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Paul's Battery & Tire Company
Categories: Automotive Tires Automotive Auto Repair Tires, Auto Repair [Edit]
4620 Geary Blvd(between 10th Ave & 11th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94118
Neighborhood: Inner Richmond
(415) 221-9100
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm
Sat 9 am - 2 pm
161 reviews for Paul's Battery & Tire Company
161 reviews in English
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Review from Dana S.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is the shit! I shopped around when I had 2 tires that needed replacing on my C300. This was BY FAR the cheapest, friendliest and most awesome of the places because:
1. They offered me different types of tires based on my budget (used, new, diff brands etc)
2. They were incredibly flexible with pickup and dropoff!
3. My favorite- they were playing Everyday Italian with Giada.. at a tire replacement shop! Haha. -
Review from Lauren S.
1/18/2012
It's nice walking in a battery & tire shop as a female, and being treated with respect.
Paul's offers "no funny business" to females, and by that I mean they won't talk down to you, they won't try to get you to buy something more expensive, and they very clearly outline the costs of each thing they plan to do and how much it will be, and are patient enough to let you make the final call.
I've been here twice with our car and both times they fixed exactly what was wrong and didn't try to upsell me on anything I didn't need. They even rotated and checked all my other tires when I went here with a busted tire thanks to PG&E's sloppy roadwork.
Highly recommended in general, but especially for females who are wary of your typical treatment at these places.
Only one downside: they do not take AmEx. -
Review from Casey L.
San Francisco, CA
12/22/2011
Noticing the treads on my tires wearing down, I decided to skip the usual Costco run and look on yelp. I found Paul's to have amazing reviews and decided that it was decided that I try them out.
I bought a new set of tires for a Camry and with quick installation, they offer free tire rotation and inspection during the life of the tires. They offer a decent competitive price that is reasonable throughout the City.
They are a local small business with big ol' hearts. They are straightforward and that's the business you want to expect when trusting someone to work on your car. I would definitely recommend them to anyone, and I myself would come back. -
Review from Carlos K.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012
Paul's went far beyond the call of duty for me. They spent hours setting an extremely difficult tire, which I hadn't even purchased there. The entire time, John (manager) was nothing but smiles and positivity. Even for those outside of SF, I'd say that the drive is worth it. Thank you, Paul's!!!
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Review from Mike Y.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
On a friend's recommendation I took my car to Paul's shop and got all four of my balding tires replaced. John and the rest of the staff were friendly, professional, and nice! highly recommend you try them out!
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Review from Vincent C.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2012
Went for a new tire. I was in and out in half an hour, and the price was the same as costco for a similar quality tire.
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Review from Tonya M.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2012
Paul's will give you a very fair price for a quality product. Michael, you're terrific - love my new tires on my Honda CRV:-).
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Review from Steve F.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2011
Awesome experience! Straight forward and honest. Diagnosed a squeak as low brake pads trying to tell me to get them fixed. Now I have new brakes and no more squeak. Great place.
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Review from josh c.
Danville, CA
12/22/2011
Pauls the man! my family has a AAA auto repair shop for 30 years so my standards are high! hooked me up with a used tire today mounted and balanced for 40$ and in 20 min!! thx man im coming back and sending business!
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Review from Nick B.
San Francisco, CA
9/27/2011
I love a good garage. It is probably the smell of oil and grease. Occasionally you hear a guy drop a wrench followed by a bellowing swear word of some sort. That's comfortable. It makes me think of a good grease monkey.
I also love fast service with guys who are friendly and not trying to rip you off.
My tire looked low on air so I started looking around and sure enough I had some HUGE 2 inch metal screw stuck halfway in a groove. I was a bit worried that would mean a new tire because the screw was so flipping big I didn't know if they could patch it.
"What, that little thing?" he said laughing.
