Re: what does one look for in an after market shop?

[Brian McGarvey <brianm@zbt62.eastnet.gatech.edu>]

On Mon, 5 Mar 2001, Yarrow Thorne wrote:

> how does one evaluate a shop, what are your prioritys, what is your ultimate
> shop experance, if you where to start one how would it be different from
> others?

Having had some work done on my motorcycle. I recommend the following.
(note include the stealership it may actually surprise you)

#1 start by asking your friends who *not* to go and see. People tend to
remember thier bad experinces more than thier good ones.

#2 ask the list who is good by mail or in your area. realize you may have
to drive a _long_ way like 200 or more miles.

#3 complie a list of all the availiable options including the
non-recommended ones. And start visiting them talking about what you would
*like* to do in general terms letting them fill out the details. Take
detailed notes *after* you leave the shop. This way you can compare what
they have to say and you quickly find out the ones that are just
interested in you money and not doing quality work.

#4 get estimates on the same task. from all the shops. for a decent amount
of work like a tune-up, brake renewal. and some other thing based on what
kind of work you want done. This will tell you if they are using a
loss-leader to hook you for more work.

#5 talk to you friends/listers on what resonable charges are for your
area. and look at your list aand show it to your friends and ask them what
they think. They may actually say .. hey this guy does crappy/good work
and will /will not get you inch by inch to charge you more cause this is
broken that is out of adjusmtent etc.

You will probably find the shop with the low ball price either uses crappy
parts or something shady is going on.  the shop with the high price may
well be not be worth it for any number of reasons.

Usually what I have found is the people with the medium prices tend to
stay withing +/- 10% of the price and do the work that is asked.

The lowball price guy usually gets the price up by 10-(whatever the law
allows)% and uses used or crappy parts.

they guy who charges top-dollar has about a 50-50 chance of being worth
it.

For normal everyday work stay away from the *race* shops. thier idea of
smooth riding and street drivability will be _totally_ different from
yours.

brian

 >
> yarrow
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