Having a local auto repair shop do the work on your vehicle is probably going to save you money in the long run. If a person has a shop they know and like, they can feel secure when taking their vehicle in for emergency repairs. By using someone they have worked with in the past there should be no surprises when receiving the final bill.
To find one, start out by asking everyone you know who they recommend you get your vehicle serviced by. Friends, family, and neighbors will be happy to tell you who they go to or who they have not been happy with. Ask them if the service was satisfactory or just okay. Also ask them if the bill was the amount agreed to or was it more?
After choosing who you want to take your automobile to, check with the better business bureau first. You can find out if there has been a complaint against the shop and if so, what the complaint was about. Information is also there to let you know if it was satisfaction or if it still unresolved.
The locally owned shops usually provide great personal service and make repairs quickly and correctly. They are your neighbors in the community and they understand the value of customer referrals. In addition, their mechanics are knowledgeable and skilled with all the different makes of models of automobiles. They do not specialize in only one brand, they can fix all of them.
Most will have an ASE Certificate, (Automotive Service Excellence). If it is not displayed, ask if they have it. It is a test given concerning auto repair issues. Also ask how many years of experience they have and how long have they been in business.
Do not wait for something major to fix before visiting a shop. Find one before you are in a crisis. Go and get regular maintenance work done and find out how you like the shop. Do you like the people and were they courteous? Did they do what they said they were going to do and did they charge what they said it would cost?
Using a local auto repair shop is going to also save you money in other ways. If they are local, you will not have a commute to get there. They are close by so if it a major repair, you can always check in on the status of the repair. In addition, because they are local, you know they want your repeat business and your referrals so they will do their best to satisfy you as a customer.
