Rick’s Tire & Chevron

Refused to endorse an unexpired Gift Certificate worth $ 25 (worth of fuel) with the words «Purchase $ 250 worth of service and get $ 25 worth of gas».
It’s worth noting that as of (10/​20/​2015) the same business has a coupon for «Chevron gas card not valid with oil change, dealer parts or taxes. Not valid on tire purchase. Offer only valid on auto repair completed at Rick’s Tire & Chevron in Seattle, WA. Must present coupon at time of order. Coupon void if altered. Expires 11/​03/​2015.» on a coupon website.
Starting with the counter person I was met with in-​credulousness over the validity of my Gift Certificate. Afterwards she disappeared to find someone else, who arrived reviewing the same Gift Certificate.
Shortly afterwards, an older gentlemen arrived (possibly owner Rick Hubbard) with the certificate in his hand. He proceeded to tell me he had no idea where I got this.
I responded that I received this as part of my service done at the shop (in this case I had previously received several oil changes, brake’s replaced, and even had a full system check).
Still questioning me, but now trying to deny my claim (as it stated on the Gift Certificate), he indicated that «Ron» (who’s signature was on the certificate) had not worked there in year’s. The same gentleman (again, assumed to be Rick Hubbard) tried to ‘expire’ the certificate — claiming that expiration was written into the invoice (even though it wasn’t on the certificate itself).
Still pressing I told him that there was no expiration date. He then proceeded to try and pass it off as a forgery. Again I attempted to negotiate with him.
Finally I reminded him that I live in the neighborhood and that it was unfair of him to no longer endorse an unexpired gift certificate, that «Rick’s Chevron» had issued.
He still refused.
Full Disclosure regarding Workmanship
Let me be clear of something. This is the 1^st time I’ve had anything negative to say about Rick’s Chevron. I’ve referred friends and family to his business. I’ve had nothing but exceptional workmanship.
But this incident — short of a major mea culpa — is the sole reason I will never refer or support Rick’s. I would rather drive out of my way to have repairs performed, than to deal with poor customer service.
Conclusion.
Great Workmanship. But demonstrates unwillingness to stand by his name and employee’s actions.

I love these guys. The prices are fair for both repairs and gas but the kicker for me is the service. I’ve been going to them exclusively for gas and repairs for about a year… plus free air for my tires. They’ve worked on my ancient Audi, even when they struggled to have a European guy on staff. They’ve jumped my car at the pump when it died and now they’re about to work on my new 4Runner. I’ve had enough of Audi problems. They can be grumpy and gruff sometimes but it’s part of their charm. They always take care of me and are honest with me so they don’t need to pepper me with niceties. I’d rather go here then some place that covers bullshit with honey.

Simply put: these guys are dishonest.
I wouldn’t trust this place with an oil change or anything else. The advertised gas prices are for cash only, and the sign stating its a cash price is hidden and not illuminated. You end up paying more per gallon than you think they will. It cost me an extra $ 1.35, but my objection is to the principle.
When I asked the woman inside, because I thought I might have just picked the wrong gas. I was told she «hears this question 1000 times a day and y’all need to learn how read.» Minimum wage is still much too generous for this kind of person.
If a company has a practice such as this for just selling gas, I would think long and hard about any work they do on my car. It’s not a stretch to think they might have deceptive billing practices.

My car was having issues yesterday and not wanting to drive it anymore, with the fear of making the problem worse, I pulled into this Chevron helpless and got help! I thought that it might be my oil… the first gentleman came out to help with checking my oil and my dipstick broke. The next gentleman that came out to help spent about 30 minutes just trying to get the dipstick out of the oil to check it. He was finally able to and it turns out the oil was not the problem. Since my check engine light was on he did a quick diagnosis of the problem with their machine and it came up 3 or 4 different transmission possibilities. They do not work on transmissions but recommend a place up the road a bit…
They called in for a new dip stick, since my old one was not usable again, and I received it within 30 minutes. They then only charged me $ 20 for the part and their time?!
They then continued to help me by calling the transmission place to give them the information on my car and what the diagnosis was.
Great customer service and I felt very taken care of! I would recommend this place to ANYONE and am happy that I pulled into this Chevron!

