Honesty. This is the thing that worries me most about needing mechanical work done on my car and taking it someplace new. It would be so easy for a mechanic to fix something that doesn't need fixed and add hundreds to the bill. I know it's happened To me before, and I know it happens to way too many people out there.
I've been to Webster's twice. Both times I was pleasantly surprised with just how honest this place is. I decided after my last experience, I owed the shop a review....so here goes.
Last weekend, My car was overheating, and I couldn't figure out why. Long story. Old car. Anyhow, I had it towed to Webster's with a request for an estimate and crossed my fingers. The owner Jerry called a few hours later and told me my car had two plastic elbows that needed replaced. He also suggested swapping out the belt, but it wasn't a must. Total bill with labor, $275. Could have thrown in a water pump. Could have suggested a hose or two. Could have told me my radiator was shot. Could have added an extra hour to the labor or 20% to the parts. Could have told me a lot of different things were wrong and easily made that bill creep over $350. Heck, $500 would haven't been hard to hit. He didn't. My car needed some new elbows and a belt, and that's what I got.
That's the other part of this story. Webster is a local private auto center owned and operated by a seasoned and very knowledgeable mechanic. It's not a bunch of 20 yr olds working at a chain with marked-up low-end parts in matching corporate uniforms. This guy knows his stuff. His shop isn't shiny. His shop doesn't have glass walls, tires stacked all over, and a TV strapped to the wall. It's not on a prime downtown corner across from a coffee shop chain. It's the kind of shop I used to go to with my dad when I was a kid. It's the kind of shop I hope to find anytime I move to a new town.
So here's my two cents. Copy the name, phone number and address in your contact list. Save it as "auto mechanic" When you need your car fixed (and we all eventually do), you'll have it handy. You'll be happy you did. Honesty and knowledge. An extremely rare combination that's a pleasure to share when found. If you go in, tell Jerry the guy in the old red Pontiac says hello. read more