Forty five minutes later I rolled out with a tire patched so well you couldn't easily find the mark as well as a tire rotation at half off (since it was up already with one tire off). Booyah! -
Review from Loic N.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2011
You can only EVER have 2 out of the 3 following: good, fast, or cheap.
That rule seems universal. Fast food is fast and cheap but bad. Tiffany's is good and fast but not cheap. etc.
Except with those guys: they are good, fast AND cheap.
5 stars in every respect, and this is not the first time I use them over the years.
I don't know what the issue of the reviewer below me was, but I was in line behind a grandmother, listened to the whole thing, and I would feel completely comfortable sending my own grandmother there. -
Review from Melanie L.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2011
Wow. I had a completely different experience than everyone else on here. If you are a woman, don't bring your car here. Bullied and publicly humiliated by an incredibly rude and condescending worker over parking exactly where he had pointed for me to park less than a minute before. Somehow I doubt he would have been so rude if I was a 6'5" dude as opposed to a 5'3" waddling 8 months pregnant lady.
I ended up taking our car back rather than leave it there to be worked on and cried on the way home. Apparently Paul's professionalism and niceness does not apply to his staff. In case you read your reviews Paul, we were only bringing the Honda today but both the Jeep and the Porsche need 4 tires each within the next 2 months but I will only take them where I know I will be treated nicely.. -
Review from Rick L.
San Francisco, CA
12/19/2011
I got a pretty nasty nail near the corner of my tire...so I was pretty sure it was not fixable. My tire size is kind of weird, too, so I was swearing under my breath about how much a stupid nail was going to cost me. I brought it into Paul's, and after a quick look, I was told it was fixable. I went across the street to a cafe, waited about 40 minutes, and went back to pick up my car.
Results:
1. They did the nice fix, where they pulled the tire off the rim and put some kinda molding or something it. It was not the plug where they jam a piece of cloth coated with tar or something.
2. I didn't get charged! He told me not to worry about it, free of charge! I thought it must have been too good to be true! I checked my car, to see if maybe they scratched it and felt bad. But nope...car is fine =P
So yeah, I think I just found my new tire place! -
Review from Kristin C.
Pacifica, CA
Updated - 1/17/2012
Great service. Came out on a Sunday. He was inexpensive, quick and cordial. Doesn't get better..
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/16/2010
Quick, friendly, and inexpensive. On a budget, they offered me the option of a 30 day guaranteed… Read more »
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Review from Percy R.
San Francisco, CA
10/14/2011
Dear Paul's Battery & Tire Co.
I'm looking for a job, I am some ghetto ass wanksta, who walks around and talks like a "straight G" - I curse at my customers , and I act "hella sick" - I can ignore customers, walk like a got a wedgie in my pants, I don't know shit of what I am talking about. Contact me a.s.a.p and tell me when I can start, one of my boys is already working there...and he is just like me... -
Review from Shing W.
San Francisco, CA
9/14/2011
I don't write reviews often - usually only when a place really stands out or is awful. In Paul's Battery & Tire Company's case, my service was exceptional today...
I brought in my SUV for a brake and tire inspection because I've been hearing a bit of squeaking when I brake (I recently bought my car used and although the dealership said they did a full inspection... I wasn't 100% sure). Anyhow, both Jordan, and especially John, were very pleasant to deal with. The inspection was free but what sold me was how well they explained how much brake pad I had (about 50-60% left), how both my brake pads and rotors have gotten "glazed"/really smooth which caused the squeaking, and that although I can get the rotors resurfaced, his recommendation is that there's nothing wrong since the pads were in good condition and there's no need to get the rotors resurfaced. That just came across as been honest in my book!
John also gave me an assessment on my tires and told me that with 4/32" left, I should be good for another 6-10K miles and I should be able to get through this winter's ski season. Unlike Midas on Van Ness where earlier in the month, after an oil change, the guy tried to push me into buying a set of 4 new Firestones (I later researched, they are really crappy versus the factory Michelin's I have). Again, John's assessment that I can wait for another few months and after the ski season already saved me the $ and trouble of getting new tires.
