It’s almost that time of year again! Time for parents to see
their kids off to college!
If you are one of these parents, a parent who is sending away
a newly minted Freshman to an out of state school, you are likely going out of
your mind trying to prepare.
One way to prepare you and your child is to scout the area
for Trustworthy, Reputable, and Skillful Automotive Mechanics. Should something
happen to your kid while they’re gone, you want to make sure they aren’t taken
advantage of.
As we all know, vehicle repairs can be very expensive; add to
that the cost of tuition, and your anxiety level goes through the roof.
While we can’t help with paying your college tuition expenses,
we can provide some helpful tips to finding trustworthy Automotive Repair Shops…
And hopefully reduce your stress!
If there is one thing we can all agree on, going to an Automotive
Dealer is always more expensive than going to a local shop. Since every dollar
counts, choosing the right shop is paramount to saving your money.
First and foremost, you should start looking for an
automotive repair shop early. The earlier you start researching Automotive Shops
near your child’s college, the more prepared you can be when you leave your kid
for the next few months.
Below is a list of what to look for from the car repair
center that will be watching over your child’s safety and your wallet over the
next four years and perhaps beyond.
1)
Local Reputation: I don’t mean look on
social media for Google/Yelp Ratings, though those can help, but TALK to real
folks that live and work in the area. If you’re out eating, shopping or
whatever you are doing, ask questions.
2)
Take Notes: Take down the addresses and phone numbers of
Automotive Shops that are local to the area of your child’s college. This way,
you can visit some when you are in town visiting their college, too.
3)
Schedule a Service: Once you narrow down
your list, make an appointment to get a feel for the staff. While you’re there,
take notice of certain things. For instance, what do they offer on a Service?
Do they have a Waiting Area? Do they Offer Shuttle Services? Will they pick you
up when your vehicle is complete? These are all services that we at Pugh’s
Service Automotive have offered for years, at NO CHARGE!
4)
Going Above and Beyond: When changing
your oil and filter will they do additional checks? Here at Pugh’s Service we
perform a Free 30-Point Inspection on every car, regardless of the reason of
the visit.
5)
Get to Know the Owner: Ask many
questions, like “Do you have kids in college?” “Will you call me with an
estimate whenever work needs to be done?” “Can you prioritize the repairs, I’m
on a budget, my kid’s in college?” Having an owner that understands your
position of value and safety for your child is HUGE!
6)
Are They ASE Certified?: This is a tough
one. I know some amazing technicians that are not ASE and some techs can pass a
test but in practice couldn’t repair the little red wagon, which goes back to
#1 on the list. Local Reputation.
Here at Pugh’s Service we are surrounded by colleges and
have a ton of experience with earning the trusts of parents and students alike.
Did you know that many students stay in the area of the
college they attended, even after graduation? It is important that you find a
Car Repair Center that views your young adult as a person, and not a number, and
treats them as such.
I would like to thank such a young collegian for the
inspiration to write this blog. Nakia Bracey, thank you and congratulations on
graduating from Wilmington College. Lastly, a shout out to all of our amazing past
and present students from Delaware State University, Wesley College, DelTech
and Wilmington College.
You all are valued within our community and are special to
us at Pugh’s Service.
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