Similar to other folks here, I had a terrible experience with the auto repair shop. In short, everything the average joe fears about an auto repair shop is true about the scammers at Palo Alto Shell. I came in for a smog check and after 30 minutes, I was told that: (1) my car failed because the check engine light was on; (2) that they knew it would fail because if the check engine light is on the inspection always fails; (3) they did not bother to inform me before the check because it is not their responsibility; and (4) they would be happy to do a $110 diagnostic followed by work, and comp the cost of the smog check. When I asked why they did not tell me when seeing the light, they said they are a business and they would be out of business if they told everyone. I said I was a repeat customer (I had been there before for work), and the manager, Kyle, explicitly said that he did not value my business and he's not in this business to take care of customers. In fact, I did not need the $110 diagnostic. I went to 9-minute lube down the street (very reliable and friendly team) and they checked the computer diagnostic for free and fixed the simple problem of low coolant, for free as well. Kyle was very rude, telling me that it's my fault for not knowing how smog checks work and that I needed to educate myself, and that it was not his responsibility. I said that is true, but as a courtesy to customers, they could save them time and money, and through good business practices, build loyalty. He said he didn't need my business. I'm not sure if it was a personal attack or not, but his tone and demeanor was condescending and rude. For any service, I would rather push my car down the street than go back to Palo Alto Shell, if for free. I don't need that kind of treatment.