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Larkins Bros Tire Company
Rating Details »
Categories: Tires, Auto Repair [Edit]
Neighborhood: Mission370 S Van Ness Ave
(between 14th St & 15th St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 863-5730
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
187 reviews for Larkins Bros Tire Company
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
11/23/2009
11/13/2009
11/4/2009
12/3/2009
11/30/2009
10/9/2009
11/7/2009
10/3/2009
10/8/2009
9/26/2009
9/3/2009
9/7/2009
10/10/2009
7/27/2009
Updated - 3/31/2009
1/9/2009
10/16/2009
8/27/2009
6/17/2009
4/5/2009
8/9/2009
2/8/2009
10/9/2008
1/22/2009
7/26/2009
6/20/2009
8/11/2008
3/21/2009
9/28/2009
7/2/2009
9/2/2008
9/1/2008
4/13/2009
8/22/2008
2/27/2009
5/4/2008
10/28/2009
4/16/2008
5/17/2009
4/3/2008
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
Last week my wife got a flat tire on her way to drop off our little guy at school. This was her 1st flat tire in 10 years. She went onto Yelp mobile from her Blackberry and found Larkin Bros. Tire Co. Todd Z. was awesome, he searched his distributors and was able to find the same tire within a day.
Today during my lunch break, I got the new tire installed without a hitch. Larkin Bros have been around since 1950 and I hope they'll be around for another 50 yrs.
I'm skeptical when it comes to mechanics. First of all, I'm a female, which unfortunately makes me an easy target to be taken advantage of. I have an older car, and frankly, I don't understand anything about my car and it's functionality (or lack thereof). Well folks, I'm happy to deliver the message that no matter who you are, no matter your level of knowledge about cars- there's one mechanic you can trust and it's Larking Bros!
I went to Spee-Dee for an oil change (only out of convenience) and the D-Bag behind the counter printed an entire report of the maintenance my car required. He said I needed coolant (which would be $100) and a filter. I said "no thanks, I'll go to my mechanic for anything beyond an oil change" and gave him his lousy $50. The following week my 'Check Engine' light came on and I went straight to Larkin. Luckily, it was only my gas cap so it didn't cost an arm and a leg. They also rotated my tires, replenished my colant, and sanded my brakes for wayyyyyy less than $100.
I am certain had I taken my car to any of those other slimy mechanics, I'm sure they would have found at least a handful other 'maintenance required' issues and would have charged me my life savings. I'm happy to have a mechanic I can trust and just thought I'd share with my fellow yelpers.
I feel like a total pile-on-er but I had a great experience here.
Rolled up with my flat on a Friday evening. Got treated kindly and respectfully (not always the case with a girl in a car place). Got my tire fixed quickly without major disruption to my evening or my bank account.
This is the place to go in SF whether you need a flat repaired or an entire brake job or your suspension rebuilt. Over the 20 years that i have owned cars and trucks in San Francisco this has been my family's tire & brake shop.
We have been loyal customers for the combination of excellent service and very competitive pricing. They supply knowledgeable and seemingly unbiased advice. I trust and appreciate the fine work of the mechanics they have on staff and am happy to see the same faces year after year. They are responsive and honest in their recommendations of tires, parts and even helping to trouble shoot "sounds" from 600 miles away.
When i have had a problem (inevitable in 20 years of service on three vehicles) it was resolved to my satisfaction at no additional cost without hassle or argument.
They stand in front of their work. I go nowhere else for my tire needs in SF. They equal or excel any dealer service i have compared them to Chrysler, Subaru and BMW, at far lower costs and often much faster. An excellent choice if you prefer value rather than decor.
I brought my '71 Bug here on recommendation of my mechanic (Atlas Motors), who doesn't do tires. Correct tires for my car can be hard to find, but Larkin had them and they were super-speedy and friendly. The guys even checked out a couple non-tire issues for me, even though it was a busy morning. The price was good, and they threw in a freebie spare - how nice is that?
(And as others have noted, I didn't get any BS attitude for being a woman.)
An EXCELLENT find, 7 blocks from my house.
Flat tires have the ability to RUIN my day. RUIN IT. There's nothing worse than coming out of your house in a great mood on a Sunday, hopping in your car, taking off (fast) to go to a barbecue, and then realizing something is HORRIBLY WRONG.
Because you have a FLAT. It's just on the side of the car you didn't see before you got in and started driving.
That SUCKS. Majorly. It makes me get out of poor Car and start kicking her in the middle of the street. No joke -- this has happened. Twice, in San Francisco.
