| By :
Nick Messe
The dealership where you purchased your vehicle is no longer your only option for service and repair. In fact, it is a myth that a dealership can offer the best service. The recent recession in the United States has adversely affected the automotive industry. In many cases that has resulted in fewer services being offered by car dealerships. As a result of tough economic times, car manufacturers and dealerships have had to increase their costs to stay in business. One reason many were closed down was to conserve overall costs for the parent corporation. Also many of these increased costs dissuaded customers from buying parts and requesting car services. As many dealerships either became unavailable or became more costly, customers began to seek alternatives, and one of these was to support independent shops. This increased level of trust in local shops to provide automotive services improved the quality of these small businesses, stimulating innovative ways to satisfy customer demand. In order to capture business that had previously gone to dealerships, many independent shops have begun offering more comprehensive services. That includes providing approved parts and services aimed at keeping warranties in place. Besides the benefits of excellent service, customers appreciate the family atmosphere, where a personal interest is taken in their car problems. In addition, customers are able to enjoy increased savings in an independent shop because of lower overhead costs. Smaller shops simply do not have many of the costs that are typically incurred by new car dealerships. Consequently, in smaller shops, customers are able to get discounts on basic services such as oil changes and wheel alignments, as well as benefitting from flexible payment plans. In some cases more innovative independent shops have even started involving their customers in the repair process. For example, some offer workshops on car maintenance to give car owners tips on prolonging the life of their cars. Moreover, local shops, employing ASE certified car mechanics and service professionals, are able to provide the same amount of expertise as those available at a dealership. In some cases, the quality of car repair service is even higher because the mechanics are exposed to a wider variety of cars and have acquired a broader range of technical experience. The bottom line is that many local repair shops will work hard for your patronage. Besides providing a friendlier and more personal approach to car repair, they also make sure that customers experience a higher level of satisfaction with the repairs made. For example, when a customer comes in for a simple repair job, a mechanic may also identify other repairs that need to be done. Conversely, too, a customer may need fewer repairs than he or she anticipates. By developing a close relationship with customers, the repair shop is able to inform customers what specific repairs their cars need and why these are necessary. The more enterprising and customer-oriented independent repair shops will do things like arranging shuttle services and car rentals for customers. Independent shops are also able to accommodate commercial fleets, especially when those fleets include vehicles from more than one manufacturer. They are also usually receptive to offering bulk rate discounts on service for fleets. The simple fact is that independent car repair shops offer advantages not found in dealer shops. Local repair shops can often build a long lasting relationship with customers and get to know their cars. Busy dealerships on the other hand, by virtue of their size and high overhead, are often unable to develop a personal interest in individual customers.
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