Simply Cars

01/06/2016

Now Open 6 Days a Week! (8am - 6pm)
+1 (904) 371-4999
4111 Phillips Hwy,
Jacksonville, FL 32207

10/20/2015

3. "What do you mean that alternator will cost me $400? I only have $200!"

Modern cars are quickly approaching a time when they will actually be sentient beings. They heat or cool the air according to your desires, remember what position you like your seat and mirrors, and will warm up your butt for you when it's really cold outside. However, it will be quite some time before we can expect the cars to have a direct link to your bank account and understand how much money you want to spend on your car today, and only decide to break something of itself that will cost less than you want to spend.

Until we see that day, it is completely useless to expect the amount of money you have to hold any meaning for your car when it decides that it no longer wants to maintain a charging system capable of functioning any longer. The reality of your situation being what it is, a more useful phrase may be "Is there an alternative that would cost under $200?" in which case, a service writer could check into a rebuilt part, salvage part, etc.

This phrase being the crosseyed in**ed cousin of the #2 most useless phrase,

10/13/2015

4. "You're just adding that on to make more money"

You came in for an oil change and the tech pointed out to you that your wiper blade on the passenger side was torn, your engine air filter had not been changed in 22,000 miles, and it has been over 10,000 miles since your last tire rotation and asks you if you want to take care of any of those items now while we have the car in the shop. You say "You're just adding that on to make more money!"

First of all, well, duh. Very few people go into business with the express intention of performing a service solely for the good of humanity. Unless the sign outside has “Charity” in it, chances are, we're here to make money. This is our chosen profession and we have decided that we will have the lifestyle we want by exchanging goods and services for your money. We are not hiding the fact that we make money in this business, specifically, your money, and we won't apologize for it.

Secondly, what is the alternative? Buy a set of tires 25% sooner because you didn't rotate them and we were too afraid to tell you it was time because you'd jump down our throat? Spend a little money now, or spend a lot of money later, it's your choice. Third, if you are trading the car in next week and not interested in preventive maintenance, listen to the wise words of Nancy Reagan and Just Say No.

10/12/2015

Top 5 Useless Phrases in Auto Repair

5. But I only came in for an oil change!

Other shops may be run differently, but our shop has a mandatory inspection and review with the customer with every service. Included in the review is a list of items that get changed at regular intervals according to the year/make/model. If the customer has never been to us before, the entire list will print out, and we give the list to the customer so they can check their records to see what has been done already. If they have a history with us, our list prints out with the ones we have already done checked off. The list has your standard belts, fluids, filters, and recommended inspections (brake inspection, tire inspection, check for leaks, soft hoses, torn wipers, etc.).

It can appear overwhelming, such as in the case of a car with over 100,000 miles on it, so we really and truly do try to explain to the customer that they may not be due for ANY of those services right now if they have had them done elsewhere or just choose not to do them. However, the list is there for them to review, ask us questions, get a quote, take care of what they want done right then, whatever they want. It's their money, we can't spend it for them without their permission.

Maybe the customer decides to change the air filter and wiper blades and rotate the tires. Then when that customer checks out, if that person gets angry and says "But I just came in for an oil change! What a ripoff!" it is very frustrating, and also a useless conversation to get into.

What happens when you go to the grocery store? You have a few things on your list ... maybe bread, eggs, milk, sliced ham. Then you get to the grocery store, and on your way to the milk which is always all the way in the back, you are reminded you need more cereal. Then right next to the eggs is the sour cream you just remembered you needed. Then picking up the sliced ham, you see they have a sale on provolone, so get some of that too. On your way to get some bread, you think maybe some English muffins might be nice, so pick some of those up. The four things on your list just doubled, all of your own choosing. Would you seriously berate the cashier that you "only came in for four things" and you ended up leaving with eight? Would you really blame the person behind the counter for something you did of your own free will? Would you grumble about paying $35 when "those four things should only have cost me $16, what a ripoff!". I thought not. It's a useless thing to say.

10/11/2015

10/22/2014

Frequently, customers come in with an issue that has been driving them crazy, but more often than not the fix was as simple as a fuse.

When buying a used car, it is always best to remove the old fuses and replace them all, working or not with new fuses to ensure any electrical problems you run across aren't something that could have been fixed at home. Check out this article from DMV.org; If your issue persists or you need a helping hand, come on by and we would be more than happy to assist you.

http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/fuse.php

Need to change a fuse? Don't stress out, it's a pretty easy procedure. Just follow the steps at the DMV Guide How-To Guides.

10/21/2014

Helpful article from DMV.org about checking your tire pressure!

http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/check-tire-pressure.php

Need help checking your tires? Our guide on checking your tire pressure has the answers at DMV.org: The DMV Made Simple.

10/18/2014

Is your check engine light on? Stop by and we'll be more than happy to look at what's causing your trouble code(s), and advise you for FREE!

Why get ripped off by the big stores when we can save you almost half of what dealerships or big stores charge!!! Call today to schedule your car for a free complete diagnostics, and get back on the road with confidence!

We have the updated diagnostics tools to pin point the problem. There is no catch, just great customer service!!