Alameda Auto Care Center offers a full range of services and repairs to Alameda County drivers, including basic oil changes, tune-ups, scheduled maintenance, electrical components, air conditioning systems and brakes. The facility also handles body work and smog certification.
Owner David Chau has more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, doing everything from advanced mechanical work to supervising entire service departments. He owned a successful service station in San Leandro prior to taking over operations of Alameda Auto Care Center in 2003. Mr. Chau says his company operates under the principles of honesty and communication.
To ensure dealership-quality repairs, Alameda Auto Care Center only uses factory-specified parts and high-quality paints. Mr. Chau says his ASE Certified technicians use their training in advanced repair techniques to effectively restore vehicles to their pre-accident conditions. For customers’ convenience, the company also offers a complimentary shuttle service for local transportation.
“Many automotive shops are equal when it comes to their ability to fix cars, but we stand out because of how we treat our customers. They’re like friends and family to us, and we’ll go out of our way to keep things convenient and affordable for them. If we treat people the way we like to be treated, everyone ends up happy.”
When considering an auto repair shop, look for experience, reliability, honesty, and good communication skills.
Find out how long the company has been in business. You may want to check to see if they’re a member of the Better Business Bureau. You can get information from the BAR (Bureau of Auto Repair) website, such as verification of license as well as a history of any complaints lodged against the company.
Ask about ASE certification and where the technicians received their training. Find out what kind of warranty the company offers and what parts they typically use. “Parts should come from a well-known company like ACDelco rather than an unknown brand,” says David Chau, owner of Alameda Auto Care Center. Some parts may look fine, but they won’t work in the same way as the factory-specified ones. They’re not always engineered to the right specifications, which means they might not function correctly.
Beware of advertisements that promise an inexpensive service intended to lure people in—like a $19.95 oil change, for example. Sometimes this is just a ploy to give a repair shop the chance to find out something else about a car so they can get more business from a customer, says Mr. Chau.
It’s always a good idea to talk to established customers to get various opinions regarding the shop you’re considering. “Checking referrals makes a big difference,” says Mr. Chau. If possible, make a personal visit to get a feel for the facility. See if it’s well-lit, clean and professional. Have a conversation with the service provider. This should give you an idea of what kind of company you’re hiring.
Alameda Auto Care Center likes to go the extra mile for its customers–literally and figuratively. "If a customer's car has a dead battery in their carport or garage, we'll bring the charger to their house, hook it up and charge the battery," says owner David Chau. "We're always willing to drop off a customer at work. And if they aren't able to bring their car in, we can go as far as 30 miles to pick it up and bring it to the shop. We do our best to treat customers like part of our family."
Honesty and communication are high priorities at Alameda Auto Care Center. "We don't like playing games with our customers," says Mr. Chau. "We want to listen to their concerns, and during the whole process, we do our best to inform them by keeping the lines of communication open so we can help them make the best decision possible. We're very straightforward."
Mr. Chau says customers usually come away more educated when everything is clearly explained–why the repair or replacement is needed, what kind of parts will be used, how long it will take, and so forth. "We do our best to troubleshoot and get them the best price," he says.
Alameda Auto Care Center handles large and small jobs with equal dedication. "We do pretty much everything here–from something as simple as changing a light bulb to doing major engine repairs," says Mr. Chau. The company's extensive list of services also includes body repair for vehicles that have been in a collision. It uses only the highest quality parts and paints and is proud to be a part of the ACDelco Total Service Support Program.
The staff at Alameda Auto Care Center is committed to providing the best experience possible for each customer. Professional courtesy doesn't end when a car leaves the shop, says Mr. Chau. The company sends thank-you notes, and regular customers receive regular reminders about when their car is due for scheduled maintenance.
