Today I’m going to share with you a method I use to ensure I won’t get hosed by auto mechanics. This strategy can also be used in other industries but today we’ll discuss how to avoid getting burned by shady mechanics.
I’m posting this because I saw a friend on Facebook who was very irritated after getting ripped off for thousands of dollars from a mechanic. He’s pretty intent on destroying the company with various methods of social media and I assume blogging. And he probably has every right to blast them.
However, I’d like to help you avoid ever having to get into a situation where you’d want to write a scathing review or be so pissed off that you want to destroy a business. I employed this method the 
So here’s what you do the next time your car breaks down…
The first thing you need to do is go to Google Maps and type in your particular area where you are at. Then hit the “Search Nearby” using the keywords “auto mechanic” or something similar. You’ll get a variety of balloons that pop up around you. From here you want to start looking for businesses that have been reviewed by past customers. Google will have a 5 star rating system and it will tell you how many reviews have been left.
Google reviews is similar to Yelp.com except most people forget about it and pay it little attention. Sift through the reviews and find the mechanic that you feel the most comfortable with. Once you find the mechanic you are about to roll the dice with, here’s what you do…
Take your car to the shop and speak with the manager, owner, or highest level employee you can find. Make sure that you start out by complimenting them on the reviews that you saw on Google. Say something like… “Hey Jack, I saw the 8 good reviews on Google about you guys and thought you looked like the best option. I always check the review section first because I’m one of those guys who leaves reviews from all my business transactions so it’s nice to see others saying good things about you”.
It’s important that you start with a compliment about the establishment for the previous good work they have done instead of warning them that you are the type person that leaves pissed off reviews. You want to mention it, but your intention is to leave them a good review. No business wants you talking trash about them, especially on Google.
Once the manager or owner knows that you are a computer savvy person who openly voices their opinion, you have a much better chance at getting a fair deal when getting your car repaired.
I believe in offering fair feedback for companies and not abusing the review system. Unfortunately, people are quick to bitch about companies online yet are slow as molasses when it comes to complimenting them. Keep that in mind when checking the reviews of places. One or two bad reviews may not be a correct assessment of a establishment, but rather just two really pissed off people that had a ax to grind.
Fair is fair. If you got good service, let other people know. And if you got hosed, well, let them know.
Best of luck, and feel free to share this strategy with anyone who is in need of a car mechanic.
Straightforward and simple – at least you’re playing fair with your cards on the table. Appreciate the post Jason, keep it up.
I do keep a couple aces up my sleeve just in case.
Jason,
I totally agree. I have a friend that recently went through the same experience with a mechanic. He was a total prick to everyone at the shop about bad service, etc.
I suggested the same thing. Kill em with kindness and the doors will open up. There are ways to handle things with tact.
He tried it for 1 week. He said, you know what? you were right. Once he started being polite he got his situation resolved quicker.
Happened to me at a couple places already this week.
Good stuff bro. Happy always crushes pissed off.
Agreed 100%,34 Years in buisness,and it takes 3 mins for the engineers secretary to send a “At a Boy Leter,Nice Job” and Post it on the Bullitin board so your guys can see it also!! Means alot,and I do it all the time!Takes a Couple of Mins,even a Thank You! Works wonders! Both Ways!,Thanks for reminding everyone, Because when you go back,they remember!!Jack
Hey Jason,
cool post on, i really digg your
stuff. No b.s straight to the point
good sh*t.
nice buddy.
Shaqir 😉
How about giving it a Digg over at http://www.digg.com if you digg?
Peace
Great for doing business in the USA….however, how can I offer a review for the bus system of Acapulco Mexico? The rides are wild, erratic, scary and hair raising…. I think the drivers are on crack, and enjoy scaring the customers half out of their skin before the ride is over.
I swore that when I got back in the USA, I would find a way to vent online about these careless drivers that so disregard the lives of their passengers.
I would rather compliment them, however, I cannot think of even ONE compliment to offer at this time!
Regards…
Wow that sounds scary Valerie. I guess the only thing you could really do is blog about your experience, although I’m sure that isn’t going to change much but may alert someone who is considering driving in Mexico.
yeah, good advice. Your post reminds me of something Kelly Felix just posted about car repairs, basically dont mess with a guy that knows SEO.
Great post Jason, I had a similar situation 2 weeks ago with a WV Jetta. The key wouldn’t go into the ignition keyhole and the warranty had just ran out. Of course nobody else can touch it except for the local dealership. I was upset and used similar strategy, but not as good as yours. At least, I got free towing to the dealership.
Thanks,
Raul
“the key wouldn’t go into the ignition hole”…
That’s what she said.
Straight to the point and great advice Jason.
That is a very good tip you have given about reviews on Google Maps for a business.
I will definately use it in future.
Thanks for sharing!
Again you amaze me with with a myriad of common sense,please indulge me with a word that I think will strengthen your persuasion attempts. The word is “because”. The word gets its persuasive power from the continually reinforced association over the course of our lives between “because” and the good rationales that typically follow it (… because you have good reviews and because I’m running out of time …and “because you care Jason for real”. B Bop
Indeed Thom. The word because is highly effective when trying to get your point across and elicit a yes from someone. Thanks for sharing.
Yep, I use this plus I go to bni.com (the largest business face-to-face networking organization in the world) and find the closest local merchant (in whatever market – carpet cleaning, dog groomers, etc.) that is a member. If they are a member of BNI, there’s a much better chance they have some integrity. Cross-check this against the google or yelp reviews and you’re probably going to be safe. This is the way I found a repair shop in Phoenix (I live in LA) when my Passat died a couple of years ago. All I knew was the car stopped running. Turns out I had to have over $1100 in work done but I’m thoroughly convinced that they did what was needed and ONLY what was needed.
