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DEL.ICIO.USPut down that dipstick and help me out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I took my car in to the mechanic this morning to have a 30,000-mile service check.
I dropped my car off at a shop close to work. I have had them do some work on my cars in the past, so I felt pretty good about having them service my car now. I haven’t had to do anything with this car since I bought it four years ago, so we’ll see what kind of work needs to be done.
It got me thinking: Does anyone know a good mechanic? Years ago, I used to know a guy named Jimmy Morgan. Jimmy was the bee’s knees. He could diagnose a problem, fix it right, and charge a reasonable price. He was a nice guy, he was honest, and he always took time to explain how cars work. Jimmy used to have a shop off Buford Highway near the package store, not too far from Duluth Haircutters.
I lost touch with Jimmy. I don’t know what happened to him, but I miss him terribly. I went to a different garage shortly after I lost touch with them, and it was culture shock. I had to replace a steering rod, or something like that. The garage was nice and neat. However, they kept trying to sell me a bunch of different services that I knew nothing about. They charged me $300, but it turned out that they never replaced the rod. I found that out when I had to service a similar problem a couple of months later.
Back to the present. The dealer from whom I brought my is under investigation for trying to cheat its customers, both actual and potential. Other places that I have been to try to sell me services that I did not ask for. I don’t know about cars. Most people don’t.
My point is that, as with a doctor, you need to find a mechanic you can trust. Automotive repairs can be expensive. However, if you trust the guy doing the work, more likely than not it’s money well spent.
Do you know someone like that in Duluth?
Permalink | Comments (21) | Categories: Bill Allen
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By Terri
August 1, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
I know a great mechanic - Randy McClung on Chamblee Tucker Road. The name of the shop is Randee’s Service Center. Randy is honest and will treat you right.
By Stan
August 1, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
Not Duluth but in Braselton I have found a mechanic that I trust so far. The Engine Man. Left at HWY 53 few miles on the left. Been honest with me so far and charges reasonable prices
By Paula
August 1, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
The best and most honest mechanic I know is Kenny Buice, the manager at Kauffman Tire on Horizon Drive off Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd. I have been doing business with him for many years and have sent many folks to him. He has a great following of regular customers.
By Mary
August 2, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
Don’s Car Care on Peachtree Industrial in Suwanee. I trust NO ONE but him to look at my vehicle. He is honest and very good at what he does. If he can’t fix it, he will tell you he can’t and will recommend someone who can. He doesn’t talk “down” to his female customers. He explains everything to me, and is very patient when I ask questions.
He is the bomb!!!
By jim
August 3, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this
I have found over the past fifty nine years of driving that it is best to go to a shop with an owner’s name out front. A shop that is part of a chain often tries to sell you products and services you don’t need. Especially if you appear to be financially stable, elderly or a woman.
By Jim
August 3, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
Fenski Automotive Center, Inc at 1010 Peachtree Industrial Blvd in Sugar Hill. Joe Fenski, the owner offers the best quality service at a fair price which he stands behind. His honesty is beyond reproach. If you need it, he will tell you so and what it will cost. If you don’t need it, he will tell you that as well. If there is a problem in the making he will give you a heads up so you can be prepared and have the repair completed prior to having to call from the road side with an out of commission vehicle.
By Queenie
August 3, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Try The Finish Line on Highway 20 in Lawrenceville. We’ve been customers since they opened way back when. Honest, straight forward, and just nice all around. We’ll never go anywhere else! Chris and Gary are the best!
By Jais
August 3, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
I’ll tell you not who to use: Southern motor works on burford highway. They are notable crooks who’ve changed their names a few times to avoid prosecution.
By DC
August 3, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
Garland Woodward and his guys at Auto Service Center in Doraville are the honest, competent and caring.
By JASON
August 3, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
The best shop i have found is Southern Appalachian Auto in lawrenceville. Bob and Jason are honest and do not try to sell things you realy dont need. The job is always done on time and right.
By Gary Mastrodonato
August 3, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Bill -
In response to your request for a mechanic you can trust, I offer T&G Automotive, 5207 Highway 78, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, 770-469-1481.
