There are many benefits to choosing a local auto mechanic shop in East Texas over a chain.
While a chain car repair service might seem to offer a lot of benefits at the outset: a cheaper oil change, deals on replacing a belt or oil filter, etc., the reality is that a local auto mechanic like Stewart’s Donnybrook Automotive in Tyler, Texas, provides customers with everything from more experienced mechanics to more affordability, to better options for fixing specialty vehicles.
Here’s a list of five reasons why you know you’re choosing the best auto mechanic when you choose local:
When it comes to having work done on your car, truck, or SUV, you want to know that it’s a mechanic you can trust performing repairs or maintenance on your vehicle. We trust our lives and the lives of our loved ones in our vehicles. By the same token, we put that trust in the people who help fix and maintain them.
If someone with no connection to you, your family, or your vehicle is doing the repairs, how can you know they’re taking all possible care?
Choosing a local mechanic to help maintain your vehicle allows you to build a relationship with the people who work there. They get to know you and your car. You become more than just a number—you’re an integral part of the business.
In order to stay successful, local businesses must maintain a degree of accountability to the community—they need to prove themselves to gain the long-term trust of their customers. You know a local mechanic will do their best for you and your car.
If you’ve utilized both chain and local mechanics, you’ll notice right away that the local mechanics generally have very little to no turnover when it comes to their employees. Which is usually not the case with a chain mechanic. Corporate mechanics don’t always offer their employees the best pay or incentives, which can be reflected in the quality of their service and how long they stay in that particular job.
On the other hand, a local mechanic has the opportunity to offer their staff a more stable work environment, which means they’re more likely to stick around longer. Staying longer in one position allows mechanics to gain more experience than if they’re working in a chain. It provides the opportunity for learning about a wide range of vehicles, as well as confidently performing more advanced repairs.
One of the big benefits of establishing a connection with a local mechanic is that it gives them the opportunity to get to know you and your vehicle.
This is important for numerous reasons, the major one being that by knowing your driving habits, the roads you drive, and your vehicle, a local mechanic will be better able to diagnose any issues that might come up.
If you commute long distances with your family in the car, it’s important your mechanic takes those details into consideration when they’re doing routine maintenance or performing repairs. All those details matter, but a stranger at a chain car repair won’t have that necessary background information.
While all car repair services have to pay their employees a fair wage and pay a fairly standard price for parts, a local garage has more flexible choices when it comes to certain costs. A business is built to make a profit, but a local business focuses on more than just profit—they also focus on the customer. A chain model is built almost exclusively toward profit, very often sacrificing the customer’s needs in the meantime.
Having a relationship with your mechanic means there’s more communication, and you’re better able to make sure that everyone is getting a fair deal out of the exchange.
If you’re interested in cars and own one or more specialty vehicles, keeping them in the best possible condition is important for their value.
Especially if your specialty vehicle is worth a lot of money, you want to be sure that the person performing any repairs or maintenance fully understands what they’re doing.
By choosing a local mechanic and knowing them personally, you can be sure they have the proper experience to be working on your specialty vehicle.
While it might seem convenient and cheaper to go to a chain mechanic, there are often unseen costs to something that seems convenient or cost-cutting.
Choosing a local car repair service not only means you’re picking more trustworthy, accountable, experienced mechanics—you’re also helping benefit the local economy by keeping your money local.
Using a local auto mechanic benefits them, you, and the local community. A win all around!
