3 Tips For Finding a Quality Auto Shop
Tony Mers • July 3, 2018
According to a recent survey, researchers found that an estimated 77% of vehicles on the road were in need of maintenance or repair work. Finding a auto shop that can successfully administer this work, however, isn't exactly as easy as it sounds.
There are so many body shops out there that perform great work but there are just as many shops that don't offer quality service. That's why you need to search for auto body repair services that are legitimate, experienced, and hardworking. Here are some tips for finding a auto shopthat can effectively get your vehicle repaired and back on the road:
- Talk to your family members, friends, and neighbors -- Clearly you're not the first person in your network of friends to need auto maintenance. Find out what companies your friends and neighbors went to and how the service was. If you hear great things about the same repair shop from multiple people, you're in the clear! If you hear some questionable reviews, however, you might want to look elsewhere.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau -- Though the majority of auto shop mechanics are honest and trustworthy, there are plenty of companies that don't offer anywhere near the type of service you deserve. In 2016 alone, the BBB received over 10,000 complaints against auto repair companies. So check with the BBB to find out if the shop in question hasn't had all kinds negative reviews over the years.
- Start your search before it's too late -- You don't have to wait for your vehicle to breakdown before starting your search for a quality auto shop. If something happens to your car, it could cause all kinds of problems. So it's best to know exactly where you're going to take your car so you can handle your situation right away.
It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.
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