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August 2024 by A M
**Update I raised my stars to 3 because of owners response. I appreciate the accountability and ownership. I would take this review down but i think its important for people to see how you responded. Very professional! Much appreciated!
I took my Mazda CX-3 to this shop today for a routine spark plug replacement, and my experience was anything but routine. Initially, I was quoted over $600 for the service when I arrived, including an oil change that I explicitly declined during the appointment confirmation call. This was already frustrating, but what happened next was even worse.
The mechanic tried to push an unnecessary air induction service, claiming it was essential for the new spark plugs to function properly and even threatened that they would void the warranty on the spark plugs if I didn't get the UPSELL service. This immediately raised red flags for me, especially since my car wasn’t showing any symptoms that would require this service—no rough idling, no poor acceleration, nothing. (And they never even asked!)
When I specifically asked if this was a manufacturer-recommended service, the mechanic assured me it was and even showed me his computer screen to back up his claim. However, all it showed was that the spark plugs need to be changed at 75,000 miles (which my car has), not that an air induction service was needed. This felt like a blatant attempt to upsell me on something unnecessary.
For those who aren’t familiar, an air induction service is typically only needed if your car is experiencing specific issues like rough idling, poor acceleration, or decreased fuel efficiency. My car had none of these problems, making the recommendation feel like nothing more than a tactic to inflate the bill. They tried to turn a straightforward $275 maintenance appointment into a $600+ service visit.
I even told the mechanic I would consider the air induction service if they could lower the price (because I didn't know any better initially), but instead, they chose to let me walk away by threatening to void the warranty if I didn’t agree to the upsell. The fact that they would rather lose a customer than offer a reasonable compromise speaks volumes about their priorities. Thank God they said no to lowering the price for induction!!
I want to warn others to be cautious when dealing with this shop. Always ask if the services they recommend are truly necessary and manufacturer-approved, especially when it comes to things like air induction. Don’t fall for the upsell scam—I didn’t, and I’m glad I walked away. This was a maintenance appointment, not a repair appointment, and it should have been handled as such.
Oh, and they'll probably respond by saying the spark plugs can misfire due to all the "gunk" in the air inductor, but spark plugs misfiring solely due to the presence of some buildup is minimal. Misfires are more often related to issues with the spark plugs themselves, ignition coils, or fuel delivery, rather than the cleanliness of the intake system alone.
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August 2024 by Ron Lewis
Great service, very kind
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August 2024 by Catherine Guittard
Very good service. They keep you updated every step of the way and really take good care of your car. Their office is very clean and the staff is very professional. This place is probably the best automotive service shop I have ever taken my car to. (I have a BMW.) These are good people and I highly recommend them.
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August 2024 by Samantha Levin
Wes went above and beyond when my transmission went out. Our extended warranty company had a lot of hoops to jump through and he navigated them all to make sure we were taken care of. The car runs wonderfully and we will absolutely use them again in the future.
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August 2024 by Sherry Sue
Folsom Automotive Service was great! I called in the late afternoon one day in a panic about my car troubles and they got me in the very next day, no problem. They were so friendly and reassuring on the phone. Check in was easy and they told me the costs up front for the diagnostic work. During that day, emails let me know what they had found to be the trouble and a plan was suggested. I okayed the work to be done and I was picking up my car at the end of the day. There were no hidden costs and I was not talked into any additional work. I would definitely take any of my cars here again for maintenance and unexpected car troubles. Thank you Folsom Automotive Service ?
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August 2024 by Kristina Landolfi
This place is super expensive if you can avoid going there I would. They do use OEM parts which is good. But they tend to do a very the high markup on those parts. And if you go in there with 3 different things to look at they are going to charge a diagnostic fee for each and every one of those on top of that they will do a free inspection whether you ask for it or not and let you know and try to do things that you don't really want done you have to tell them no. There was a big mix up between my bumper to bumper warranty and this shop because my PRco warranty didn't want to pay for everything because of the fact that they mark up the prices and they go by some Mitchell guide but the shop didn't so there's so many stipulations and so many things that just went terribly wrong for me and this whole situation I was told I could take my car anyway so anywhere and it would be fine and then I was told well they don't follow these guidelines so blah blah and it just got really messy and frustrating they're not a bad shop they did do a good job on my car but the logistics of it and the price is just ridiculous especially today with everything getting so high That's already high enough to work on cars why make it higher something's got to give you know.
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August 2024 by J. Thomson
Let me start with something that could be interpreted as negative, but read on.
Had a water leak in my dodge diesel p/u, some possible over heating, called Tom and explained it, as It is my work truck I asked if it could be repair that same day, Tom explained if it was possible he'd try to make it happen, well it didn't. That is what could have been negative, but it wasn't.
The following day I got my call, my vehicle was done, fair price and wonderful customer service.
Thank you Folsom Automotive Service
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August 2024 by Thomas Steele
They quickly and efficiently repaired my truck. Great communication from Tom, and overall an excellent experience (especially after trying to go through a nearby dealership for MONTHS to no avail). Highly recommend!
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July 2024 by chris gray
I walked in stating what I was told from folsom ford the issue was. My truck is fresh off warranty and the dealer quoted my 6k to fix the issue. Folsom Automotive Service inspected the truck and informed me the reapri I was requesting wasn't even required. They even included pictures proving it. Folsom Ford was incorrect to say the least. Folsom Automotive included a list of repairs they recommended after they performed their inspection amd I went woth their suggestions. I am very happy and I will return when more repairs are needed.
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July 2024 by Nathan Graeff
Pleasant experience. Will definitely go back.
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July 2024 by Tanya Bentley
Great service and they kept me informed every step of they way.
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June 2024 by Elise Schexnayder
I’ve been trusting this group for 15 years with Two Subarus and a Toyota. I appreciate that they take time to discuss everything with me and they know me and my vehicle. Now it more convenient since I am close to Folsom than the location on Richard’s Blvd.
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June 2024 by Rory Manley
Excellent service! Above & beyond!
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June 2024 by Adam
Agreed to a $500 transmission service but when I didn't agree to a questionable recommended item, they declined to perform the service. They wanted to install a 3 ft piece of wiring cover tube that was apparently missing and a switch that had tested to be good for $750.00. Had used them in the past and in my opinion was a good shop. Won't be back after this visit.
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June 2024 by Lynda Larsen
I'm a big fan of Folsom Automotive Service! Their technology is amazing, they are thorough and professional. The employees are friendly and kind *all the time* and I will continue to use them for my dinosaur 2009 Honda Civic! They NEVER pressure you to do additional work on your vehicle if you’re not ready. My car was filthy; they even washed and vacuumed the interior! They go above and beyond and THAT kind of service is hard to find these days! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
