Mike's Align & Repair, Inc.

01/21/2023

To our valued customers -

We are experiencing many, many missed appointments, commonly referred to as no shows. I might add showing up late, even five minutes late is also a problem. It has become a big issue. These no shows/late shows are having a negative effect on business.

We are going with a very generous three strikes program. If you miss three appointments with no advance notice you may need to find another repair shop. It’s what’s best for the mechanic/customer relationship. Break ups can be hard. If this applies to you, don't feel bad. It’s not you, it’s me. Yes, it’s truly me. My desire to stay in business is greater than your missed appointments.

I might add that we have many great customers, and that is most likely you, yes you. Thank you for showing up on time and supporting us. None of this applies to you, we appreciate you. A lot!

Here are some helpful ways to maintain a strong mechanic/customer relationship, yes I am giving out relationship advice.

- Drop your car off for the day if possible, the best thing ever.
- Be 15 minutes early for your appointment. This is a huge help.
- Call as early as possible if you need to cancel/reschedule.
- If you do show up late, do not be surprised if we have already filled your appointment.

Seems easy enough, thank you for understanding.

Sincerely,
The Mike’s Align & Repair team

11/01/2018

If you happen to wander into any shop and you see a tool tray that looks like this......you might want to quietly sneak away. The torch, air hammer, the big hammer and the bigger hammer are all clues that this job isn't going as well as it should.
You may want to grab the ear protection though.......... some colorful language is usually heard. Swearing helps.....I swear it does.
All is well, the new ball joints are in and the tool tray is all tidy and ready for tomorrow.
Keeping it real, keeping it jiggy since 1986

10/11/2018

Update - this was a headlight bulb replacement. A lot of work for a simple bulb :)

I know...it's a blurry picture. Any guess as to what this job was all about?

08/21/2018

It is Tuesday August 21, 2018. We are back to it after a mini vacation.
If you left us a message, you may want to call us back. It seems there was/is some phone line issue and the connection is terrible at times.
Keeping it real, keeping it jiggy since 1986

08/16/2018

Wow!! The last post someone did over here was over a year ago. Life gets busy and all that.
Today's post is about how we will be closed Friday August 17th and Monday August 20th of the year 2018. We are taking a couple days for a motorcycle trip to Vermont.
We never take many days in the Summer......but I get the feeling that over the next few years there will be more of it.
Thanks for your business and we will be back all tired out but refreshed on Tuesday August 21st
Keeping it real, keeping it jiggy since 1986

02/13/2017

Well..............it seems we have a snow/blizzard event. The weather predictors seemed to have this one correct. That being the case we will be closed today.... Feb. 13, 2017

Thanks for your support!!

01/24/2017

Well...it seems that Mike guy hasn't been keeping up over here at the famous Mike's Align & Repair page.
They say a photo says a thousand words.....well this shoes a thousand parts :)
If you walk into a shop and you see something like this you should -
A. Quietly walk back out
B. Ask how our day is going?
C. If it is your car, you decide maybe you need to work some over time
D. Chat us up about anything but cars and politics
E. ...................................................?
This was a clutch job on a Kia. It was designed so that the engine cradle and a thousand other parts must be removed to do the job. A labor intensive job. The job went well and life goes on.
Keeping it real, keeping it jiggy since 1986

10/03/2016

30 Years -
The year was 1986.
The music playing in your head - Sledgehammer / Peter Gabriel
A convenient link for you - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g93mz_eZ5N4
The latest in the movies - Top Gun / Maverick and Goose
In the news - The space shuttle Challenger exploded killing the crew of seven
In sports - The New York Mets defeat the Boston Red Sox in 7 games. This is the second world series title in the Mets franchise. It is also remembered for Game 6, when Bill Buckner lets an easy ground ball hit by Mookie Wilson roll through his legs, letting the Mets win and pull even with the Red Sox in the series.
Aaaaaaand in Lincolnville…..October of 1986….Mike’s Align and Repair, Inc. was born. The business plan was to work hard, be honest and hopefully make a paycheck. That first winter was a long winter. There were no paychecks. Luckily Vicki had a real job. She’s neat.
Back to the story. As time went on we learned a few things about being in business…...and a few things about each other. A lot of time and energy goes into keeping a business going. ….blood, sweat and tears. And for the things we learned about each other? Hey, we are still married. She’s neat.
The technology of vehicles has changed and will continue to do so. When we opened,auto repair information was book form, then microfiche, then cd, dvd and now it is constantly updated online. There were carburetors, points and spaghetti vacuum hoses. Now we have fuel injection, direct ignition and more computer power than we really need. :)
So what does the future bring? I suspect the same great service that we have done from day one. We will be here for a good many years to come. I’m too young to retire and too numb to do anything else.
Where am I going with this long winded reading? Right here -
THANK YOU….YES YOU, OUR CUSTOMERS
You have made this business enjoyable. From the bottom of our hearts, Vicki and I thank you, you are the best.
Sooooooooooooo pat yourself on the back, you have helped us stay married and in business for 30 years. And please keep up the good work of being our customers and keeping us busy……….we need a vacation :)
Keeping it real and keeping it jiggy since 1986

# Buy the 'So 25th anniversary deluxe box set' - http://bit.ly/Nncdvq The official Sledgehammer video. Directed by Stephen R. Johnson. You could have a steam...

05/19/2016

Greetings 4 wheeled enthusiasts -
I must apologize for our phone answering system. Why, you politely ask? Well, it seems that it was not working. At all. That situation has been fixed………….with a new phone system. We even have music while you are on hold now. Call us and we can put you on hold so you can listen to it. Technology is amazing.
Today’s story is about a brake repair job. A customer who we shall call Barb came in and dropped off her car. The brakes were noisy and the pads had just been replaced by a friend of a friend. Barb also mentioned that this friend of a friend, Herb Baker, was smoking a bowl when she dropped the car off at Herb’s.
Anywho, long story short, we took the brakes apart, cleaned and lubed all the important moving brake parts and put it all back together. The noises went away and life is good. I must say that Herb did a pretty good job but just didn’t get it quite right. That happens.
Moral of the story? Find a repair shop that you trust, stick with them and build up that happy car owner and grumpy garage man relationship. All garage guys are grumpy. It’s not our fault, the rusty cars make us that way :)
Call us for your car issues. We promise not to be partaking whilst repairing your car.
Keeping it real, keeping it jiggy since 1986

04/20/2016

Greetings vehicle individuals,
It seems like it has been a while since a Mike’s Align & Repair, Inc. update……………. and it has been.

Today we have a story about corrosion, rust, decay, oxidation, or any other word you would like to use. It is a daily struggle in the shop dealing with rust. It is by far the biggest killer of your vehicle. In this instance the car was easily repaired by the replacement of both front brake calipers.
The story – Uncle Ned’s trusty steed was towed in with no brakes. Towing is always a good idea when you have no brakes. Uncle Ned is smart like that. There was a large amount of brake fluid on the left front wheel. We call this a clue. Being well trained on the workings of automobiles we quickly determined the brake caliper was leaking. Upon removal of the caliper we were quite surprised to see it was not leaking at the seal, but it was leaking through the corroded brake caliper piston…….as shown in the award winning photo. Rust never rests…..ever.
I quick inspection of the right front brake caliper revealed that it too was ready for a rusty malfunction. Calipers were replaced, the brake system was bleed (removal of air) and Uncle Ned was off and running.
I know, what a wonderful story. I hope you enjoyed it.

Keeping it real, keeping it jiggy since 1986