| How
to Choose the Right Shop to Repair Your Vehicle
Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with
information about your auto repair and help you
choose the right company.
Over the years, I’ve learned that choosing
the right repair shop can be confusing. In fact,
people have so many misconceptions about auto
repair shops that I decided to offer this consumer
information so when you need to select an auto
repair company, you can make an informed, intelligent
decision.
In this report, I’ll share with you four
costly misconceptions about getting your car repaired,
offer a few suggestions to help you save time,
and then I’ll give you seven questions you
should ask every auto repair company before you
set up an appointment.
Here’s Misconception
#1
Your car manufacturer specifies regular maintenance
schedules just to get you to back into their shop
to make more money off of you.
No. Although manufacturers are making cars that
last longer and require less overall maintenance,
they do require some preventative maintenance.
If maintained properly, you can expect your car
to go over 100,000 miles without major service.
For instance, most engines have timing belts that
must be replaced before they wear out and break
and cause even more expensive damage.
Misconception #2
A shop can give you an accurate price quote over
the phone without seeing your car.
NO. You can waste your time calling 20 different
shops and get 20 different price quotes and chances
are every one of them will be wrong. Unless the
shop has had a chance to examine or test drive
the car in person, there is no way to accurately
diagnose your problem and give you an accurate
price quote.
Beware of any shop that is willing to give you
a quote over the phone without seeing the car.
Most likely they'll tell you a real low price
just to get you to set up an appointment. Then
they'll probably hit you with a much higher price
once you get there.
Misconception #3
Most repair shops will recommend extra work just
to get you to spend more money.
The fact is, any repair shop that doesn't look
for potential problems is actually doing you a
great disservice. Quality repair shops do a 68-point
inspection on every car that comes into their
shop to uncover those inexpensive repairs that
may be needed now, before they turn into major
expenses later.
Something as simple as discovering and then changing
a worn belt may save you the danger and embarrassment
of breaking down on a busy highway and an expensive
towing charge.
Misconception #4
All repair shops are the same.
No. In fact, there can be a huge difference between
repair shops. The new car technology requires
constant training to keep up with all the changes.
It also requires the shop to have the latest diagnostic
equipment available.
The repair shop with the best trained and certified
mechanics and most up to date equipment will usually
do the best repair for you.
Here are a few suggestions that will help you
choose a good, reputable repair shop.
First, ask around. Has anyone you know had a
good or a bad experience with a particular repair
shop?
Next, try to find a shop that has a lot of repeat
customers. Customers are more likely to stay with
a repair shop that they trust and one that does
a good job for them.
And finally, make sure they guarantee all their
work with at least a 6 month / 6000 mile warranty.
Now, here are the seven
questions that you must ask any auto repair shop
before you set up an appointment.
1. Do they have the most up to date training
and diagnostic equipment for your particular make
of car?
2. If they give you an estimate over the phone,
will they absolutely guarantee the price?
3. Do they do a full safety inspection for free
to uncover any other potential problems?
4. Are all their technicians ASE Certified?
5. Will they pickup and deliver your vehicle
for you, or offer you a ride to and from work
the day your car is being serviced?
6. Will they provide you a list of satisfied
customers that you can call?
7. Do they Guarantee all their work with at least
a 6 month / 6000 mile warranty?
By following my suggestions and asking the repair
shop these questions, you'll gain all the information
that you need to make an informed, intelligent
decision.
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