I never write a review, let alone a negative one. Like most people the Smog Referee referred me to this nut job (who's name is Darrin). Started out fine but then... In an email, after he sent me a picture of the part, I asked 3 simple questions, confirm part #, price, and is it returnable. He only wrote the price... I called today to follow up so I can make a decision to buy or not. If he had no return policy I probably would accept the risk and buy it, because its a part I need. This wacko then berates me, called me a con artist and then called me an asshole for asking to many questions. Yup... He's likely a bonafide lunatic, who's so miserable with his sorry excuse of a life, that he lashes out on a potential customer or everyone. Maybe he missed his meds...lol. God forbid that you ask a question, because he's sensitive, lol. I'm glad he showed me who he was, and I did not give this loser my money. read more

Darren who is the gentleman who answers the phone is completely out of touch with the world. I wish I could post a 0 star review. Rude as can be not understanding that he is operating a business and has to deal with the public. I ordered a hard to find part. I received it to find out once it was installed it was bad. I contacted Darren to inform him. He didn't say sorry or anything of the kind, he said I dont want to deal with you anymore. Im no inquiring about my $550 refund and he hangs up saying contact your bank. I highly recommend leaving this business and Darren alone. read more

Incredibly unprofessional. More like NO HELP SMOG. This guy got mad when I started asking questions about the part I was looking for. They were legitimate questions about the whether the part was new or used and how many miles the vehicle it was from had on it. Those are legit questions about a used part for a vehicle. He lost his temper and told me to forget it, he wasn't going to be able to help. This guy is joker who is exploiting his referrals from CA DMV to take advantage of people. I'd give this business absolutely no stars if possible. read more

I called Help Smog once, looking for a cannister purge valve for my 2003 Saturn Vue. This part has been discontinued for a while and no one has the part my car needs. and yes I have tried all the big names and specialty places. Darren at Help Smog told me he could get the part in 3 days for 250 dollars. I asked him to send me a pic because even the auto parts stores have given me the wrong part. The Part he sends a pic of is a part I can get from Oreilly's auto parts for 60 dollars. Keep in mind he is trying to charge me 250 dollars for this same part saying it was very hard to find. Which the part he is selling isn't hard to find because I already had one from O'reilly's and it did not fit. I declined being ripped off. I called the smog referee and tried to get an appointment with a smog place to exempt my car, and the smog referee sends me back to this clown Darren. Who proceeds to tell me he has found the part I need for 250 dollars. I ask him to send a picture again, I guess he recognized my number because he never texted me, and previous texts in my phone show our past conversation where he tried to rip me off the first time. Do not go to Help Smog, they take advantage of people. I imagine this guy has taken a lot of money from people for things they can get at their local auto parts place for way way cheaper... read more

Help Smog Parts - pic of the part he sent verses the part I needed - Auto Parts & Supplies Near Me - Visalia, California

See all

Horrible customer service. Did sent know how to talk to people.Called about a part and said he could get it in a week and I said "okay" and he's asked rudly "what does okay mean"?. Like I'm sorry am I supposed to ask you what's next? Very very rude. read more

Called with part# .Sent wrong part.Paid to return #.Said he NEVER wants to hear from me again You got it ahole.Better get my full refund,or you know you will hear again. read more

I contacted Help Smog to find a part for my car that the manufacturer no longer makes and my car would not pass smog without it. Sure enough, Darren had both a brand new part and two reconditioned parts available! I was shocked they had a brand new part, since I scoured the internet trying to find one without success. He took my information and I had the part literally the next day. Although folks have had issues with Darren in the reviews, he was helpful on the phone and I had no complaints about him at all. Great business, super helpful! read more

Guys a con artist. Takes your money and runs. Sells junk, uses fowl language and calls all his customers cons and then hangs up. How is this guy in business? Thought my experience was shit then i see all the other reviews.. dont use this guy. read more

