Dan's Auto Sales has spent almost 45 years developing a reputation of honesty and easy-dealing in used cars. Dan Belcastro, Sr. took over the business in 2002 and Dan, Jr. soon joined him. They don't consider themselves "salesmen". As Dan, Jr. puts it, "If we have a car you like, we'll help you buy it... we don't try to push the sale". That low-pressure, friendly atmosphere has served Dan's Auto and its customers well, and the same environment will carry into Dan's new Service Department.
The Belcastros had been considering a service department for quite some time, but because they focused on purchasing clean, low-mileage vehicles, they rarely needed to service their own cars beyond the standard maintenance. Times changed, however, and the slowing economy began to take its toll on the Western Slope of Colorado and more and more people were looking to repair their cars rather than trade them in. Moreover, Dan's realized that the market for older, more affordable cars was growing, and many customers complained that finding a reputable repair shop that had appointments available was becoming difficult. In a saturated market, labor rates for repairs were growing even as incomes were dwindling. So, Dan contacted a long-time friend who has been ASE Certified and repairing automobiles for over 15 years and asked him if he wanted to join Dan's Auto Sales in opening a repair shop.
Jim Duncan fits right in at Dan's Auto... he is friendly, low-pressure, and honest. His labor rates are lower than the industry standard and he bills his customers by the book. He won't charge an hour's labor for a 15 minute job, and he won't bill you for a two-hour job if the book says it should take one. Rather than performing unnecessary repairs, Jim will often quote the cliché, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". He knows that repeat business and a solid reputation is what will separate Dan's Auto Sales from the competition in the long run.
Jim can do just about any job, but will be focusing on light-mechanical jobs like brakes/rotors, tune-ups, top-end work, and suspension. Those jobs are where most shops make ridiculous profits on labor. For example, Dan's is currently advertising Brake Specials at $99 per axle - more half the amount charged by most repair facilities in town. Dan's Auto Sales wants your business today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
While this story is about the opening of a new automotive repair facility in Grand Junction, CO, one should be reminded that Dan's Auto Sales has been selling quality used cars for years. They recently launched a website where you can browse their inventory (less than half the inventory is online as of this writing). The URL for their site is http://www.dansutosales.net and the entire inventory should be up shortly. Or just stop in and take a look around, drive a car or two, or schedule a tune up with ol' Jim Duncan.
