Auto & Truck Service

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. We do almost everything. Commonly brakes, maintenance work. Tires, front end work, rack and pinions.
Water pumps, timing belts, head gaskets. clutches. Exhaust systems, flex pipes, converters. motors
We also replace fenders and bumper covers, doors, latches, locks, windows, regulators

Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.

A. 03 PT cruiser: front end noise and alignment. Initial inspection turns up badly worn lower control arm bushings. this could def. cause noise and affect alignment. Both lower control arms were removed and the rear main busing was cut and hammered out and new busings carefully pressed in on a press. I am told by parts counter people that they never sell the busings alone because most people replace the entire control arm assy. at a cost of about $100.00 each. The bushings are only $15 each which saved our customer considerably money. Very little extra labor is required to repair the control arm instead, and results are 100%. Sway bar link kits were also replaced at the time of re-assembly.
Ocasionally we sub cont. out full front end alignments if damage or excessive wear is noticed This customer stated he had hit a curb so we sent the car to the alingment shop. On the way I noticed the noise in front end was still there. Once at the major tire store ( no names mentioned ) we told them of the problem noise and to align the vehicle. An hour later got a call from them - they said the noise was in the struts and suggested replacing both front struts to correct the problem. Picked the vehicle up from them took back to the shop and re-inspected it myself. Turns out the frame to sway bar bushing have some movement or play so we replaced them - $16 for parts. The noise was gone! Not $450 for new struts as the tire shop would have done - and then STILL have the noise ( are you kidding )
Vehicle was returned for full alignment - done and test drivin by me and appoved for delivery to customer.
I would say we probably saved a large sum of money for him - had he taken it some where else. Once again proving that Quality is not expensive - it's priceless!

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Try to establish competancy and professionalism. even large shops can lack these.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. There are many mistakes the general public makes when selecting a service. From what work is necessary to how much it should cost. Honesty and trust is most important. Competancy is also. I like the quote " Quality is not expensive, it's priceless." though lately our prices have become more reasonable.
I quess the best secret is 'always try to get a second opinion' when someone gives you an estimate. this way you can compare price verses services.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. You have to like him and trust him

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. The best thing I like is when someone already has a high quote for work needed and we come in way lower
You want to get the best price on the best service so smaller shops like us can offer that. Overhead and advertizing costs are low for us, also our 27 years experience gives us the edge on how to save money and what corners can be cut.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Outstanding quality, very low rate of comebacks
the object : fix it right the 1st time
Our paint work is superior to most shops in the area
Resonably fast turnover rate from being a small shop, most jobs even large, are complete within a few days with the excption of small jobs, oil changes, brakes, tires, tune ups usually done within 1 day, if we're very busy then 2.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Every day brings a new experience
I never get bored. every job, every car is different than the last.
The satisfaction of resolving a difficult problem
My whole life is problems and I solve them one at a time

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. "how much will this cost? "
after assesseng the problem, an initial quote is given. Usually we come in right on, sometimes with older cars there are other complications.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. how conciencious we are. and painfully honest.
We care more about your car than you do. Don't be surprised if you get scolded for not caring enough about your vehicle. We know how to make a car run well for a long time, just let us do our job.
It's a rough, competitive profession with a terrible reputation. Generally the public does not trust you, it is hard to get people to trust you. Price is not near as important as quality. however we do believe that you don't replace something that still works properly. We won't sell you something you don't need. We don't hard sell anyone. if you can't afford all you need, then we will tell you what is priority for now and what you can expect in the future. You have a say in the quality and longevity of the repairs.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. Came natural for me, my older brothers, my dad, all mechanics. I was the youngest in the family - started working on bikes as young as 5, then mini bikes, then cars. I enjoyed building my own cars, so decided to build them for others.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. 05 Ford Escape. engine failure at 78,000 miles
Timing chain failed and after replacement engine was found to have 8 bent valves. Many shops including Ford dealers may have insisted on replacing this engine. this could have costed up to $5000. We installed a low milage used head and new timing components. this was a very tedious undertaking that should have been at the dealer. a modern and unusual
double overhead cam engine. Requiring hours of research, attention to detail, and painstaking expertise. All said and done the customer spent $1600 and we are confident of the repair as long as the oil is changed regularly.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Every day is an education. lately the internet is a great sorce of information and that is mostly what I need to repair a car. I have always educated myself and it is a continueing process. curiosity makes me seek out new technology and products and how they work; I have passed every ASE test with ease.
The more work you do the more experience, there is no replacement in this trade for hands on experience. it's the only way you learn.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. Absolutely. Electric cars and hybrid
vehicles are being made lighter, stronger, more modular
some more complicated others simpler.
the business evolves constantly with new inovations and technologies

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Last week i replaced a heater core in a 2000 Jetta. the most difficult procedure I think to date. Requiring removal of almost everything in the interior from the steering wheel forward. there was nothing left inside except some wiring and some insulation on the firewall. took 2 almost 3 days total.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Our labor rate is $50 or $60 per hour for mechanical, depending on the type of work and make of car.
$36 to $46 per hour labor on body or paint work, depending on make of car and size of job. Parts are marked up a uniform percentage from jobber cost.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Analytic ability. the why and how things work. to pull something apart without breaking it, figure out how it works, repair it and reassemble it better that is was.
Also persistance, I never give up.
I can fix anything.
if it used to run, I can fix it

Q. What are you currently working on improving?

A. A badly damaged 2000 Jetta. restoring this to top mechanical condition for resale.