[alikia98]

I have recently had some problems with my car. I first took it to a shop near my house where they told me I needed my radiator hose to be adjusted. They proceeded to mess with it so that when I left all of the coolant leaked out of my car. I know nothing about cars and I'm apparently an easy target when I take my car to get fixed.
Does anyone know of a reputable auto body shops here in Vegas that won't rip me off?

[lvkewlkid]

welcome to the board!

please do a search

[teach1234]

Re: Reliable Auto Shop
I am moving to Vegas in June, so I can't say which shops have good reputations. However, I have been a professional mechanic for most of my life and will be happy to share what I know. Please don't be offended--your post reveals some very common misconceptions regarding auto repair shops, misconceptions shared by 90% of Americans. The most important factor is not the reputation of the shop, but who is going to work on your car. Often, shop helpers get the small, easy jobs like oil changes and replacing hose clamps--but these easy jobs require the same level of technical expertise, in terms of tool manipulation and professional troubleshooting, as more complex jobs. Even a great shop can have a mechanic who is average, and on a bad day, may forget to tighten that clamp. Just because you had leaks after the mechanic worked on it doesn't mean you were targeted for a rip-off; it's more likely the mechanic failed to verify your car wasn't leaking when he finished. This may be due to a heavy workload, operator overconfidence, laziness or perhaps incompetence.
People need to pick a mechanic like they pick a doctor. Waiting until you are being wheeled into the eroom doesn't give you any choice; neither does taking your car into the shop when it's having a problem. When your car is running right, spend the time, preferably with someone with a mechanical background, to go to different shops. Tell them you'd like an estimate on anything that might need to be done; stress you don't want to fix anything until later. Ask to meet with the mechanic--don't do this at the end of the day, when time is tight. Reputable shops should be "obedient and cheerful" in providing this type of service--I prefer smaller, owner operated businesses rather than franchises. If you feel good about the shop and the mechanic, ask for that mechanic every time you return, even if it means your car will take longer to complete. Tip your mechanic; nothing produces a swell of pride and extra service like being appreciated. And, as with almost anything else in life, planning in advance pays off. Hope this helps!

[Kalbo]

Originally Posted by teach1234

Re: Reliable Auto Shop
I am moving to Vegas in June, so I can't say which shops have good reputations. However, I have been a professional mechanic for most of my life and will be happy to share what I know. Please don't be offended--your post reveals some very common misconceptions regarding auto repair shops, misconceptions shared by 90% of Americans. The most important factor is not the reputation of the shop, but who is going to work on your car. Often, shop helpers get the small, easy jobs like oil changes and replacing hose clamps--but these easy jobs require the same level of technical expertise, in terms of tool manipulation and professional troubleshooting, as more complex jobs. Even a great shop can have a mechanic who is average, and on a bad day, may forget to tighten that clamp. Just because you had leaks after the mechanic worked on it doesn't mean you were targeted for a rip-off; it's more likely the mechanic failed to verify your car wasn't leaking when he finished. This may be due to a heavy workload, operator overconfidence, laziness or perhaps incompetence.
People need to pick a mechanic like they pick a doctor. Waiting until you are being wheeled into the eroom doesn't give you any choice; neither does taking your car into the shop when it's having a problem. When your car is running right, spend the time, preferably with someone with a mechanical background, to go to different shops. Tell them you'd like an estimate on anything that might need to be done; stress you don't want to fix anything until later. Ask to meet with the mechanic--don't do this at the end of the day, when time is tight. Reputable shops should be "obedient and cheerful" in providing this type of service--I prefer smaller, owner operated businesses rather than franchises. If you feel good about the shop and the mechanic, ask for that mechanic every time you return, even if it means your car will take longer to complete. Tip your mechanic; nothing produces a swell of pride and extra service like being appreciated. And, as with almost anything else in life, planning in advance pays off. Hope this helps!

Sounds like good advice to me.