Mechanics and repair shops are a dime a dozen; there are so many of them all over Hobart! But are they all the same? Absolutely not. All of them differ on several measures like customer service, technical expertise, pricing and more.
On top of that, some are more honest than others, especially when it comes to dealing with customers who might not know that much about cars. So, how's a guy (or girl) meant to find the best repair shop Hobart has to offer?
Ultimately, the only way to know that you've found the best auto repair shop is through trial and error. You can only judge it as the best repair shop after trying it yourself.
Still, there are a few steps you can take to narrow down your search and bring you several steps closer to finding the right one for you.
In this article, that's exactly what we're going to talk about. First, we'll look at what makes a repair shop 'the right one'. Then, we'll look at four ways you can make it easier to find that shop for yourself.
What Makes It The Right Repair Shop?
So, what makes it the 'best auto repair shop'?
Firstly, you have to understand that this is very subjective. You might prefer one workshop, yet your entire family might pick another. Just as people have different tastes when it comes to cars, they also have specific preferences when it comes to repair shops.
For some, it might be about technical expertise and experience. Everyone's dad has that one mechanic they've been going to for decades, probably an older gentleman who specialises in fixing a specific car brand.
But if you're a fresh graduate driving your first car, for example, you might prefer a place with excellent deals and discounts.
I'll be honest, when I was looking for my first repair shop, I went to the least intimidating one I could find!
The point here is simple: just because someone says it's the best repair shop, doesn't mean you have to agree with them. Gather suggestions, then see for yourself if you like the shop or not.
How to Find the Right Repair Shop in Hobart
Okay, so let's get to it. Here's how you can narrow down your search to find the right repair shop in Hobart.
Ask Friends and Family
No matter what, word-of-mouth is still the most reliable way of finding the best repair shop anywhere in the world.
Start by asking your family members, especially those whom you know have more experience when it comes to fixing cars. You can also ask your friends and colleagues since they're bound to have recommendations as well.
When you do ask these people for suggestions, probe a little more to find out about their experiences with the repair shop. Were the workers friendly? How about the prices; were they reasonable?
The reason it's best to ask people you know is that you can learn from their experiences. You can avoid the shops where they've had bad ones, and you can head straight for the ones that they swear by.
Check with Local Car Clubs
If you're part of any local car clubs, or if you know anyone who's in a club, you're in luck! That is probably one of the best places you can get word-of-mouth recommendations for the best auto repair shop in Hobart.
Simply put, if you ask a car guy/girl where the best auto repair shop in Hobart is, they'll probably give you the best answers. Sure, your friends and family might give you good recommendations, but a car enthusiast is perhaps a better judge of what is or isn't a good repair shop.
Not only will car club members tell you about the best car repair shop Hobart has shown them, but they can also probably tell you a great deal about the quality of the repairs they do.
At the end of it all, the quality of the repair is what matters the most.
Do Online Search
These days when you're looking for anything, people will be quick to tell you to 'Google it'. To a certain extent, they're right. A quick online search will show you all the repair shops all over Hobart.
But here's the problem with online searches: they don't offer you reliable customer reviews. Assuming they have any reviews at all, the odds are that they're negative reviews from unhappy customers. Very few people can be bothered to write about their satisfactory experiences, leaving only irate customers to hog the review pages with their comments.
Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't consider negative reviews. Instead, what I'm saying is that those reviews might not give you an accurate picture of what's going on at that repair shop. All repair shops will have happy and unhappy customers.
So, by all means, do an online search. But proceed with caution and try to ask around about the repair shops you do find online. Also, once you find about negative comments, find out how the shop responded. It tells you a lot about how a business addresses issues.
Check the Directory at Carpart.Com.Au
If you still prefer searching for the best repair shop online, then you should try the Directory over at Carpart.com.au. Whether you're looking for the best auto repair shop in Hobart or anywhere else across Australia, this directory has what you're looking for.
For starters, the Directory allows you to filter results unique to Hobart. Better than that, you can even filter out the specific types of repair shops that you'd want to call.
Let's suppose you've got a transmission or gearbox problem. If that's the case, you can just select "Automatics, Transmissions & Gearbox Specialist" from the drop-down menu. That will filter the results of your search, so you only see the correct repair shops from Hobart!
Once you've narrowed down the list of repair shops in Hobart, reaching out to them is super easy. The directory will also show you the phone number and website address of the repair shop. When you send your car in for repairs, then you'll be able to decide if it’s the best auto repair shop Hobart has to offer you.
Carpart.com.au also contains a blog section, where you will find tips and pieces of advice for car owners, and nifty tools for finding auto parts and accessories. For finding car parts, you can check out its Ads section or, for an effective and efficient search, you’d want to use our Parts Request platform. Try it today, it’s free and easy to use!
By Ray Hasbollah