I live in Baltimore city, which is notoriously a blue collar city. You cannot drive in this city without driving my a mechanics garage. Most of these places look really tiny. Is there anything wrong with going to one of these places, as opposed to going to a known place like Sears auto or the stealership? How do they all stay in business anyways. There's so many of these places in my city.
Hole in Wall Garages/Mechanics Good or Bad?
- Thread starter Marukai
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Don't judge a book by it's cover is what I would say. I have been working on cars a lot over the years. I have worked in a few shops as well.
I have had dealers screw up as well as independent shops. Dealer example, stoplight lens under warranty. About two screws partway holding on the lens, the rest of the screws in the trunk. This is when I have not had time to work on my own or family and friends vehicles. I say you want a good technician, a good looking building does not a good technician make.
I have had dealers screw up as well as independent shops. Dealer example, stoplight lens under warranty. About two screws partway holding on the lens, the rest of the screws in the trunk. This is when I have not had time to work on my own or family and friends vehicles. I say you want a good technician, a good looking building does not a good technician make.
I would think most towns of any size would have online reviews available for most classes of businesses. CitySearch is one here that readily comes to mind.
In my town the 'stealerships' are the best place to get BAD work done.
Try an independent. You might be pleasantly surprised. My local tire store has NIASE certified guys and an ex race car driver running the place like a pit crew!
They are fantastic. There's a good one near you somewhere. Ask a neighbor.
Try an independent. You might be pleasantly surprised. My local tire store has NIASE certified guys and an ex race car driver running the place like a pit crew!
They are fantastic. There's a good one near you somewhere. Ask a neighbor.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
In my town the 'stealerships' are the best place to get BAD work done.
I've generally found that to be the case.
In my town the 'stealerships' are the best place to get BAD work done.
I've generally found that to be the case.
Kestas
Staff member
Your best bet is to get a good recommendation for a mechanic. After that, it depends on how good a relationship you can build with him.
Of course, we're talking about a car that's out of warranty.
Of course, we're talking about a car that's out of warranty.
JHZR2
Staff member
Most chain places are jacks of all trades, masters of none because of workload and pay structure.
A dealer at least generally has top quality parts, training, info and works specifically on cars like yours all day.
Independent garages can be a little of each, but if you find a good one, you get all the benefits with none of the issues. I like to find guys that specialize in just a few makes, like a German or Japanese only shop. They often came from dealers long ago and maintain relationships, so they can get the specialty stuff done, as well as get good prices on parts, and be really specific for your car.
A dealer at least generally has top quality parts, training, info and works specifically on cars like yours all day.
Independent garages can be a little of each, but if you find a good one, you get all the benefits with none of the issues. I like to find guys that specialize in just a few makes, like a German or Japanese only shop. They often came from dealers long ago and maintain relationships, so they can get the specialty stuff done, as well as get good prices on parts, and be really specific for your car.
I use a totally hole in the wall mechanic. I drive way out of my way and pass horse and buggys and turn at a burned out garage. He never rips me off and is cheaper per hour than stealerships and chain stores. Knows my dad and by now knows me- even though he only sees me once a year for inspection. Best experiences I have ever had with a mechanic.
ref
ref
You might want to look for a shop that specializes in your brand or type of car. Ask around to see if anyone has a recommendation for one of these shops. Most of these places operate by word of mouth, and some have service relationships with used car dealers, body shops, etc.
Haven't run into anything I couldn't or didn't do myself for years. However, I am thinking of starting to drop used oil off at one of the small shops here. I kind of want to let them get to know me so I don't show up a complete stranger.
I did have my alignment word and some other stuff done at a Firestone dealer where I used to have lunch at the same counter as the one mechanic. I think he is retired now and the store closed.
I did have my alignment word and some other stuff done at a Firestone dealer where I used to have lunch at the same counter as the one mechanic. I think he is retired now and the store closed.
I don't worry about the holes in the wall (I appreciate low overhead), I concern myself with the quality of the mechanics. I go to a great independent shop with great mechanics and their labor rate is $32/hour. I discovered this shop by asking my father-in-law and have been going there for years.
The two places where I have work done are typical hole-in-the-wall garages, but the mechanics are the best I've dealt with for honesty, price, and quality. They don't hesitate to give it to me straight.
I sometimes go to the stealerships for dealer-only parts, or a good laugh (an estimate), but if I can't do it myself, the people who have treated me right all these years typically get the job (sometimes they're overbooked)
.
I sometimes go to the stealerships for dealer-only parts, or a good laugh (an estimate), but if I can't do it myself, the people who have treated me right all these years typically get the job (sometimes they're overbooked)
Another vote for the hole-in-the-wall shop that you get a recommendation for. Just don't expect a comfy lobby or a clean restroom. Some of these places are family operations like the one I go to where dad or grandad started it and now the younger generation runs things. If it looks like it's been there forever, that's a good thing.
A post about my last trip to the stealership back in the fall...
