Should I trust any retail Auto repair chain for scheduled maintence., or should I go to the dealer ?

Question

I am not sure whether I should go to the dealer for regular maintenance, or if just any Tire/Auto Repair, Sears, STS, etc... is just as good.

Answer 1

Unless it is something covered under warranty, I would suggest option 3. Not a dealer, and not a national chain. If you can find a good independent repair shop, you are better off taking all your non warranty work to them. They will get to know you, and your car. They will not feel the need to sell you every repair under the sun, because they know you will be coming back.

For example, if they check your brakes and see that the pads are starting to wear out, they will tell you that you are going to need brakes soon. If they know you will be in regularly, they do not feel the need to sell you the brake job today. You can still drive safely for another few months, and when the pads are more worn, they will get the repair job!

If you go to a chain or quick service place, you are just a number. The mechanic is going to figure that he has one shot to sell you the work, you are not coming back! He will tell you that you need to do the brakes NOW. He wants the work, and even if you come back in a month, the odds are he will not be the one working on your car!!

Build a relationship with one honest shop, and it will pay off in the long run!

Answer 2

Dealers can be a little pricey for repair work.. One thing to consider is that the dealer is required to have all the necessary tools and diagnostic equipment to repair your car. So even though their per hour cost is more, it can take less time for repairs and maintenance, saving you money. In any case, its usually best to find a shop that you're comfortable with, and stay there. They will get to know you and your car and this will help keep your car running for a long time. Ask around and it won't take long to find a good repair shop near you.

Answer 3

here is problem
if i was an excellent mechanic and was very good
i can go to work any where i want but if i wanted to make more i open my own shop
all the work i do is great and you love me

now i get busy and need to hire an extra mechanic i have only a few choices hire one from one of my competitors (can be expensive)
or hire a less or no experience mechanic and train them
that is what normally happens as the good ones either has a good job or open there own shop

now when you bring your car in who fixes it the high school drop out or the trained mechanic

you usually find the less trained ones at (but not always)
oil lube/ tire stores/ sears / pep boys/ type shops the better mechanics can be found at shops that were started and owned by the head tech or the dealer has specific cat trained mechanics The Chev dealer may have a good tech that can fix your Chev but they are lost on a Toyota

and the dealers have techs that are better at some things than at others and yes as the tech gets good they move on and they hire the new guy that may/may not know what he is doing

does any mechanic disagree ???

Answer 4

After years of trying to save a few bucks up front by going to a chain I realised that although the immediate repair need might be more costly from the dealer that it beats having a chain mess with your car and not even be educated on your particular model. The only reason those mechanics are working for chains is because they have no specialized training on specific models and with cars as complex as they are theese days I would much rather trust the dealer who specializes in your make and model. Another thing to keep in mind is when you go to a dealership they are more apt to diagnose the issue correctly form the get go rather than trial and errror which could get expensive and keep you without wheels for a longer period than necessary.

Answer 5

Dealer can do it all... BUT it can be VERY expensive!!!

Any Repair shop can take you for a check book ride if you dont know...

>>>> I say ask co-workers, friends, family for a trusted repaire shop they can introduce you to... i did and will never go anywhere else...unless i absolutly had to...