Finding a good auto technician is possible, but it will take some time. Auto mechanics have an unfortunate reputation of being difficult to work with as many people have reported that they had been ripped off or mistreated. A lot of these cases are legitimate, but that does not have to be the case for you. Here is what you can do to find a good technician.
Ask for recommendations from friends and family
One of the best places to find some good recommendations to ask your friends and family members if they know of anyone. Asking them is more likely to give you honest perceptions of the shop and what to expect if you decide to work with the technician. You can consider all of the recommendations they have given you and then perhaps find some others by searching online or in the phone book.
Get multiple opinions and compare prices
Before you settle on any technician, it is key that you obtain multiple opinions and compare prices across the board. Call around to the shops that you are considering and ask them what they think the problem is. Ask them how much the labor will cost as well as how much the parts will cost. If you do not know much about cars, then you should also try to research the problem online if you can so you will sound like you know what you are talking about.
Check their credentials
Auto technicians are actually required to obtain certain credentials and certifications to perform tasks. You should check to see that the technician is certified and knows how to do complete the job.
Talk to them and look around their shop
Try to see how it feels talking to them and make sure that you feel comfortable working with them. Also, look around their shop and notice if the place is neat and clean because that is a sign of good workmanship. A shop that is crowded with old cars in a state of disrepair is a sign that you need to keep moving. If possible, you should also pay attention to what their personal car looks like because they cannot fix yours if they will not even take good care of their own.
Do a dry run
If you are thinking about getting a significant amount of work done on the car, then you may want to try doing a dry run. Some people say that you should start with small tasks like an oil change just to see how they will treat you and only let them proceed if they are pleasant to deal with.
Check online reviews
Many times you can find reviews online if do an Internet search for the shop. Every single review may not be positive, but you should take note if there are a lot of negative reviews or if people are saying the same thing. You can also check with your local Better Business Bureau and see if there are any complaints against them.
Everyone has different experiences, so just because you have heard good things about a technician does not mean that you experience will be the same. The bottom line is that you need to trust your gut and find a technician that you feel comfortable dealing with.
