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Car owners from all over the country can attest to the fact that finding reliable auto repair shops can be a difficult task. There are many different questions you can ask as you call around or visit various locations. It may take some time, but thorough research can ensure that you will be happy with your repairs every time. Here are a few tips to aide you in your search: - Association Membership Is the shop a member of a vehicle care association such as AAA, ASP, Parts Plus, NAPA AutoCare, or TechNet? In order to become a member, the garage must pass certain qualifications. For instance, AAA conducts a Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) on about 100 of an auto repair shop's most recent customers. They ask questions like: Did the mechanic give you an accurate estimate? Or was the bill higher or lower than expected? Was your vehicle fixed in a timely manner? Was it fixed correctly the first time? What kind of warranty did you get to guarantee the work? Was the location presentable? Was the work area clean? Did they offer you a ride to work or wherever you needed to go while they fixed your car? Was the waiting area clean, comfortable, and pleasant? As you can see, hanging that "AAA Approved" shingle is not an easy ordeal. A shop has to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that their customers are satisfied with the results of their work. - Visit the Shop One of the best ways to gauge the working atmosphere of a car shop is to actually visit the shop yourself. Is it clean and orderly? Is the staff friendly and willing to answer your questions? Also, do not be afraid to speak to other customers who are waiting for vehicle repairs to be done. Ask them why they bring their car to this particular shop. Look for answer like: "They have always fixed my car right the very first time." "I trust their estimates. They do the job well and at a fair price." "They take time to talk to me. They never hesitate to answer my questions or concerns." "They do not surprise me with extra work when I come pick the car up." "They help me understand the problem with my car - using plain English." If you get answers that refer back to sales or because the owner is a friend or relative, it is probably time to reassess your choice of shops. These answers do not accurately represent a mechanic's honesty or skill. - Mechanic Certification, Training, or Continued Education During your visit, look for that AAA shingle or other certifications displayed near the front desk. If they do not have them displayed, ask to see their records. Here are some specific certifications to look for: Technician Certifications - from ASE, ASP, Delco, etc. Technician Certifications - from manufacturers like GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, etc. Marketing Training - from organizations such as NAPA/Echlin, TRW, Bendix, or Moog. Continued Education - from BOCES or technical colleges. These and other certifications combined with customer accolades will assure that you have found one of the few excellent auto repair shops for your vehicle. When considering auto repair shops, Auburn, NY residents can rely on http://www.harrystire.com.
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