For me, an educated female (but not educated on the nuainces of my 2013 Subaru Forester) - the BEST PART about working with THIS mobile mechanic was THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO SUCCESSFULLY FIX THE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM MY TAILPIPE. My Forester was one involved in a class action for Subaru to fix for free (which I missed the deadline due to my health). But my 2013 SUV car only has 83k miles on it (also...health related).
Alex immediately knew about the issues with this make/model vehicle immediately. He still agreed to read some research I provided him. He later wanted to confirm some additional diagnostic details. He offered his honest professional feedback as to what was worth trying. He gave me information I needed to make an informed decision about the repair...PRIOR TO SCHEDULING. This meant I did NOT feel the same pressure of needing to decide IMMEDIATELY, like in a shop - when you are holding up ALL the other repairs. Instead, Alex was a great resource helping me to determine if he would be the appropriate repair option for me - even before making my appointment.
Once I decided to hire him, Alex was also very accommodating with his schedule. This may not be as important to anyonewho does not have ongoing health issues with fluctuating symptoms, like myself. But I imagine the need flr flexibility translates to most lives these days.
Alex arrived with EVERYTHING a mechanic would need to complete these repairs and was able to finish within the timeframe he estimated.
I also noticed that Alex was particular about the brands of tools he purchases to work on cars; which does not surprise me after dealing with him. He knows that not EVERY part needs to be a factory part. I know I don't know when I am being upsold a part unnecessarily; but Alex knows when there is value for paying for quality parts and when there is not.
Alex had sent me the prices for the parts which were needed ahead of my appointment; and gave me the option to supply myself or he would order them. I will STRONGLY encourage you to allow Alex to purchase and pick them up - especially if YOU are unfamiliar with the part. I ordered (correctly) parts and picked them up due to short scheduling time. However, one box did not contain the correct part when I picked it up at the local auto part store (common with returns I was told). Alex would have noticed right away, and took more time because of my lack of reference. So even if it costs more, there is value to having Alex CONFIRM that you have the CORRECT part BEFORE he starts working on your car.
Either way, you will receive a detailed receipt for parts and labor when Alex finishes: so you dont even loose the ability to keep up to date records by hiring Alex.
So what is the downside?
Well, you will hate yourself for not doing this sooner. It makes NO SENSE THE WAY WE STILL DO AUTO REPAIRS...extra money and time to be put into PRESSURE decision environments for expensive repairs! Why!?!?! Especially WHEN WE HAVE BETTER OPTIONS, LIKE ALEX!
Honestly, I doubt all mobile mechanics are this trustworthy, dedicated, and knowledgeable. But it has been about a month since I hired Alex...and my car is running better than it has in years.
Hire Alex and you will NEVER return to paying for dealership theater (such as the ‘let me explain the concept of an engine’ routine); when the alternative of hiring a respectful, straightforward, expert who can just as easily come to you - and for MUCH LESS.
Alex put me back in the driver's seat with my Forester - in more ways than one!