Furthermore, when I asked for a tire quote, he gave me an out the door price that includes alignment for a set of 4 Michelin's Latitudes (the same stock tires) for basically the same price as Costco (Costco doesn't do alignment so you have to find a place to do that which in total would be the same as Paul's).
Given today's experience, I'm sure I will go back to Paul's to get my brakes and tires done when they're needed. Highly recommend. -
Review from David B.
10/10/2011
Excellent service here. Efficient and knowledgeable staff.
Went in with a screw in my front tire. It was all the way through the tread and deep inside my tire. Went in expecting to be charged an arm and a leg and possibly a new tire but was pleasantly surprised.
Initially the guy that helped me said it may be an hour or so till he could get to my car, it was after 3 in the afternoon and I knew they were busy.
But, within ten minutes I checked and they had already pulled the tire off and were in the process of repairing it. Just needed a plug after all. I was in and out within 30 minutes of giving him my keys.
Total came to 28 bucks and some change. He asked me what brought me there or how I heard about it and I told him Yelp. People had given him excellent reviews. I know see why. He knocked 8 bucks off and made it an even 20. I'll be going here from now on I need some help with the car or even with the other I drive occasionally. Oh, he also had lowrider magazines to look at while I waited! Score!
Love the Inner Richmond! -
Review from Chelsey G.
San Francisco, CA
8/10/2011
Quick, affordable, helpful, on more than one occaision Paul's has rescued me.
Genuinley nice ppl providing excellent service. -
Review from L. M.
San Francisco, CA
11/8/2011
Yep, they do what every good garage should do -- just get the job done. Excellent service -- nice people who actually act like they care about you and your time. I don't think I've ever seen a business on Yelp that got a unanimous 5 stars. They deserve it!
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Review from Deanna W.
San Francisco, CA
6/29/2011
They are wonderful!!! They give great customer service and don't try to sell you on useless parts. They are straight to the point and even work with you to make it in your budget! I love their helpfulness and attitude. They never make you feel as if you are a burden, or make you feel stupid if you aren't too intuitive about car stuff.
Thank you!!!! I'm a customer forever!!! -
Review from Madeline A.
San Francisco, CA
10/19/2011
This place was amazing. I really needed to replace one of my tires and I found this place on yelp so decided I might as well try it. I walked in and some guy working on a car immediately asked me what I needed. Once I told him, he told me to bring the car around and it was done in 30 minutes! It was great. They were nice, reliable, and FAST.
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Review from Brandon Y.
San Francisco, CA
4/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had a flat over the weekend and I was bummed because the tire had to be replaced. I am a http://tirerack.com kind of guy but to replace this 1 tire would take 4 days of waiting. Called Paul's and they had the tire the same day! It'd be 10 bucks more, but totally worth it. They did the install quickly.
I aslo had another tire which I brought in which had a puncture in it which was 1/2" from the edge. BigO wouldn't touch even attempt to fix a tire like this because it was less than 1" from the edge. It was a high performance tire which I didn't want to replace because it had a good amount of tread on it, and not sold anymore. I also didn't want to miss-match the tire, so a patch was the best thing to do as long as it could done. After examination, they had determined it was safe to patch and took care of it. They also had a the high tech plug/patch system. These guys rock.! -
Review from Jackie L.
San Francisco, CA
7/13/2011
So efficient! Will definitely return to Paul's Battery & Tire Co.
I ran over a nail for the first time & was driving on a spare tire. I didn't know what to do but AAA told me my tire could be fixed. I decided to come to Paul's based on the great Yelp reviews. I called the day after 4th of July and the man said to bring my tire in any time that day. I came in the afternoon, he looked at the tire and said it would be 45 minutes. I saw other cars sitting in the driveway already. He wrote my name & number on a small pad & I left my car. I was thinking... "that's it?" Exactly 45 minutes later he called & said my car was ready! They fixed the hole, placed the tire back on and put the spare back in it's place for $28.50.
