It seems like sometimes choosing a mechanic for your automotive “baby” can be as difficult as choosing a doctor for your real baby. There are so many things to consider: proximity to work and home, referrals, policies, range of services and customer service are a few, but that really only begins the list. No one knows that better than Raymond of Raymond’s Car Care on Wetzel Road in Clay.
Raymond opened his business here 12 years ago and has seen steady growth since, although his family and cars are his only loves. A lifelong mechanic, Raymond is proud to live and work in the town he grew up in. He and his family live close to the shop in the town of Clay and his children attend Liverpool Schools. His business is truly a family affair, as his wife, Michelle, is very supportive and his children, Alec, 15 and Zach and Ashley, both 10, help in the shop when they are on vacation from school.
“It helps them learn a good work ethic,” says Raymond, “they learn to do office work and help in the shop.”
Raymond’s business is guided by a simple motto: “Service you can trust,” and he strives to apply this to each and every transaction that takes place at his shop. He says that he has heard horror stories about people who go to take advantage of a special price on an oil change only to have the mechanics convince them to add on expensive and unplanned repairs or services that weren’t always necessary.
He jokingly adds that there is no “entrapment” at his shop, adding, “It’s simple. Don’t overcharge, do needed repairs at a fair price, and try to limit problems but address them when they do appear.”
He prides himself on communicating clearly with his customers. He wants to be sure that they understand any repairs being done and are able to discuss their options and solutions directly with him if they wish to. “That’s why I am always on-site when the shop is open. I really enjoy and see value in the one-on-one relationships.”
And those one-on-one relationships are beneficial for Raymond’s customers too. He offers a wide variety of services other than your standard repairs. In addition to being able to repair just about anything that could go wrong anywhere on a vehicle, Raymond’s customers also take advantage of free inspections of cars they are considering purchasing. New or used, Raymond will check it out and let the prospective buyer know the pros and cons of the vehicle. He also offers a free oil change for your birthday- just call ahead and make an appointment!
Lesser-known services that he offers include servicing campers and RVs, as well as being a local U-Haul center. No matter what type of vehicle, he focuses on maintenance, noting, “Maintenance is important. Cars are expensive and it takes a lot to keep them running properly.” If a car is running well it can help improve gas mileage, ride and lifespan of the vehicle.
The real secret to Raymond’s success, though, may very well be hidden in the back of the shop. Currently, there is a ’48 Ford and a ’70 Coronet there, both of which Raymond is working on. He restores, repairs and reworks all kinds of street rods from the oldest of the old to some brand new street stock cars that he and his family race in their spare time. Their vacation each year revolves around racing and they really look forward to our local “DIRT week” at the State Fair Grounds. He can build a car from the ground up, and builds his own chassis and engines for his own race cars and sometimes for others. This in-depth knowledge of how cars really work and what it takes to make them run (and keep them running) are what set him apart from any other car care center in the area.
Raymond doesn’t just work on cars; he loves cars. And, actually, Raymond doesn’t only love cars. He lives cars.
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Business Profile: Raymond's Car Care
Christina Lackey 01/29/09
CATEGORY: General Business