How do you find a reliable mechanic?

[Ns1]

Well? I mean I'm sure we've all heard the horror stories, how do you weed out the good from the bad? C'mon, gotta be some mechanics on this board

 

[NewSc2]

weed? lol

anything happen to your car last night?

 

[yakko]

I look in the mirror.

 

I don't need to know, I am a mechanic.

 

[weezergirl]

My dad is my mechanic.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Roger
I don't need to know, I am a mechanic.

Read the title again. He said a reliable mechanic.

 

Read the title again. He said a reliable mechanic.

Oh, you are really funny, have you ever thought of going up on stage and performing ?

You are just pissed because you got spanked in this this thread.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Roger

Read the title again. He said a reliable mechanic.

Oh, you are really funny, have you ever thought of going up on stage and performing ?

You are just pissed because you got spanked in this this thread.

I'd hardly call that spanked (it's coming) but thanks for the free advertisement.

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: Roger
I don't need to know, I am a mechanic.

Read the title again. He said a reliable mechanic.

Don't be dissin on Roger, I might be forced to waste a Trout on you and it won't be pretty !

 

[Tominator]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
Well? I mean I'm sure we've all heard the horror stories, how do you weed out the good from the bad? C'mon, gotta be some mechanics on this board

Most shops have great mechanics. The problem is they also have a few that are not so great.

Dealerships are the highest price. For warranty work, always go there.

For out of warranty work I stay away from Union Shops. That is not to say Union Shops aren't any good, but the union prevents a mediocre mechanic from getting fired. I can guarantee you will get him the first time you go there. Murphy's Law.

I try to go to local shops. Look around. Is it clean and well organised? Are the tools put away neatly and the floors clean? Simple things you can see will usually result in simple things getting fixed when you need to without a hassle.

No mechanic is perfect. They do not know everything there is to know just because they work on cars. Mechanics make mistakes so be prepared. It's how those mistakes are handled that puts one shop above the rest.

Check the Better Business Bureau as well and do not be afraid to complain directly to the shop manager. Most care a great deal about their customers.

I stay away from the large chain stores unless I'm buying tires or getting an alignment for the most part.

ALWAYS get an estimate!

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
Well? I mean I'm sure we've all heard the horror stories, how do you weed out the good from the bad? C'mon, gotta be some mechanics on this board

Well as a mechanic, the best way to find a good one is to...

1. Check BBB. Yes even good mechanics might have a listing here, but a bad mechanic(shop) will have A LOT of bad feedback
2. Ask friends and family and look at their old bills to see if anything stands out, they might have a bad mechanic and not know
3. Play it safe, and pay a more, and go to the dealership

But don't go to any of these national chains, like presision tune, brake shop, firestone, etc.... SOME might be good, BUT most are not

Find a good local mechanic that is owned and operated by a mechanic, like my Shop , even go to a parts store like Autozone and ask for the manager and ask for 3 good shops and then ask friedns and family about all 3 of those shops

ALL my work comes from word of mouth, I take that as a good thing

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: baffled2

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: Roger
I don't need to know, I am a mechanic.

Read the title again. He said a reliable mechanic.

Don't be dissin on Roger, I might be forced to waste a Trout on you and it won't be pretty !

LOL
Alright baff, since my wife is a red head, I will acquiesce.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Tominator
I stay away from the large chain stores unless I'm buying tires or getting an alignment for the most part.

That's good advice. They've got more than their share of dumb mechanics working there, IMO.

 

[Tominator]

Originally posted by: Garfang

Originally posted by: Tominator
I stay away from the large chain stores unless I'm buying tires or getting an alignment for the most part.

That's good advice. They've got more than their share of dumb mechanics working there, IMO.

Yes, but because of competition their tire prices are normally better than the local shop and they usuall have the latest alignment equipment. Latest spelled 'user friendly.' Usually this means fewer mistakes.