Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2000 10:48:20 -0700
Reply-To: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bill Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject: Re: Finding a Good Repair Shop
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
John,
Very good advice....
BUT :)
The reality seems to be that human nature is such that most of us have such
busy lives that we don't think of our wheels until something goes wrong...
then we need it fixed yesterday...
So when we get to the mechanic in a panic... agitated to be wasting all this
time from our busy lives... the parking lot is full and the mechanic is
being inundated by others just as agitated and impatient as we are to be
loosing time out of our busy lives... So the mechanic has little time to
talk as he is being pressed so hard by others like us... and most of us
don't want to talk... we just want the job done to get back to our busy
lives :)
But... of course... when we get hit with the big $$$ we are ready to talk :)
Too late :)
So I agree... good advice... but most will not have the discipline to follow
it... nor are they likely to find that ideal mechanic who will...
Later...
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Wessels" <EUROMOG@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2000 9:56 AM
Subject: Finding a Good Repair Shop
> Hello Volks,
>
> It amazes me this list. There is so much available information and
knowledge
> exchanged on a daily basis. From what tires to buy to how to remedy the
loss
> of power and bucking after driving for two hours.
>
> However the one topic that many can't seem to master is selecting a good
> repair shop. I see a few people ask who is decent in their area. I also
know
> that people tend to complain rather than praise.
>
> Many tend to get on the telephone and the only question they ask is "how
> much?". Or they may ask "what is your labor rate." Vary rarely do they
take
> the time to interview a repair shop personally. The following are some
> procedures and questions you should ask when your car needs repair.
>
> First call the prospective shop and ask for a time that you may come by to
> talk about getting some needed repairs done. Go to the shop personally and
> take a look around.
>
> What is the shape of the cars in the parking lot?
>
> Be careful if the lot is full of cars that seem to be growing roots. Your
car
> may end up being one these. Many fall for the trap that if the parking lot
is
> full this place must be good. The full parking lot may be caused by poor
> scheduling and inability to get the work done in a timely manner.
>
> What does the building look like on the outside?
>
> Is it clean and appealing? If a business owner takes pride in his work it
is
> usually reflected in the appearance of his business.
>
> What does the customer waiting area look like?
>
> Is it clean and comfortable? This will show how much the business cares
about
> you as a customer.
>
> What does the work area look like?
>
> Is it clean and well organized? Again boils down to pride and care in
work.
>
> Does the shop appear to be well equipped to handle your needs?
>
> Do you see newer equipment? Do they have lifts? Do they have modern
> diagnostic equipment to handle your tough to solve problems?
>
> Ask about the experience and training of the shop owner and the
technicians
> who will be doing the repairs.
>
> How many years on VW's or German cars? Are they ASE certified in the area
> that they will be performing the repair? How committed are they to
furthering
> their education and training?
>
> Is the owner or service writer friendly? Do you feel that you can
communicate
> with them so that you are BOTH under the same level of understanding?
>
> This is where most transactions fall apart. Lack of communication. It is
the
> shops job to educate you so that you know what they are talking about. It
is
> YOUR responsibility to ask questions when you don't understand.
>
> Now for the most important question.
>
> Do you trust and feel comfortable with the people wish to start a business
> relationship with?
>
> This just boils down to personalities and gut instinct. Do you trust the
> people or not? If you don't, go elsewhere. You will be doing both you and
the
> shop owner a favor.
>
> If you are comfortable with all the above then schedule the work. If not
keep
> looking. Just because your friend thought a certain shop was great doesn't
> guarantee that you will think the same.
>
> When the repair order is written ask for an estimate. Here in CA it is the
> law, but in other states it is very lax. Many times an initial inspection
or
> diagnosis may have to be quoted at first. Then a revised estimate can be
> given when the shop knows exactly what needs to be done. Most shops now
> charge for diagnoses and this is normal. Guess work and throwing parts at
a
> problem is NOT what you want.
>
> If you don't have a problem now, now is the time to establish a
relationship
> with someone you can trust. It is much easier to make decisions when you
are
> not under pressure and stress because your car is broke down. Then when
you
> do have a problem your thoughtful and careful research is done. Odds are
you
> will then end up with a satisfactory repair.
>
> John Wessels
> European Motorsport
> Livermore, CA
> http://www.euromog.com
>
