How to choose a shop to get your work done?

Fermn

Fermn

Member
Hey guys,

I'll be installing some parts within the next few months and want to know how you guys decide on what shop works on your vehicle. Is it:

Word of mouth?
Based on their Instagram/social media?
Price?
Online reviews ? (google/yelp)
Customer service when you call or email for quotes?
Location? (how the facility looks/how close it is to you)

I'm in South Florida and most shops seem to be inclined towards working on Jeeps. I have yet to find a shop that mainly focuses on Toyotas. Theres a few shops around my area but none of them give me that good feeling of "I would like for them to work on my car"

Thanks in advance to anyone who contributes to this post !
 
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Fermn said:
Hey guys,

I'll be installing some parts within the next few months and want to know how you guys decide on what shop works on your vehicle. Is it:

Word of mouth?
Based on their Instagram/social media?
Price?
Online reviews ? (google/yelp)
Customer service when you call or email for quotes?
Location? (how the facility looks/how close it is to you)

I'm in South Florida and most shops seem to be inclined towards working on Jeeps. I have yet to find a shop that mainly focuses on Toyotas. Theres a few shops around my area but none of them give me that good feeling of "I would like for them to work on my car"

Thanks in advance to anyone who contributes to this post !
Click to expand...

If you are going to be entering the world of off roading I would suggest doing it yourself. If something breaks on the trail you're going to have to be the one who knows how to fix it.

I've seen so many botched installs in my life from "professional shops".It isn't as hard as you think it is and in the end YOU will be the one who takes care of your rig the best.
 
I go for word of mouth. You can usually get recommendations on a locally based site such as Nextdoor.com. Just be wary of people trying to recommend their relatives' or spouse's business as the best ever. That's really for regular maintenance or repairs that you don't want to touch yourself. So I'll try one and give them a hellacious first job. I do most repairs myself and if I don't want to touch it, it's because it will be a major pain in the ass. My first experience with them regarding their service, their prices, and the quality of their work will determine if they got a customer for life or not.

If you want a specialty 4×4 shop, you kind of have to see what the guys semi-local to you on a vehicle forum such as this are using. Or you could do a simple web search and try to find reviews on a place like Yelp.

For instance, in my neck of the woods there are only 2 specialty off road shops within 45 min. of my house. And they are polar opposites. One is a huge place that keeps expanding while their prices are outrageous and the quality of their work is in constant decline. The other is owned by an Eastern European dude and they are tough to even get in touch with. Makes me wonder if it's not even his day job.

Which is exactly why I gave some serious thought a couple years back to opening my own 4x4 and offroad shop in/around my town. Never did it though since I found a job that I happen to like very much. I now run the NE for a very large OE automotive/truck parts company instead.

If I just want a recall done, obviously I'm going to the local Toyota dealer. Might throw a minor job like a trans service at them too while it's being done, since I am there and all. It's worth the $100 or so that they charge to save me the time on that one.

I hope my incoherent rambling has helped some. At the end of the day, if you are the least bit mechanically inclined, I'd try to learn and take on as much as you can yourself. It will save you a ton of money and you will know so much more about your vehicle. Like for instance, I just saved myself probably $400 or more (I have seen people say up to $800 from a dealer) doing a rusted NSS replacement. It was a 5-6 hour fiasco and I hated every minute, but well worth it. I tend to have a lot more time on my hands these days.
 
Last edited:
Xtremluck said:
If you are going to be entering the world of off roading I would suggest doing it yourself. If something breaks on the trail you're going to have to be the one who knows how to fix it.

I've seen so many botched installs in my life from "professional shops".It isn't as hard as you think it is and in the end YOU will be the one who takes care of your rig the best.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% . I'm sure I can do it. I have the tools and space. I'll consider this option. Its just easier to have a shop do it instead. Unfortunately, I don't see working on my car as a hobby but rather a chore... lol. :(
 
kenwilliams0803 said:
I go for word of mouth. You can usually get recommendations on a locally based site such as Nextdoor.com. Just be wary of people trying to recommend their relatives' or spouse's business as the best ever. That's really for regular maintenance or repairs that you don't want to touch yourself. So I'll try one and give them a hellacious first job. I do most repairs myself and if I don't want to touch it, it's because it will be a major pain in the ass. My first experience with them regarding their service, their prices, and the quality of their work will determine if they got a customer for life or not.

If you want a specialty 4×4 shop, you kind of have to see what the guys semi-local to you on a vehicle forum such as this are using. Or you could do a simple web search and try to find reviews on a place like Yelp.

For instance, in my neck of the woods there are only 2 specialty off road shops within 45 min. of my house. And they are polar opposites. One is a huge place that keeps expanding while their prices are outrageous and the quality of their work is in constant decline. The other is owned by an Eastern European dude and they are tough to even get in touch with. Makes me wonder if it's not even his day job.

Which is exactly why I gave some serious thought a couple years back to opening my own 4x4 and offroad shop in/around my town. Never did it though since I found a job that I happen to like very much. I now run the NE for a very large OE automotive/truck parts company instead.

If I just want a recall done, obviously I'm going to the local Toyota dealer. Might throw a minor job like a trans service at them too while it's being done, since I am there and all. It's worth the $100 or so that they charge to save me the time on that one.

I hope my incoherent rambling has helped some. At the end of the day, if you are the least bit mechanically inclined, I'd try to learn and take on as much as you can yourself. It will save you a ton of money and you will know so much more about your vehicle. Like for instance, I just saved myself probably $400 or more (I have seen people say up to $800 from a dealer) doing a rusted NSS replacement. It was a 5-6 hour fiasco and I hated every minute, but well worth it. I tend to have a lot more time on my hands these days.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ken !
 
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