Page 17 - AAA Now! – AAA Northampton County – Spring 2020

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
AAA
TM
HOW TO MAKE A BETTER AUTO REPAIR DECISION
By Bruce Phillips, AAA Approved Auto Repair Manager
In my many years as a service advisor and manager I’ve been asked by many women friends how to pick a good automotive repair center to do their service work. Many men used to perform their own work, but because of lifestyle constraints, less “do-it-yourself” knowledge, and the complexity
of today’s vehicles many men are also asking the same question. With women taking over more of the traditionally male dominated responsibility of maintenance and repair, it is even more important to know how to find a mechanic you can trust.
What should you look for in a good repair facility? The first thing I look for when visiting a shop is if it's clean, neat and well-maintained. The physical facility should reflect an environment where a customer in business dress would not be afraid to walk into without fear of getting dirty. Next, are they sending their technicians to training and making sure they are maintaining their training certifications? Do they post the training certifications their technicians have received from programs such as ASE, a national technician certification program, on the walls in their waiting areas?
Is the person who is at the service write-up desk friendly and do they greet you with a smile, are they knowledgeable, and do they ask questions about
your driving habits and issues with your vehicle so that they can fully understand what repair
and maintenance needs you may have? Are they dressed in a professional manner and do they talk to you in the same professional, caring manner?
With women making 65 to 80 percent of automotive repair decisions today, repair facilities need to remember that their waiting areas need to be more professional looking and child friendly. Is their service counter neat and clean with no grease or old parts sitting on it that could cause an issue with grease on the customer’s clothing? Is the bathroom clean and tidy? Do they have a hook hanging on the bathroom door so that pocketbooks and coats can be hung on it rather than set on the floor? Is there a children’s play area and assorted toys and books to keep children occupied while mom or dad waits for the family vehicle to be serviced?
When talking to you about your vehicle’s repair and maintenance needs after looking over the vehicle, do they break the estimate down to parts and labor and explain in lay person’s terms what each item is that is being recommended? Are the benefits of preventative maintenance explained to you and why each needs to be done at certain mileage intervals?
Here are some tips to protect yourself when getting your vehicle serviced:
• Demand to see the broken or failing part.
• Get the entire estimate including diagnosis in writing
before approving the work. If you are not present,
have it faxed or e-mailed to you for approval.
• Drive the vehicle with the mechanic or service
advisor BEFORE paying, to be sure the problem is
resolved to your satisfaction.
• Get the warranty for parts and labor on the work
performed in writing on your dated receipt.
• Pay by credit card, so if there is an issue you can put
a stop on the payment until the issue is resolved.
The best way to be safe is to take your vehicle
to a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility that is inspected and certified annually by AAA, offers a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty on parts and labor, a written estimate that cannot be exceeded by
10 percent without prior authorization by the member, arbitration if an issue does occur, and a free vehicle maintenance inspection with paying work. For more information on AAA’s Approved Auto Repair program go to AAA.com/automotive/ autorepair, call (484) 546-0715 or e-mail bwolfinger @ aaanc.com.
$10 OFF
To show our appreciation, you can redeem this coupon and receive $10 off a AAA Battery. That’s right! AAA now offers a Battery Service Program which features the following benefits:
• Free, expert battery testing
• Quick battery installation, at your request • A high-quality AAA battery at a
members-only discount
• An unmatched 72-month limited warranty
(including 36 months free nationwide replacement against manufacturer's defects)
• Free recycling of your old battery
Valid only for AAA Northampton County members. Offer expires 4/30/2020. To redeem this coupon, please call 610-258-2808.
Thank you
for choosing AAA
SAVE ON QUALITY MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TODAY
SAVE 10%
ON LABOR (UP TO $50)
Restrictions apply1. See below.
SWIPE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD
AND SAVE!
Cannot be combined with any other discount or coupon.
AAA MEMBER BENEFITS:
• 24-month/24,000-mile repair guarantee
by the facility2
• Free 40-point AAA vehicle maintenance
inspection3 (with any paid service), an $80 value
• Worry-free repairs at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities
AAA NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AREA
AAA APPROVED AUTO REPAIR FACILITIES.
1. Members save 10% (up to $50) on labor at AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, if discount is requested. Valid AAA membership card must be presented at the facility at time of service. 2. All repairs are guaranteed by the facility for 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first, under normal operating conditions, unless otherwise stated in writing. Other restrictions may apply. See facility for details. 3. Available with paid service, upon request.
Free inspection is limited to items identified on the AAA Vehicle Maintenance Inspection form only. Cost of any repairs not included. Most passenger cars and light trucks are eligible. An appointment may be required. Contact the facility in advance for details. Valid AAA membership Card must be presented to the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility at the time of service. Other restrictions may apply. All rights reserved.
H indicates BOTH Approved Auto Repair and Approved Auto Body facility.
Alex’s Tire Center, Inc.
102 Commerce Way, Stockertown
(610) 759-8473
A.R.M. Automotive
911 Lower South Main St., Bangor
(610) 588-2761
Easton Auto Body H 1328 Elm St., Easton (610) 252-6502
Jeff’s Automotive Service
4110 Wm. Penn Hwy., Easton
(610) 253-6565
Midas Auto Svc. Experts
2914 Wm. Penn Hwy., Easton
(610) 253-9070
Midas Auto Svc. Experts
933 S. Broadway, Wind Gap
(610) 863-7777
Murante Auto Repair
128 W. Beil Ave., Nazareth
(610) 759-6121
T&D Automotive
1400 S. 25th St., Easton
(610) 253-0212
The Brake Shop & Auto Repair
3601 Sullivan Trail, Easton
(610) 253-2566 Wrenchtec
20 E. Lawn Road, Nazareth
(610) 759-7581
Young VW Mazda H Rte. 33 & Hecktown Rd., Easton
(610) 991-9100
3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 • AAA.com
17
SPRING 2020
Now!
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