Richards Automotive Service

About 6 months ago I had Richard work on my car. He had done work in the past and seemed to have done a good job. This time he was suppose to fix my brakes and a minor oil leak. About 2 weeks after I got my car back the oil light came on. I checked the fluids and they were fine. Also, my brakes were not right. It felt like he did not do any work at all, even though it cost me over 400 dollars for the brakes alone. I tried calling him but he was never there. I left messages but nobody called me back and when I stopped by the shop there was never anyone around. The other day I took my car to be smogged at a local smog station. The man there informed that Richard had left town. So... here I am with bad brakes and no money to fix them. I would like to know where he is and how I can get in touch with him. Any ideas?

Posted 10/18/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Not only is this guy a friggin liar, I have seen all kinds of shady things taking place at that joint. I bet ol Lee Williams would roll over in his grave if he knew what was taking place in his old place of business, God rest his soul. Where did this Richard come from? How did slither into our little town without notice, how come no one notices all of the scum that hangs around there? I'm tellin ya, I think there is something more than just changing oil going on around that place. I think that this BUM Richard and all of the other slime that hangs around him should be ran out of town before we discover that he is one of the main drug king-pins of our town. The only thing that this guy brings to the community of Sonoma is poison. He is bad news, real bad news. I'd stay as far away from this garbage as I could, but unfortunately this town is only so big. I see him all of the time, he drives around like he owns the road, most of the time drunk/stoned out of his mind..."Oh, but he gave me a great deal" most of you have said, of course he did, he will just make it up on your kids when they come by for their dope. WAKE-UP Sonoma, this guy is TRASH. I have personally heard him say how easy it is to get what he wants from this town and not cost him a penny in the process. He is a snake who needs to be de-fanged and thrown out to the buzzards. The guy is a mediocre mechanic at best.

Posted 06/04/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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This is the guy in town you call the 'inside scoop', polling all the locals, junkyard owner, taxi drivers, mechanics that work at the other local shops, Sonoma old timers, EVERYone of them point to this guy. You always find something peculiar about him, but you never want to go anywhere else. He owns the shop, he can do any special service you need, and he likes to throw around his clout on your behalf. He hooks you up. You might have to suffer him telling you how great he is, but you forgive that once he demonstrates it to you. The cops use him for their vehicles. I even heard a story of a 300k dollar Mercedes prototype he fixed after the manufacturer of the car drew a blank, then he showed me the documentation. He's proud of his honor. Now since every review you read tends to be blowing smoke, know that I have never felt the need to write one until now. And I challenge you to call Sonoma businesses about 'Richards' by the Ford truck dealership, and see if they don't know what you are talking about...

Posted 05/08/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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This is a small owner shop. No big chain store mechanic here. He is really great he has performed several repairs on my car since I have moved to Sonoma. Seems like he can fix just about anything wrong with a car very professional and definitely likes his job. The last time I went in was for my 4000 mile oil change I brought the car in the morning and it was out by noon.

Posted 11/14/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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The owner/operator is a great mechanic! He may not be polished but he knows his stuff! Honest and straightforward~ this guy doesn't BS! If it's broken he'll fix it! If it can't be fixed~ he'll find a way! And you will still pay a fair price! Great bunch of guys! Not slick or fancy ~ but real and honest!

UPDATE: Richard has closed shop and disappeared. Ran into one of his workers who said Richard packed his stuff up one day and never came back. He still owns his home in Sonoma but heard he is in a neighboring town. The last few times my car was worked on things were a bit off~ hoses left unclamped, little things~ and I now suspect every bit of work he did (or didn't?) do for the last year.
Richard was a great mechanic but something has gone horribly wrong in this guy's life. I hope he can straighten out. I sure miss my great mechanic!!

Posted 11/06/05 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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