Rolling Rods Network / Tips & Hints / Help for Ladies Only
TOPICS Restoration Body & Paint Power Trains Tune Up Customizing Modification Interiors Rolling Chassis Electrical Road Safety Graphics Help 4 Ladies Only TroubleShooting Add your Tips	Find a Good Repair Shop from Commander Colby    If you are in need of some repairs on your car and don't know how to find a repair shop that you can trust, try following some of these tips. Knowledge and Communication     Know your car. Since you drive it every day, who would know it better than you? Learn to "sniff out" small problems before they become major headaches. Cars can give you hints that they are heading for trouble with little or unusual noises, smells or vibrations. If your car didn't make that noise a month ago, why is it making that noise today?     You should try to start shopping for a good repair shop long before you actually need one. This will allow you the time to make an informed decision and not have to rush when your car breaks down. Know the shop's payment schedule, billing process and labor rates before committing your car to their hands. This will save you some very unwelcome surprises after the repairs are done.     Ask some of your friends or co-workers where they take their cars for service. You may not hear some of the most positive stories, but you may learn where you will NOT want to go when your car is in trouble. Make sure you jot down notes and names of the shops that are either recommended by others or advised to stay clear of. Word of mouth is always good advertising for a good repair shop.     Knowing how to communicate with the shop's foreman is also important. The better you can describe the problem, the quicker you can get it diagnosed and repaired. Make a list of the problems and go over that list with a friend or someone who is more experienced with automotive terminology. Does my Car fit here?     Take a look at the cars in the parking lot of a shop you are interested in. Are they similar in quality and value to your car?  Is the parking lot secured and well lit? Are there several cars there for sale because the customer couldn't pay the high repair bill? Do the cars that are in for repairs look like they are getting "jimmy-rigged" and not repaired properly? Does the shop offer a free towing service?     Inside and out, the shop should be well organized and as clean as possible. A clean shop will likely take better care of your car than a cluttered, dark and dirty shop would. Chances are that you may pay a little more for repairs that are done in a top of the line repair shop. But, chances are also that you may not have to get the repair work done over due to mistakes or mis-diagnosis of the problem. Are the Mechanics worth their salt?     A good quality shop will employ top, well trained  mechanics. Look for the "ASE Certified" logo on the shop's windows, the paperwork or business cards and even on the mechanic's uniforms.  Certified or well trained mechanics are much more qualified in today's automotive repairs and diagnosis. Take a Test Drive     If you have a minor problem with your car and have been putting it off. Now is a good time to get it fixed. By taking your car in for a minor repair, you can better judge the timeliness and quality of the work at any shop. This will also help you determine where to take your car when larger problem arise down the road. Don't be Afraid to Ask. But, don't Ask for the Impossible     Asking questions is always a good thing. There are never any stupid questions, only stupid answers. If you do not understand the terminology that the  service writer or mechanic is using, ask him or her to explain it more in layman's terms so that you will understand what your problem is and what it will take to fix it.     Never ask for an immediate diagnosis. Leave the car with the shop and ask them to call you with the estimate. This gives the mechanic time to accurately diagnose your car's problem and avoids making them rush to determine what repairs are needed. If you want to drive a properly repaired automobile and not risk more troubles, don't allow the mechanic to advise any "shortcuts" in repairing your car.  Get it fixed right the first time and you may never have to fix the same problem again. Keep that Receipt     File your repair records in a safe place. Know what guarantees are given with the repairs. The parts and labor are often different in warranty or guarantee, so it is best to keep track of everything.     If the repair does not meet your satisfaction, try discussing it with the same shop and give them a chance to make it right. They will want to have a satisfied customer more than an angry one. Remember how word of mouth may have brought you to this shop?  The same word of mouth can kill business for a repair shop if they don't take good care of their customers. Good luck and drive safely.

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