Ten Steps To Finding An Auto Repair Shop You Can Trust
Looking for a repair shop and a good mechanic can be a nerve racking experience
. Just like finding a doctor, a dentist, or a hair dresser, you don't want to go to just anyone!You want to go to somewhere you can trust, to people who really know their stuff and who won't force you to take out a second mortgage to pay for the work. Luckily, there are things you can do to take some of the guess work out of finding an auto repair shop.
Follow these ten steps and feel confident that you, and your car, are in the hands of a knowledgeable and trustworthy professional.
1)First and foremost - find a facility before you need one. You can make a better decision when you're not rushed and dealing with the stress of a broken car.
2)Make sure that the repair shop is staffed by ASE certified technicians. These professionals have been tested and certified in the all major technical areas of repair and service, and are the only people you should trust to keep you safely on the road. There are approximately 400,000 ASE certified technicians in the United States, so finding one near you shouldn't be a problem - look for their certificates behind the counter or in the customer area at the shop.
3)Don't forget to ask for recommendations! Friends and work colleagues may be able to steer you towards facilities where they've had positive experiences.
4)Do your homework - consult local business and consumer organizations about the reputation of any shop, even one that was recommended to you. Ask if there have been recent complaints about the business, how many and how they were resolved.
5)Remember, there's more to picking the right repair facility than convenience! While it may be nice to go to a repair shop close to home or your place of business, it is more important to have technicians who know what they're doing working on your vehicle.
6)Look for a tidy, well organized facility with modern equipment in the shop. You probably won't find a place that's hospital clean - fixing cars can be a dirty business - but respectable establishments will go the extra mile to make their facility comfortable and presentable for customers.
7)Take a look at the vehicles in the parking lot and service bays, and see if there are any that look like yours. Ask if the shop usually handles your vehicle make and model, and if you know what's wrong with your car, ask if they commonly perform the repairs you need.
8)Look for evidence of community involvement in the customer area - service awards, plaques for sponsoring local events, membership in the Better Business Bureau and other consumer groups. A business that gives back to its local community will usually treat consumers properly.
9)Labor rates, testing and diagnostic fees, repair guarantees, and methods of payment should be publicly posted.
10)If possible, test a new shop out with minor maintenance jobs, such as tire rotation or an oil change, before you bring a vehicle in for major repair work.
Most repair shops are honest and will do their best to educate and work with customers. Follow these steps and feel confident that your vehicle is getting service you can trust.
by: Lauren Fix