But good news, because Larkins Brothers fixes flats FAST. They're open on Sunday! (yeah -- holy shit! who the fxxx else in this business is open on SUNDAY?) I was in and out with a new tire (because of course my sidewall was shredded from driving on it -- argh) -- in ONE HOUR.
I didn't really see a big ol' money savings. As far as the raw tire went... But when he quoted me the price, I appreciated that it included everything -- labor, etc. So when he went to work, I was thinking, "$85." And when I went to pay, it was still, "$85."
That's nice.
I like you, boys.
Went here after reading the reviews here on Teh Yelp, and I was totally satisfied with my experience. These guys will plug your tire for the same price other places will patch it. I don't even remember if it was fifteen or twenty bucks, I was so taken aback that they were actually going to plug and rebalance the tire for that cheap, and within twenty minutes.
I'll do business with these guys for life, no doubt.
As a little blonde girl, I just look like the type of customer to get hosed at a car repair shop. But oh, that was so not the case at Larkins.
The first time I rolled in with a flat tire, they explained that due to the location of the leak that the tire couldn't be patched. I expected them to try to sell me a beaucoup expensive tire, but nope - the mechanic said he didn't want to have me pay too much, and that he'd look for a good used tire. 20 minutes later I was in business, and the whole thing only cost me $40. The tire is holding up like a champ.
The second time (which of course was only a week later - guess my car was trying to tell me something) I came back with a different flat tire and they were able to patch it up in about 15 minutes, and it only put me out about $15. What. A. Steal.
The mechanics and dudes behind the desk are super friendly and you can tell they only want to do right by you. Highly recommended!
So, my big old truck (Ford F-150) had a tire that was literally coming apart at the seams. A gap had opened up between the sidewall and the tread big enough to be able see the frayed wires of the steel belt sticking through. And here I was, getting ready to drive from SF to Lake Temescal . . . on that?! I needed a new tire, and fast -- not to mention cheap!
On the basis of Yelp reviews, I called Robert's Tires and Paul's Tires, and both of them had new tires in the required size, but the cheapest I could get back on the road for was $109. I decided to try calling Larkin Brothers. Third time was the charm: the guy on the other end said "let me check..." a minute later, he was back -- "Yep, I've got one in stock, for $39." "You've got to be kidding!" says I. "Nope. And we're open 'til 6," says he.
I drove over after work and within 15 minutes, they had the bum tire off and a very nice, gently used tire in its place. I expected it to be $39 plus $X for mounting and balancing, plus $X for disposing the old carcass. No, it was $39 TOTAL. Amazing! Eventually, I'm going to need to replace all 3 other tires, and when I do, guess where I'm going?
Got a couple quotes for an alignment, came out to like $90-100 everywhere. Called Larkin Bros, said it would be $70 ($69.95 pft..).
Everything went well, alignment went good. They got my car door dirty because the mechanic's hand wasn't clean when he drove the car to the lift to get it aligned.
Waited an hour in the waiting room, wondered what took so long and he said it was ready. It was finished in like, 30 minutes but I spent extra time there because no body told me it was finished. You're kinda expected to just go up and ask if it's done.
All in all, they got the job done for a good price, I'd go back.
Got a flat. Grumble. Donut has a leak. Grumble grumble. Towed to a different repair shop that tried to hose me. Roar.
Enter -- Larkins Bros.
Okay so there was no shiny white horse, but they definitely made my otherwise cranky day much better. For starters, the whole experience was transparent -- they told me exactly how much the tires cost and what the labor would be. They had three options of tires in my size in stock. They gave me good tires (brand name, rated #1 by consumer reports, actual consumer reports article was there for proof) for a good price ($400 total out the door for four tires including labor and tax). The whole process was efficient and pleasant.
Yes.
Second time this place has saved my ass. First time, i needed a new tire. The one they put on was one that my very trusted mechanic later said was the exact one he would have recommended, and their prices are fair.
So I knew where to go when i had another flat. Drove in with no appointment and 20 minutes and $15 later, it was patched up just fine. Early morning hours, fast, professional and friendly service -- what more could you ask for?
Great tire shop, went in for a flat repair 20 minutes before they were closing on a Saturday and they took care of me quick. They even gave me a discount. Apparently flat repairs depend on tire size and mine should have cost me $20 because I have 17 inchers. I brought up that I had seen on Yelp that they repaired a few tires for $15 and they hooked me up at that price.
Would definitely go back again.
