to me. Thank you Main Street Shell for your time and consideration!

I’ve been taking five cars to this station for safety and emission control inspections for over 10 years now… never had a problem with their professionalism. One of our cars is 14 years old, and doesn’t always pass, but the technicians here are reasonable and honest about whatever the problems are. The manager is courteous, the waiting room is comfortable, and the bathroom is spacious and always clean. Service is always timely, too. In addition, they mail out reminders when inspection is due, with discount coupons. I have no complaints, I very much appreciate Main Street Shell.

My husband and I (and our grown children) have been taking our cars to Main Street Shell for longer than I can remember, and we’ve always been pleased with the service and the cost. Our cars are ready when promised and the work is done right the first time. Rides can be provided to the customer’s home or place of work within a reasonable distance, but for customers who prefer to wait the station is clean and pleasant. Employees are unfailingly polite and quick to keep us informed of progress on the cars. Did I mention that our cars date from 1995, 1998, 2000, and 2001? The mechanics take pride in keeping the old workhorses on the road and at their peak performance. We highly recommend Main Street Shell.

Terrible customer service.
To prepare for a trip I used one of their coupons for an oil change/​tire rotation combo, was told the services would take 35 minutes.
After 45 minutes a fellow approached my waiting spot, «no» my car wasn’t ready yet, he proceeded across the parking lot. Seconds later another guy informed me that my car required a «special» oil filter and the first guy was on his way to the dealership to get it! «I understand you’re upset, what can I do; since you’re already using a coupon, we can’t do anything about price» There was no loaner car available, they had the nerve to charge the extra ten dollars for the filter, and at no time did anyone but the cashier explain or apologize for the delay.
Spent an extra hour waiting, will not return.
****************The owner called me this morning, had tried to the day of visit, my voicemail was full.
Jeff was polite and apologetic; he was none too pleased with the actions of the employees that led to the delay. The filter was to have been ordered when I called to make my appointment.
He has offered my next oil change at no charge, and I will take him up on it. I have always been satisfied with actual work done here.****************

I have taken my car here a bunch of times. Familiar faces always help me out and I never get ripped off. They get what I need done and it’s usually nice and quick. I don’t know a ton about cars but they never try to get me to do more than what I come in for.
Very happy with the service.

My car died on the side of the road on Friday. They had a tow truck out to me in under an hour, got me to work, and had the car repaired by 3:00 pm that afternoon. Before doing the work, Jeff called and explained what had happened and what needed to be done to the car. I thought the price was reasonable and was very pleased with their prompt service.

Made the mistake of taking my car here for inspection — last year. Been meaning to write this review for a while and I got a flyer in the mail recently asking me to bring my car back here this year for inspection. Ha!
The staff are polite enough (they use please and thank you, no one called me naughty names, etc.), but the prices are about 3x what they should be. Also got that used car-​salesman vibe. «Well, you don’t need this to pass inspection, but I think you should let us replace your breaks for about 1500.» Really? They brought about 3 – 4 things to my attention that would pass inspection, but they would like to give me a real good «deal» on replacing.
I was concerned that they pointed the brakes out, though, so I went somewhere for a second opinion… Funny, they quoted me at $ 500. Same with all the other items they had listed. I wasn’t the only one getting these crazy quotes, either. While I was waiting (five hours, despite being first in line), I watched them swindle other customers left and right. They tried charging a woman $ 80 for windshield wiper blades. Seriously? Too bad my car wasn’t ready at that point, I would have driven her to Wal-​Mart and put them on for her myself!
Maybe it’s a gender thing, though. I definitely got the «Little Lady» vibe. They were quite pleasant when dealing with male customers. Yes, I’m a woman. That does not mean I’m a complete idiot when it comes to cars.