Auto repair shops can be either your best friend or your worst enemy. This is why it is recommended that you shop around for a auto repair shop rather than wait until you really need one. I am always asked on my blog, “Where can I accumulate an unbiased auto repair shop? ” I will go over a few tips for you to help you find one. Withhold in mind I have worked in many auto repair shops over my twenty five years in the automotive repair industry.
One tip to consider would be to get to know the shop owner. If he seems to be a good overall guy then you can expect him or her to run their auto repair shops like that. If you ever have a problem with your repair bill or your auto repair work then its more than likely they will work with you. Most auto repair shop owners know that one dreadful customer will tell ten others how their experience was in that auto repair shop. So they try to keep all customers glad and returning to their auto repair shops.
Appearance is another tip to exhaust when trying to find a reputable auto repair shop. If you see a abominable and sloppy kept auto repair shop you can ask this kind or repair work on your auto. A very smart and tidy shop will most likely produce some very good auto repair work. Although once I was working at a auto repair shop where the floors were scrubbed twice a day but the repair work was very bad because more time was spent cleaning the shop! So this goes to show you even though you see a clean shop doesn’t necessarily mean they do good work.
Looking for advertised certification signs is definitely a plus when it comes to finding a good auto repair shop. ASE is the most recognizable sign you will see advertised. Compose sure to ask before you leave your auto there with them if an ASE technician will be servicing your car. If not then demand that you have one and not a trainee just getting his feet wet. Although I don’t have a plight with trainees and believe they have to start somewhere I feel they should start somewhere else instead of my car.
The last tip I want to leave you with in finding a good auto repair shop is to peep at the parking lot. Watch it for a few weeks and contemplate how many cars and trucks enter and leave there on a daily basis. A very busy auto repair shop indicates they do great work and their prices are reasonable. On the other hand trying to score a sterling auto repair shop instead of a bad one will produce almost no customers at all.
For more car care tips visit my blog, “Auto Repair Savings and my Special Links“.
Filed under Automotive Repair Insurance by on Mar 14th, 2011. Comment. 
Our vehicles are one of the most expensive and indispensable assets we have. We depend on them to catch to work, to school, to the theatre, and to many other necessary events. As such it needs to be functioning properly, so when something mysterious happens with your vehicle and the repair estimate seems outrageous, there are few things to consider: How can you know if that estimate is accurate or fair? How can someone without a lot of automotive knowledge be assured that they’re not getting ripped off? What resources do consumers have available to them, and which are most useful?
We may see that estimate and think that it is unfair or unsuitable, but most times that is not the case. The automotive industry is growing rapidly. The demand for automotive related services and sales have increased to a never before height resulting in higher priced parts and labor rate. Some reason that since the repair facility receives their parts at a discounted price, then why doesn’t the shop give me a discount? ‘ The fact is, the shop has to make money too. Some repair shops offer different specials or discounts to their customers. Some may have coupons available and others could have a continuous customer policy or program, giving repeat customers credit towards another repair or service.
The majority of the people who get their cars repaired by automotive repair facilities often do so because they know little about it themselves. Otherwise they would have no need for someone else do it. Even those with little automotive knowledge can be assured that they are not getting ripped off. Here are a few ideas that can help:
1. Call several different repair shops, including dealers, and ask for a quote.
2. Ask what the going rate per hour is in your area.
3. Call various parts stores yourself and ask for pricing on the parts you
need.
4. Check with the Better Business Bureau for the shops credibility.
If the quotes are similarly priced and described, it is often estimable to say that the shop is safe. Ironically, the dealer’s quotes are higher than other repair shops’. This is usually a rip off, because the dealers consume the parts for the cost of making them, then they mark them up 300%! And no, they don’t give discounts, but if you would like to purchase a new car, they would be more than happy to finance you.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to get your car repaired is up to you. How mighty do you need your car? How would not repairing the problem affect the rest of the car? Does the cost of the repair outweigh the value of the vehicle? Does the vehicle function properly without the repair? Considering these questions can be a great aid to those contemplating a repair on their vehicle. It all comes to the most important seek information from, how much does the vehicle mean to you?
Filed under Automotive Repair Insurance by on Jan 24th, 2011. Comment.
