There are many of us out there that don't really understand how our cars work. We pay good money for them to start when we ask and we usually know the basic service intervals required in order to keep it happy. The annoying and financially frustrating part is when there are major service requirements. Anything past getting an oil changing, replacing tires and maybe a brake service most of us understand and can live with the price it's the high costs repairs we don't understand that drive us nuts.
Many years ago I was an apprentice mechanic and then eventually a assistant service manager and would like to shed some light on a few things. First off its mandatory that anyone working at a service desk explain in detail and sometimes repeat this explanation in order that you the consumer understand exactly what is going on. On the flip side it's also mandatory that you listen very well and never be afraid to ask questions!
For the most part mechanics are honest people, just like the rest of life there are some dishonest people but most of us are tell the truth. Where things go wrong in the world of auto repair are the conditions that these individuals are under and this should be a bigger concern for the consumer than getting ripped off. Unhappy mechanics working in less than favorable environments are more likely to make small mistakes or become lazy and lack the detailed mindset required to do the job correctly.
What signs can we look for in order to determine if our local shop or dealership is running a happy environment? First and foremost take a look at the staff, do they look happy? Are they joking around a little while taking their jobs seriously or do they look depressed. Regardless of how clean the shop is or how great you think the shop looks this is the most important thing. Take the time to watch them for a while, these guys are going to be working on one of the most costly assets you have, might as well take the time to know them before handing the keys over.
Something can be said for a clean shop or a mechanic who keeps his area clean, but this isn't always the case. The three most talented and honest mechanics I ever worked with had notoriously messy stalls. There shop clothing was usually dirty and they undersold the amount of work required as they chalked the experience up to making them faster on the next car. So be careful, clean and polished isn't always the most important thing to look for in your mechanic. The guys working at the counter on other hand should be clean, well versed and excellent at customer service.
Another great way to ensure you are getting great service is to give repeat business after you find a mechanic that you like and trust. Like most businesses the best form of flattery is repeat business. Most mechanics don't own the shops they work in so they take an extra sense of pride when someone comes back to chose them specifically.
At the end of the day do your homework and if you really have some repair that you aren't sure about there are tons of great forums out there where people are willing to answer a few questions and alleviate some concerns you might have. Good luck with your next service and let's hope it doesn't come for a while!
Author Resource:-
This article was written by Shawn Wilson, a member of the customer support team at Datepad, where internet dating is always free. Datepad has a massive directory of informative dating articles along with a great list of dating site reviews on their dating blog.
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