The place looks like a large garage, and you see a few guys working on the cars. The staff were courteous, professional, and fast. As a novice to tire problems I felt comfortable as he answered my questions about the tire. I highly recommend them based on this visit and will return if I have another tire problem. -
Review from Bret W.
Woodside, CA
10/3/2011
Second time I've bought a full set of tires from these guys. Called this morning, they quoted me a reasonable price, I dropped the car off, picked-it up again an hour later. Absolutely pleasant, seamless transaction in every way. I wish everyone was as easy to do business with as these guys are. They also toss in free tire rotation every 5,000 miles and free flat fixes anytime. No fuss, no muss. Very nice.
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Review from Carrie B.
San Francisco, CA
8/2/2011
I took my car in last weekend to have them fix a leak and rotate the tires, and after the excellent treatment I received I will definitely come back to them when I need new tires (which is gonna be soon, probably). They were fast and friendly, and a ridiculous bargain.
Clearly this is a place that values customer loyalty more than a quick buck. -
Review from J B.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2011
Called about a nail in my tire and was told I could come right in. While the nail was in too deep for a patch job and I needed a new tire, it only took 20 minutes from the time I got there until the time I left... so fast!!!
Everyone was very nice and took time to explain things to me without making me feel like an idiot. I highly recommend them :) -
Review from Rachel S.
4/26/2011
W-O-W. Never in my life have I had such an incredibly simple and stress-free car repair experience.
$28.50 and half an hour to patch my tire. Totally straightforward, and no pressure to buy a tire I don't need.
Hopefully I won't have another leaky tire for awhile, but if I do I will surely come back to Paul's. -
Review from Lisa R.
San Francisco, CA
3/5/2011
I had a flat tire, and I was broke, and tired and frustrated, and on my way out of town. I googled cheap tire repair and Paul's Yelp page came up in the search. It was close to my house, and the prices were comprible to every other place I called, and they were open on a Saturday. I drove my poor, pathetic car over, with an embarrassing donut, and asked if they could look at my flat. John was super nice and said, no problem, and come back in an hour.
Well, turns out my awesome parking skills had knocked my tire off the rim, and nothing was wrong, so he fixed it, put the tire back on and said have a great weekend.
If I wasn't on my way to sell my car, I would always come back because he didn't try to sell me a $120 tire and he didn't treat me like an idiot. -
Review from Anirudh V.
San Francisco, CA
4/23/2011
Needed to patch a tire after driving over a nail; they took car of it real quick.
Though the price was really reasonable, I would have appreciated a call before they went ahead and worked on it. -
Review from Keane L.
11/24/2010
One day I will be a real man.
I'll spit considerable distances, bench press three times my body weight, and give my opinions on both the Nikkei and the quality of tire treads in one exhaling breath.
Until then, I'm tossing money at my tire problems by bringing my car to Paul's, where even the most unemployed boyish manboy (not me - I'm just giving an example...) can get a flat fixed for only $28.50 and an hour's time.
And they're, like, super nice.
I'm sensitive to feelings. -
Review from Patrick S.
San Francisco, CA
9/27/2011
Quick and efficient.
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Review from Chris M.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2011
My first experience with Paul's was very good. I arrived early in the afternoon, and their service driveway was pretty much full, with another car parked at the driveway entrance, so I just parked at an adjacent meter. I told one of the men that I needed to get my tire patched & he said I could leave it & come back in about 30-ish minutes.
He told me where the nearest Subway sandwich shop was, when I asked him, so I had a quick bite to eat, while taking care of another item on my to-do list. I came back about 40-ish minutes after I left, and another person was just starting to work on my tire. After a few minutes, he came back up front & told me there didn't seem to be a leak... no air bubbles were coming out in the tire pool. Delighted, I asked him to just put the tire back on.