12÷12÷13 Saw the signs for regular unleaded was $ 3.359 per gallon and stop in only to see at the pump it cost $ 3.459…like this has happened before. I get tired of their righteous attitude inside so I think today I’ll just go down to the Chevron on Northgate Way across from the McDonald’s and next to the I-​5 on/​off ramps and save enough money that I can run my car into the car wash practically for free with my savings. Historically it’s like twenty cents cheaper there and you get charged what the big sign says, not what Rick’s wants you to think they’re selling it for.
Bad experience with the knuckleheads inside the back garage also. Don’t really understand how they stay in business. They might had won the AAA awards in the past, but I can see why they haven’t won it lately. Too bad, I like patronizing the local neighborhood businesses, but this one definitely needs an overhaul in attitude and honesty.

This station is the closest to where I live but I don’t intend on using it anymore… for a business the owners are annoyingly self-​righteous. I’ve gotten tired of the signs and pie charts posted all over the pumps indicating how little they make. Oh, so sorry to be your customer. If the business is breaking them why don’t they get out and quit whining! Also, they had a sign out saying they were open and ready to do an oil change anytime. I asked and they said «Oh, we can’t do it, our european car mechanic isn’t here” — unapologetically… pathetic. Further, try to get gas there after hours, last time I tried, the pumps wouldn’t go on. They think they are the only gas station in town. I’m going to where the real service is– the Shell station.

My car started making a funny noise every time I pressed on the breaks so i read Rick’s review and decided to go there. What a disappointment!!! They took the car on a test drive and tested every code the computer was spitting and according to them they didn’t know what the problem was and he was UNABLE to diagnose it. Also, when i arrived at the shop no one even greeted me, no one was friendly at all!

Their service side is okay — I’ve had them do oil changes, but the gas side of the house is below average. Their pump pressure is annoyingly low… if you are pumping fuel while another car is also pumping fuel (other side of the same pump station), it is v e r y s l o w… so slow in fact that I’ll go to another gas station to avoid this.
Also, their main cashier is very rude. I once needed gas for my lawn mower. I live just 1 block away — so I walked over with a gas can to fill it up for the mower, since I was only buying a gallon I was paying with cash, and I went inside to prepay. She saw my gas can and began lecturing me and intimating that I must be a real loser for running out of gas in my car and having to walk to the gas station with a gas can. I looked at her, very surprised, and told her «I live one block away, this gas is for my lawn mower». She just *humphed* and didn’t apologize. I’ve had numerous interactions with her… and she is always rude. I don’t know how she keeps her job., but she has been their for many years… maybe she is the owners wife or «slow» relative.

I think you guys are snowed.
They do a good job but they are hardly magicians.

There is something so satisfying about FREE stuff, even if it’s just AIR to plump up your tires. Most gas stations are charging at least 75 cents to a $ 1 for this service.
I got a flat tire in the neighborhood, and this oasis was in perfect range to just get me to the Discount Tire down the street. Thank you Rick’s T&C!

These guys are great.
I’ve had quite a bit of work done here on my 1997 Honda Civic, from getting the axles fixed, to a muffler, to the timing belt/​water pump plus a few oil changes.
They always gave me an accurate quote for the work, called me right away when it was done, and didn’t make me feel like they were gonna rip me off just cuz I was a girl. (one of my biggest concerns when getting work done on my car)
On top of it, they are right across the street from me, so I can drop my car off and pick it up when it’s done at my own leisure! It’s so great to have a reliable and honest mechanic so close.

