Hi all,

I wanted to let you know I appreciate the work you’ve done on my ’97 Tacoma. With my most recent visit, you replaced my lower front ball joints, and while I had to shop around because money is tight, you were able to negotiate a price that made things a bit easier for me. I really appreciate that. Thank you. Cheers.

 

Neil Anderson

Some time ago I went to my auto service company and said that there was something wrong with my brakes. I explained how when I pulled up to a red light, the car lugged to a stop. The service man said that there was probably wear on the brakes but the service schedule would take that into consideration and not to worry. I serviced the car two times after that and didn’t mention the brakes because the service man told me everything would be fine. The third time I took it in for servicing he called me and told me the brakes would have to be replaced as well. I took it in stride and paid the bill but it didn’t sit well with me. Sometime later the problem started all over again. This time there was a new person behind the desk who told me the brake pads were wearing and I should have them replaced before the disks were compromised. Now I knew that they were two separate operations and I could have saved the disks the first time around. What should have been a three hundred dollar job turned into a six hundred dollar job. I was not amused.

About that time I spoke to Chris about this matter and he took the time to listen. I decided I would take my car to him.

When I went into his shop I was impressed by how clean everything was. We discussed my car and I brought my schedule with me. Chris’s schedule was better and I was really pleased with the service. And his prices are better too.

Then I needed new tires. I have racing wheels with extra wide tires and they’re very expensive. I got quotes from a number of places in town and they were around seven hundred dollars for a set of four. Chris was able to find me comparable tires for two hundred dollars less.

For six years I’ve been driving around with a seat belt that was missing the plastic gizmo that keeps the clip from falling to the ground whenever you take the seatbelt off. When I was in Lethbridge I went into the dealership and they told me they would replace it for fifty dollars. I decided to go without.

Then I thought about asking Chris. I thought he might be able to come up with a generic gizmo. Chris often uses generic parts instead of parts from a dealership because of the price break, but also because some of those generic parts are even better than the ones from the dealerships. He did even better. He sent me off to a colleague who carries these parts and this lovely man would not allow me pay him for one tiny little gizmo because “Chris is such a great guy and I do a lot of work for him. We’ve been working together for years.”

Last week I asked Chris if he could clean my wheels. They’re chrome and will become pitted if they aren’t kept clean. He referred me to another of his colleagues. I phoned him and he told me what process he uses and how much it costs. This was not just an acid wash. This job included hand polishing and conditioning so that the wheels would be easier to keep clean at the commercial washes. When I made the appointment to come in and thanked him for the information he said “No problem, Chris is a great guy and I do a lot of work for him. We’ve been working together for years.”

I really love my PT Cruiser and I hope to drive it until I’m forced to hang up my keys. With Chris I feel confident that I’ll be able to do that. If you love your car and want to keep it running in top form, and if you want service you can trust, I suggest you go where I go – to Searle’s Auto Repair.

Carol Kittleson

Dear Chris,

Over the past 6 months I have brought my vehicle to you for servicing for several issues that I felt needed addressing.

One of my concerns was a noise that my vehicle made especially in the early morning when the engine was cold.

Noises are one of my pet peeves in a vehicle. After having my vehicle into the shop for the last time, I felt that the noise was still there and just got busy with business and life.

I truly appreciate the constant telephone calls you made to me in attempts to get my vehicle into the shop, as you said you couldn’t rest until my vehicle was purring like a kitten.

I must admit, it took me a long time to get into the shop, but you stayed in contact with me encouraging me to bring it in.

A couple of weeks ago, I brought it in, you spent a couple of days on it and while the servicing was being done, you provided ne with a courtesy vehicle, which helped me get on with my business.

When I came to pick up my vehicle, I didn’t recognize it. Not only did you get rid of the noise, but it was clean and shiny.

I would not hesitate to send my friends and family to Searles as I am confident your top-notch service will have them smiling as well.

Thank you so much!

Susan Faithfull

Wow. Had my brake lights fixed at Searles. Cancelled my Mazda appointment for noon as I knew I would not be finished working at Panache by that time.

Drove to Searles who said ” you have a broken wire which we will solder and a bulb out.” Fixed in 15 minutes……$35.
Mazda knew about the wire and had said replace “cage/ and what have you” $175 plus needing the car for the entire afternoon ?????

I am annoyed and will not ever ever ever go back. Got that …..ever!!!!!!

Angela Newton

I just want to say we have been using Searles since 97′ when we had a car that another company said needed 2 computers costing $2,000. I was recommended to see you and it ended up being points and plugs, oil and air filters -all costing 239 dollars . THANK YOU for being there for us and never ever being ‘rip offs’. Love you guys!

Anne Archer xxx

April 25, 2013

Searle’s Auto Repair

Attention: Chris Wylie

Dear Chris,

Once again I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the care and attention you have given to my vehicle.

You never cease to amaze me on knowing what my vehicle needs even though I rush you though the process in my hastiness to get on with my hectic life.

Recently when I approached you in the parking lot at BNI, I made a request for AIR, YES JUST AIR in my tires as I was heading up to Nanaimo for the weekend. You then asked me to wait in the waiting room for 20 minutes and  my immediate thought was, 20 minutes just for air. Next thing I know my tire is off and i’m thinking, I JUST ASKED FOR AIR.

