Not everyone was meant to be a car expert. If you are simply unsure about the compatibility of the found parts and your car, then ask a professional about it. This is probably the most important tip to keep in mind. This is why professionals exist; they know everything about the various models and the makes.

So the next time you are in need of an auto repair shop in San Francisco, know that you have plenty of options. It’s an advantage to others, but it can also be a disadvantage especially if you don’t know your way around and don’t know how to pick a good 2000 dodge intrepid in your area. And if that’s the case, then all you have to do is follow these 3 steps and it will be much easier for you to land in an auto repair shop in San Francisco that will give you your money’s worth.

Ask a good car mechanic to check out the condition of the car. Another noteworthy point is that this has to be done in bright daylight. He will be able to tell you whether there is any rust, wielding marks, oil leaks, condition of the tyres, upholstery, seat belts and steering wheel.

Make a chart of the names and phone numbers of each auto parts store in your area. Call and get prices. It does not take long to get prices. Most of the stores will get you a price on the parts you need within minutes. Make sure you are comparing the auto parts properly. In other words, compare the same quality. I like to buy USA made parts as much as possible. It pays to get good quality when it comes to fixing your vehicle.

Check your phone book and call a few places. You can learn a lot about an automotive repair shop by talking to them over the phone. Are they courteous? Do they sound helpful? You should also ask them how much they charge to repair certain parts on a vehicle such as a tune up or brake replacement. This will give you an idea about pricing at these shops. Also, ask them what kind of warranty they have on parts and labor.

Compare Prices: You may be tempted to buy from the first online auto parts store that you come across, but don’t. At least not until you have done some «comparison shopping». The web is full of delicious deals. The main reason being that you can easily check out a company’s competitors at the push of a button. You don’t have to drive down any road or travel any length of miles to do that.

Specialty stores will always guarantee delivery, satisfaction, and better yet quality. The down side is the price. There are no such things as sales or discounts or are there? Well, the good news is you can always ask for one – you will be amazed. In many cases the store will grant you a discount based on the purchase price. You can even go further and try to negotiate a better deal but don’t go over board or you can lose it all together. The idea is to act within reasonable parameters. But, don’t rush to buy that part yet. Do some price comparisons by checking the Internet.

In fact, many lives are saved this way. People go in for routine checkups; the doctor orders routine tests, and lo and behold there is a problem. If it would have been caught later on it might have become a bigger problem. It is the same thing with your car. If you take your car in to the mechanic to check out the car parts; you can very easily catch something early on in the game.

First, all of your service records will be kept in one place so you won’t be «doubling up» on services at multiple shops. Remember the examples above.

Next inspect the shop. It should be clean and the technicians must be certified. Most of all, they should be honest. You can check this with other people who have used the shop before. Its also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints against the shop.