Many people have difficulty finding a good mechanic in their local area even if they have resided in that area for their entire life. Automotive businesses come and go, and many mechanics aren’t dedicated to their profession by being honest or by providing quality service and prices. These factors leave many people in a constant search for their “good mechanic.”
Let’s begin by exploring what the average person thinks a good mechanic equates to. A good mechanic can figure out what’s wrong with the car, can explain the problem to the customer, can fix the car in a timely manner, should charge affordable and fair prices for the parts and labor, and should offer a warranty. All of these tips are further explained below:
Diagnostics and Documentation
A “Good Mechanic” will take the customer step by step through the entire procedure of what the problem is, what is going to be done, and how the problem will be fixed. Good mechanics also provide an itemized list of parts and work completed. Remember, a “Good Mechanic” just doesn’t want to sell the job; the mechanic wants to get the job done right.
Customer Satisfaction
A “Good Mechanic” will try hard to please the customer by completing the job in a timely manner and within the time frame that was given to him by the customer. Good mechanics also show respect to the customer’s vehicle by making sure that the car is clean when the work is done. The bottom line is that good mechanics will go out of their way to satisfy the customer!
Quality & Price
A “Good Mechanic” will offer a good service for a reasonable rate. The reasonable rate is the combination of the price for the parts and the comparable price for the labor. Quality and price do not always go hand in hand. While some people think a job is not worthwhile unless it is “expensive,” that is not always the case; Likewise, a poor job often relates to shoddy service. A “Good Mechanic” offers good service for a reasonable and fair price!
Warranty
Warranties are often sold to the customer via the shop’s service writer or owner so make sure to ask if the parts have a service warranty. Also, inquire about any extended warranties. Keep in mind this rule of thumb: “The longer the warranty is, the better the quality of work usually is.”
Now that you have these tips for finding a good mechanic, you will need to begin the daunting process of finding that “good mechanic” in your area. Ask friends and neighbors whom you trust for recommendations. Once you find a trusting mechanic, research the reputation of the shop in which that mechanic works. Check internet sites such as, “The Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org; Yellow Pages, www.yellowpages.com; and Angies List, www.Angieslist.com. The sites should list complaints and authenticity for the shop. Using these tips and guides for finding a good mechanic should help to alleviate any feelings of being taken advantage of in an industry about which you have little or no knowledge. Help yourself by taking control of your automotive decisions!
Helpful Links
Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org
Yellow Pages, www.yellowpages.com
Auto repair questions, bring them to JustAnswer where a verified auto mechanic can help you troubleshoot online. Car.JustAnswer.com
American Automobile Association- will tell you about the authenticity of the shop.
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence- checks the current certification of the shop.
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