I have to write this review so that no other person has to endure the horrific treatment I encountered by this person Darren. I was looking for help on my 1998 vehicle Smog Check and had questions about the parts warranty and was verbally attacked by this man on many of the text messages. This individual was getting angry when I asked questions and he was putting personal wording in his text message saying "I have an uneasy feeling about you..." and " You are too squirelly for my liking...". At the end he texted me saying : "I have made a note of you and shared it with my co-workers. Take your con somewhere else..." I am a business owner and I would fire this individual immediately on his behavior of treating the customer. read more

Just purchased a fuel pump assembly unit from Darrin at Help Smog Parts. Great customer service and he was even able to text me pictures of the part he was selling me to make sure I was getting the correct part. This is definitely the place you need to call for those hard to find parts for older vehicles especially since a lot of parts for older cars are obsolete. Thank you again Darrin, we will surely be calling you again! PS. This is Josh from Capistrano Tire and Brake from San Juan Capistrano read more

Help Smog Parts - The customers old part compared to the awesome prestine one that Darrin sent me. Thank you again for the quality of parts! - Auto Parts & Supplies Near Me - Visalia, California

I have been looking for an obsolete part for my Ford Mustang for the past two years. A parts person at Keller Ford in Hanford looked up the parts number and called Darren at Help Smog Parts, who told him he could have the part in a week. I called this Darren and he yelled at me for having the wrong part numbers. I told him I just got these numbers from Ford and have been trying to find this part through other shops for two years. He went on a rant saying basically, of course you can't find it because you have the wrong numbers and don't know what you're talking about. I thanked him for his help and hung up. Isn't that why you go to "specialists," to get help finding rare parts? My first thought was that he was drunk and belligerent, but reading other reviews, I see this is his normal behavior and has treated others even worse. It's pretty stunning that someone like this, who deals with people as part of his job, even exists. I hope these reviews warn people to stay away from this despicable human being. read more

I will not be hanging out with Darrin or sending him flowers but if you need hard to find parts, this is the guy. The SMOG referee gave me 4 numbers to call for parts for my 85 C20 with a 454. The others didn't have the parts, were more expensive if they had it or didn't answer the phone or return my call. One of the parts was wrong (Issue with Chevy making changes to engines that don't match diagrams or service manuals if your vehicle was produced early or late in the year). While I was still working with the shop to verify I actually needed the the part that has not been in there for at least 25 years, Darrin mailed out the correct one based on my description even though the 85 should not have said part. I am happy with Darrin and would not waste time going else where if you are looking for parts and your car is over 20 years old. read more

At first he was very nice and helpful. When he found the part for my 2015 Malibu and stated that it was $700, I just asked if it was an old or new part then he became very angry and hung up on me. God help him. His job must be hard. Thank God my dealer after a year did get the part for $300 and I'm able to pass inspection. read more

I asked Darren to repeat what he said because I could not hear all the words maybe due to a bad connection. His response was absolutely rude and he refused to repeat what he said and he said 'how am I supposed to know if it's the right part when it's 300 miles away' and then he hung up on me. I can't believe that the California Parts Locator service uses this company as a go-to. I see nothing has been done about him as similar posts are 2 years old. read more

I had the same problem as some of these other customers. Because I asked for clarification of the configuration of the part, Darren used foul language with me. When I still wanted to buy the part he told me no, there is no communicating with me. Wish there was a zero star feature. I suspect he really did not have the right part....and wanted just to sell me something incorrect. It's too bad, I have bought products from him in the past. read more

I sought this company and Darren out because of a referral and that he would have the discontinued part. Darren became difficult and rude when answering questions asked. His price was excessive and I went elsewhere due to this. I sought out another source called EBay for a discontinued product and found it in a new product packaging from Ford. I asked my mechanic how this could be found in new packaging, he replied that companies will buy up discontinued product and resell it. Don't be discouraged by his behavior just move on and go directly to EBAY for help . read more

I was refer by the CA. Ref program to inquire about my hard to find part. As we spoke to Darren the part went up in price, then He got very belligerent when I questioned him on it. He must not need the sale. I went else where. read more

