I'm wondering whether there is a good strategy for finding a good garage. Like many of you, I do a lot of my own work, but need a garage for tougher jobs. Sometimes I want to provide my own parts, because I want certain brands over others and don't want to risk what a shop may provide. This seems to be a problem for some places. I end up going through a lot of places, because I don't like the work provided or people don't want to discuss options for the job I'm interested in having them perform.
Any strategies for finding good places and people to work with?
Finding a Good Garage
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The very reason why I wish I had a garage w/a lift. First thing I`m getting when I buy a house :^)
I would find a hole in the wall independent with cars in the parking lot that look like yours, or, IMO, worse.
My guy, on my last visit, was making one good 1991 previa out of two junky ones, one of which looked like it rolled. He'll use your parts for an extra $5/hr.
If you're a control freak, though, the best option is to learn to do what you want to do. Nothing else comes close in satisfaction.
The best mechanics I have ever seen had shops that were disastrous,but they knew what every part laying around was and for what car. They were dirty,messy and slightly disheveled. But they could fix anything.
These shops that have the mechanics certifications on the wall tells me they know how to use a certain manufacturers diagnostic machines. I want to see half naked girls on the snap-on calendar,a black stained coffee maker,stuff laying around everywhere. That's a mechanic.
Back about 20 years ago, I picked a garage based on the fact that there were a fair # of commercial trucks in the lot, including one truck from a wholesale fish place that delivers to a radius of 70+ miles. The garage fixed my converter problem with a mechanic fabricated mounting bracket for a total of $35.
If you want a specific mfg part, have the garage get it for you as part of the repair. Getting it yourself I would find somewhat insulting as it seems like "I value your repair expertise, but I want to minimize how much you are compensated"
I found one good Ford-only indy shop back home through word of mouth from one of my mom's coworkers. There were junky old Rangers, F-150s, and Explorers parked there all the time so I knew it was the right place. I wish that shop was here, but unfortunately it's about 3 hours away and only convenient if I'm visiting my parents.
Locally I found one pretty good Ford dealer that I trust enough to use. I do check behind them, but so far so good. They service hundreds if not thousands of Ford trucks, so they have to know them pretty well.
I found a local all makes indy shop that I like through the internet. I was just searching on Google and they had consistently good reviews. No problems with them either.
All of these places will use parts you supply without question if they are quality parts. If I bring my own parts, I don't bring junk.
I have found that big chain shops won't even install parts you provide. I wanted a centerforce df installed in my mustang. I went to kal tire and ok tire and they would only install oem and they had to supply it. I even said no warantee and they still wouldn't. I went on my mustang forum,found a thread and did it myself.
I now have a great mechanic who charges reasonable prices and will install my parts. And I pay him whenever. He is great. Now he is very busy so it takes a few days til he can get to my vehicles however at half price as compared to chain shops I don't mind waiting
Originally Posted By: Clevy
The best mechanics I have ever seen had shops that were disastrous,but they knew what every part laying around was and for what car. They were dirty,messy and slightly disheveled. But they could fix anything.
These shops that have the mechanics certifications on the wall tells me they know how to use a certain manufacturers diagnostic machines. I want to see half naked girls on the snap-on calendar,a black stained coffee maker,stuff laying around everywhere. That's a mechanic.
My advice is to find some people that do most of, if not all of, the work on their vehicles themselves. Ask them that if they had something they couldn't or didn't want to do, who would they take their car to?
Usually these people are the most picky and will usually know a place you can trust.
Too bad you're not in N.J., the place I use is just what you're looking for. Although not a mess, pretty clean and organize for garage. I came across him by accident one day after going through many years of ripoffs and half-as$ed mechanics.
Its not easy finding an honest and knowledgable mechanic that you can work with. The best way is to ask around and do some leg work.
Walk in to different shops, talk with them and see what kind of vibe you get. Be right up front about what you're looking for and see what they have to say. You may have to visit a lot of shops before you find the right place.
Granted you may have better luck with shops you've built a prior rapport with, it may help to do it their way for some simple jobs before asking special favors.
Originally Posted By: AdRock
My advice is to find some people that do most of, if not all of, the work on their vehicles themselves. Ask them that if they had something they couldn't or didn't want to do, who would they take their car to?
Usually these people are the most picky and will usually know a place you can trust.
ask around.(which you are doing just by making this post)
there's also always this option.
go to the "Mechanics Files" section over @ Cartalk.com.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechanics-files
when you get there, put in your zip code, they have a database of about 30k user reviewed & Recommended shops. you can even specify a certain make of car, to find a shop "specializing" in that make.
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
The very reason why I wish I had a garage w/a lift. First thing I`m getting when I buy a house :^)
There are garages that specialize in one type of car or another and they are often better because they have seen the exact same problem numerous times and don't have to do "diagnostics," which often mean the mechanic doesn't have a clue and is hoping the computer will spit out some codes so he can try replacing a bunch of expensive parts and charge a lot of labor for doing so. In other words, a foreign car specialist is better if you have a Saab, and even better is a guy who specializes in just Saabs. There's a guy near here that has a shingle out on a tree that says he does Accords and Acuras. Another guy is a VW specialist. I would ask around the police garage or a taxi place who is good for Crown Vics. Etc.
Find a small independent shop. I have had good luck in finding shops with 2-4 mechanics. Usually the owner is one of them. In one the owners mother runs the desk to schedule work and take money. I have not had a problem with supplying parts. I think if I got the same brand part they would have gotten, maybe they would not be happy. But if I come in with Akebono brake pads, they know they are tops and would be difficult to get in a short period of time. Or if I did not get the right part several times. If I bring in the right part they can continue to work on the car without stopping or calling for parts. I did obtain a reman engine, and they were OK with that even though the first one had to go back after being installed.
Thanks for the suggestions. Bringing your own parts, does seem to be tricky at some places. I think that I'm going to start there, and ask places up-front about their policies.
I also have a beef with shop-supply charges above a certain percentage. I just went to a place that charged me 8% of the total, for what, I don't know. There wasn't anything to dispose of, and I can't think of what supplies they could have needed for the job. But, they charge everybody that 8%.
Originally Posted By: Clevy
The best mechanics I have ever seen had shops that were disastrous,but they knew what every part laying around was and for what car. They were dirty,messy and slightly disheveled. But they could fix anything.
These shops that have the mechanics certifications on the wall tells me they know how to use a certain manufacturers diagnostic machines. I want to see half naked girls on the snap-on calendar,a black stained coffee maker,stuff laying around everywhere. That's a mechanic.
If you can find a really good, reasonable indy shop, hang on to them and don't let go!
I know my trusted guy ticked me off on my last visit to him.
I went in for a wheel bearing and State inspection. He never caught the fact I had a blown headlamp (literally blew the night before), but he happily stuck it to me by installing a $40 pair of WIPER BLADES along with my $500 wheel bearing job and State inspection fee!
At that point I was actually happy he didn't catch the headlamp. He would have probably charged me $60 to change the lamp.
I guess my point is; Even your average indy guy is gouging now due to costs being up on everything.
Joel
I use a shop back home about 12 miles from my fathers house. They have a massive hard coal stoker in their shop along with a full sized KELVINATOR beer meister. When I did my struts last summer, I bought HONDA struts and took them to the guys(father and son garage) and they showed me how to use the strut compressor. They didnt charge me anything since they owed my father some money as he welds for them. They said if they wanted to they would charge me half their labor cost. Very nice older folks and they do quality work as well.
adam
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