Signs your repair shop might be a keeper
The business relationship that can save or cost you the most money in your life is the one you have with your auto repair shop.
In dealing with shop advisers, managers and techs, there are ups and downs, but generally if you can say the following about your main choice, you’ve got it made in the shade.
They respect you, your time, and your property: Might seem simple enough, but many shops don’t score high marks here. If your appointments are convenient and kept with few delays, your vehicle is returned without stains or new shop dirt, and staff take the time to make sure you understand what’s going on and why, then they might be keepers.
They offer options: For most routine auto maintenance and repairs, there are always alternatives. Some choices involve aftermarket, new or remanufactured parts, some entail used components, and sometimes temporary fixes can be put in place to defer things safely to another day. As many consumers have experienced, new vehicle retailers seem to offer less choice in component supply, preferring to stick with their manufacturer’s parts for the most part.
Sometimes in the pursuit of expedience, your trusted consultant may not put all the choices on the counter unless you ask. But if they mention options to save you money regularly, they might be a keeper.
They take responsibility for their mistakes: Repeat repair visits are seldom welcomed by the car owner or the shop, but how they handle things in these situations can show their true colours. Good shops should give priority to these events even though they may not have been responsible in the first place. They shouldn’t make you wait days or weeks for an appointment. They should take the time to relay the facts and clearly demonstrate who is responsible and why.
If it’s their fault, the correction(s) shouldn’t cost you anything, and if not, they should be willing to work out a mutually satisfactory deal. If they do all this with speed and a smile, you’ve probably got a keeper.
They let you talk directly with the tech: The majority of errors committed by any shop can be traced to poor communication between you and the tech. Good shops know that certain repair concerns (especially noises, vibrations, and anything intermittent) are best handled with the tech involved right from the start. In small shops, this is seldom an issue, but with larger facilities, it’s sometimes a struggle. If your shop makes it easy for you to deal directly with your tech, they’re definitely a keeper.