When it's time to have brake repair performed, some places are better than others. Finding a good one, however, may be a chore worth following through with. Here are some things to think about.
Brake repair is an important automotive task that should be done by competent technicians. The braking devices in a car are extremely important safety devices. If they fail,
it could cause collisions, injuries, damage to vehicles and even fatalities. This is not something to take lightly. Some shops will be more trustworthy than others. Here are some things to think about.
- Word-of-mouth referrals: Anyone who drives an automobile will likely have an opinion about good and not-so-good places to go for car maintenance and repair. Ask around. Interview family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers about who they take their cars to for repairs. This is a great place to start.
- Online reviews: There are various websites that have online reviews of all types of service personnel including automotive garages. Check out posts and reviews about potential auto shops in your town. Always read a variety of posts and take into consideration that the more opinions one hears, the better a picture will be painted.
- BBB: Once a few possibilities have surfaced, calling the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the businesses you're considering is a wise move.
- Training of technicians: Call garages to inquire about the training and certification of the mechanics who work there. They should be well trained techs before they're assigned to repair brakes.
- Experience: Also inquire about how long the mechanics have been working there. Long term employees are good signs of a well run place.
- Professional and courteous: Are the individuals who work there professional, welcoming and courteous? Cranky staff members who act like customers are pains will not be fun to work with. Business relationships should be cordial at all times.
- Estimates in writing: Make certain that all estimates are given in writing. Verbal estimates will not hold up to scrutiny. In the estimate, all details should be included such as parts, labor, sales tax.
- Old parts given back: In order to see the wear and tear on the old parts, many shops will offer to bag them up and return them to the customer. This can be a helpful practice, especially if there's any question about how worn out they actually were.- Guarantee: Ask about what type of guarantee is given on the brake repair. Most shops will offer some sort of warranty to the customers.
- Locally owned: Dealing with a shop that is locally owned is helpful because the owner will be part of the same community. Managers and small business owners know that word-of-mouth referrals can make or break them. They want their neighbors and fellow townsfolk to be happy with the automotive servicing and spread the positive word around town.
When it's time to have brake repair performed, it should be done promptly and by the right mechanics. Getting a referral from friends, family members or neighbors will be helpful. Checking with online reviews and the BBB will also be a wise move. Asking the management about the technicians training and experience, getting estimates in writing and obtaining warranties will also be smart.
