Plumbing problems, toothaches and car repairs can be rather painful, but they are a part of life.
Getting your car repaired when it needs service can be a very stressful experience.
Between the financial costs, transportation issues and part backorders, many shops are extending their promised service times to weeks, if not months. Depending on what you drive and what you need done, some shops are better at service in certain areas than others.
If you are unfamiliar with car repair, it might be tough to choose where to take your car. With the addition of new technologies like advanced driver warning systems, electric or hybrid powerplants, and even ten-speed automatic transmissions, most shops cannot work on all cars.
The special tools and equipment needed to repair every modern car are far too expensive for one shop to have, and the know-how for technicians is far too great. We are starting to see more independent shops specializing in car brands, systems and even procedures.
Alignments, brake jobs, glass replacement and aftermarket part installation shops exist due to the complexity of these systems on the modern car.
Long ago, you could take your vehicle to the same place you filled up with gas for service. The gas station had a small shop attached that would be able to repair anything that pulled up. Those days are far gone, and I don’t see them returning anytime soon.
Sadly, Smith’s Chevron on Walton Way Extension, the only full-service gas station left in Augusta, has closed its garage doors after 37 years.
Dealerships are going to be your best choice for manufacturer-approved repairs for your vehicle, but they do have some disadvantages. The charges for parts and labor are traditionally higher than at independent or corporate-owned shops due to the much higher overhead costs and having only one parts supplier. If your needed part is on back order, you must wait.
There also might only be one dealer close to you that services your kind of car, leaving your choices slim if you have had a bad experience in the past. The advantage of a dealership is they employ factory-trained technicians that specialize in your exact vehicle.
Automotive manufacturers also require the dealership to have the tools and equipment to fix your car. Dealers also may provide free loaner cars in some cases, which may take care of the lack of transportation when your car is down. In addition, if you have a poor experience with a dealership, you can call the manufacturer and possibly get a remedy.
Independent shops, whether corporate or privately owned, are generally lower cost than dealerships. These shops have a lower cost of operation, and the labor rate may be drastically lower than the dealer. They mainly use aftermarket parts that cost less than OEM items. Their technicians are trained to work on a variety of cars and systems, but there is a limit to their knowledge.
If you have an especially tricky issue or a repair that requires specialized tooling, a dealer may be your only option for a successful repair. Some independent shops that specialize in certain car brands may have the same quality of work as the dealer, so it is good to shop around for service if you own a luxury or other high-end car.
No matter what route you decide to take, there are things that you should always look for in a repair shop.
Honesty has traditionally been an issue with our business, but I personally feel the industry as a whole has improved. Customer satisfaction is now a top priority with dealers and independent shops. You want a shop that keeps promises and delivers consistent results.
The shop you choose should want to educate you on the repair process and explain everything involved. A professional shop is clean, well-staffed and communicates well. Technicians should be trained and able to speak directly to the customer if necessary.
It doesn’t matter what you drive; every customer should be treated with honesty and respect. If you don’t feel welcome at your shop, there is another that would love to have you as a customer. Finding a good shop for your car can be difficult, but your wallet and your car will thank you.
As for me, I will see you on the road!
