Nothing builds a gracious business faster than word-of-mouth. Customers spread the word about the auto shop’s consistent workmanship, lovely pricing, and product knowledge. Thankfully, such word-of-mouth led us to Buck’s Automotive Service Center, at 4360 N 1st Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. We would not have found them, had it not been for the high accolades shared by various locals, because Buck’s easily hides in the shadow of Catalina Mart Chevron gas station, at the busy corner of Wetmore Road and 1st Avenue near the Tucson Mall.
We began saving money on our automotive care, as novel Buck’s Automotive Service customers a decade ago. Buck’s staff quickly noted we could save more money on all our auto maintenance and repair, simply by joining American Automobile Association, better known as AAA. They explained to us that membership is particularly helpful to owners of older vehicles, such as ourselves. We were unaware how quickly the AAA membership paid for itself, in car care alone, never mind all the other discounts AAA avails to its members. Because of Buck’s AAA testimony, our automotive repair bills are lowered by $4 to $40 per visit. Furthermore, we easily put at least $200 per year on leisure services like restaurant, lodging, and amusement parks. With an annual basic membership cost of around $35, AAA is another new friend in our circle, thanks to Buck’s Automotive Service Center.
Buck’s Automotive Service Center is an all-inclusive automotive maintenance service center. Buck’s has kept vehicles purring safely in the Tucson Basin for well over twenty years. From a simple oil change to a complicated engine overhaul or anything in between, Buck’s finds the correct parts at the best prices and expertly repairs or replaces only what the vehicle requires.
Detail is a most serious matter with vehicular safety. Buck’s service writers and mechanics pay attention to detail. Our family often travels 4-wheel drive roads in the Chirichahua and Catalina Mountains of Southern Arizona. If our 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4-wheel drive truck has a cracked belt, or primitive brake pads, a weekend in the Sonoran Desert area mountains could be tragic. We count on Buck’s Automotive Service Center to retain our truck in top condition, so our truck is ready to play safely.
Buck’s staff works hard to befriend customers save money in the long run. They know their products, when brands matter, and treat customers as knowledgeable humans in discussing their vehicle repair needs. Buck’s staff consider the car’s age, when recommending parts and services. The air conditioner in our 1988 Honda Accord developed a slow leak, and twice in the last twelve months here in the desert, we had Buck’s recharge it. Both times, we discussed the option of replacing the costly leaking part, as well as the choice of recharging. What is their final recommendation? Simply said, we drove it off the new car lot twenty years ago, and 200,000 miles later it’s still purring, although other coming -of-age repair costs are soon inevitable. She’s a good old car, and Buck’s takes great care of her, but they also remind us that nothing lasts forever, and we are getting to a point where we will need to settle how much is too much to invest in keeping this used car. Buck’s Automotive Service Center is not in business to sell new cars, but they are candid. For now, the latest recharge is holding fine, and we’re considering our options in the long-term.
Buck’s staff is thoughtful, honest and careful. They never hesitate to offer free shuttle service. Should the customer prefer to wait, Buck’s provides a unruffled waiting room for comfort. We have availed ourselves of both their shuttle and their waiting room, and will continue as often as necessary. If the vehicle needs to stay overnight, we are not concerned, because all vehicles are secured behind high security fencing. Nothing is left out on the street side lot overnight at Buck’s Automotive Service Center.
If their schedule is tight, we need stare no further than Buck’s River Road Exxon, at 4851 North 1st Avenue. Buck’s River Road Exxon gas station and auto service center fills the need effectively and efficiently, with AAA discounts, and customer service care, including free shuttle. It is located only about a mile north of Buck’s Automotive Service Center, and the similar name is no coincidence. Buck’s River Road remains owned and operated about thirty years by the same proprietor of Buck’s Automotive Service Center. Buck’s River Road rates equally high with Buck’s Automotive Service Center, because the proprietor makes his expectations and professionalism plain and clear. There is no reason to believe his business standards vary only a few blocks up 1st Avenue.
Buck’s Automotive Service Center: (5 of 5 star rating)
4360 N 1st Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719, Phone 520-292-0904
Hours: 7AM to 6PM Monday to Friday, Closed Saturday and Sunday
Buck’s River Road Exxon: (5 of 5 star rating)
4851 North 1st Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719, Phone (520)887-2361
Hours: 6AM to 10PM Monday to Friday, 7AM to 10PM Saturday and Sunday
Filed under Automotive Repair Insurance by on Dec 18th, 2010. Comment. 
If you have wrecked your vehicle recently you may have already faced this ordeal. This article will help educate you as a consumer on the differences of automotive smash replacement parts. I hope it will help you make a more informed decision when faced with this.
In the auto body repair business there are three choices for replacement parts in the market today. First you have OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer ), these are parts made the vehicle’s original manufacturer and are bought at local dealerships. These parts meet factory specifications as to fit, do and corrosion protection as well as crash worthiness. These are the same parts that were installed on your vehicle when it was built at the factory. They also carry the vehicle’s manufacturer’s warranty.
Next you have A/M or aftermarket parts. These are sometimes called “offshore” parts. The majority of these parts come from Asian nations. These parts are not made by the vehicle’s unusual manufacturer, meaning they do not go under the same rigorous testing, nor do they carry the same warranty. Non-OEM parts have been shown in many cases to have decreased tolerances for fit and finish, corrode faster and offer lower crash resistance than factory approved components. In addition, the utilize of these parts may void your vehicle’s warranty in areas that may be affected by their use. These parts will not restore your vehicle back to it’s pre-accident condition meaning a probable lowering of the vehicle’s value.
Finally you have “used, “salvage”, or LKQ parts. The term LKQ stands for Like, Kind, Quality. This term was coined by the insurance industry. If, and that’s a big if, the LKQ piece has no prior damage, and the repair shop de-trims the part for painting, then treats the part with corrosion protection, you may have a part that will restore your vehicle back to it’s pre-accident condition. A good salvage yard will offer a warranty on LKQ parts. LKQ parts are a more economical option to repairs for the vehicle owner. Some LKQ parts should never be used. For instance, any suspension or welded on part should not be used if LKQ. Cutting a welded share from a salvage vehicle and the subsequent operations needed to install said part will weaken the metal. Suspension parts have bearing and joints that wear may not be visible, but does exist.
With all this in mind, the best parts to use by far are OEM. Some insurers will consume them on vehicles that are damaged within two years of manufacture. Others insist on the cheaper, substandard “offshore” parts simply to lower the cost of the loss, regardless of maintaining the vehicle’s value. A simple solution would be to offer the insured a rider on their policy to insure the use of OEM parts by choice of the vehicle owner. I am not aware of this as an option currently.
The writer of this article has been in the auto body business since 1977 and currently owns an automotive body shop.
Filed under Automotive Repair Insurance by on Dec 16th, 2010. Comment.
