All Around Auto Repair Company Profile

You want an affordable place that doesn't do a hard sell rather than mechanics who take advantage of you by pushing expensive repairs you don't really need.

We found All Around Auto Repair in Windsor CA in the Santa Rosa CA area, (formerly "Voyager & Caravan Specialties"). All Around Auto Repair is a friendly local garage that prides itself on quality repairs at prices you can afford. (And readers of this Report get a 10% discount on all parts, and a free basic diagnostic by calling them now and saying they saw it here.)


Better Diagnostics at All Around Auto Repair in Sonoma County

At All Around Auto Repair in Windsor CA, you'll get an honest diagnosis from Dale Johnson, the shop's owner, who has 14 years of experience as an expert auto technician.

At dealerships there can be difficulty communicating. There, you're forced to try to explain the problem to service writers and receptionists, who in turn try to explain it to the actual repair crew. But you get to deal directly with the owner at All Around Auto Repair. Dale agrees that's a benefit. "I'm the owner, and I still do the diagnostics and repair," he explained. "I work on every car that comes into our shop."

And you'll get many diagnostics for free at All Around Auto Repair, unlike shops that charge you a fee to tell you how much they're going to charge you for the actual repair. "Why would I charge my customers for an hour's worth of work like other shops do, if I can tell what the problem is with a 10-minute check? That's just not right," says Dale Johnson. "That's why we like to do free diagnostics whenever possible instead of charging our customers for every little thing."

All Around Auto Repair in Windsor CA saves you even more money because they know how to evaluate each part for excessive wear, instead of swapping out parts at every recommended milestone. "Some parts last a lot longer than the manufacturers say they will, so we pay attention to that and recommend service when it's actually due," Dale says. "It's not fair to charge you money to replace parts that still have a lot of life left. We want to save you money and conserve resources."

At other shops you end up buying parts or repairs you don't need because they don't do such careful diagnostics. All Around Auto Repair is at the cutting edge of diagnostics. They've invested in the latest tools to diagnose car problems faster and make the right repairs the first time. "Cars aren't the same as they were 10 years ago," Dale Johnson acknowledges. "Now they have so many computer-controlled components that it takes dedication for shops to stay on top of that. We invest in the right tools, and we're able to diagnose problems reliably and fix them thoroughly so customers don't have to come back for repair after repair."


Don't Shop Around?

When it comes to car repairs, going with the cheapest garage can actually cost you more money. You're better off finding a good auto repair shop that has affordable prices and a knowledgeable staff. That's how to get the best value on all your auto repair work.

When you find a good mechanic and rely on them for all your repairs and maintenance, they keep track of which repairs were done and when, so you only get the services you need. But when customers bounce around between  shops to save just a few dollars each time, it causes problems.

For instance, you risk paying for the same parts or repairs over and over, since some unscrupulous shops make money by needlessly replacing newer parts that were installed by other shops. Other mechanics do scheduled maintenance before it's actually due to make more money on repairs. So if you're shopping around for inexpensive maintenance, you could actually end up paying more and replacing parts long before you need them, wasting time and money.

Recently, a customer learned the hard way that cheap repairs aren't money-savers. He came back to All Around Auto Repair for engine repairs after going to cheap shops for work on his transmission and motor. "He came to us because he started hearing a noise in his engine," Dale shared. "We fixed the noise and then did the regular 90,000 mile maintenance he requested. But a previous shop had done those same repairs before they were due, including replacing the timing belt. The owner had asked for maintenance at a cost of $400 that we could have avoided."


Family-Owned and Operated in Windsor CA

Born here in Sonoma County, Dale Johnson lives in Larkfield CA with his wife and kids, just minutes from All Around Auto Repair's shop in Windsor. While his weekdays are dedicated to running his shop, Dale says his busy weekends are for family. "My son is into dirt bike racing and he's also heavily into football. He plays for the Golden Bears in Santa Rosa, and their season is coming up soon. We're really getting excited about that," he says. "My daughter is also very athletic—she's into basketball and soccer—so we spend a lot of time at their sporting events, and we love it. They're great kids and we're lucky to spend time with them."

Customers of All Around Auto Repair know owner Dale Johnson, and he knows them. "We're not a massive facility because our customers love that family-owned and operated feel," explains Dale. "Customers walk in the front door and we know their names. We recognize them. We build relationships with them, so they know it's not just about their car—it's about their kids and their jobs and their life. Because we have the personal touch, customers know that we're here to give them the repairs they need at fair prices."

So it's clear that with All Around Auto Repair in Windsor CA customers get the advantage of an affordable auto repair shop that doesn't do a hard sell. Make an appointment or stop by their conveniently located Windsor CA shop Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm All Around Auto Repair is giving readers of this Report a 10% discount on all parts, and a free basic diagnostic by saying they saw it here.

 

 

 

—Lauren Bongard Schwarz
Associate Editor
The Prime Buyer's Report