Long gone is the time when cars where considered luxury items that only wealthy people owned. Today, cars are among those home assets that every household needs in order to keep up with the dynamic rate of everyday life. Because they have gained such a status, cars require to be maintained regularly along with periodic checks. Hence, it is not an easy decision to choose where to take a car for a repair and to choose a car mechanic. So, before you choose your mechanic, make sure you compare different auto shops by certain criteria and make your best decision if you want your car to last a lifetime. Even if you decide to sell it, you will still hold the benefit of selling it at a above average price.
Some would say that larger brand companies which offer car services charge too much. But in reality, these companies are good to start with. So what if you give a couple of bucks more for a better service. If you choose a cheaper service, you may end up paying even more for new parts. Be aware of this as there are many auto mechanic shops that do this intentionally in order to take more money from their customers. While certified shops have quality employment program (a series of tests) which potential employees take to prove their skills and experience.
On the other hand, some local mechanics might turn to be much more skilled than any other brand auto shop. If you think about it, that is why they choose to start their own business in the first place. Also, these local mechanics develop more personal relationship with customers and make you feel more secure and comfortable when it comes to leaving your car in their hands.
They say that one of the most effective marketing tools is word of mouth. Friends, relatives and colleagues can sometimes be a great source of information for finding quality services and products. This also includes car mechanic services.
There are some tips on how to determine level of skills and expertise of an auto mechanic. Ask your mechanic about certain complex process that occurs in a car engine or similar and see if he can describe it in a simplest way possible. If he manages to provide a clear picture of this process he should be skilled enough to maintain it.
In conclusion, it is always better to stick to one mechanic instead of trying different shops all the time. Consequently, that is why it is tough to make this decision about who will be your long term and trusted mechanic.