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When you need service on your vehicle, picking a shop can be very difficult. We are frequently asked about the best way to go about this difficult process. Of course, there is no way to know for sure whether or not the shop has your best interest in mind. However, here are some ideas that may help.
First of all, check with family members, friends or co-workers to see if they have a repair facility they have used in the past with some success. It is very unlikely that these people will steer you wrong.
If your vehicle simply requires basic maintenance, like an oil change, check for specials. Look through newspaper advertisements and direct mail ads and try someone out. Usually you can get a pretty good idea of how a shop conducts business simply by visiting and interacting with the employees.
When your vehicle requires serious repair work and you just have to pick someone to get you back on the road, check with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) or other consumer website before you do. The BBB will tell you how many complaints they have received on the shop during the last 36 months, including the number or complaints that have been resolved or ignored by the shop.
Also, don’t forget the dealership. Customers who are concerned with cost are typically concerned about dealership service, because they believe their repair work will cost more. That may or may not be true, depending on the nature of the repair or service work. Usually, these shops are better equipped to deal with repair work than most independent shops, with factory supported tools and diagnostic equipment and factory trained technicians to back them.
Finding the right shop can be as uncomfortable as having the actual repair work performed. Hopefully these tips can help with the process. Once you are able to develop a relationship with the staff at the repair facility, you’ll find that the rest will usually come pretty easy!
If you have questions regarding Brake Repair, simply submit a question using the link at the top of the page.
Other things to consider when selecting a shop.
Quality is not expensive, it's priceless. Don't shop just for price, remember that you're not just paying for the cost of the part and the time it takes to put it in, but you're also paying for the technical expertise of the technician is he a beginner, a senior, or a master technician?
Look for shops that have national warranty programs. If you find that you are out of town, it may come in handy if the unexpected happens.
Ask questions about the type of equipment the shop has. Since almost every car since the early 1980’s has some sort of computer based on-board system, you may find that your vehicle will not be repaired correctly if the shop is not equipped to diagnose your vehicle properly. Also, poorly equipped shops may end up actually charging more due to unnecessary part replacement.
Ask if the repair facility employs ASE Certified and/or Factory Trained Technicians. You get a plumber to fix your pipes and an electrician to fix your wiring. Get a properly trained technician to fix your car or truck.
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