In many ways, success breeds success. This is certainly true among auto repair shops. A quality auto repair shop will stick around for years. During that period, it will develop a trusted reputation for quality auto repair and automotive maintenance. And, through word of mouth, that reputation will spread.

Based on that reputation, they will attract more and more customers who will add their voices to the spread of the quality auto repair shop’s reputation. More than that, though, the auto repair shop will also attract more qualified auto repair technicians. The best will seek to work for the best. They’ll know that the customers are treated with respect and that respect starts with the way the employees are treated.

The most successful auto repair shops, however, have to start somewhere. And, from Day 1, they will have to bring several positive qualities to the table. These include:

Superior Auto Repair Skills and Experience: Of course, this includes automotive skills and experience. The people working on your vehicle have to know what they’re doing. Auto repair is not a learn-on-the-job equation, not for customers who want to know they can trust the auto repair shop to get the job done correctly and safely.

Today, experience isn’t enough. Cars are more and more technical. Qualified auto repair technicians have to keep pace. That means that the technicians working on the cars have to attend seminars and take courses to keep their skills current.

The Best and Proper Auto Repair Equipment: If the philosophy of your auto repair shop is that they can always get a bigger hammer, get in your car and escape as quickly as possible. Qualified auto repair technicians spend top dollars ensuring that they have a fully equipped rolling tool box with high quality automotive hand tools and equipment. The auto repair shop will also have the latest auto repair equipment. This includes expensive electronic testing equipment that is capable of communicating with all the electronics of all the vehicles on the road.

Customer Service and Professionalism: Just because someone knows how to cook doesn’t mean they know how to run a restaurant. The same holds true with a quality auto repair shop. At a quality auto repair shop they know that customers generally don’t look forward to bringing their cars in to the auto repair shop.

When a customer brings their car in for auto repairs or maintenance, it’s a necessary expense of time and money they’d usually rather spend somewhere else. A quality auto repair shop will strive to minimize both expenditures on behalf of the customer. The folks at the auto repair shop go to lengths to make the experience as positive as possible.

The keys to customer service and professionalism include:

• Effective communication – you have a right to know what work your car needs, and what it will cost, before the work begins.
• A willingness to work around your schedule when possible – of course, this isn’t always possible, especially when the car demands immediate attention. But, folks at a quality auto repair shop will make the effort, which goes a long way. Additionally, they may provide drop-off and pick-up services to make the process more convenient.
• A commitment to doing the job right – it’s not enough to get the job done; the work needs to be done properly. In many cases, if it isn’t, you and your family could be at risk. Additionally, doing the job right means you won’t have to bring the car back to fix what was supposedly fixed the first time.

Wherever you bring your car for auto repair and maintenance, it’s worth the effort to make sure you’re working with a quality auto repair shop that takes your best interests to heart.