Right on! I found this place after weeks or searching for a rare part for my old rig. If you have an old car and your are looking for rare parts to pass smog, you've got to give these guys a call. I have an 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser that needs a small part for the carb, and i've called all over the country, scoured web sites. no luck until i found these guys. They didn't have the part, but found it somewhere else and he said he thought the price was too high, so he was looking more for it. I told him to get it and ship it. Good guy, helpful and fast. read more

After reading the reviews below I have to comment. Laypeople usually don't know what they are asking for. If you aren't a trained mechanic, you are going to have a very hard time identifying the parts you need. Best to be humble and admit that you don't know what you are doing and let Darren guide you. If you don't know enough to communicate over the phone, he may not be able to help. read more

I own a shop in San Diego area and was very pleased with the service I received from Darren. My customer had a 1984 Chevy C20 that looks like new. After having the carb rebuilt and installing plugs/wires, the truck ran much better but the Diverter valve was bad, dumping raw fuel. NO ONE HAD ONE. Check E-bay, dealers, Parts stores and no one had the correct one. Darrin new exactly what I needed, and I received it the next day. The price was reasonable and my customer is now back on the road. Happy Happy. Jerry Kubitsky Summit Transmissions La Mesa, Ca read more

I have to write this review so that no other person has to endure the horrific treatment I encountered by this business owner. I was looking for help on my car and had questions about the parts and repairs and was verbally attacked by the man on the phone who called me a stupid woman with no brain and that I was wasting his time and he called me pathetic. I have no words for the way this person spoke to me other than I was truly hurt. I not only would not recommend this place of business I almost called and made a police report because of the way I was spoken to and treated. There is absolutely no reason to speak or treat a potential customer this way because they have no knowledge of car repairs or parts. Terrible experience. read more

Came here from the CA referral program. Sold parts that didn't work and then refused to take a refund & got angry with me for asking. Awful experience. read more

Rude! I have a mechanic shop which I've ordered parts from him before. Every single time he Insults me and my knowledge about anything,. He once called me a "Rookie and New To The Game". I've bit my tongue many times and continued to do business with him for god know why. This last time he told me " To never call him again" due to a old credit card we had on file. Maybe he should have ran it before or asked if Credit information is up to date . He did neither. This guy is beyond rude and anyone who sees this post, just look at other peoples comments and you will see he has a pattern of unprofessionalism . read more

Beware of this guy! He starts out nice, but then the Dark side comes out. I grovelled and played his game to try to get my part. The first pic he sent was not the right part although he stated it was. I asked him to send a pic of the new part he said he had available to show to my mechanic, and he got rude and hung up on me. People say he ups prices, I can see this guy doing that. Avoid this little monster at all costs! I found the part I needed in Georgia after much travel on the internet. I hope that little jerk chokes on the wrong part he tried to sell me for $230. May the Good Lord above treat him with the Holey justice only He can Serve. read more

Darren is the most unprofessional person I have ever delt with. I have never been called racial names by anybody up till now. I dont know how a person this rude can still be in business. Thats right they are one of the only ones that rebuild junk yard smog parts and then charge three times what they should be. I would defenetly not do business with them again. read more

Zero stars! But the site won't let me rate "nothing." This shop and Darren deserve zero stars as other reviewers have reported. I called him and asked for a list of parts he said I needed for my car and he laughed and very unprofessionally told me it doesn't work that way, he doesn't listen to people who bark orders and then asked me, "Would you like to try it again?" and I simply said "No thank you" and hung up. I felt extremely violated and was in shock that he was so rude. Initially, the first time I called about 1 month ago, he told me the parts I needed would be about $2,800 but he said he couldn't even give me a list of what the parts were and that I would have to pay up front for them and then he'd order them from somewhere. In addition to his rudeness, poor business ethics, and lack of knowledge, I'm sure he won't be in business long. He has some serious problems and absolutely no courtesy whatsoever. Make sure you call him only if you think you would like to be harassed from a business. read more

