Car Repair - Keeping it Safe on the Road
We’ve all seen that car barreling down the Interstate seemingly held together with luck and several roles of duct tape. The rear window is fabricated from a 30 gallon garbage bag and black exhaust billows from the tailpipe. And soon enough the decision is made to either pass that car or remain several lengths behind it. Car repair: it can make everyone feel a little bit safer on the roads.
Every driver will face a time that a car repair is necessary,
whether it be minimal, like a tire replacement, or major like repairing/replacing the catalytic converter. Some drivers may choose to attempt the repair on their own, while others will seek out a car repair facility. And then there is the driver who simply allows the engine to become so whipped the car will simply seize up and die-not the smartest decision to be made, and a costly one at that.
The Yellow Pages and the Internet are filled with listings for car repair businesses. Some are available for minimal repairs: oil changes, wiper blade replacement, tire rotations and brake repair. Others offer the full service treatment from an oil change all the way up to an engine overhaul. Regardless which repair service a driver is in need of, a bit of research should be done prior to releasing the vehicle into their care.
A referral from a friend, family member or co-worker is always a reasonable place to begin when seeking a car repair facility. The Yellow Pages or Internet can also prove a reliable source, especially if customer testimonials are provided online. But whichever route the driver chooses to take when deciding which location is the best fit for them, several guidelines should be followed to ensure a positive experience.
The business should boast of employing License and Certified technicians, possibly even those who are specialists in specific fields, like those familiar with electric cars or an emissions specialist. A business license should be on display, along with a menu posted listing prices for each service, including labor and any disposal fees. Some facilities perform oil changes charge an additional fee for electric cars or hybrids, due to more costly filters. This should be pointed out prior to service being done on the vehicle.
A written estimate should be provided to the customer, as well as an explanation of all necessary repairs, fees and labor costs. Any warranty or guarantee on parts and labor should be discussed, in conjunction with any and all exclusions before the work begins on the vehicle. A time frame for the work to begin and when it will be completed should also be agreed upon by both customer and repair facility.
While any car repair can be daunting, if the effort is made to first investigate the repair location, then the customer should feel confident that the business will respect them, their car and a level of trust will be established that the work will be performed to the highest level possible. A wall of customer testimonials is always a good sign in a business, and every business should strive to earn that testimonial/referral from previous customers.
