ALT-1 How to Find the best Local Mechanic for Auto Repair

From 3arf

There is a familiar concept to the majority of us that many auto mechanics are out there to make a buck. These devious souls will fabricate problems under your hood to squeeze you for an extra dime. Well, more like a couple thousand of them. Why should we not feel exposed to the delinquency of certain auto specialists? With crack down news investigators visiting establishments with hidden cameras and exposing some very shady actions, how can you not feel intimidated by taking your car in?

Personally, if it is something small, I will try to do it myself. There is just something satisfying about performing the menial task of changing your oil or even topping off your fluids. Just go down to the nearest auto parts store and purchase the detailed repair book for the year and model of your car and it will provide step by step instructions on how to do these smaller tasks. Just please don't try to overhaul your engine. I speak with great familiarity on the subject, and well that car now rests in a scrap heap somewhere.

Sometimes though, you are just going to have to break down and take your iron horse in to be examined by a professional. This is where the problems arise. Where do you go and who do you trust? To offer a solution to your auto woes, here are my words of advice I have gained through not only my personal experiences, but by those of a close friend who just happens to be a retired mechanic, an honest one at that.

First off, never, ever trust radio and television advertising. Just because they have a clever commercial or witty jingle, doesn't mean that they are honest. Obviously they came up with the funding for the ad space somehow! Secondly, never take your vehicle in for major work at a chain business. These places are always more expensive due to their standardizing rates for tasks performed nationwide. If you take your car/truck to big name place X in California, you're most likely going to pay the same in most other states. They are a machine more concerned with quantity than with quality. These places are more likely to make mistakes because they are whipping through vehicles everyday. Thirdly, do not just open the phonebook. Once again you may go for the service place with the big ad rather than the place with simply a name and number. The credentials of an establishment are not going to be printed with the ad, and if they are, you simply have to ask yourself why? If they are such a great place, they should not have to wow you with telling you so.

So, here are the to-do's. If you have a newer car, read the specifics of your warranty and know what is covered. If your car is still under warranty, take it to the nearest dealership specializing in your automobile. Don't take a Ford to a Toyota dealer, you're just not going to get any service and you will give the mechanics a laugh. Also, just because a dealership is bound to fix your issues, does not mean that they are going to be the best place to go. I had a dealership in Michigan hold my truck for a week and leave me stranded. After no resolution, I had it towed across town to another dealership and the problem was fixed within the hour. No matter, if your car or truck is under warranty, you should not spend a dime out of pocket for mechanical failure. That is unless you are being Mario Andretti in your minivan, or Mickey Thompson in your sedan. Mechanics can tell when a vehicle has been mistreated and that is a breach of your warranty and the dealership will most likely turn you down.

Let's say that you have a car that is older and no longer under warranty, or you bought it used from a private party and something goes wrong. Well this is where you need to use the power of communication. Talk to your friends and family in the area and find out who they use. The word of mouth is the best way to find someone who is trustworthy. Usually if someone gets burned, or feels they have been neglected by a mechanic, they are not going to send you there. You can also ask the manager at an auto parts store if they can recommend someone honest. Auto parts stores supply mechanics with the parts they need, and if a mechanic has a bad attitude or treats people poorly they will inform you. Remember word of mouth has been used for centuries to communicate skilled individuals, so talking to people is ultimately going to be your best bet in your automotive nightmares.

Finally, and this is the most important tip of all. Do not wait until your car or truck has issues, find a good mechanic today. Once you do, stop in and check out the shop, talk to the mechanic or owner and tell them you are just trying to find someone reliable. It may sound a little silly, but if they are a good, honest person they will be more than happy to chat with you for a couple minutes. In the long run it will pay off to establish a rapport with your mechanic before hand, that way when auto tragedy strikes they will only be a phone call away.

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