The owner Darren was extremely rude to my husband and I (who own and operate an automotive repair business) over the phone when we attempted to call and follow up on a credit from a charge in Dec 2012...he insulted me as the book keeper and then further insulted our business after we told him we would not deal with him again in the future due to his unprofessionalism...he stated and I quote, " I would not want to do business with you dildos anyway"....then he hung up on us a second time. This is no joke. This man is extremely rude, unprofessional and does not deserve any one speaking highly of him or his business if he is capable of this kind of behavior. UNBELIEVABLE!!! read more

Spoke to Darren over the phone and he was helpful, charming, and appreciative of my patience while they located and sent an image of the rare piece of VW automotive history that would help me pass smog. Will use them again if need be. read more

I would highly recommend Darrin to anyone looking for hard to find smog related parts. A little on the expensive side? Not really, when you consider that a vehicle is basically not driveable if it's not able to pass smog. When my customer with a 1982 Dodge D350 needed a roll-over valve for his fuel tank, Darrin had the part in stock for a little over a hundred dollars. My customer looses several hundred dollars a day he's not able to use his truck. My math tells me I paid a small price for the part needed to get my customer rolling again. I received GREAT customer service when ordering the part, for the record. read more

Thank you for saving my bacon several times. Its hard to locate parts that are discontinued. Keeping that car on the road for my customers is all they want. I always found what i needed here. Shipped quickly and I have never had a bad part from them. Milt's Service Garage in Vallejo thanks you! read more

I am also compelled to write an outstanding review for this business and my situation was not simple and Darrin is a standup guy. My situation actually COST Darrin money because he willfully credited my account the money for extremely hard to locate parts for my '95 Nissan truck that as it turned out I didn't need. I would also like to say that I work in a customer service, hard to please the consumer, they're always right were wrong business, and I found his conduct exemplary. I joined YELP just so I could recommend him and what that means is this,....I am no schill! read more

Great customer service and very fast shipping, has just about anything you could ask for and if he doesn't he will find it . Always a pleasure to work with. Thanks read more

it has been said; "you can not satisfy 100% of people, 100% of the time..." This is especially true when dealing with the public. On 8/7/2013 Matthew M. stated; "If I could give zero stars, I would." Well, if i could give Six stars i would. Darren was great! After spending almost a week trying to locate the correct air pump for my vehicle i found "Help Smog Parts" Darren even took the time to meet me on New Years Day...He took my old pump and built one that was an exact match...and we picked it up the next day....Very satisfied customer here, and will recommend Him to anyone needing assistance with emission issues... B Howard read more

I contacted Darrin about a smog part for my customers late model 929. he seemed to be very helpful with my order. when the part came in it was not exactly the same . the electrical connector was different. i called him back and explained the problem, he recommended that i swap the connector ends. i told him that i would . he said that if i had any troubles to call him back and we would go to plan "b". after having the customer return to the shop, i attempted to switch the connector . the terminal ends were a different size and i could not switch the connectors with out cutting the wires. when i called Darrin back and explained the problem, he began to insult me by saying that i should take up some other line of employment if i cant switch a connector , and that i should hike up my skirt and bend over and take it like a Little girl. i found him to be very rude and unprofessional , i wont be doing any business with him again. Alan : California Automotive read more

I wish you could give NEGITIVE stars! This guy will call you names and send you the WRONG parts and it will COST you to RETURN them!!!!

Darren was such a GREAT HELP!!!!!!!!! He spent the time to research what I needed for my truck. He did an EXCELLENT JOB!!!!!!!!!!! He knows what was needed for my 1982 Toyota Pickup. Other vendors thought they knew what I needed but sold me the WRONG PARTS!!!!!!!!! Great that Darren helped me out with my part. Would HIGHLY RECOMMEND SMOG PARTS to anyone who needs hard to find parts for older vehicles. GREAT JOB!!!!!!! read more

sent my brother in law to these guys the other day to try and help him get the parts for his truck he needed to get it to pass smog. told him helped me with mine and was great help. he helped him and got the parts he needed and it passed the other day. just wanted to say thanks again guys and the'll keep getting my business read more