Not your average auto shop

I pulled into the auto shop as I had so many times before. They had just opened and I knew to get there early. I was coming through the door as the manager was turning on the open sign. He smiled and didn’t say a word; just waited to hear what I needed fixed.

Lights! My car was down to one head light, no brake lights, and we would later discover no tail lights either. He chuckled because he knew the only working bulb in my car was the one they had replaced 3 months ago when I brought my car in to be inspected.

He asked if I wanted to wait and I told him I had too. Sometimes my boyfriend’s car was in the shop so I’d switch the cars out to be serviced one at a time. That way I wasn’t stuck in the waiting room if I got there late. Unfortunately for me (fortunately for my boyfriend) his car was working just fine so I planned to park it while I figured out how many mechanics it takes to change 11 light bulbs.

The answer is one and he did it quickly too. I had just enough time to play a quick game of brick breaker on my Blackberry and field a phone call from a friend before they were rolling my car back out. Then the bill came. I gasped in amazement as I always did. It was less than the price of bulbs, I knew because I had checked online to see how much they cost before coming in.

I love my auto shop. Everyone I know knows I love my auto shop. I get free oil changes and inspections from the dealer, who has a movie theater and a spa in their waiting room, but still I insist on going to “my car guy”. Despite the fact they don’t advertise much, they are always busy because customers stay with them and they refer them to their friends. They don’t take appointments and their hours are limited but I will take a day off of work to take my car there over a quick in and out at a chain service station on the weekend no matter how busy my schedule is.

They have the same posters on the walls as when I started bringing my car in 10 years ago. The only thing that’s changed is the dates on their Better Business Bureau accreditations and customer service awards they get year after year. I vote for them every time. I know that when I go in I will be met by familiar faces that have a history with me and my cars. They know that when they get in my car (whichever one I’ve brought in over the years) that trash will fall out and they’ll need to turn the radio down. They don’t judge me.

When I get my car back it’s fixed and no additional problems pop up. They always go above and beyond what I expect from them and they are genuinely concerned about my well being. I know because they always warn me I’m taking my life in my hands when I drive my boyfriend’s car to or from their shop.

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By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer, business owner, and work-from-home mom.