Page 18 - The Magazine of AAA Ohio – January 2020

How to Find a Trustworthy Auto Mechanic
A survey by AAA found that two out of three Americans generally do not trust auto repair shops. Despite this lack of confidence, two out of three drivers have identified an auto repair facility they do trust. Here are some tips to assist with this process:
Look for shops belonging to the AAA Approved Auto Repair network
Repair facilities displaying the AAR symbol have undergone a comprehensive evaluation to ensure they meet AAA’s stringent standards. They offer member-exclusive discounts and guarantees, plus, if you ever have a repair dispute with an AAR shop, AAA can help resolve it.
Look for ASC certification
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is an independent, non-profit organization that tests and certifies automotive technicians. To be approved, techs must have at least two years of experience or one year of experience plus a two-year degree, then pass a challenging test. Retesting is required every five years to maintain certification.
Ask around
Your family, friends and neighbors are probably more than happy to point you toward a shop they’ve had good experiences with – and equally glad to clue you in on which shops to avoid.
You also might consider asking your auto insurer or
contacting instructors who teach auto and shop classes at local schools or community colleges.
Perform a “background check”
Once you have a few prospective facilities, do a
little research to help narrow the field. Check out its reputation with the Better Business Bureau, read online reviews and review the shop’s website to see how long it’s been in business.
Do a trial run
Take your vehicle in for an oil change or other
minor service to test out the experience. If it suggests expensive additional work, tell it you’d like to get a second opinion. Beware if it tries to pressure you to do the work immediately.
Following these steps can help car owners identify a reputable auto repair facility they can turn to with confidence when significant repairs are needed.
Grandview AAA Store Celebration
AAA members are invited to join us for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of our new Grandview store on Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m.
Located at 686 Grandview Ave., the newly built location will house an expanded Grandview AAA Car Care Plus facility and also offer a full-service travel store. In addition to car maintenance and repair, members can receive assistance with travel planning, book travel arrangements, buy insurance
and shop for luggage and travel merchandise.
Tri-Village Chamber of Commerce will conduct the ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by light refreshments. Members who
attend can learn about and take advantage of special opening celebration offers.
16 | AAA MAGAZINE
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