Your staff found a rusty nail in my tire and I probably wouldn’t have made it even to Duncan. I wish to thank you for always paying attention to DETAIL and keeping my vehicle in top notch condition and me safe.

I would recommend you to anyone Chris, you are truly a master of your craft.

Thank you so very much.

Sincerely,

Susan Faithfull

 

So there I am. I’m driving up bear mountain to pick up my date and my car starts shaking. I think to myself, no, no, no! I pick her up, turn my car on, and the check engine light comes on. This is the long weekend, there are no mechanic shops open. I drop off my my date with the people we’re meeting up with and drive to Searles Auto Repair every finger. The shop is closed, but an employee is there picking something up. I shared my situation and to to my great surprise, he agrees to lend me a loaner car at no charge when the shop is closed! I was given a remarkably well-running Chevrolet minivan and went on my merry date with an abundance of seats.

They allowed me to keep the van at no charge until my car was fixed and took it back at no charge even though I managed to spill juice in it! I would highly recommend this repair shop to anyone and everyone.

Regards,

Jesse Sawyer
BNI Meridian

I just recently had the 2017 “Customer Service” bar raised and re-set.

I will not go into the details of the mechanical work, suffix to say I called back twice after my initial appt. for a water pump re & re on my Mercedes ML350.

Chris (all systems stable) was extremely helpful on the first call and more than accommodating with each of my following requests for “add-on”. work.

At the end of the day the work was done on time, under the estimate and I was kept informed at every stage of the progress.(again by Chris) I have been told in the past by a friend who has been taking his vehicles to “Searles” for many many years … this is the place to go !

It would appear he was (is) correct. I will be returning with my Jeep in the near future and see this as my service and repair outfit of choice.

Thank you for the work and the experience team.

 

Cheers  !

I would like to thank Chris and his team at Searles auto for recently helping out a friend of mine.

My friend owns a 2007 Kia Sportage SUV. She has been using the Kia dealership in the past for service but has had a problem with the AC cutting out after 5 minutes that the dealer could not find on the last 2 services.

I suggested she take her car to Searles Auto. Chris’s Mechanics were able to quickly find out the cooling system was leaking and very low on fluid causing the engine to overheat and shut down the AC, this could have led to a much more serious problem of severe engine damage.

My friend was extremely happy the Searles mechanics could find the problem and solve it for a reasonable cost. She was also very happy with the professional service by staff, explaining in detail the work done and a very detailed invoice. This is the 2nd time I have referred a Kia owner to Searles for a problem that the dealer could not find.

Thank you Chris and the team!
Searles Auto has gained another loyal customer!

I have been using Searles for about 20 years. The staff are always pleasant and very helpful. The best part is always keeping me informed about what’s happening with my car and how things are progressing. I have always trusted them to do a good job. Though I couldn’t get a loaner vehicle this time it was nice to be able to go in early and have a place to wait. I am happy to refer them to anyone who asks!

– Cher Beattie (November 2023)

I felt really taken care of at Searle’s. They asked me to go for a drive with one of the mechanic’s to see how the car would act up. I felt like my service was very thorough. Thank you for such great service!

Kim Marsh

Dear Ken,
We just wanted to say THANK YOU for the countless times you & your amazing staff have provided us with great service, respect and excellent mechanical work over the many years we’ve been dealing with Searle’s Auto Service.

Sincerely,
Margaret Goodwin & Larry Irvine

Dear Ken,
I want to thank you for making my old Aries run like a Rolls-Royce. In my dealings with you, you have always shown honesty,competence and courtesy. I hope you and your staff have a Happy Holiday Season.

Your sincerely, John, Heerusy

To Ken, Gail Ben and the Searle’s Crew;

Thank you so very much for all your help, support and skill! You’re the greatest.

Colin and Florence

To Searle’s Auto Repairs,

To all you Wonderful guys!!! I came in a little while ago to have my headlights repaired on my Ford Taurus. You did a Great job and the price was excellent. I will definitely pass on your name.

Annelies Vanderkooe

Thank you so very much for superior service and consideration.

Annette Lloyd (Baker)

Words cannot express my relief and gratitude that I felt when you helped me with a headlight switch on November 29/04, a dark and wet Monday evening. You sir are a gentleman and a truly kind person who helped a lady in her time of need.

Janice Olfelt (Heather Tours)

Over the last year I had been driving my van and noticing an exponential increase in noise from my rear end. It was to the point where conversations on my hands free device were becoming awkward and unmanageable and seeing that I am a business owner and need to carry on professional conversations in my vehicle on a regular basis I needed to rectify this problem fast.

I took my work van to Searles Automotive and Chris and his team found that some of the gearing in my rear end differential was causing this incessant whining and they know how to solve it. After getting my van out of the shop and driving again I was still experience, albeit reduced; noise and vibration from my rear end, so I called Chris and explained to him what I was experiencing and he was very quick to get the van back into the shop and get it solved.

It has been several months now and I have been thoroughly enjoying my nice quiet rear end with no more embarrassing interruptions while talking on the phone.

Searles Automotive is my number one choice for all my vehicle maintenance and issues because no matter what the problem, they always find a way to make it good again.

Sinecerly,

Wade Roberts