A good way to comparison shop is to ask questions and look for estimates from a high quality, full-service repair shop. You will not save money by delaying or foregoing your routine vehicle maintenance. The longer you wait, you risk paying increased repair costs. In many cases you can help prevent vehicle breakdowns by focusing on keeping your smaller repair services on schedule.
Independent repair shops compete to charge less expensive labor rates than dealerships and can be more personable in aiming for high customer satisfaction ratings. It is easier to deal directly with the owner or the car technician at an independent facility, allowing you to have better communication with the experts who directly repair your car. You can expect more focused service.
You can ask to view their technology certifications and training certificates. In most cases their certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) are posted in the waiting area along with other manufacturer service training credentials. Collision repair shops often have certificates from training offered by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
You can also ask about their repair equipment and technology. A good independent shop should be able to explain to you how they keep their service equipment and technology current. The amount of information necessary to repair various car brands cars can no longer be effectively contained in paper manuals. Quality Independent shops have Internet access to repair information or an on-site service information library of CD or DVD's.
Independent shops often offer discounts. If you are seeking to be a new customer, ask them if they can provide you with a first time discount.In some cases, if you are paying in cash instead of credit card and saving them processing fees, they may be willing to offer a better discount on your estimate. They may belong to certain car clubs and auto forums that also offer discounts to members.
A good warranty can often be a deal maker or a deal breaker. Before you choose a repair facility, ask for their warranty on the service or repair you are seeking. Compare the miles and timing of each. A Quality independent repair facility will stand behind their parts and labor.
An independent repair facility will buy quality parts and should be are able to pass down reasonable part costs to their customers. Ask to see the parts information and parts warranty so you can make sure they are using the best recommended parts on your car.
The tiny details matter. A clean customer waiting area and restrooms are all signs of attention to detail and quality. It is best to try out an independent shop with a small service first, such as an oil change or minor tire service, just to judge the experience before you invest more. See how they respond to your questions and view the operations to make a decision.
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