Auto, tire shops focus on customer service

As you enter F & R Auto Repair and GF Tire Center, you are surrounded by autos and parts, but still warmly greeted by whoever is working closest to the entrances.

Both businesses are family-owned and their prime goal is to treat customers with fairness and honesty. The businesses are located next to each other on G Street one block off Poso.

Felipe Garcia and Rafael Gonzales are the initials behind the F & R Auto Repair Shop. Garcia can be found working in the auto shop almost seven days a week. The GF Tire Center is named after their mother and father's last names. The G stands for Garcia and F stands for Fuerte.

Garcia previously worked at Moe's Transmission in Bakersfield.

Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, Garcia was a self-taught mechanic. "I have always loved working on cars," he said.

Employee Cornelio Gonzales began working on autos in 1982 and he has a General Mechanic's License. He hasn't stopped or slowed down since that time. Gonzales is a big part of the two businesses.

F & R Auto Repair and GF Tire Center have not been too affected by the covid-19 virus. "We are considered an essential business," Garcia said. "We saw a bit of a drop in clients in the beginning, but it is back up now."

There are currently four mechanics at F & R Auto Repair and two office employees plus Cornelio at GF Tire Center.

Don't expect fancy offices, because both are in the business to turn out quality work for their customers and there are automobiles and parts 'resting' in both establishments.

"If we work on a vehicle, there is a warranty period," Cornelio said. "If a customer comes in and says we didn't fix what was wrong, we will do it over again and fix whatever is under warranty. Even if something isn't under warranty and we can fix it, we will."

Garcia and Gonzales said their goal is to make every customer happy they came to the shops.

GF Tire Center specializes in brake alignments, tire repairs, wheel balancing and suspension.

F & R Auto Repair specializes in oil changes, tune-ups, electrical problems and any other vehicle maintenance issue a customer might have.

Because it's a family-run business, their children come in to help on the weekends and in their spare time.

Posted on YELP on Aug. 22, 2020, Juan L said he is originally from Tulare and was on his way home from the fitness expo in Los Angeles when his car broke down off Highway 46. He was able to get his vehicle towed to F & R. Upon arriving, he was kindly greeted by the shop owner and given an estimated price to fix the overheating issue. "Great price and work. Highly recommend."

F & R Auto Repair, 1233 G St., 661-758-68621, and GF Tire Center, 1000 G St., 661-758-2931 They are open seven days a week. Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m..