Many are overwhelmed by the mere thought of a major auto repair. “Who can I trust?” is most important when looking for a reputable auto repair shop. We’ve all heard horror stories in the auto repair industry and today the internet has made it easy to find anything, or has it?
When Tony and I opened Croce’s Transmission Specialists in 1999, our goal was to address an overlooked area of the industry. Fear of auto repair. We saw the need for clear explanations, treating customers with respect and being part of our community.
1) Empower consumers to make informed decisions based on facts.
Educating our customers and the community about transmission maintenance and the importance of addressing minor repairs before they become major ones was and remains our first priority.
Since 1999, many women have come into our store and were a little nervous. Surprisingly, they gave us great feedback on the cleanliness of our waiting area and restroom and appreciated being treated with respect. This was good news but at the same time it saddened me because it showed me how low customer expectations were, which led me to another need in the industry, professionalism.
2) Professionalism in the auto repair industry.
There are many fine men and women in the auto repair industry and I have had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of them over the years. So why is the industry not seen as professional?
Today, with the information that surrounds us, I think it can sometimes be information overload. Unfortunately, many consumers don’t know what kind of questions to ask, so they opt for the price question instead. How much? This is the most common mistake. Untested, it’s just a guess. A conjecture that will have to be adjusted with the facts. 5 Transmission errors
Would you call a dentist expecting them to tell you what’s wrong with your tooth over the phone? Would you trust someone who would? With so much information online, we have to be careful not to “devalue” what others are doing. Just because someone throws out some ideas doesn’t make them a quality resource. They offer no warranty for their suggestion, they have not tested the vehicle or performed any tests. They don’t know if there are other problems. If their answer doesn’t work, they have nothing to lose. If a repair shop is guessing and keeps installing parts on your vehicle, when do you want them to stop? Do they guarantee their work, do they have licenses, insurance, continuing education, association memberships, and a community they are a part of?
Good men and women in the industry see themselves as the professionals they are. His dedication to continuous learning, goal setting, action taking, mentoring and commitment to his clients and community have inspired me.
In the end, you choose who you want to do business with. After all, it’s your vehicle and your money.
Since 1999, many Croce customers were delighted to find out:
- Only a small repair was needed
- Your vehicle was still under the manufacturer’s warranty (Yes, we called them)
- We can contact your extended service contract company
If a major transmission repair was needed, they received:
- A clear explanation
- Written estimate
- National guarantee
- Financing option
Amenities:
- Loan vehicle
- Shuttle ride
- Job status updates by phone, email or text
- A friendly team to answer your questions
Empower drivers so that they are informed and not pressured. Planning and budgeting for maintenance and repairs puts them in the driver’s seat. They have control over who they choose and when the vehicle will be serviced. No pressure from dreaded breakdowns. They retain the value of the vehicle for trade-in or sale and know that the vehicle is safe and reliable.
They have peace of mind and their vehicle does not stress them. Life is a journey and sometimes very hectic. We want to help you enjoy the trip!
Schedule an appointment today.
