My brief visit to Black Bear garage today, and meeting Tania and Duane, reminded me of the honest, straightforward, having-your-back kind of vibes I remember noticing as a kid going into our small town mechanic in the 90s. I didn't think these existed anymore.
I had taken my Subaru into a dealership for my first regular inspection since my extended warranty expired and, unsurprisingly, there were several suddenly critical structural issues that required immediate attention (brakes and suspension mostly). It didn't quite add up right and they were unable/unwilling to provide much justification for the costly suggested repairs. Based mostly on proximity to my work (and a great shop name) I called Black Bear for a quick second opinion on the diagnostic and dealership recommendations and was amazed at the level of attention and service I stumbled backwards into by chance--the opposite of my other experience in almost every way.
Tania took my call and offered to get me a quote for similar work but also offered to squeeze me in for a quick look on a Saturday morning to accommodate my schedule and confirm the dealership diagnostic. After a quick inspection, Duane quite literally walked me through each recommendation I was concerned about himself, pointing out and clearly explaining evidence on my vehicle that indicated immediate repairs were not warranted. In his explanation, he also suggested some things to keep an eye on down the road that would indicate when a non-regular inspection for the issues I was concerned about would be worthwhile. Going out of town for work soon, this brief chat greatly puts my mind at ease as I might have otherwise been stressed about my suspension failing at every bump or sharp turn in the road until I got back and had time again to rebook for the repairs I declined from the dealership.
Everything was efficient, super reasonable, clear, and direct. I don't know what else you could ask for. If you're reading a review on mechanics you are probably in a similar position as I was (or worse) and looking for a new option. I would highly recommend you save yourself some hassle and give this team a shot. For my next maintenance, scheduled or unscheduled, my first and only call will be Black Bear. They clearly run their shop with a mindset of earning return business based on fair and reasonable service and they have certainly earned mine.
Hey Andrew! Thank you for taking the time to write such an incredible review! We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience at Black Bear Auto Service. It's our top priority to provide honest and reliable service to our customers, and we're glad that Tania and Duane were able to demonstrate that. Remember, we're here for all your automotive needs, so don't hesitate to give us a call at (236) 477-5938 whenever you need us. Take care and have a fantastic day!
- Black Bear Auto Service LTD