Most every car or truck owner dreads pulling in to an unknown auto repair shop.
The first sound of a unfamiliar noise in the engine usually is accompanied by visions of pricey bills, shoddy repairs and lousy customer service.
To ease that distrust and shore up the reputations of independent and family-owned auto repair shops, a new organization has been created: The Independent Automobile Service Center Association.
"IASCA gives the non-chain and non-dealer auto shops in the South an opportunity to turn decades of established, reputable service into more customers." said the association founder Harry Douglas.
"Most of small shops new customer base come from word-of-mouth," said Cat Smith, spokesperson for IASCA. "By setting standards for these family-owned shops, we are Hand-Picking the shops that consumers want to do business with."
According to the Better Business Bureau Web site, the auto repair industry has consistently ranked among its annual Top 10 categories for complaints.
In the case of auto repair, those complaints usually relate to customer service and disputes about charges for the work preformed, according to the bureau.
Smith said that although the complaints don't distinguish between chain outlets and small shops, people tend to think it is the smaller businesses that are more shady.
The Independent Automobile Service Center Association is out to clean up that negative image by setting high standards for membership, she said.
"Usually if you are going to have a problem with a shop, usually it's customer service. And that's where these small businesses shine."
The screening criteria includes a 26-point inspection focusing on customer service, customer satisfaction, facilities management and credit checks for financial stability, he said.
Harry Douglas said there are over 1,400 auto service businesses with a wide range in the state. These shops have 6,897 employees and pay $195 million in wages.
The Independent Automobile Service Center Association is a welcomed addition because its focus is on the smaller, mom-and-pop businesses rather than the entire industry as the other large organizations tend to do.
Harry Douglas is the popular Radio Talk Show Host of Car Concerns. "Because of Car Carconcerns has such a strong retail automotive consumer base we will be able to refer customers to our members in IASCA."
"The Independent Automobile Service Center Association helps to get the word out, and once people use us, they trust us," she said.
Harry Douglas himself isn't an auto repair shop owner. He's a former Award Winning New Car Dealer with franchise history with Chrysler, General Motors, Nissan, And Honda. He is the winner of The Chrysler Penastar Award and The Nissan Presidents Award Of Excellence.
The joint effort by mechanics and marketers is a natural alliance that can help independent auto repair businesses prosper, Harry said.
"Most small repair shops can't afford to advertise, so IASCA is a good way of getting referrals."
Most of Independent Automobile Service Center Association members pay a fee to join and be listed. The fee ranges from $100 to $500 per month and is based on the financial resources of the business. Members also receive marketing and advertising services for the fee, he said.
"Letting the retail automotive consumers know where the trusted and well run automobile service centers are is what IASCA is all about.
Harry Douglas
Founder
Independent Automobile Service Center Association
P.O. Box 10883
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: 1-865-622-3032
harry@carconcerns.com
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