subject: Auto Repair - Finding The Right Shop [print this page] A few years ago I was attending a family budgeting seminar, and one of the exercises we went through was an evaluation of the family's annual expenses. Working through the process, I realized that there were a lot of things that I didn't realize that we were paying for at different times throughout the year. The biggest surprise of all was how much we were spending on maintaining our cars. The person conducting the training taught us that the average family spends about $1000 a year per vehicle.
I thought that sounded excessive, but when I added up the costs of oil changes, engine and transmission maintenance, insurance, and fuel, I discovered that I was actually paying more than $1000 per vehicle. This was spread out over the course of the year, but in the final equation we spent a lot of money on the care and upkeep of our cars. Having that realization, I was determined to get the best use out of that money.
Luckily, auto repair can be high quality and affordable. In finding the right service center, it is important to find a place that handles the repairs for your specific vehicle and that has a proven track record of credibility and success. You also want to find a place that will have your vehicle back to your hands in a timely manner. You want the job done right, you want it done quickly, and you want to be able to trust your mechanic so that when the time comes to return for more maintenance, you can go back without the least hesitation or mental reservation. You want to find a place that you can recommend to others who might be in need of a good auto repair center.
So have come to accept the fact that I am going to spend at least $1000 a year on my cars, and probably a lot more as they grow older. At the same time, I have also accepted that fact that I do have options and with those options I expect to get the best quality for the money I spend. I love my vehicles and rely on them to be efficient, safe, and looking as nice as possible. In my line of work, I need to convey and image that says that I know what I am doing, and my well maintained cars help make the statement.
