subject: Common Sense Guide To Finding An Auto Repair Shop [print this page] There are a few things in our lives that can easily become a money trap if we let them. Our homes, our credit and our cars. Things like financing, insurance, paint, weatherproofing and accidents can eat through your budget like a pack of termites on an old dogwood. There is no doubt that the most frustrating money hazard associated with your car is repair and maintenance. If you trust your car to a shoddy auto repair shop , then you might as well throw the money down the drain. Luckily, are ways to ensure that the maintenance and repair of your vehicle is in good capable hands.
First thing to do is to get out your phone and start calling around to the various repair shops. Find out if they are members of any associations such as AAA or NAPA Autocare. To be a member of one of these associations the auto repair shop has to qualify in some way. Most of these associations have a list of qualifications that must be met in order to be a member. Things such as certified technicians, high customer satisfaction and state of the art equipment are requirements that must be met.
Don't go with just one recommendation. Talk to as many people as you can and get the names and numbers of several auto repair shops. If you want a great mechanic you will have to do some leg work at this point. It's important to take time to visit the auto repair shop to see how it looks. Are there cars sitting outside? Are they in crappy condition, old and rusted? You probably don't want to leave your car there. You want to make sure the shop is generally clean and well maintained with a separate office. The garage should also be clean and well organized.
For those who haven't used dealers, an independent auto repair shop is typically their first choice. While there are chain operations in every state, many drivers prefer the all-American owner-operator, running his own shop with hand-picked technicians. Certification for mechanical repair varies from state to state, and some mechanics may have no formal training at all, but instead simply learned the old-fashioned way by apprenticing with a master. These mechanics often have a great store of knowledge, especially since they work on multiple makes and models of cars, which can simplify your own repairs. These shops typically charge labor plus the cost of parts, and compared to dealership repair shops, can be a real money-saver.
Choosing between a dealer and an independent Sacramento auto repair shop simply means identifying what's important to you. If you have an established relationship with a dealer that you trust, then there's no reason to switch, and vice-versa with an independent auto shop. The most important part is that you have a mechanic that you can trust to repair your car properly. Everything else is gravy.
