I’d like to talk about steak. Maybe it’s my love of metaphors or possibly because it’s nearly lunchtime, but I’ve got steak on the brain.

Now, here in West Seattle you can get a great steak at our local Jak’s restaurant (endorsement deal, guys?) and there are many other choices to get a steak as well. Anyone who’s eaten at Jak’s or read a review knows that the steaks are great, and you would expect to pay accordingly.

You could easily go down the road to another establishment and have a lower-priced meal, but there’s a trade-off. Quality, service, and ambience – all play a part in the final bill. Now I’m REALLY hungry, but there’s a point here that relates to auto repair (yes, I did remember that I’m writing an automotive column).

Auto repair is a lot like that steak. There are many choices in where to take your vehicles for service, and sometimes a wide range of prices for service. A shop that is properly equipped and employs well-trained and experienced technicians may seem more expensive at first, but before you choose the lower-priced options, examine what you get for your money.

A much higher chance of having your vehicle repaired correctly the first time, and with quality parts – backed by a guarantee, often a shuttle service, local ties to the community, and good customer service are but a few of the hallmarks of a good shop. There are, of course many shops that may specialize in certain services such as exhaust, brakes, tires, etc. but lack the necessary components of a full-service shop.

So, next time you need vehicle service and you may be looking for a place to go – whether you are new to town, dissatisfied with a previous shop, or just looking to find one place to have all of your services done, ask to see certifications, ask about policies, and get to know your service advisor. You may well find that by spending the few extra dollars for service that you can count on, in the long run, is a better value than a “bargain” place down the road that may leave you wishing you had opted for a “good, juicy steak at Jak’s."

Ok, that does it – I’m getting lunch.

Drive safely.

Todd Ainsworth is a service technician at Alki Auto Repair.