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.

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.

Q: What do you charge to troubleshoot and diagnose a car?

A: We only charge for one hour, even if it takes longer to determine a diagnosis.

Q: What type of warranty do you offer?

A: Our warranty policy is 12 months or 12,000 miles. Within a distance of 25 miles, we’ll provide towing to bring your car back to our shop for repair. If the vehicle is outside of the 25-mile range, we have arrangements with a company that does all the work we do and will honor the terms of the warranty, including a rental car, towing and auto repair.

Q: Can you do some of the work that’s covered by various extended warranties?

A: Yes.

Q: What’s your normal turnaround time?

A: We understand how busy people are, so we do our best to set a timeframe and stick to it. When diagnosing a problem, we usually have the answer within four hours. Of course, it all depends on the nature of the repair as well as the availability of the parts. We’ll always call you with information and updates and will do the best we can to finish the job as quickly as possible.

Q: Do you provide shuttle service for your customers?

A: Yes. We provide shuttle service throughout the entire Alameda-Oakland-Berkeley area.

Q: What certifications do you hold?

A: We’re ASE-certified. We’re also part of the ACDelco Total Service Support program, which means our technicians receive the same training as General Motors’ technicians. Our highly-skilled employees tend to stay with us for a long time, most of them for at least five years.