Amy’s Garage

When Googling the question “What qualities should you look for to determine if you are in a good relationship or not?” I found an interesting list that could actually be used to help you find a Good Auto Repair Shop, if not the love of your life.

When looking for a Good Partner you want:

Someone who is honest, trustful, and caring.

• You want to look for a shop that is looking out for your best interest and wants to build a relationship with you and your car. Their business is built on repeat customers because their customers feel that their wants and needs are taken care of.

Someone who truly listens when you have something to say and knows that listening is the key to understanding.

• You want a shop that takes the time to ask the right questions, and is able to communicate in easy-to-understand language what the problem is, what your options are, and what it is going to cost you before the work is done.

Someone who knows what you need before you say it.

• You want a shop that keeps records of all your vehicle’s repairs and maintenance work. One that is always looking ahead to what your vehicle will need to be safe and reliable, so you can budget for the future.

Someone who has qualities you don’t have yourself, but admire greatly in them.

• You want to find a shop with the best trained and certified Auto Technicians, that has up-to-date equipment and gets training for all the constant changes and new car technology of the day.

Someone who tells you the truth, even if you don’t want to hear it.

• You want to a shop that will let you know if your vehicle is too old and rusty to put any more money in it. You don’t want a shop that keeps putting new parts on a vehicle that is falling apart.

There are some folks who luck-out and find their significant other on the first date, but most folks need to have multiple dates to find that special someone who will be compatible and meets their needs. If you take some extra time you will find this special shop that will take care of one of your biggest investments, and will keep your loved ones safe while whizzing along the highway of life!

How did you find your favorite Auto Repair Shop?

Alan Cohen has a new website www.LAAutoRefferal.com.

Alan has taken his 30+ years experience in the automotive service industry and created a website to relieve the anxiety and stress of getting a car repaired.

His website provides a Professional Independent Service Shop Review for shops around LA California. They put the shops through a 10 step process to determine if a shop meets their qualifications.

In looking over Alan’s qualifications of a good repair shop, I have taken his best and added them to my own to create a list of what you need to look for in a shop to help you determine if this is a good fit for your automotive repair and service needs.

1. How clean, organized and carefully thought out is the shop and waiting room?
2. Are customers greeted when they come into the shop? Does the Service Advisor show interest in the customer and make them feel at ease?
3. Does the S.A. run triage during the interview? Meaning…are they able to determine the reason why a vehicle was brought in by asking the right questions to get all the symptoms so the technician will have the information necessary to make a diagnosis without wasting their time and your dollars.
4. Does the S.A. explain the shops repair / service process so you understand how the job is going to happen. For example: “We will do a brake diagnosis to find out what is wrong with the brakes. We will put together an estimate to fix the problem and call you to get your permission before we do any work. Once we have your permission, we will complete the repair and call you to let you know when you can pick up your car. Any questions?”
5. Does the shop have a lot of repeat customers? Customers are more likely to stay with a shop that they trust and does a good job for them on a regular basis.
6. Does the shop guarantee their work with at least a 6 month / 6,000 mile in house warranty?
7. Is there at least one ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Master Technician on staff? This non-profit organization offers exams that set a national standard of technician competence.
8. Is the shop AAA approved or do they belong to any other groups that show that the shop is determined to keep up with the latest information on how to repair the newest technologies that are on the road?
9. Get a Referral: Ask around to see if folks you know have had a good or bad experience with this shop. (This is what www.LAAutoRefferal.com is providing for folks who live in LA.)

   Alan wrote this very interesting article and has given me permission to reprint it.

   Dealerships VS Independents

   There are many differences between dealerships and independent shops. The first is that most dealerships are bigger than independent shops, and have a much higher overhead.

   Then there is liability. From my experience while working at a dealership, when a quote is made for a repair it is usually higher than at an independent shop.
   Read the rest of the article!