Finding an Auto Repair Shop You Can Trust
This helps prevent breakdowns and often saves money by allowing you to make a small repair now rather than a much bigger one later. Also, a shop that knows you and your vehicle can better advise you about work that may soon be needed.
Repair Shop Types
The best time to look for a repair shop is
before you need one.
there are four basic types of shops to
choose from:
Dealerships – Dealer service departments
are very familiar with the makes of cars they sell. They know common problems,
have factory-trained technicians with the latest equipment, and have access to
special service advisories from the automaker.
Independents – Quality independent repair
shops can be less expensive than dealers. At independent shops you are more
likely to deal directly with an owner or the technician servicing your car.
However, there are a lot of independent shops and quality can vary widely,
which makes your choice of facility very important.
Specialists – Some independent auto repair
shops specialize in certain vehicle makes or systems. By focusing on a limited
part of the market, these shops can provide very efficient and effective
service. A specialty shop can be a good choice if you drive the make of vehicle
it services, or need the type of repairs it provides.
Auto Repair Chains – These shops are often
affiliated with department stores, tire companies, auto parts suppliers or
other business entities. They often focus on high-volume services performed by
low- to mid-level technicians. Chain shops frequently advertise low prices, and
can offer good value.
Repair Shop Evaluation
Once you identify some potential auto
repair shops, look into them further. How long have they been in business? This
can be a good indicator of shop quality. How do they deal with consumer
complaints? Check with the Better Business Bureau, state department of consumer
affairs or Attorney General’s office. Online consumer sites and social networks
can be good sources of auto repair shop feedback as well.
How To Choose The Best Auto Repair Shop
Have you been in an instance where you have
had a vehicle trouble and you needed anyone to fix it? Almost all people had at
one time. It can be very frustrating and have your vehicle fixed especially
when you do not have any idea where to go and who will fix it. This is exactly
the importance of having a trustworthy mechanic near your place when you first
bought your car. Here are some tips on choosing a car mechanic should you need
his services.
Get Recommendations:
All the experts agree with this idea:
always get recommendations when you are about to choose the best car mechanic.
Mechanics operate in the service industry, and they are not just there to
service your vehicle, but additionally to service you too, meaning you need to
make certain the car mechanic does not only understand how to fix a car, but he
also understands how to treat his clients. The easiest method to know this is
to buy recommendations prior to your visit to the mechanics service centre.
Request family members and friends, as well as co-employees concerning the
mechanics that they have worked with. You will likely find great opinions from
them.
Take A Look At Their Shop:
Garage centers are not similar. Lot of
people thinks that all garages are covered in filth and therefore are much
disorganized. That is not the situation. When you choose a car mechanic, make
certain that you take time to look at their garage. When the garage is totally
filthy and it is disorganized, you might want to search for another mechanic.
While a little of grime and grease is anticipated inside a garage, the garage
ought to be organized to ensure that the car mechanic will find exactly what he
needs. The place ought to be neat and comfortable for waiting while your
vehicle gets repaired.
Pay Attention To Their Prices:
Another factor that is vital to look at
when you are selecting a vehicle mechanic is the prices. When you are searching
for a car mechanic you do not always want to obtain the least expensive
mechanic. Sometimes inexpensive kind of mechanic does not possess the experience
or training that is essential to get the vehicle in great shape. But neither
would you like to discover the most costly. Rather, search for one which has
fair prices. A business who hides their prices is not one that you ought to
use. It is also advisable to compare their prices with other service centers.
How to Choose the Right Body Shop
As a vehicle owner, your chances of needing
the services of a collision repair and refinishing facility are greater than
you think. Whether it’s from storm damage, rust and corrosion, acid rain and
harsh sunlight, or an automobile accident outright, the risks are real. It’s
wise, then, to know how to select a body shop.
Many times when people are involved in an
accident they think “the insurance company will take care of it for me.”
In fact, it is your responsibility to choose who will do the repairs for you.
