Henry Ford and many people like him built empires, by providing quality and value.  Henry was also smart enough to know if he provided jobs and paid fair wages, folks could buy his cars. He employed countless US craftsman, building cars, parts and a high standard of living.  While the names of domestic manufacturers may still be in use, their concern for US jobs is far from apparent.

With some things recognizing quality is relatively easy. The look, the feel, you can just see the quality. With other things, like auto service, it is a lot more difficult. For instance, how can we judge quality, before we have purchased the service.

Quite often folks call and ask how much is a brake job?

We perform quite a few pre-purchase inspections on vehicles clients intend to buy. I am often surprised at the number of really poor vehicles that are brought in and the amount they are listed for. Vehicles are NOT inexpensive. New cars easily cost $20,000 to $30,000. Finding a good used vehicle for under $10,000 is also pretty tough.

A very wise person once wrote that nothing is ever truly free. I think most reasonable people realize that anything of value has a cost and the client always pays that cost. Still the word free is very often used in business to lure the unsuspecting. The lure of free is a very strong one, and people continue to be taken in, over and again.

Almost everyone would like to save money on having their vehicles repaired. This is possible by taking time to find and learning how to "work with" the right shop. A little knowledge goes a long way, in winning the auto repair game.

I feel it is ironic that two of the strongest urges in mankind are actually contradictory:

1.) The urge to avoid risk.

2.) The urge to get more than we pay for.

Perhaps as ironic, these two urges are often used to take advantage of people, giving them neither. A lottery may be an example. The amount wagered is small, thus seeming to avoid any real risk. Yet the lure is to get more than is paid for. Even though there is almost no chance to win, huge numbers of people give away millions of their hard earned dollars.

The practice is called menu pricing.  Trying to select service, like  a commodity, simply by comparing price on a menu. In reality the practice may insure, not only unpleasant surprises with regard to price, but that they will be taken advantage of. 

The primary interest of a true craftsman, is fixing the vehicle properly. By offering great service they earn and honest living. There are also those with the primary interest of making money. They simply do so by repairing vehicles. A little work up front can help direct you to the type individual with whom you would rather deal.

Traditions can be good things, when they help people and allow for better service. They can also be very bad when they stand in the way of improvement.  AGCO thinks it's past time to turn some things around . . .

The sign says "Brake Job $89.99." You drop the vehicle off, wait and then get the call. We have checked your brakes and you need yada, yada, yada, that comes to $497.60. Frustrated, you authorize the repair. When you pick up the vehicle you notice the brake pedal is low and the steering wheel shakes when you brake. ARGGGGGGGG! . . .

Do you know what an "Up-sell" is, as it relates to the auto service business?  This knowledge may save you a bundle . . .

Several times a week people call with the question, "How much do you charge flush . . . ?" The first question is always, why do you feel you need this service? The answer always sounds the same. I don’t know, I took my vehicle in for warranty work and they told me I needed it.

The most common question folks ask about auto repair may be setting them up for an expensive, frustrating experience . . .

Why does AGCO have white floors in the service department . . .