SAVING MONEY WITH AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP YOU CAN TRUST
Do you panic when your car makes that weird sound? We all need an auto repair shop we can trust. Today’s guest blogger, Dave Beason of The Muffler Shop in Henderson, Nevada has some great advice for finding a repair shop to meet your needs.
Picking a Repair Shop
The number one question I am always asked is how do you find a reputable and trustworthy mechanic. If you know a little about cars, that will help, but mostly there are some common sense things that will help you when trying to establish a relationship with a new shop. I suggest you search out and locate a shop you think will work for you and your vehicles long before they break down. Never pick a repair shop from the back of a tow truck. You will have very few options at that point and you may feel like you are being taken advantage of if the trust is not there.
The Facility and First Impressions
When you are looking for a new repair facility, don’t be afraid to get out of your car. If the shop doesn’t welcome you in as a visitor or doesn’t want to show you around, then you probably won’t feel comfortable there when your vehicle needs work performed. There are some common sense things you are looking for and you are also looking at how the shop represents itself.
- Is the outside clean and neat?
- Is the paint and signage well kept?
- Are the posters or banners faded and out of date?
- As you look in the service bays, are they well kept? Are the floors clean, or are there old parts and debris lying around everywhere?
- Ladies, check out the customer restroom. Is it clean enough to use?
- When you go inside the waiting area, how clean is it?
- Do they have a comfortable waiting area with current magazines, or is it somewhere the mechanics hang out when not working on cars?
These are just a few items you should look at to get a sense of the shop‘s values and how they would treat you and your vehicles. If a business doesn’t care enough about you to keep the bathrooms clean, it’s probably not going to spend much time and energy taking care of your vehicle. I’m not going to tell you only good shops keep them spotless, but there is a difference between keeping it as clean as possible and just not caring.
This May Help: Visit a facility and have something simple done, oil change, light bulb or windshield wipers replaced and see how you are treated. If you like the service the first time, bring your vehicle back for a larger repair on your next visit.
The Employees, Are They What You Are Looking For?
Now that you are inside, did you feel welcome? Did the service writer greet you promptly or were you ignored for a phone call or a mechanic talking to him about another person’s vehicle? If it is personal attention you are seeking, the service writer is that person. He not only will listen to all your concerns when dropping off your car, but a good service writer will relate all those concerns to the technician who will be working on your vehicle. He will also follow up and make sure all your concerns were addressed when the vehicle is returned to you.
One of the things you want to check while in the office is certifications. Is the shop certified? Are the technicians certified? Some shops are very proud of these certifications and they are plastered all over the walls in the waiting area. Take a look and see if they are current. If not, ask why. If they are not posted on the walls, ask the service writer to see them. Most shops are very happy to provide them for you. Certifications for the shop and technicians are part of a continuing education that a good shop will keep current. The automotive industry is changing daily, and if certifications are not kept current then the shop and its employees are falling behind on their knowledge to repair and maintain your vehicle. One set of certificates that carries a lot of weight in the industry is ASE and ASE Blue Seal. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) program is very well run and requires the shops and technicians to take a test (every year) to receive these certifications. If the shop has all their current ASE certificates (certificates, not just patches on the uniforms) you are probably in a facility that puts in that extra effort. It also shows they care about themselves, their careers and most of all, your automotive needs.
Remember, You Have Options
You are the person in control of your keys. If you don’t feel good about the shop you are standing in, ask for your keys back and leave. Even if you have been towed to this particular facility, ask to have a tow company pick it up and pay for the tow to another shop that you are comfortable with. It may be an inconvenience, but you will be money ahead and feel better about the repairs when done. There are a lot of great shops out there, large or small, corporate or family owned. It is your job to locate the one that fits your personality, location and vehicle needs. Trust your instincts and remember to find the location of your choice before you need major auto repairs.
Here are some websites that will help you with your search.
- Automotive Service Association — Look for a certified shop in your area.
- AAA has a lot of good advice for consumers and a certified AAA facility has to adhere to some higher standards to be an affiliate.
Repair Pal is a great place to check pricing, it will show you the average in your area between dealerships and independently owned shops.- The Car Care Council is an independent council with some very good information for the consumer on vehicle maintenance.
Dave Beason has been in business 30 years at The Muffler Shop, a full-service auto repair facility, located at 38 Navy Street in Henderson. You can contact the shop at 702-564-6655 or visit their website at www.TheMufflerShop.com.