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Friday, 01 August 2008 00:00 |
SAMM Repair Shop
strada Porcilana, 38 - San Bonifacio (VR) | SANTACÀ Repair Shop
via Montorso, 24 - Arzignano (VI) |
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| How many years have you carried this business along and how did you start? |
Mario: I began ten years ago, acquiring a service area in San Bonifacio attached to what used to be a small workshop.
Since 2006, I opened the current site: workshop, tyre shop, car wash, and service station.
I am part of the "A Posto Rhiag" workshop network. |
Enrico: Since 1985 I worked at a Fiat dealership. Then, on my own, I worked in a small workshop in my basement for four years.
In '89 I took a big step and opened the current site where we perform workshop, electric, bodyshop, and tyre services.
Since 2004 we are an "A Posto Rhiag" workshop. |
| Does your workshop offer promotions and warrantees? |
In the course of the year I offer promotions on brake systems (a very important mode of safety for my clients) and interventions regarding the air-conditioning installations for which I participated to various training courses.
For years I have been applying the Monti laws that allow us independent auto repairers to perform warrantee work on clients' new cars without them losing the Manufacturer's warrantee; I work with all of the main brands and I have never had problems. |
We don't work on generic promotions: we do outstanding work with revisions and by regulation. For the clients that enter our workshop, we offer an electrical diagnosis (we work with 8 autodiagnosis') at a promotional price and also free check-overs. On the so-called "packets", we work all year. In regards to warrantees, the motorists in nature aren't up-to-date with the opportunities offered by the Monti laws, therefore, we explain it to them. |
| How do you get in touch with your clientele? |
| I schedule various sessions, particularly in regards to services. For the interventions that require an appointment from clients, which is the majority of them, I arrange for a courtesy car that utilises the flaming yellow Panda from Zago Ltd. for long-term rental. |
By offering our breakdown service we have a way to come in contact with many new clients; the assistance, at competitive prices, allows us to perform the associated repair in peace while the client returns home with a courtesy car. |
| What do you think about the various initiatives of the auto industry in regards to maintenance programs? |
| Also the auto industry that, since a few years ago, was concentrated solely on the sale of new cars, is obligated to begin offering various promotional actions in hopes of maintaining their bills on account of the dull moment in the auto market. |
I'm not afraid of the initiatives of various manufacturers that I personally consider publicity for their own sakes. Our relationship with clients bases itself on a twenty-year long professionalism and on the seriousness of the business. Challenges can be won like this, without a lot of useless aestheticism.
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| What do your kids want to do when they grow up? |
| Matteo is 11 years old and, despite his young age, he has very clear plans about what he wants to do one day: to be a race car mechanic. This passion continues to run in the family and his mum is also pretty happy about it. |
Andrea, 21 years old, has a degree in Electronics, works with me and is in charge of diagnosis and servicing cars. Marco, 11 years old, depending on the day of the week, says that he wants to be a chef, a musician, a race car driver...... |
| What are your hobbies? If you didn't become an auto mechanic, what would you have liked to do? |
| Every once in a while on weekends I enjoy cycling and playing five-a-side soccer; long walks in the mountains in the summer when my wife closes the workshop and hides the keys to make sure that I don't change my mind and just stay in the workshop... If I weren't an auto mechanic, I would be servicing machines in the animal livestock sector. |
Years ago, I used to ride motocross; today, from time to time, I polish my old "jewel" and take a ride on the track: what satisfaction!
But, please, don't tell my wife; I usually tell her I'm going fishing!
If I wouldn't have chosen to be an auto mechanic, I would have been an electrician or a tool mechanic. |
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