Many people don’t develop a relationship with a repair facility until their vehicle breaks down. Then, without knowing how to evaluate a shop, they resort to comparison by price, calling around to find the cheapest. There are many problems with this approach. First of all, no reputable auto repair shop in Boulder will be able to give you an accurate price without seeing the car first. It is impossible to tell the extent of repairs needed without diagnosing the problem. Be wary of shops that give prices over the phone, because often they will under-quote to get you into the shop, then talk you into the “real” price. That’s no way to start a relationship with the person you are entrusting to keep you safe and on the road.
The other thing to consider is the quality of parts used and to what extent the shop will stand by their work. There is a wide range of parts available for most cars, but not all are created equal. The only thing worse than paying for a repair, is paying for it twice because the replacement part failed. Shops that stand by their work insist on using only quality parts.
Ask about the Warranty! A reputable shop will use quality parts and stand by their work for at least a year.
Ask your friends and/or relatives where they have their vehicle serviced. A good repair facility will always generate referrals because they provide quality service, workmanship and affordability.
Check with the BBB. The Better Business Bureau is always a great place to start, when you’re looking for a service business. Check not only for complaints, but for responses by the shop.
Make sure you feel comfortable! Professionalish and cleanliness of the facility are good indicators of a quality shop.
Find a shop where you can build a relationship of trust with your Technician and/or Service Advisor. Quality shops strive to build that relationship, and realize that retaining you as a customer is far more important than the bottom line.
