ALT-4 How to Deal with Auto Mechanics
Dealing with the right auto mechanics applies the same principles as finding the right job: you need a flexible organization that will treat you with respect, adhering to the same values that you do. A good mechanic shop will remember which car you own, cut deals on repair estimates and throw in occasional freebies. This requires that they see you as a valued customer, not merely as a means of contributing to their bottom line. Knowing how to find the right facility, avoiding the bad ones, and then double-checking the work is the hardest part of dealing with an auto mechanic. Once you find a good auto mechanic shop, pay them well and be as loyal to them as you would be to a good dentist. You'll see the mechanic more often.
Save Resources, Not Money
Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish. If you're working long hours and can barely screech into the mechanic's shop before it closes, you certainly don't have time to interview eight auto repair places to save $50 on a quote for a part you've never heard of. Below are a few concrete examples of statements from a good auto mechanic:1. "Of course we can wait 10 minutes after closing, if you need an oil change."2. "Do you want to work out a payment plan? No, we don't charge interest."3. "Do you have an insurance policy on your drive train? That could save you thousands. We don't sell any, but we can recommend you someone who does."4. "You're a great customer, and we value your business. Please accept this discount on your oil change as a token of our appreciation."5. "Below is a list of repairs and their estimated costs. Your tires need rotation, but it won't be critical for another 3,000 miles. The brake pads will last another 5,000 miles. We want your OK before working on anything."5. "So, how is your family?"
Good Networking Saves Time
Save yourself time by developing quality relationships with quality people for quality word-of-mouth referrals. (If you can't trust someone's judgment, their recommended friend will not be trustworthy either.) Ask your car salesman aunt or grease monkey friend if they know good mechanics; they can probably recommend the best mechanics in town. They will tell you all the tricks of the trade: the 'new timing belt' mechanic who never sees a car, the over-eager beaver at the dealership who wants a commission, to the quiet guy who gives you a detailed list of suggested repairs and asks that you make up your own mind. To be safe, you can research standards on the "ASE Blue Seal Program" at theNational Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. This will help you find a certified auto repair facility in your area, or at least know what to look for. Car dealerships are not necessarily more objective in their repairs than a private auto repair shop; a large part of dealership profits comes from theirrepair shops. If it will be a long and expensive car operation, get a second opinion, just as if you were getting surgery done.
Stay Informed
Once you find the right mechanic's shop, make sure that you understand what is being repaired, and check that the shop stays as reliable as when you first stepped in. Since the economy went south, some excellent mechanic's shops have cut corners to stay in business, or hire one persons whose credentials don't check out. If some of their work has been a bit off lately, double-check their record on theBetter Business Bureau; you can see any pending lawsuits or serious complaints. Of course, if you've used a good auto mechanic shop for years, do them the courtesy to ask a manager or owner about anything you see on theBBBwebsite. There may be a perfectly good explanation, such as they just fired the troublesome employee, who went whining to theBBB.
To check out a temporary repair, or one that doesn't make sense, have the mechanic write down or have the repair lingo typed into the bill. Since they should be doing this anyway, resistance is a possible red flag for shady dealing. Also, you don't have to admit that you don't know what that particular part does. For detailed tips on auto repair and maintenance, go toConsumer Reports, under Cars, then "Maintenance and Accessories". Either that, or ask your grease monkey friend if they can take a quick peek at your car's inside, or describe the scenario over the phone. It's not as professional as getting a second estimate from a reputable shop, but there are times when you don't have time for anything other than getting your car back. If your mechanic begins charging for pumping the tires, replaces parts without telling you, seems overly concerned with timing belts (with fewer than 30,000 miles' service), or the car leaks more oil than when you brought it in.....go somewhere else. If you haven't had the car long and the mechanic is insisting that a pre-existing condition needs to be fixed, check out the vehicle history onCarfax.
Keep A Good Relationship With Your Mechanics
Once you have established trust with your auto mechanics, keep in their good books by treating them how you'd like to be treated. If you breeze into the store with a smile on your face, greet the mechanics by name, ask after their families, give them Christmas presents when they do a great job after-hours for you, magic will happen. Mechanics, along with attorneys, are among the least trusted and least compensated people in society, and they appreciate kind words. You can literally leave your car with them overnight, and have three of them lined up to wave you goodbye after detailing your car for free, if you give them the appreciation that they crave. The Golden Rule will bring you gold in the end.