Not only did he put the re-inflated tire back on, he was kind enough to re-secure the spare back in it's place, and helped free a valve stuck behind the hubcap on another tire.
The total cost was only $10... I ended up giving the guys that worked on my tire a 50% tip.
Thanks guys! I should have gotten your names, but rest assured, you're going to be the first I come to if I need tire or battery service again! -
Review from Gregg T.
San Francisco, CA
9/22/2010
I'm really disappointed after reading all the positive reviews.
A search on yelp brought up Robert's first but I read this review (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) where the guy got really bad service. So I picked the next one down the list, Paul's
Well, I had nearly the EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE :-(
I brought my car in to get a set of Run Flat Tires. The exact same tires my car originally came with out of the factory and the same tires I had on the car. Every thing was going smoothly. I called Paul's, they told me they could have the tires by the next day. I came in the next day and an hour later they were finished.
The guy who took my payment told me they had inflated the tires to 40psi. I happened to know it says right in the door they are supposed to be inflated to 32psi but he said they found 40psi better. Ok, he's the expert.
I drive out and the car feels super stiff. A really bad ride but I think it's probably all in my mind or else it's just that the tires are new.
I drive about 20 miles and the tire pressure warning system starts dinging in the car. I'm in the middle of no where and I don't have a tire gauge in the car. I drive to the nearest gas station and try their air pump. It says the tires are all above 50psi. I don't trust that but I let out some of the air. I drive over to an auto parts place and buy a tire gauge. I check with that and deflate the tires to 32psi. I reset the warning.
The car now feels like it's always felt since I bought it and the warning has not come back on after driving to LA and back. The tires themselves say right on them, never exceed 40psi. I'd think that would be warning that you don't want them even close to 40psi. Especially if 32psi is the recommended pressure.
It's really disappointing that Paul's doesn't know this. It's doubly disappointing that every car in existence has the correct PSI printed inside the front door but apparently Paul's thinks he knows better.
It's scary to think these guys are working on your car. What other things did they do wrong? -
Review from Julia T.
San Francisco, CA
7/6/2011
These guys are awesome. Great customer service, quick work, and no shady deals. I came in with a flat tire that the tow truck couldn't unlock due to a "missing special lug nut." Not only did this shop unlock the flat, but applied a patch (vs. talking me into a new tire) and found the special lug nut that the tower failed to see. And this is after I said I would purchase one from them--they could have made some easy bucks off of me. Instead, I walked away with a $28.50 bill.... after a $250 tow!
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Review from Michael C.
Santa Clara, CA
11/11/2010
A rough and tumble bunch of bad-ass tire roughnecks.
So, I woke up, went to downstairs to hop into my car, and I see that my drive side rear tire is nearly flat! Oh mama, I was upset, perplexed, confused, and in dire need of help! So, driving down Geary, I knew I was bound to hit that automotive area and saw Paul's B&T. Well, I circle round the block, pull into their loading zone and approach a tech working on one of the cars.
He looked at me, I looked at him. And finally I just spilled the beans. He told me to just wait with the car, and they'll help me. Within 5 minutes, the alignment rack was open and the spot behind it free'd up so he pulled a car in and then signaled me to pull into the spot. He busted out his trusty jack, inspected the valve and replaced the valve core ( didn't even know, schraeder valve's were repairable. Couldn't have taken 5 minutes. And I was on my way. No Charge. I gave him some money as a tip, and W0W!, I have to say I couldn't have been happier! Although, a lot of the guys who worked there were pretty intimidating looking. Scruffy, large, muscle-clad greasy men. Maybe Paul is Ex-Mafia, because he's hired some pretty intimidating guys. And because i kept thinking "Hey Paul" in a fake Italian accent.
Honestly, I was probably very lucky with my timing as a lady behind me had to wait for 10 minutes or so, and another guy had to come back later, all while my car was in the spot. But whatever luck, or good timing, or situation that brought me to Paul's today, results in 5 Stars! 2 Thumbs up! and generally good feelings for this small independent tire shop!
