It’s easy to find a reputable auto body shop in Winnipeg if you know what to look for. Before you choose a shop for your auto body repairs check out these helpful tips and questions you should ask.
- Recommendations and Reviews
The internet gives everyone a voice which can be good or bad depending on the kind of business you run. Those Winnipeg auto body shops that provide exceptional products and services will be rewarded with positive reviews and recommendations. Alternately, those that fall short will receive negative comments.
Check out online sources like Google+, Facebook and other social channels. What are people saying about them? Do they openly recommend them to the online world? If you find bad reviews, see if there’s a pattern. Often one bad review among many good ones may be an indication of a disgruntled customer or ex-employee. So weigh them out. If you’re concerned about a bad review(s), check out that person’s review history (Google+) and see if there’s a pattern.
Also, cover all the bases and ask friends, family and acquaintances who they would recommend. They’re certainly not going to recommend an auto body shop in Winnipeg they don’t trust.
- Ask About Their Business Model - Straight Time for Flat Rate?
Ask if they’re a straight time or flat rate shop. If they’re a flat rate shop technicians tend to rush through repairs because the more they do, the more they earn. If it’s a straight time shop they are given incentives for the quality of the work vs the quantity.
The difference in the two business models often impacts the overall quality and service of the shop, so it’s a good question to ask before you contract a Winnipeg auto body shop.
Also, take a look around the front-office. Large shops with a lot of administration staff probably have to charge higher per-hour rates to cover the additional overhead.
- Do They Offer A Warranty?
Warranties are not all created equal! Ask the Winnipeg auto body shop if they offer a warranty. Is it an independent warranty? Does it cover repairs for fit, finish, functionality and overall quality? Is there a time limit? A good shop will offer a lifetime warranty. - Professional and Courteous
What does the Winnipeg auto body shop look like? Is it clean and organized? Or does it feel like a gong show when you walk in the front door? If the place is dirty, cluttered or disorganized this could reflect the quality of their work.
Is the shop professionally run? Are the staff courteous and helpful, or grouchy and uncooperative? Happy staff are often a result of a good working environment. If the staff is unhappy and unhelpful they’re often not putting their best efforts forward and your vehicle may suffer the consequences.
- Certified Technicians
Are the technicians of the Winnipeg auto body shop qualified, certified and technically competent? Is the shop I-Car Gold Class certified? If so they will have met rigorous trade standards and you can have more confidence in their work. Is it an MPI Accredited shop that can handle out-of-province insurance claims?
There are a lot of questions posed in this article to help you choose the right auto body shop in Winnipeg but to make it even easier, here they are in a quick checklist format.
Questions to Ask/Consider when choosing a Winnipeg auto body shop:
Anyone can advertise, but what are other people saying about them? Check out online and personal reviews and recommendations.- Are they a straight time of flat rate shop? A straight time shop more often promotes quality over quantity.
- Do they offer a warranty and how long is it?
- Is the shop professionally run?
- Is it clean and organized?
- Are the staff courteous and helpful?
- Are the service technicians I-Car Gold Class Certified?
- Is it an MPI accredited shop?
Still not sure? We welcome your questions and if we can’t provide what you need we’ll certainly recommend someone who can. Click here to send us an email.
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