DAYTON, OHIO, August 11, 2011—The auto repair and service industry has been a problematic industry for your Better Business Bureau. In fact, it was among your BBB’s top ten complained about industries last year. Unfortunately, there are many in the industry that don’t have customers’ best interests in mind. Calls concerning the industry have already begun this year. Your BBB has provided people with more than 6,200 reliability reports on companies in the industry and handled more than 60 complaints this year. Today, your BBB shares a list of Miami Valley auto repair and service companies that have earned F ratings, the organization’s lowest rating.
John North, BBB president and CEO, says, “There are lots of trustworthy auto repair and service companies in our community that I wouldn’t hesitate taking my car to for repairs. I know they will meet or exceed my expectations. But, there are some I would never consider. These are the companies that don’t have their customers best interests in mind and make it difficult for the good guys in the industry to operate. They tarnish the reputation of the whole industry. They are the reason it’s so important to check out the companies you do business with before hiring them.”
Your Better Business Bureau names 17 local auto repair and service companies with F ratings. Your BBB assigns letter grades to local businesses ranging from A+ to F. The letter grade system represents your BBB’s degree of confidence businesses are operating in trustworthy manners and will make good faith efforts to resolve customer concerns. Typically, businesses with F ratings have an unanswered and/or unresolved complaint(s) or patterns of complaints that reflect failure by the businesses to deal with the causes of customer problems. Your BBB acknowledges it’s not as much about the number of complaints a company has, but how they handle complaints. (The list was accurate as of August 11, 2011.)
Bad Attitude Customs, 450 Columbus St., Xenia
Bill’s Auto Repair, 5839 W. 3rd St., Dayton
Bob’s Garage, 5737 W. U.S. Rte. 36, Piqua
Dales Auto Repair, 155 N. 2nd St., Camden
DCD Auto Sales, 1365 N. Gettysburg Ave., Dayton
JW Automotive, 21 W. Main St., Phillipsburg
M & H Auto Repair, 8 N. Broad St., Fairborn
Mead’s Automotive, 1555 S. Yellow Springs St., Springfield
Oil Connection (The), 1276 Sterling Ct., Fairborn
Person’s Family Auto Service, 1414 N. Main St., Dayton
Quick Stop Service, 3924 Salem Ave., Dayton
Safeway Auto Lube, 1990 Covington Ave., Piqua
SouthMetro Automotive, 1708 S. Metro Pkwy., Dayton
Stumps Automotive Service, 1980 Hogue Ave., Ste. B, Dayton
Valvoline Instant Oil Change, 1354 N. Fairfield Rd., Beavercreek
Valvoline Instant Oil Change, 4430 Brandt Pk., Dayton
Wheel Warehouse, 4600 Gateway Cir., Kettering
When selecting an auto repair and service company, your BBB advises you:
· Establish a relationship with a mechanic before you really need one. (If your automobile is still under warranty, you want to consider having covered repairs performed at the dealership.)
· Ask friends and family to recommend mechanics they’ve used.
· Find out if mechanics have certifications from industry associations, such as the American Automobile Association (AAA), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and Automotive Service Association (ASA).
· Check to see if the shops are well-organized and up-to-date with steady business and working on cars similar to yours.
· Provide detailed information to your mechanic about your vehicle’s problem and how long it’s been going on.
· Request a written estimate and confirm work won’t be done without your approval.
· Have the mechanic explain what will be done using terms you understand.
· Get a detailed printout of the work performed, including parts and labor costs, warranties or service guarantees.
· Check companies out with your BBB by visiting www.bbb.org or calling (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301. Your BBB can also provide you with a list of BBB Accredited Businesses in the industry.
John North said, “I encourage you to do business with BBB Accredited Businesses. Accredited Businesses have to have a B rating or higher and respond to complaints filed against them. They strive to do business the right way and agree to adhere to standards of trust, so they can better differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace.”
About Your BBB Serving Dayton and the Miami Valley
Your BBB, the leader in advancing marketplace trust, is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. Your BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, your BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 125 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than four million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about your BBB.
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