This is not a choice that should be taken lightly, as it can involve protecting
a major investment
Preliminaries
Start shopping for a body shop before you
need one; you can make better decisions when you are not rushed or in a panic.
Ask friends and associates for their
recommendations. Even in this high-tech era, old-fashioned word-of-mouth
reputation is still valuable.
Check with your local consumer organization
regarding the reputation of the facility in question. Ask about the number of
complaints, if any, and determine how the complaints were resolved.
Always try to visit the shop before making
the decision on who will repair your vehicle
At the Shop
Ask if the shop customarily handles your
vehicle make and model. Ask how long the shop has been in business.
Look for a neat, well-organized facility
with modern equipment. Many vehicle manufacturers recommend specific repair
procedures and equipment for the repair of their vehicles. Ensure that the
facility you choose is trained in these procedures and has the proper
equipment.
Professionally run establishments will have
a courteous, helpful staff willing to answer all of your questions.
Look for signs of professionalism in the
customer service area: civic and community service awards, membership in the
Better Business Bureau, customer service awards.
Many times you can see the vehicles being
repaired by the shop. Are you impressed by the type of vehicles the company is
repairing and the way the vehicles are being handled?
Also look for signs that the staff is
technically competent, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced
course work training from I-CAR (the Inter-Industry ASE Conference on Auto
Collision Repair, and certifications—a national standard of technician
competence issued by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service
Excellence (ASE).
All policies, guarantees, and methods of
payment should be posted or explained to your satisfaction.
Tips for Choosing an Auto-Repair Shop
Everyone needs an auto repair and regular
car maintenance from time to time. However, choosing the right auto repair shop
can be a challenging process, especially if you’re not mechanically knowledgeable.
To avoid the frustrations of dealing with an unreliable mechanic, it’s
important to look for an established and trustworthy auto repair shop near you
Ask for Recommendations
According to auto repair experts at
Northside Collision, one of the best ways to find a reliable Syracuse auto body
shop is to ask for recommendations. Talk to close friends, family members, and
neighbors who are familiar with a reputable auto repair shop that you can
visit. You’ll want to get their opinion about the quality of service offered
and the reliability of their mechanics. Get this information before your car
breakdowns, so you can be prepared when you need repairs done
Professional Certifications
Don’t assume that every auto repair
technician you come across has the right professional qualifications to do
repairs and maintenance work. Auto repair shops are expected to display their
professional certifications as well as license documents so clients can easily
verify their qualifications. Professional certifications indicate that the
mechanics are up-to-date on their skills, knowledge, and training about
specific aspects of car repair and maintenance.
Look for Specialized Experience
Experience is critical when choosing an
auto repair shop. The more years they have been in business, the more
knowledgeable they’ll be in diagnosing car problems and providing reliable
repair solutions and maintenance guidelines. Experienced auto mechanics will
know what is expected when it comes to serving clients and ensuring that they’re
satisfied with their services
Check Your Warranty
Check if your car is still under warranty.
Auto warranties vary, and the lack of clarity surrounding who is supposed to
service your car and what parts can be used to do repairs is often a grey area.
You may not be able to choose an auto repair shop that’s not affiliated with
the dealership, and violating your warranty can mean the agreement no longer
covers your car. If you’re not sure, call your dealer to get clear information
How To Choose An Auto Repair Shop
The best way to avoid auto repair rip-offs
to be prepared. Being familiar with your vehicle, knowing how it works and how
to identify common problems your vehicle has is a good beginning.
New Parts:
New parts are generally made to meet the
original manufacturer’s specifications, either by the manufacturer or an
independent company. Some states may require repair shops to tell you if
non-original equipment is used in a repair. At Ian’s Auto Service
Rebuilt Parts:
These are parts that have been restored to
a sound working condition. Many manufacturers who provide rebuilt parts offer
warranties covering these type of parts but typically not the labor to install
them.
Salvage Parts:
Salvage parts are used parts taken from
another vehicle without alteration. For some specialized repairs, salvage parts
may be the only source for certain items, but reliability is sometimes an issue
depending on the condition of the part.