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1659164/
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1659164/
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/
Try that for a start!
I've used their look up service twice (once to find a garage and once to find transmission shop). Both are hole in the wall shops, but both had plenty of reviews saying they do top quality work, are honest, and are reasonably priced. I never found anything to the contrary in my experiences with either of them. They're now the only garage and transmission shop I'll take cars to now.
I've also noticed that the owner/works at hole in the wall shops are nicer. They'll talk shop with you, they'll [censored] chat about cars, sports, etc. Big chain places always have too much of a wait, it feels like they just want you to drop off your keys and leave
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/
Try that for a start!
I've used their look up service twice (once to find a garage and once to find transmission shop). Both are hole in the wall shops, but both had plenty of reviews saying they do top quality work, are honest, and are reasonably priced. I never found anything to the contrary in my experiences with either of them. They're now the only garage and transmission shop I'll take cars to now.
I've also noticed that the owner/works at hole in the wall shops are nicer. They'll talk shop with you, they'll [censored] chat about cars, sports, etc. Big chain places always have too much of a wait, it feels like they just want you to drop off your keys and leave
It has nothing to do with the sign on the wall or the quality of the building. All that matters is the person actually working on your car. If they are good, you will get your money's worth.
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Originally Posted By: refaller
I use a totally hole in the wall mechanic. I drive way out of my way and pass horse and buggys and turn at a burned out garage. He never rips me off and is cheaper per hour than stealerships and chain stores. Knows my dad and by now knows me- even though he only sees me once a year for inspection. Best experiences I have ever had with a mechanic.
ref
I get most work done at a local old school racer garage. If I can get in, he's like $30/hour. Some stuff he charges what he charges (rears, trans rebuilds, and exhaust) ..but even at his "skilled" rate, he's chump change compared to others. He's 63 and I don't think he'll ever formally retire, but will just start turning more and more work away.
You can barter with him too ...sorta. I've spent many hours playing "Mr. Hold-it" just shooting the breeze as he works. He appropriately reciprocates kindness in kind. He's a Bow-tie man, so you could pay a Ford penalty or he could decline the job if it's not to his liking.
He'll let me use his lift if he's not busy. If he sees me doing something he doesn't like, he takes over the job. When we're done, he pulls some ridiculously small $$ figure out of his behind and I add $5-$10 to it for lunch. He even acts like he's apologizing for the number at times. Some jobs he'll spend half his day on (not busy) and only ask for $85-$100. Now if he was busy, I wouldn't be able to get in.
It's best for elective work or planned refits. Emergency type stuff is hit or miss, and some work he just won't do.
I use a totally hole in the wall mechanic. I drive way out of my way and pass horse and buggys and turn at a burned out garage. He never rips me off and is cheaper per hour than stealerships and chain stores. Knows my dad and by now knows me- even though he only sees me once a year for inspection. Best experiences I have ever had with a mechanic.
ref
I get most work done at a local old school racer garage. If I can get in, he's like $30/hour. Some stuff he charges what he charges (rears, trans rebuilds, and exhaust) ..but even at his "skilled" rate, he's chump change compared to others. He's 63 and I don't think he'll ever formally retire, but will just start turning more and more work away.
You can barter with him too ...sorta. I've spent many hours playing "Mr. Hold-it" just shooting the breeze as he works. He appropriately reciprocates kindness in kind. He's a Bow-tie man, so you could pay a Ford penalty or he could decline the job if it's not to his liking.
He'll let me use his lift if he's not busy. If he sees me doing something he doesn't like, he takes over the job. When we're done, he pulls some ridiculously small $$ figure out of his behind and I add $5-$10 to it for lunch. He even acts like he's apologizing for the number at times. Some jobs he'll spend half his day on (not busy) and only ask for $85-$100. Now if he was busy, I wouldn't be able to get in.
It's best for elective work or planned refits. Emergency type stuff is hit or miss, and some work he just won't do.
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
In my town the 'stealerships' are the best place to get BAD work done.
I've generally found that to be the case.
+2
That is especially true in South Florida...The bulk of the independents down here are nightmares...The tire places down here are the worst of the worst as they sabotage cars that owners won't let them do the unnecessary work...It happened to my mom.
With that said Sears is the best of the worst if you do not want to go to the stearlership.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
In my town the 'stealerships' are the best place to get BAD work done.
I've generally found that to be the case.
+2
That is especially true in South Florida...The bulk of the independents down here are nightmares...The tire places down here are the worst of the worst as they sabotage cars that owners won't let them do the unnecessary work...It happened to my mom.
With that said Sears is the best of the worst if you do not want to go to the stearlership.
The dealership service facilities carry so much overhead that it practically guarantees a rip-off. Expensive real estate, a team of service writers, and minimal reimbursement for warranty work from manufacturers create a climate that is stacked against the consumer. I prefer independent shops, granted it takes time and effort to find a good one but worth it. I don't include the tire chains in that category since they share some characteristics of dealer shops and often have high turnover of mechanics.
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