“Frankly, it’s just about the worst trade you’ll ever make in life: You can always get more money, but you can’t get more time” Tony Robbins
Think going to the dealer, or any service shop for routine maintenance is a good idea? America’s “Master of Money” doesn’t think so. Think about it, you’re working your 9-5 and your yearly service is due on the whip, so you get up a couple hours early, rush through breakfast to race over to the shop and wait for all the other rats in the race to see your service advisor and get your loaner (if you’re lucky) and get to work. And after work? same deal to pick it up. 3 hours total gone? If you’re in LA, maybe 6 hours of your life, ticked away. How much money could you have made? or how many memories?
More Affordable Than You Thought
A mobile mechanic can come to you and knock out your service for the same price as the dealer (maybe more than jiffy lube, but, hey, you can afford it and your time is saved). Los Angeles is a huge city with lots of Mobile Mechanic options, but how do you know which shop is right for you? Make sure to do some research before getting involved with any mechanic, it is crucial that the auto tech you let under your hood is qualified to provide safe service. There are plenty of shops/guys looking to rip you off. So, where do you start and what should you be concerned about? How do you pick the best auto repair provider?
Finding the right Mobile Mechanic for your service:
- Look for a mechanic with a online presence and a physical address. This keeps them accountable, with their rep on the line.
- Call and ask about his insurance. He will happily supply a copy if he’s legit. This will protect your ride on test drives or in case there’s repair damage.
- Ask if he uses dealer computers. This is especially important if you are whipping a Euro car (ahem, Germany)
So you found your man, but how to use him:
- Set the appointment when you can leave him to work on a cooled down car for at least an hour. This might be at work, but check with your parking policies to see if they will allow it. You may have to wait until you’re home playing with the kids.
- Let the man work. You’ve vetted him, now leave him to the business. If you think he can 100% focus while you stare or chat it up, you’re wrong. If you want to check his work, ask him to call you to check out the work when he’s finished, before he puts everything back together so you can see where the problems would come from if there are issues after the service. Look for loose wires, disconnected hoses, or fluid on surfaces.
- Stick with him. Once you find a good mechanic, don’t bounce around looking for a deal. If a mechanic knows the history of a vehicle, and values you as a customer, he’s more likely to be honest and preventative on issues that, if ignored, could leave you calling a tow when you’re trying to impress that first date.
