Car Trouble

I hate taking my car to the shop....because I always feel talked down too, and then ripped off.

Do you think a car repair shop with uniform standards and prices, with a higher qualification for its mechanics and a stronger emphasis on customer service, would be a succesful venture...call it the Starbuck-ification of auto repair. Would you take your car to a place like this?

Tags: Auto, Ideas, Jonathan, New, Piscitelli, Repair

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Permalink Reply by Diana Oyaga on June 24, 2008 at 3:57pm

the problem is that starbuckification leads to your car being fixed by a different guy every time and the relationship is impersonal . for me my car needs to be fixed by someone I trust not just anyone. so if this place can give personalized auto repair relationships, and there is one close to my home with workers who i can get to know and know that they are honest workers... then yes it would work. it would kind of work like dry cleaning chains, you never know who washes your clothes, you just know that there, they do it well.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on June 24, 2008 at 10:10pm

True, knowing the guy(or gal) working on your car is ideal. Then you know each other, there's a level of trust and respect, and your mechanic gets to know you and your own needs. You're exactly right. Just because its a dirty job, doesn't mean it has to be a dirty business.

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Permalink Reply by Peter Syravong on June 30, 2008 at 1:09pm

Hmmm. Well, just like my quotes for print work, I tend to go for at least 3 or 4 quotes/opinions. I must admit, I do feel a bit safer with "established" brands, but prices are a bit inflated. On the other hand, small local shops really do care (sometimes) and will give you the extra help or even a price break.

But the first thing I would do is look some shops up on Yelp. Yelp is great for this, as you can get honest reviews. What I do is message someone on Yelp who is a loyal customer to the shop and they usually say, "Tell'em I sent you." And I usually get great service and even a discount. Good luck!