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Looking for a New Repair Shop? Four Money Saving Questions to Ask

Automotive technicians are often compared to doctors. The two professions have a lot in common. It may surprise consumers to find that by choosing these professionals wisely, they can get better care at a better price.

When it comes to choosing a repair shop, many experts see the importance of a clean facility, ASE certificates on the wall and a table with a coffee pot and snacks. While these items are important, Braxton Automotive suggests that these four vital questions tell most of the story:

  1. Will the Service Advisor take time to listen to my description of my car's problem?
  2. Can the Service Advisor explain things to me in laymen's terms?
  3. If necessary, will the Technician test-drive the car with me?
  4. Do they have the knowledge and equipment to diagnose and repair it right the first time?

Back to the doctor/technician comparison. Some doctor's are great diagnosticians. They can pin point a malady when their peers are coming up with empty charts. What's the difference between that doctor and the people wearing white coats? Possibly his/her knowledge and perhaps equipment, but probably it's listening skills that sets the really great docs apart from the good ones. When choosing a professional, the variety that looks after your car or the variety that looks after your body, ask them the four questions. In effect, audition them. See how the doctor takes care of your flu and how the tech deals with an oil change before visiting with something more serious. Watch how they handle their time and be aware of how much time is allotted to you. Are they tuned into your problems and asking relevant questions? Are they providing an objective opinion based on information they've garnered during your discussion? Can they explain the problem and solution to you in laymen's terms?

The bottom line is this - time is money. The less time these people are willing to spend on the front end often multiplies the amount of time needed on the back end. In the case of both the doctor and the tech, the extra time spent having to fix you or your car a second or a third time is not only expensive, it can be detrimental to you or your car's condition.

Remember, you want to work with automotive professionals who are trained to listen, learn, test and correctly repair your vehicle the first time. By working with a great shop, over the course of time you can save endless hours and cash. And here's an added bonus, patronizing these professionals and telling your friends means that more folks can enjoy and benefit from their outstanding business methods.