Not to mention, I've seen hot dog stands bigger than Paul's garage, so i gotta give them props for being able to move cars in and out on such a busy street! Thanks Paul! -
Review from Darrell L.
Alameda, CA
11/6/2010
It's pretty simple really.
Great customer service that comes from everyone at the shop - not just the one behind the counter that handles your money. Guaranteed work that doesn't feel like a half-assed obligation. Quick service.
I've only had the tires for about a week, but don't have any reason to question the quality of their work thus far; I'll update this review if that changes.
Call to see if there is a wait, but I didn't have to make any kind of reservation. 45 minute turn around. Price seemed reasonable. I'd say if you're anywhere on the western half of the city, come here and get your tires done. -
Review from Kevin S.
San Francisco, CA
2/26/2011
I like this place. They are competent, direct, too busy to bullshit, but well-staffed with people who make sure your issue is being taken care of.
When my battery, warranted for 75 months, seemed to have conked out after 39 months, I found the invoice that showed I had bought it from them, got a jump start and left the car with them to check out. They confirmed that the alternator was good, that the problem was indeed the battery not holding a charge, and printed out the results of the tests to submit to the manufacturer later to process the warranty replacement. I left with a new replacement for the pro-rated cost of $31 + tax.
I was glad I had bought the battery from them in the first place. -
Review from Tom D.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 11/7/2010
Note to self: it's Paul's Battery and Tire, not Paul's Garage.
I liked these guys so much I went to them for a brake job and drive axle replacement on my old Volvo. The replacement drive axle they used was not the correct part, and there was some metal-on-metal grinding between the ABS sensor ring on the drive shaft and the brake. They also didn't replace a spring that holds the brake pads in place--the spring broke a few hours after I picked up my car and I had to get towed back to the shop on a weekend night. (They said they never replace it, but my car's service manual says it should be replaced every time you do the brakes).
They made me whole without too much grumbling (reimbursed me for the tow, fixed their mistakes), which I really appreciated, and which is consistent with the good service I've gotten from them over the years.
So while they still get top marks from me for service, courtesy, pricing, and having the car ready on time, 2 mistakes like this in my first non-tire, non-battery job with them means I'll stick to the areas of expertise in the name of the shop from now on.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/15/2010
Top notch! Super fast, super laid back but ready to explain every step. Car always ready on time or… Read more »
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Review from susan m.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2011
If you're disillusioned dealing with disreputable car-repair guys who talk down to women while trying to convince us to replace parts that don't need replacing, then meet John Rinaldi, owner of Paul's Battery & Tire Company. This guy is the real deal: honest, knowledgeable, kind, down-to-earth, not an insincere bone in his body.
After rotating the tires for free (and this was nine years after I bought them from his shop), John then checked the brakes, telling me that the noise I heard was from oxidation, nothing to worry about..
Thanks John. That's the kind of treatment that'll bring me back again and again. -
Review from Candy P.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2011
I still don't know why this company's number happened to be in my phone but I presume it's because someone close to me must have recommended them. I needed to have a tire replaced and since the phone number was there, I decided to give them a call. I'm not sure who I spoke with but he immediately gave me a competitive "all-in" quote for a single Hankook tire. I asked where the shop was located and realized it was out of the way for me so I called on another shop in SOMA. The other shop offered me a BF Goodrich tire and then a Michelin tire which were between $150-$220 higher than the quote I received for the Hankook. When I let him know that Paul's Tire Shop offered me the Hankook at a much better price - he offered to order it and beat the price by a few dollars. He then proceeded to tell me how good the Hankook tires have been rated and that they were comparable to the other name brands. Though I didn't get my tire at Paul's because of location, I really appreciate the fact that the person giving me a quote did not try to sell me on a more expensive name brand first unlike the shop in SOMA. If you're looking for the best value and pricing up front, give this place a holler.