This was the first time going to Larkin Brothers. My '94 Camaro desperately needed new brakes. Ok, but first, why am I driving a 94 Camaro? Because I got it for free from my father 1 year ago after my much loved 91 Honda Civic got backed into by a not-to-be-named moving company that drives huge ORANGE trucks.
I wanted to see if my 94 Camaro would qualify for Cash for Clunkers - It does not! I have a 6 cylinder which has only a combined 20-MPG, where as to qualify you need combined 18-MPG. Ugh, again, I digress.
So, I better get the brakes done before I go sliding off Grand View Avenue in Noe Valley. A friend recommended Larkin Brothers saying they were really nice and relatively inexpensive.
I needed an oil change, headlight and brake lights fixed (yes, I got a fix it ticket, cop must have thought I was a gangsta driving around the lower haight when I got pulled over) and needed new front rotors and rear drums. Good gawd! How much was all this going to be?? I left $726 poorer but happy in the fact that my car is much safer.
Thank goodness I have no car payments, but now I feel that this car needs to last me another 6 months before I can get a new car.
But about Larkin Brothers, yes, they are nice. I didn't think they were that cheap but I didn't shop the job around. AND they stayed till 6:15pm even though they close at 6 waiting for my late ass to get there in time to pickup my car. Thank you Larkin Brothers.
The owner contacted me after my last experience and was concerned about it. I explained what happend, he responded, and I returned to have my tires put on my rims. The next day (today)brought another car over and had new tires installed. They took care of me and were GREAT to deal with!
WHAT IMPRESSED ME THE MOST, even though they have been around as long as they have, AND, have the many customers as they have. THEY STILL CARE ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE! Thank you for everything!!! I`ll be back..
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/11/2008
I was not happy with my last experiance here. I had to go back two times, and was not treared very… Read more »
Every time a screw or a nail somehow gets into my driveway, finds its way into my tire and sucks the life out of it (damn contractors), Larkin Bros Tire Co is there to save the day. Yes, its happened more than once and Yes, it sucks, however, the guys who work here are extremely efficient and can have you outta there in like 15 min... yup.. gotta love it!
Inexpensive, friendly and quick... kinda like my last date :)
Got a flat on a weekend, found out about Larkin Brothers. They were so cool, they could have easily sold us a new tire, but instead fixed it for $15. Now we take our car there for service because it's so rare to find a mechanic that one can trust not to try to come up with extra expenses. Being open on weekends is a plus.
Great Service and Honest Dealing! Because Larkins has such a great reputation, they always have customers coming in. What this means for you - regular and repeat customers means they can afford to hire both better people and have the latest equipment., thus giving you better customer service. I just got a 4 wheel alignment done for under $100 bucks - even better than Paul's!
This place was recommended by a coworker who told me that she was seen right away without an appointment and they were fast. Good enough for me. I went there at 450p and they were pretty busy. They pulled and patched the nail in my tire in 20-25 minutes for $15! That's fast and very affordable. Done deal!
Sometimes it only takes a few words to say what you need to say. Someone else on Yelp already beat me to it.
Honest
Fast
Efficient
I will add...
Inexpensive
and best of all...
OPEN SUNDAY before our road trip!!!
Thanks for yelpers again on this great recommendation. I had a flat tire on Friday evening, the time for my birthday celebration dinner. What a gift! Larkins is the only one open on weekend within reasonable distance. I went in today (Sunday), there were few people ahead of me, but I still got a relatively fast service, got in and out within a little bit more than half an hour. And again, the price is really good, $15!
Larkins Bros Tire Company is great!
They are conveniently open on Sundays and they were able to fix the problem within an hour. Their prices are also very reasonable and I would highly recommend them.
So I'm a dumb girl, well at least when it comes to my car I am. I didn't even notice that I had a flat tire until a biker stopped me at a stop sign this morning to inform me of it. I have NO idea how long I'd been driving around with it like that. Idiot. Seriously, Asian women + cars = disaster. I hate to generalize but it's so true.
Anyhow, I drove (slowly) to the nearest car place I knew but they only did oil changes. The service guy filled my flat with air and pointed out the two nails stuck in it and suggested I take my car to Larkin Bros. So Kudos to the attendant at Oil Changers (on Duboce and Valencia).
Took car into Larkins during my lunch hour. Cost me $25 because my tires are "18s" and not the usual size. That was annoying considering I expected it to be $15 like other yelpers had quoted. My only complaint was that the mechanic assigned to me did not speak a spit of English and we couldn't communicate at all! Granted I probably wouldn't have been helpful even if I did understand what he was asking me but I felt very helpless and lost.