The following is a narrative I wrote for Car Talk in recommending them:
Rick and John, Owners have worked on our cars (originally a ‘69 Camaro and ‘78 & ‘79 Cadillacs, now ‘92 Lexus ES250, ‘99 Lexus RX300, and ‘92 Infiniti) for over 25 years. They have ALWAYS satisfied us with their work. They charge a fair price for their work. They will rush a job if they can for the customer’s convenience. They ALWAYS stand by their work and will correct any mistake. I have had very few returns in all my visits. They have worked virtually exclusively on our cars. They will explain their work thoroughly and you will not leave their shop without the repairs made or a full explanation - in everyday terminology. GREAT Mechanics - GREAT PEOPLE. Highly recommended.
How did I find them? Actually they found me. I moved across the street from one of the original owners. He sold his portion of the business after a couple of years, but by then we were loyal customers.
GJM
By Jan Cooley
August 4, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this
Terry Hedricks, who owns Hedrick’s Automotive on Buford Drive in Lawrenceville, is the best and most honest I have ever seen. I’m a 70-year old lady who doesn’t know much about cars, but a lot about people, and I am totally comfortable following Terry’s advice. He gives you repair options and the price of each when there is more than one way to go. My nephew, who is in school in PA, still calls Terry for his advice as to what to do about his old car. The only drawback is that they only work on Hondas and Toyotas—-but our family has 5 Hondas and we take them all to Hedricks!
By Jay Bassett
August 4, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
For folks in Snellville/lawrenceville area, I highly recommend
South Gwinnett Automotive Services 2064 Main St E Snellville, GA 30078 (770) 736-8088
They specialize on europeon vehicles but work on all — Barry and his crew are top notch technicians — get it done — flexiblity, outsainding custimer service and ethics and reasonable prices are their ethic.
While I was deployed to Iraq for a year, they went above and beyond many times and in many ways in helping my wife and kids with keeping our vehicles maintained — and wehn something went wrong - were always there — rain, shine - day or night.
They are the best and deserve — earned my respect and graditude — and my business.
By Wayne
August 4, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
I agree with other comments, a person’s name out front and the length of time it has been there says a great deal about how dependable a mechanice is. Tommy Coker at Hurrican Shoals and Ga. 20 has been in that same garage for some 15yrs. On two occassions, my girlfriend asked him to put new brakes on her cars. Each time, he checked and said she did not need brakes. No Charge. I have used Tommy’s services for 20+ yrs and would reccomend him to anyone. He is honest and will do only what is needed and at a fair rate.
By Jack Wages
August 4, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Bolton Auto Service (Gene) has provided excellent repairs for my family, friends and neighbors. Very dependable and reasonable.
By Jack Wages
August 4, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Bolton Auto Service (Gene) has provided excellent repairs for my family, friends and neighbors. Very dependable and reasonable.
By Morton Greenblatt
August 4, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
For thirteen years, “Southern Appalachian Auto Inc., has been servicing our cars. They are honest with women as well as men! They specialize in repairs to Honda, Toyota, Nissan and most other makes. They are efficient and have never had a complaint about their work!! Try them! You’ll like them!! Location: 650 Old Norcross rd. Lville, ga. 770-962-9468 Bob Mundy or Jason
By John Patterson
August 6, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
When we moved to Grayson 8+ years ago, our daughter and her husband recommended Finish Line on Hwy 20 in L-ville. We have our two cars serviced and worked on there, as does our daughter and our son. We have sent neighbors/friends there over the years with pleasing results. Honest and dependable, they will tell you what you need to know, not what you want to hear.
By Last American
August 6, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Garland did you write that about yourself?
By Brenda Marquis
August 9, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
A mechanic you can trust Bob Croxton of Lilburn Auto Center 4450 Highway 29 Lilburn 770-923-2250
By Lee
August 11, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
Eddie’s Automotive Services! Lawrenceville Hwy at Indian Trail 770-381-7574
Eddie Price and his crew have been fixing our cars for over 15 years. He’s kept us in great shape through 4 teenagers and 100K+ miles. Eddie tells it like it is. He gives me a reasonable estimate before repair; my car is ready usually within the day but if not, he’ll let me know in advance; and Eddie is readily available for advice.
I’ve learned it’s important to take my business consistently to the mechanic who has earned my trust. Eddie treats his customers like family and their autos like his own.