4 Ways To Find The Best Auto Center Near Me: Due Diligence Done Right
December 4, 2020
Tires
Whether you need a minor oil change or an emergency tire repair, there’s a lot at stake when choosing an auto center, so due diligence is essential. With that in mind, today’s post shares 4 research tips to help you find the best local auto center for your needs and budget.
1. Find Out Which Auto Centers The Big Brands Trust
Most top tire and automotive parts manufacturers do not sell their products to just anyone. Before big brands decide to partner with retailers, they all do their due diligence. For example, auto centers interested in selling Falken Tire products must complete the Falken Tire Dealer Application, and Goodyear suppliers need to agree to a specific Code of Conduct.
Fortunately, it’s very easy to find out which auto centers have big-brand approval—just take a look at their catalogs. For instance, TIRECRAFT is one of Canada’s premier auto centers, as evidenced by our extensive list of big-brand partnerships, which includes names like:
- Goodyear
- Falken
- Cooper Tires
- Continental
- Firestone
- Bridgestone
- Hankook, and many others
If the auto center in question only sells used tires or obscure brands, consider it a red flag.
2. Research Auto Center Reviews From Both Sides
According to BrightLocal’s 2019 Local Consumer Review Survey, 91% of 18-34 year olds now trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. And while a single review never tells the whole story, it’s worth taking a few minutes to read what customers are saying about their experiences at local auto centers. It could save you a lot of time, money, and frustration.
When possible, conduct your research off of the brand’s website, since the owners’ control what they post and naturally put their best foot forward. Instead, look for high ratings on third-party review sites. such as:
- CustomerLobby—5 stars for the original Peter’s TIRECRAFT in BC
- Yelp—5 stars for Lloydminster TIRECRAFT
- Facebook—5 stars for B.C. TIRECRAFT Brampton
- YellowPages—5 stars for TIRECRAFT Ajax
While you’re looking up reviews, it’s also worth checking out what current and former employees have to say about the auto center in question. Granted, employee experiences don’t always directly translate to those of customers, but looking behind the scenes can be very revealing. For instance, you might read reports about problems like bad management practices, temperamental owners, or payment issues, all of which have the potential to spill over into the customer experience. Check out free third-party, employee-side review sites like GlassDoor and Indeed.
Ask Auto Center Owners All The Tough Questions
Before you buy from an auto center, Firestone recommends asking the following questions:
- What are my repair options and can you explain each?
- What certifications do you have?
- Can you provide me with a maintenance plan?
- What kind of warranties do you offer?
Quality companies welcome these kinds of questions, since they give carte blanche to talk up their most impressive value propositions.
Find your local TIRECRAFT and get answers to all of these questions during your free consultation—you’ll like what you hear!
Hire The Auto Center For Something Small
“Before your car needs a big repair, you might want to try out some local shops with smaller repairs or maintenance items, such as oil and filter changes,” states the ConsumerReports website.
This approach has obvious benefits, allowing you to gauge an auto center’s service quality, customer care, pricing, and professionalism before you invest in that big-ticket repair. We encourage you to swing by your local TIRECRAFT for a simple tune-up, oil change, or wheel balancing, and check out our selection of top brand-name products while you wait!
Find A Local TIRECRAFT Auto Center Near Me
Use the Find a TIRECRAFT tool to start your free consultation today. With more than 220 locations around the country, there’s a quality auto center closer than you think.
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