Giannini's Auto Service

i was shocked to see the negative review and F rating for Gianinnis - not sure what went wrong with that particular customer. My long term experience has been totally different. i have used Gianinnis as my auto repair shop for 20 years to maintain a 1995 Ford Explorer, 2005 Cadillac Escalade and a 2002 Infinity I35 as they came off factory warranty coverage.The Explorer and Escalade are used for work and get heavy service and I probably wasn't as attentive to regular maintenance as I should have been but the Escalade is still running strong with 270k miles on it and the Infinity with 174k miles. I got the Infinity on the BG warranty system. My experience is that they keep computerized records of all repairs and all suggested maintenance or repair items even if you decline them. I frequently put off maintenance items until the next oil check and get several items done at the same time. They are not pushy about doing maintenance items but they will explain why they recommends it and what cost or repair it is designed to prevent. I have followed their recommendations and have had good running high mileage vehicles which is what I want. They do a good job of estimating what is involved and what the cost will be but as anyone who has any basic knowledge of repair work knows - it is not uncommon for one repair to expose another issue that either has to be repaired or should be repaired while the engine is opened up - they call and give an explanation and if I authorize it they get it done - I have never had a question about being sold something I did not need. When I have declined or put off a service or repair I have full knowledge and know I am taking an informed risk . I have high mileage vehicles that are totally paid off and running great - looking for another 100k ( 4 - 5 years) from them at reasonable maintenance cost.

Job was completed per contract - bought and installed a warranted low mileage 40k motor from JAPAN. I did authorize and pay for new motor mounts that were not apparent before new motor was set in place. A vibration problem showed up on initial startup that was caused by the balancers being out of time - probably done by the shop that supplies the used motors. Gianinnis spent lots of time and researching to figure out the solution - drop pan and retime the balancers and it runs like a sewing machine. They resolved this problem at no cost to me and I know they spent several hours figuring it out and repairing it. NOTE - the used, low mile WARRANTED motors that he buys should never have the balancers fiddled with when they are pulled from a car and he should not have had to check timing (he probably will in the future). I have been driving this car for 10 months and am totally satisfied and would do it again

About a year ago, I spent 6500.00 on engine and transmission replacement. Since then I have spent over 2000.00 to repair the auxiliary items around these components, some of which I thought would be replaced with the engine and transmission. Since day 1 I complained that the transmission was defective. Hence the auxiliary expenses. I did as requested, still felt issues with transmission, which was never directly addressed. Then right before it failed, I left a voicemail and went in. They replaced the intake bladder which was dry rotted. I paid 185.00 for a 5 dollar part and included labor. The very next day I complained the transmission was still having issues, he explained I needed to wait for the computer to reset. The following weekend, the transmission failed. After towing it to and then getting it to his shop, he claimed I was "85" miles over the warranty, but the company agreed to warranty the item. Now, when we talk warranty I was quoted over 2000.00, then it changed and then I never agreed to the work, he replaced the item and immediately told me there was a storage fee. this was after calling me 1/2 hour before they closed on a Friday to tell me the work was complete. The previous day the transmission they received was the incorrect one. Yet a miracle happened and without my consent a replacement was installed and the car was ready. In a nutshell, he is a con and if you look on his lot there are a lot of donated autos. I am sure for similar reasons. I have signed affidavits from reputable repair facilities stating there would never be a charge on a "warrantied" item. As a consumer you have been warned. I was the fool who put all of this money into a 1999 automobile. Ed Yamamoto

They ran a diagnostic test that I did not ask to be done, and had no idea that they were going to do. I protested, but I could tell that it wasn't going to help. By that point I just wanted to get out of there. They also tried to pressure me into buying a service contract.

They offer excellent warranty service if you start with a vehicle under 70xxx miles. Such good warrant service that I never go anywhere else, and one expensive repair was pair for completely by warranty. They are not cheap, but price is reasonable, and they keep my cars running like new, and do excellent work. If you have an older car you want to keep running for a long time, or just a new car that you'd like to keep running a long time, especially if it's still under 70xxx miles, I'd definitely recommend them.

Took an off-warranty Subaru Outback (80k miles) in, thinking it was time to establish relationship with local, non-dealer mechanic to take me through next 100,000 miles. I liked that they digitized my repair records so they understood car's (well-maintained) history. From there they must have identified me as a walking sucker, as every time I went in they identified one more major repair that was urgent, needed to be done to take the car well-into the future as I intended. Oil leaked onto driveway after one oil change, took me 3 tries to get them to understand it was not just residual oil, but a real leak with oil all over my driveway. Put new hole in exhaust system on another visit and took me 2 tries (and a son going with me for visit) to convince them I really was breathing exhaust fumes and getting a headache from the awful smell. Took replacement car (used relative's car) there for quick review before I sold the Subaru and they cautioned me NOT to drive the replacement car, as that car's brakes were dangerous (oh, and keep the Subaru and, trust them, they were "getting there" on the Subaru's repairs). Took replacement car elsewhere for 2nd opinion they laughed at me, said the caution was nonsense - I've safety driven it for 20k miles already, no brakework necessary. I finally sold the Subaru and fired the mechanic.

I trust that their work is good quality, but Giannini's is very difficult to deal with and very unresponsive. They don't seem to listen to customers. They insist on doing more and more work to your car and won't take no for an answer; they seem to assume that you'll spend unlimited amounts on maintenance and never want a new car. When you tell them "I'm in a hurry, I need to pick up my car" in advance, they keep the car on the lift to show you something; it's as if they don't even listen.

Overall service was very good. The only downside is they are a little pushy when it comes to their service plan and recommending other work.

THEY ARE FRIENDLY AND I TRUST THEM.