Articles:

Auto Repair Shop & You

Choosing an auto repair shop in San Jose or anywhere can be daunting and we’ve been talking about how to choose the right one for you. We’ve handled price, location, reputation, recommendation and now we talk fit. Not does it fit your schedule or your foot, but does the shop’s personality fit yours. I work with a lot of clients and vendors in my line of work and sometimes our personalities crash, so one or both of us move on. Its not a bad thing it just is something that needs to happen. Everyone works more efficiently when there is a fit. The same can fall true when choosing an automotive repair shop. The personality of the shop is apparent from the service managers to the automotive technicians and the overall “look” and appearance of the shop. If someone or something doesn’t agree with you or turns you off, you might have a difficult time. It might work into a situation where it ruins or hinders trust or competence and that is not good for the shop or you. Overall, fit ... read more

Women & Auto Repair Shops

Ok, so I know this may seem like an oxymoron. Like the two do not go, but that is further from the truth. Woman are in a need to know category. They know a ton about all the things they need to know, enough to make them dangerous! Woman HAVE to know something or a lot about almost everything in this world. They function in so many levels of society, moving quickly and discreetly from one responsibility to the next, often assuming the role of the ever present and ever focused. It’s a gift really an ability to function rationally an emotionally. OK, these are generalizations but you get the point. However, when it comes to auto repair we have to be aware of the stealth and knowledge. Woman make up an estimated 60% – 80% of the automotive customer base. That is huge. So in response we need to be considerate of them and their perceptions. Woman are concerned with the organization and cleanliness of a place and their customer service. While men are most concerned with the ... read more

Categories:

Auto Maintenance

Automotive Repair and the Basics

In all of marketing right now you hear the term “Back to Basics” or “Back to School Basics” or something about narrowing down things to what you really “need” (need being relative). Automotive Repair can be one of those purchases that is difficult to determine what is really basic or necessary. There are so many confusing messages out there when it comes to Auto Repair and what is basic or common or needed and what is “fluff” or “up-sale” or “dishonest”. If you are like me, not a mechanic and dependent on what your mechanic or shop tells you, then this question is even more difficult to answer. I think a lot of it depends on trust and mutual respect. There is a balance between the shop owner/manager and customer that has to be present. This balance comes from the realization that you both need each other. You as the customer, more often than not, are not going to fix your own vehicle. The shop owner/manager needs you and your business to keep him IN business. I realize th ... read more

Categories:

Auto Maintenance

What’s in an Emergency Roadside kit?

If you are at all like a lot of the men I know, you don’t see the need. If you are like the women I know you think no big deal I have AAA or some other roadside assistance program. I am here to tell you that a roadside emergency kit is imperative! I have AAA and many times I have needed to call them, however there have been multiple times when I have used my roadside kit and its contents instead. The question shouldn’t be, “Should I?” it should be “When I do what is best to have in it?” That being said, auto repair and maintenance is not something you WANT to do on the side of the road…… but you want to be safe when you are stuck on the side of the road. Thus the name “Emergency….. roadside kit”. So as the contents go, there are many opinions/suggestions on its contents. I am going to try and give you the basics plus some….. The basics in your kit should look something like this… Gloves, flares, rags, jumper cables, a lighter, a flash light and water. Now we a ... read more

Auto Repair and Cleanliness seem to be an oxymoron…

Why is it that these two subjects, Auto Repair and Cleanliness, seem to contradict one another? Not to mention, the fact that you are up against two opinions in regards to the subject. The first is that if an auto repair shop is clean then they don’t repair autos well. The second is that if they aren’t clean then they are disorganized and don’t care about your vehicle. Now granted there are many variations on these two opinions but the fact is how do you rectify them? We think that cleanliness is always better. It makes a better statement about the work that the auto repair shop does. It states that they pay attention to detail and are concerned with the customer’s needs and perceptions. Besides who wants to go in and drop off their car and come out with grease on their hands or shirt. If you don’t want to fix your own car that’s why you bring it in. In addition, cleanliness can mean better organization which translates to you, as a customer, to lower prices. If tech and ... read more

Categories:

Auto Maintenance