Chapter Six
How do I choose a good auto repair shop?
One of the first means of finding a good auto repair shop is to evaluate the place of business. What type of cars do they specialize in? How new are the cars they work on? You can learn a lot from what a shop does just by driving by. For instance, are there a lot of cars in the lot that look like they haven't moved since Woodstock? What is the latest year of car in the parking lot? If you see a bunch of old vans with peace signs on them, and you drive a 2003 car, this shop might not be for you. What you should be looking for are cars that are newer and not 1980 through 1990 models. These shops are not bad; they just might not be qualified to repair newer cars. If you drive a 2003 car, you should be looking for a shop that has many newer cars waiting in its parking lot for repair. You will always find a mix of years, just make sure that there is an indication that this shop does work on newer cars.
Once you have scoped out the outside, go in for a closer look. Go in to make your appointment and check things out. Something to start looking for, ASE certification sign on the building. This can usually be seen on the shop sign or in the window. Most shops that are ASE certified are proud of it and display it. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence. Until around the early 1970's, a customer had no way to distinguish between a competent and incompetent technician. ASE's mission statement is to help improve the quality of auto repair and service through testing and certification of the auto repair technician. So as you walk into the office, look and see if there are certificates of achievements on the walls, most technicians that are keeping up to date with training are proud of their accomplishments and want you to know that they are involved with staying educated on your newer car.
Another item to check is the cleanliness and order of the shop. Cleanliness is the best policy, but to be honest, if the shop is really busy and trying to keep up with the demands of customers, the first thing neglected is going to be the floor. There shouldn't be six inches of grease caked on the floor, but chances are you might notice a days’ worth of grime. After you have made this evaluation, talk to the person at the front desk. Now would be a good time to start asking a number of questions. What types of cars do they work on etc.? Make sure they work on your year and make of car, maybe the newer cars out front are just parked there because of the business next door. Check what their schedule is like, no sense wasting a lot of time if they can't look at your car for three weeks and you would like it sooner, (although this is a good indication that this shop has a good following, and does good work). Other good questions to ask are, how long have they been in business? Who will be working on my car? How long have they been a technician? Are they ASE certified in what they will be doing? We are not trying to rule out the technician that is starting. All we want to do is make sure that there is a multitude of experience in the shop. As you talk with the person behind the counter, continue to ask questions like "What is the warranty length on repairs, and exactly what does it cover and not cover?" And "Will I get the warranty in writing?" Ask what steps his business is taking to be around for the next decade. Does they subscribe to some of the monthly auto trade publications? If he does, chances are that he reads them to stay up on what is happening in the automotive industry. What type of equipment does he use and is it updated? You might not know what to look for, but if this technician just recently purchased a piece of equipment, which could range from $2,000 to $40,000, he will be prouder than a new dad on the day his first child was born. He will more than likely show it to you and possibly bore you with what it can do. Ask your technician what his specialty is. This gives you an idea where he is heading. If he likes to do tires, chances are he is good at front end alignment, ball joints, shocks etc. If he likes to do computer work he will probably have a real knack for those tough driveability problems you may have down the road.
Check to see what type of record he keeps on you and your car repair. If by chance your dog eats your receipt, will you be the only one holding your warranty? You might also want to ask where he buys his parts. Like everything in life you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a cheap job, chances are you will get a cheap part. You are always better off putting top quality parts on your car. The part will last longer saving you grief and money down the road. Poor quality parts can cause other related problems, such as driveability, handling etc.
If you have found a technician who is excited about the future in the automotive industry, you will know by all the things that have been covered. There are two types of individuals in this industry. Those that want to get out, and those that want to stay in. I guarantee that those that want to stay in are spending more money for training and equipment to better themselves and profit from this industry in the future.
When you have found a technician that takes care of you, let him know by simple letters, cards, even a tip. You would be surprised how far these will get you on your next repair. Too few customers express appreciation to their technician for a job well done. If you have a problem, let him know and work with him on getting it taken care of. Just like athletics, baskets are missed and fumbles are made. Mistakes happen, sometimes at no fault of the technician. There are times that a new part can go bad causing both of you grief. Haven't you bought something new, and it didn't work right the first time? Keep an open line with your technician, and chances are he will do whatever it takes to solve the problem. Anytime work is done on your car, spend a minute asking the technician to show you what he did. This will help educate you on what is taking place with your car.
The key to remaining happy about your car's repair is to find that one special shop who can handle your personal needs and who will take care of you, whatever the problem.
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler”