Southboro Auto Tech
Experience the difference a hometown garage can make
By Angela Greiner Community Reporter
Southborough - After 35 years in the business, Southboro Auto Tech, located on Route 30 in Southborough, is still providing good old-fashioned customer service. As second-generation business owners, Bill and Kris Stapleton pride themselves on giving the customers an honest educated experience.
"We are that old-fashioned hometown garage," Kris said. "Bill grew up in town. Many of our customers go to school with our children or are referred through friends or customers. Bill has carried on the values of honesty and relationship building that his father, Bill senior, started this business on."
Southboro Auto Tech is a full-service AAA-approved automotive repair shop providing manufacturer-recommended services to all makes and models. With four certified technicians, two master technicians and state-of-the-art equipment, the shop is fully equipped to diagnose and repair any automotive problems.
"We believe in educating the customers on the needs of their vehicle," Bill said. "If repairs are needed, we work really closely with the car owner explaining what needs to be done and we repair only what needs to be done. I want customers to know that they can trust me. When I say I am changing the spark plugs, I am not going to come back and say it is going to cost an additional $500 because I had to change your hoses."
Kris explained that the technology is constantly changing in the automotive industry, therefore it is essential that their technicians receive regular education. Vehicles like hybrids require a completely diff erent set of repair skills and knowledge.
"Education is not a joke. Around here we take it very seriously. That is why we are continually training the technicians and the car owners," Bill said.
Committed to helping their customers preserve their automobiles, Southboro Auto Tech has begun to off er car clinics for their customers.
"Purchasing an automobile is one of the largest investments we make," Kris said.
The courses, which are held throughout the year, are geared at teaching car owners basic tips like how to change a tire and check fluids. The program is geared toward women and teens, Kris said, because it is no longer just the man of the house who takes care of the vehicle. Many of the shop's customers are women.
Kris and Bill both said that they realize many of their customers are very busy and many are feeling the pinch of the economy. To accommodate that, Auto Tech off ers pick-up and drop-off services, free loaner cars, a car care club, and competitive repair and service prices.
"Bill and I are parents. We feel the pressures of the economy and understand that when you say you need to have your car back for 3 p.m. to pick your kids up from school, you need your car back," Kris said.
Southboro Auto Tech also features a car wash and fullservice Gulf gas station. They hire local high school teens as gas attendants and train them to check the oil and wash windows with any gas purchase, just like the old days.