I went here today to repair my run flat tire, there was a nail in it! Not wanting to pay 300 for another tire! I'm seriously shocked at what great afforable prices they charge. They are definetly cheaper than everywhere than i've called They are really nice too! I would come back. Also, they are so efficent. It seems like everyone comes in and out pretty fast. Come here, they are professional,and they do a good job and have plenty of workers!
Also, we have gotten our tires replaced quite a few times. They only take about a day to order new ones. They are about the same price as costco, or even cheaper. If fact, some on of workers from costco sentto go to Larkin Bros., when costco doesnt have the tires!
Basically, they know how to manage time and they know what the hell they're doing. good enough for me!
One of the few places that will repair your tire on a Sunday. $15 and $12.50 for balancing, fair prices for the work.. quick service as well.
Super fast (10-15 mins). Super convenient. Open on weekends. $15 for a tire repair. Nice people. I'd definitely recommend them and would go back.
Fantastic experience.
First, I took a slowly leaking tire to Wheel Works (I wasn't even sure if there was a leak). They told me it would either be: (a) free if there was nothing wrong, or (b) $45 to patch it. Then I read the Yelp reviews and they scared the crap out of me for that place--I prepared to be uspold. Sure enough, 1 hour later I got a call saying they couldn't patch it and I needed a new $110 tire + $40 labor = $150 or so.
In comes Larkin Bros. I found them on Yelp looking for the one honest car shop in the city--4.5 stars is as good as it gets (especially with 134 reviews). I called and talked to Martin (turns out he is the owner). He says the other place is way overcharging me for labor, and maybe I don't even need a new tire (but if I do, all in cost will just be $110 with him).
I bring it in and it turns out he can just patch it--$15, and I'm out the door. He also tops of the air pressure in all my other tires with a smile, even though I'm only a $15 customer. Now that's service. It's also honest, which is extremely hard to find in the auto maintenance and repair business.
Thanks Yelp. Thanks Martin. Thanks Larkin Bros. I know where I'm going next time something is wrong with my car (they do a bunch of stuff apparently).
PS As I evaluated any negative reviews I noticed most of them come from people with no friends on Yelp and less than 5 reviews (and no picture in some cases)... a little fishy...
Extremely friendly and accommodating! Randy, the manager, said my tire alignment would be 45 minutes, i was out of there in under 30! They were extremely friendly and extremely affordable compared to the other locations I checked for tire alignment (Royal Motors, Big O TIres, and Firestone). They were also efficient an honest in that they only charged me for front wheel alignment as my back wheels didn't need it - I'd never have known the difference!
The representative at Costco recommended I go here to have my tires aligned after purchasing 4 new ones from them. They were right!
I agree with the other reviewers. These guys very very prompt by tire shop standards and relatively cheap. I went in there for a minor patch job. In ~45min, the tech unmounted my tire, found the leak and patched it. I know this sounds simple, but ~70% of tire places will give you a song and dance about how the tire can't be patched and try to sell you a new set of 4 tires (usually some story about the damage being too close to the sidewall -- even when it's in the middle of the tread). I was out of there for $20 and would readily go back.
Great personnel, great service period.
This place rocks! Came in at 8 am and was done in time for work at 9 am. Service with a quick and genuine smile out the door with a lot of money to spare. Thank you!
And they give out donuts!
UPDATE: When I sold my car, a garage checked it for the buyer and told me the guys at Larkins put a wrong model of battery which does not fit the place! Now I know why the staff took almost one hour...
My battery was dead. The manager was very comprehensive that after a jumpstart from TripleA, I had no choice but coming over right away for a battery change, even if the garage was incredibly busy.
Price was clean. The only thing was the staff assigned to my car. How can I say it? They don't assign their top-notch technicians for a battery change and it looked like painful and long for my crew.
I went to this place fully expecting to pay several hundred dollars for a full set of new tires. I had one mysterious flat and the other tires looked in bad shape to me. Instead, the owner took a look at my tires, said they are fine, and patched up the flat tire for $15. $15!!! When was the last time you went to a car shop and the owner talked you down from spending money? These guys got a customer for life.
I don't know what you've been told but on Larkins Bros, yeah I'm sold.
My tire hit a nail and it made a hole, but they patched it up and now it's good as gold.