Thanks for the heads up on bni.com George. Never heard about it before.
Haha love it, strategy is solid mate.
Mitch, good hanging the other day!
Jason,
I agree people are quick to bitch but slow to compliment. The Google reviews is a great place to compliment or condemn service received from a local business.There are many in business that really have no ‘business’ owning a company and/or completing services on vehicles . Safety and customer’s satisfaction must be first in the auto repair business.
I would also add that it would be wise to choose a repair shop that is an official state inspection station.
Randy Batts (owner)
A2Z Automotive
Union,MO 63084
Thanks for chiming in Randy. I wasn’t aware that shops had a official state inspection station seal of approval. Something to keep in mind for sure.
Cool stuff!
Reminds me of an (ex) mate who had a taxi. This shitweasel, (thanks to Gary Halbert for excellent descriptive term), used to go online to his Bebo, Facebook etc, and bad-mouth other local taxi firms.
For no reason other than to hopefully get more customers! (Course his social networking sites were under another name….)
As I said he’s now an ex mate, because he didn’t like me, (and this is what a moron this guy is), he didn’t like me because I told him in no uncertain terms that what he was doing was, well, just not right.
But here’s the kicker. This guy actually said to me, and I quote, “What do you mean it’s wrong, this is marketing, I learned it on the internet…!”
After picking my jaw off the floor, I sent him an email with a few REAL marketers sites he should check out. (And yes, I did include yours Jason). Don’t know if he visited these sites or not.
But hell, I’m rambling on here….
Cheers Jason, another fine HONEST post!
Sounds like you are better off without him. I too know the taxi wars as I used to be a driver. Thankfully Radio Cab dominates the Portland area over all the other companies.
I feel the same way my friend,Everyone is quick to blame but slow to compliment, I always felt treat people(ya know the golden rule stuff) and know not the one of he who has the gold 😎
I always appreciate friendships and treat them like gold and I feel the same with a mechanic,Doctor,Dentist, When you find a truly great one, treat them like gold, because there often few and far in between.
0;/
Take care dude!
Dennis Howard
Great advice Jason. Here’s a short funny story about mechanic in my town who thinks he’s God’s gift to auto repair – you know, one of these guy who feels like you are privileged to let HIM work on your car(ever met a dipsh*t like that?) Anyway, the guy has done about $700+ worth of work to both my & my wifes car over the past year or so and I never once shopped him or tried to beat him down on price.
So he gives me a price on another small repair, like $85 or so…and I say “oh ok, yeah I saw the part online for about $30”, and he goes “you know what, lose my number you’re checking my prices online?!” and hangs up on me! You believe what a shitty business person this guy is? He never told me the $85 included labor first of all, he was just talking parts. And even if I did check the parts pricing online, what, Im not entitled to do that? He just lost my business, and anyone who asks I will tell them not to go to this guy. Ego maniac, like he’s the only one who knows who to put brakes on a frickin car or something.
Talk to you!
Sounds like a nut job. I’d move on for sure.
Timely post Jason, especially with all the people getting into local marketing promoting Google Places.
You used a mechanic as an example and that makes it timely for me because I love my mechanic, fond of the owner and his wife at the shop where I take my car and detest the little shitweasel he’s recently hired as service manager.
I detest liars, period. There’s no reason for it but this little snot tacked on a $150 charge without asking me about a part. The owner reversed it, but here’s the kicker – the little snot claimed the part had been put on the car. Wrong! Even the mechanic looked at him when he said it, and he didn’t seem to understand what all the fuss was about.
Did I post it on my blog? Nope. But I did post about it on the car owners forum setup by the manufacturer of my car –who just happens to have over 200,000 very active paying members on it.
It comes back to basic standards of customer service that many people forget follows you, good or bad. With internet access, it gets worse because it lasts longer than that Enegizer Bunny.
Thanks for giving all of us a heads-up on how we can help and harm our business without really trying.
Yeah, it’s amazing the power the consumer has nowadays. Thanks for chiming in Danica.
Jake likes this post : )
Jason likes people who refer to themselves in the 3rd person 🙂
I like the tactic – makes perfect sense. I’m a bit of a burn victim when it comes to garages. I got a second opinion on the last 3 times I needed work doing and saved £2350 ($4k +) last year.
I do the marketing for the other local garage now and we’re kinda doing well with it so hopefully cash out of the bad guys pockets 🙂
I did a short factual post about my experience with the garage that quoted for a load of parts that turned out not to be required – just facts. Just what happened. So others might think twice.
Good tip Jason. Here’s a tip of my own…
When my 04 Camero broke down I took it into the shop and told the guy to call me when he finds out what wrong with it. Turns out my fuel pump went out and a replacement was going to cost $750 plus labor. I told the guy to hold on while I think about it and I’ll call back.
So now that I knew what was wrong with my car and what part I needed I went to Google to find the name and model # of the fuel pump for my car. Then I went on to Ebay motors and found the same part for $100 that the shop was trying to charge me $750 for. I called up the shop and said I’m having the part delivered can you install it? They agreed to install it.
I had the part from Ebay shipped right to the auto shop and they only charged me about $200 for labor. So instead of it costing me $950 it only cost $350.
Smart move Aaron. Ebay Motors rules!
Hey bro, yea I’m feeling your advice here, let the bastards know you’ll bring the pain web 2.0 stylez