My car died, so I had it towed over to Rick’s because it was close to my house. Left my key with the gas station attendant and told them to call me after they had a chance to inspect the car.
Pros:
They worked quickly.
They were honest in suggesting I call up the parts store where I bought the now-​dead alternator and use the warranty to get a free replacement instead of insisting I buy one from them.
Labor cost was fair — in line with your average repair shop.
Cons:
Not friendly. Never got a «hello» or «goodbye». The guy was mumbling on the phone and when I asked him to repeat, he sighed loudly and repeated himself very sarcastically.
No explanations. They simply said «Alternator’s broke.» When they called to tell me the part was out so I could get it replaced, they said «Alternator’s out.» And when it was ready, they simply said «Car’s ready.» Would’ve been nice to have a little more information.
Summary:
If my car breaks down again, I’ll take it here simply because it’s close to my house. For all other repairs and maintenance, I’m definitely going to Superior Auto in Ballard.

These guys totally took me to the cleaners. I spent $ 5000 on repairs for an old diesel rig I had. It just kept getting worse and worse and the price kept going up and up. I took it to a second mechanic for a second opinion after the fact and they verified my hunch that what happened was just WRONG! I’ve heard this story from two other people in the neighborhood. My suggestion would be to do yourself a favor and find somewhere else to spend your money. I sold the rig to someone at a huge loss, they’ve never put a penny into it and is still running no problem 3 years later.

Everything was great! I like to support businesses in my neighborhood and I left feeling like the place was worth my time and money. I had my oil changed and it only took them a half hour. I was just down the road at a café and they gave me a call to let me know it was done. Friendly folks, efficient and a good price makes it well worth your time to support your local businesses.
:)

I moved to Maple Leaf this spring and have been seeking out all the locally owned businesses so I can get to know and support my neighborhood folk.
I just had my oil changed today at Rick’s Tire and Chevron and it was a lovely experience, as oil changes go. :) I called ahead to see if I needed to make an appointment. They said they would definitely be able to get my oil change done today and asked when I would be bringing it down. When I pulled up on the location, I was a little thrown — it just appeared to be a Chevron station, but on the backside was a little garage that attached to the gas station.
When I stepped inside to drop off my car, I inquired about the price. I have a 2007 Honda Civic and use fully synthetic oil, so I’m used to them being expensive. The guy who handed me a clipboard with info to fill out said that it was $ 74.99. This is about $ 10 – 15 more than I’ve paid in the past at big oil lube places, so I tried not to visibly balk. I was of course keeping in mind that this was a locally owned business. Right after he gave me the price quote though, he reached up and pulled down a coupon that was tacked to a nearby bulletin board for $ 15 off. I hadn’t even asked and hadn’t brought the coupon myself! (It was one of the kind that you receive in the mail, val-​pak style). I thanked him and he told me it would be only about an hour. I told him I would be just a few doors down at Café Javasti.
Exactly an hour later, a different guy from Rick’s walked into the Café I was at, made sure I was me (by name) handed me my car keys letting me know they were done with my car, all with a big friendly smile.
Even the woman inside the Chevron station who also works for Rick’s rang me up cheerfully and professionally. Right as I was leaving, she called to me to come back and handed me the other coupons that I hadn’t used from the one the guy earlier had given me. She also asked me if I’d like to fill out a pre-​paid review form and send it in so they could receive my feedback! She proudly pointed out that this was how they had received all of the awards for service and as I looked around, the windowsills of the station were full with plaques and awards saying just that.
I left feeling really good about my neighborhood and glad that I had sought out a privately owned business rather than taking my car elsewhere. I was impressed with the genuine friendliness of the entire staff and also noticed that the entire shop was very clean. I will definitely return!

I just had a set of tires installed that I bought online. Staff seemed very friendly and they gave me a fair price for balancing and mounting on rims. I will probably give them a shot if I need further repairs.

Rick is a stand-​up guy and he helped me locate some hub caps for my 78 Volare. Affordable.

Every time I stop here I get a friendly wave and greeting from whomever is working! Like most Chevrons, the gas is a bit more, but it’s right on my way to the freeway.
Speaking of the freeway, that brings up the only reason I was going to drop them by a star, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it… I was bummed to discover they open later than I leave for work in the morning, necessitating an auxiliary trip to the Shell on Roosevelt, right by the I-​5 on ramp…
I’ve never had auto service done here, but everyone I’ve ever interacted with has been great!