I know, I know...corny rap but there isn't anything corny about Larkins Bros. I have my first new car so no it's not a Aston Martin but it's my baby, while driving through our lovely city, I run over a huge screw, which I'm surprised didn't blow my tire. I thought I would have to buy a new tire and took my car to Larkins Bros, the very next day (on a Sunday, by the way) and they pulled the screw and patched my tire in 15 minutes for only 15 dollars.
So I don't care what anyone says about them, I'm sold...cha ching!
The guys here are great and super helpful! They were able to do my repairs on short notice and had it done by the end of the day. Don't bother with going anywhere else...
I'll start with the good:
1) The guys who work the counter are very nice.
2) My car was finished pretty close to when they said it would be.
3) It was less expensive than the dealership.
Now for the bad:
1) When I bought 4 brand new tires they consisted of 3 different brands, and they put the kind of tires on that have to be either on the right side or left side ONLY. (I guess you can't rotate them. I didn't really understand why but that's what the guy told me). This happened a few years ago but I had no clue until I brought my car in again recently. The man helping me pointed those facts out to me in a way like it was bad and he had no idea I got my tires from this shop.
2) I brought a tire in to be repaired and I was told it would take 20 minutes. I didn't have time to wait so I said I'd be back to pick it up. When I came back I was told the tire was irrepairable and I needed to buy a new one. Strange since they looked at the tire for a while when I was dropping it off.
3) I had my car aligned but when I drove back to work it was veering to the right. They looked at it again at no charge and it seems to be fixed but they never confirmed that the alignment was still off.
4) As nice as they were, EVERY time I went in, I waited in line to be helped but when it was my turn at the counter ... they would stop part way through to talk to or help some guy who walked up behind me before finishing with me. That never happened to any of the guys in line before me.
I think the shop is probably trustworthy but I'm not sure I'll be going back.
These guys are terrific and live up to what Yelpers are saying. I had a flat on Saturday night, due to a slow leak in my tire. After filling up the tire with air and parking the car in my garage, I started the Yelp search for tire places in SF that were open on Sundays (not a plethora). I found Larkin Bros., jotted their info down, and headed over the next day. Drove right in at around 11:45, explained the problem and was out by 12:15 with a nicely patched tire. No attempt to try to sell me a new tire, just did the patching. Furthermore, the guy at the front desk showed me that the lug bolt heads had previously been stripped and advised me that they should probably be replaced. He indicated that if I brought them a set (I had to get them from the car manufacturer), they would switch them out. That is exactly what they did on my next visit and included it in the modest $15 that I had paid on Sunday to have my tire patched. Now that' service!
i brought my car in to have brand new rims and tires here. They charged me 1200 bucks. They looked great, but I could smell burning rubber. I brought it back to them to have it checked out. They totally acted like it was my fault. I am no rim genius.. which is why I put my faith in them and paid them big bucks to sell me the right tires and rims.. They wouldn't even fix the problem...they told me it was just going to have to "wear-in" that way. What the eff?
A few days later my car was stolen, so I had no recourse after that.
Did I mention the key to lock the rims was "on order" for me still?...it hadn't come in and they sent me on my way.
Don't ever park any car in Richmond period. In broad-day light it was stolen in the commuter lot at hill top exit. They put 4 spare tires on it, and took all my after-market stuff.Including the hood.
Just salt to the wound.
Only one good thing can come of getting a flat tire on your way to the beach. ... And that is getting it fixed for $15 at Larkin Bros. I keep forgetting to review them because the experience is so smooth--it's like they're invisible. No sales pitches. Every time is easy, effortless. They're just friendly guys who will either repair your tire or tell you if you need to replace it, and then replace it quickly at a good rate. I've never gotten any other work done here on my car, but would definitely turn to them if I needed it. Good guys.
About a month ago, one of my new race tires was poked with an ice pick. At the time, I wasn't sure if I had a slow leak due to a nail or vandalism (because I couldn't see the hole) and drove from Concord to SF anyway. While I was in SF, I kept a close eye on my tire pressure and it was dropping kinda quickly and I still had to drive to San Jose! So, Yelp found these guys for me.
I drove to Larkins Bros and they took my tire off to find out what was up. Found the ice pick hole in the sidewall (big bummer) so they put my rear tire on the front and put the spare on the back (for better handling and control). Really great of them to do this.
They said they could get me a tire by the next day but I wasn't going to be around. I asked how much to pay for the service of tire swapping, etc. and they said $0! The manager said it seemed like I could use a break that day so he hooked me up! Thanks guys!
