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One of the most under-appreciated professions out there is that of an auto mechanic. How many people do you meet in your life that has such an impact on you and your family’s safety as well as your finances? A good, trustworthy mechanic can save you a ton of money in the long run. Unfortunately, a good auto mechanic can be hard to come by.

Finding a good mechanic should rank second in importance only to finding a good doctor. When you're stranded by the side of the road with a dead vehicle, the importance of a good auto repair mechanic takes on even greater meaning.

Where Should I Take my Car?

You generally have three options. Large national chains and dealerships are two options. They typically have revenue goals in mind and this can create conflict of interest when they look at your vehicle. Small issues or issues that can wait become urgent matters that you should attend to in their opinion. You’ll rarely be able to meet the guy working on your car, and forget discussing your car with the mechanic. For anything more than an oil change, locally owned, independent garages are the way to go. And by all means, avoid dealerships, unless your vehicle is still under warranty.

Look for Quality, Value and Service. Make sure that the mechanic is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified. Look for the (ASE) logo that should be displayed so that the public can see the the repair shop is reputable as well as the mechanics. The ASE logo validates that the mechanics will not just throw repair parts at your automobile but will use automotive expertise in the repair.

For over 25 years Ted Stratton has been in the field of automotive repair for both dealership and independent auto repair facilities. Ted is ASE Certified in Engine Repair, Manual Drive Train, Axles, Suspension, Steering Brakes, Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical Systems and Advanced Engine Performance.

Ted has extensive use of Snap-On Tools, On-Board Diagnostic Computers, Tech 1 and Tech 2 Scanners, OBD-11 Scanner, All Data Computer Information Systems and is a member of iATN International Automotive Technicians Network, the largest network of Automotive Technicians in the world.

Ted is a very neat and well-organized mechanic. The attention to detail and work ethics Ted displays are impeccable and when it comes to fixing your vehicle he is a Master Mechanic. Ted cares about you and your safety and he will take his own time to stay over to fix your car and make sure you are completly happy before you drive off.

The Local Advantage

Local mechanics have their reputation at stake and know that the key to their success against the giant chains is to build long-term relationships with their customers. The guy working on your vehicle may be the owner or he works closely with the owner. They get to know your vehicle inside and out over time, and you’ll always be able to discuss your vehicle’s health with them.
Additionally, with a local mechanic, you are keeping more of your money local. When it comes to expenses, you’ll probably find that their prices are typically as good as or better than some of the national chains. The only problem with local mechanics is that word-of-mouth and drive by traffic are typically their only forms of advertisement, so they can be hard to find at times. The good ones don’t need paid advertisement because they retain all of their customers.

Owner and manager Bill Dickey is an ASE certified mechanic and smog technician. Bill has been in the automotive repair and smog business for 30 years. Bill is a master a diagnosing smog failure and drivability problems. In his early years of auto repair and smog, he worked at several different import foreign and domestic automotive dealerships throughout Northern California.