294 Reviews
mechanic
ARTICLES:
AUTO TECHNICIANS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND- WHICH MAY MEAN MORE EXPENSIVE VEHICLE REPAIRS
A national shortage of auto technicians may make it more expensive to get your car fixed. The Colorado Department of Labor estimates the demand for auto technicians in the state will increase by 12.5 percent over the next nine years; an overall increase of about 1,500 jobs. "I've had a b-tech position open for over two years," Marc Zandell, owner of Golden Triangle Auto Care said. "We use Indeed, we use Craigslist. I even tell my parts vendors that if they bring somebody to me, I'll give them 300 dollars." Zandell says finding younger employees who are qualified has been a challenge. "The industry is aging, most of the good techs Read More...
RECORD 7 MILLION AMERICANS ARE 3 MONTHS BEHIND ON CAR PAYMENTS, A RED FLAG FOR ECONOMY
A record 7 million Americans are 90 days or more behind on their auto loan payments, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported Tuesday, even more than during the wake of the financial crisis era. Economists warn this is a red flag. Despite the strong economy and low unemployment rate, many Americans are struggling to pay their bills. "The substantial and growing number of distressed borrowers suggests that not all Americans have benefited from the strong labor market," economists at the New York Fed wrote in a blog post. A car loan is typically the first payment people make because a vehicle is critical to getting to work, and someone Read More...
CAR TOTALED ON MECHANIC’S TEST DRIVE: WHO PAYS FOR THE DAMAGE?
On November 7 Vince Hanson took his Audi S4 to Titan Motorsports in Orlando to have performance parts installed. Two days later, when Hansen went to pick it up, he was told a technician would take it for a quick test drive while he paid the bill. But then -- >> the phone at the shop rang and they said, "we do not know how to tell you this, but your car was just in an accident around the corner from the shop", and I was like, "Is this a joke?" exclaimed Vince. According to the crash report, the mechanic was at fault and was ticketed for making an illegal u-turn. "I wasn't angry Read More...
ABR HOUSTON GIVES AWAY FREE BRAKES IN EXCHANGE FOR TOYS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: 832-797-9114 FREE BRAKES “Toys for Tots” ABR Houston offers free brakes to support the Marine Corps “Toys For Tots” (Spring, Texas) In an effort to help the local Marine Corps “Toys For Tots” program this holiday season, owners and employees of ABR Houston in Spring Texas will give you FREE BRAKE PADS (November 1st through December 1st) when you bring in new, unwrapped toys. According to Alex Noll, owner of ABR Houston, Spring’s leading German repair facility, “This will be our fifth year working with the Marine Corps to collect toys for children who would otherwise do without. I’ve had multiple veterans work for me, along Read More...
HOW TO CHOOSE A GREAT AUTO REPAIR SHOP, PART 5 OF MANY
5. WHAT YOU THINK THINGS COST AND WHAT THEY ACTUALLY COST. You need something done. Something fixed. Something you don't normally need worked on. The general person has a cost vs. quality perception that gives them the *general* idea of what something is going to cost.... I'd say I'm pretty good at guessing the cost of something.... or at least get myself in the ballpark. Then there are times where I'm either blown away or happily surprised verses the cost I thought it was going to be. Here's an example just in our experience. Building signs. You see signs everywhere. Buildings, store fronts, billboards. Painted, acrylic, Vinyl, wood, plastic, lighted, Read More...
HOW TO CHOOSE A GREAT AUTO REPAIR SHOP PART 3 OF MANY
3.TRAINING: The automotive arena of service and repair is rapidly changing at an alarming rate. Some shops are staying on top and most are not./p> An Example that I’d hope all shops could adhere to. Our technicians are required to get 8 hours every 6 months in training. Alex, the owner teaches other BMW shops technical training. We have the lastest BMW software and diagnosis equipment, that can talk and diagnose your current model vehicles. We have dealer level repair procedures and pay (a hefty sum!) for the independent side of the manufacturer’s information and programming website. We have new vehicles that we own as shop cars to familiarize ourselves Read More...
HOW TO CHOOSE A GREAT AUTO REPAIR SHOP PART 2 OF MANY
2. EXPERIENCE: It’s hard to be good at everything, right? Professionals across the board specialize in certain areas, and try to focus on one thing. Why? Because there’s a lot to know! That’s why we specialize in BMW’s. Other shops may specialize in other makes. Although it can be harder to weed out, finding a shop that knows YOUR type of car well can make the difference between your car lasting 100,000 miles or 200,000+ miles before being retired. It’s also the experience you’re paying for that may say: “This issue may turn very expensive in 6 months. We need to prepare for it now, or determine how committed you Read More...
HOW TO CHOOSE A GREAT AUTO REPAIR SHOP PART 1 OF MANY
1. Choosing a shop: IF YOU ARE READING THIS, IT APPLIES TO YOU, YOUR WIFE AND YOUR FRIENDS! Your car is out of warranty. You moved. You bought a used car without warranty. The last place you took your car to treated you badly. There are lots of reasons you have to find another shop. Conversely there are shops, and there are professional top tier shops. Doctors, lawyers and mechanics are always on the hit list for scammers and bad work. I want to help you not get bit by some knuckle dragging “mechanic”. Let’s be real here folks, I constantly have to apologize for my profession. 1. Online presence Read More...