Tips For Selecting An Auto Repair Shop
No matter how well you take care of your car, especially if you take care of your car, auto repair is an unavoidable part of life. At some point, your vehicle will need proper service to run its best. Needless to say, vehicle repairs and maintenance can come with sticker shock and can leave you without a car, or stuck in the shop, for longer than you’d like. You need to make sure that whichever company you trust for auto repair, it’s the best in town and knows how to work on your vehicle.
To help you save your time and money, we have put together 11 tips for choosing the right auto repair service for your vehicle. Take your time to read through, and then practically implement them whenever choosing an auto repair company. Choosing The Right Auto Repair Service
Whenever your car needs work, you want it done quickly and inexpensively. These tips are designed to make sure that happens:
Experience Matters the Most
No matter what, whenever you put your trust in any auto repair service you should check how experienced they are and how long they have been working. Their mechanics should be certified and not easily thrown off by issues affecting your vehicle. If you can, go through their past work details to get an idea of how experienced and professional the company is. Speaking of which…
Professional & Well Organized
Once you decide you need service, pay a visit to their work shop before bringing your car in. It sounds like a lot, but this will ensure that you’re not taken by surprise. Make sure everything is professional, neat and well organized. You could even tell them you’re scouting a new shop. They’ll appreciate that you do your homework. The staff should be courteous and kind and must be willing to answer all your questions.
Get Recommendations
The most reliable sources of recommendations that you can get would be none other than your personal social network: in other words, your friends and family. Ask around from people within your circle who have actually had experience with certain auto body shops. Make sure that this experience is first-hand and not just based on hearsay. Also, it is never a bad idea to check with the Better Business Bureau.
Be Prepared
Know your insurance policy number and your cars unique vehicle identification number. Also, make sure that you have an auto body shop or towing service that you can call in just in case an accident actually occurs. Also, have the proper mindset in case of an accident. Safety first, and call in either the police, ambulance or a towing service depending on your needs.
Estimate the Price Range of Auto Repairs
Before you set on a prospective auto-body repair shop, aim to ask about the price range of repairs in your state. The estimates will ensure that you can choose an affordable outlet. The prices may range significantly depending on the size or reputation of the repair shop. Without such background information, you could end up paying a lot of money for the same services offered at a lower price elsewhere.
Take the example of a Samsung Phone and the iPhone. You could arguably state that the two brands meet the quality expectations of the industry yet the iPhone costs much more than the Samsung because of some few additions and due to the global reputation of the brand. Whether you purchase a Samsung or an iPhone will depend on the amount of money you have and the social status you would like to depict.
Therefore, you should never hesitate to scrutinize the prices. The price range will let you know whether you are overpaying for something that you could get at affordable rates elsewhere. The other thing you need to note is that very low prices should raise some suspicion. You should ask them the type and quality of spare parts they use. Be sure to conduct background checks with people that have interacted with the repair shop.
Location
Repair shops in upscale neighborhoods could change exorbitantly compared to others. How much do you think mechanics located in Beverly Hills could cost? A lot of course. The surrounding neighborhoods would have affluent cars and the financial muscle to settle high repair bills. Your choice of collision shop should take into account the location. Strive to take your car to average neighborhoods or to the city center for repair. The approach may save you surprises during payment.
Insurance is Important
It is better to play safe than to trust a company that is not insured. Insurance play a big role in repairs, particularly if the shop is not trusted or if there are instances that the auto repair shop burst into flames, would you suffer to pay the high premium instead of them paying the damage that has been done within their shops? What if the technician accidentally dented your car while test driving the vehicle? Would you be happy to see your car with a new dent while it’s not even your fault? In getting an auto repair shop, it is important to check if the company has insurance. This would save you the trouble.
Dealer vs. Local Shop
There is a difference between an auto repair dealer and a local shop. Depending on your problem, you have to choose one. For instance, if someone lost their car smart keys and they want a new one programmed, then definitely they should choose a dealer who works on one car brand. Bear that car dealers are very expensive and you may be overcharged for services which don’t cost that much. There is a reason for this. Brand specific dealers charge more because they deal only in a particular brand.
On the other hand, if you need some heavy duty work, a local shop is the best option. The majority of the experienced auto repair shops can easily handle major issues without overcharging you and also offering a guarantee on their services.