Ackerman's
Turns Twenty
Ackerman's,
a Volvo-only repair shop in Berkeley, CA, was founded
in 1983 by Bruce Ackerman, a Volvo enthusiast who has
been working on cars since before he was old enough to
get a driver's license. In the two decades since, hundreds
of Bay Area Volvo drivers have become loyal Ackerman's
customers. They come from miles around to Bruce's cheery
San Pablo Avenue shop, driving Volvos of all vintages:
from sparkling-new SUVs still under warrantee, to '80s
wagons that are still safely on the road at the 300,000
mile mark. (Bruce's personal collection includes a 1962
P1800 Volvo racecar .)
The
mission of Ackerman's is to promote safety and the environment
by providing excellent Volvo repair and maintenance services
in a setting that benefits customers, employees, and
the community.
On
a typical day at Ackerman's, you'll find master ASE-certified
technicians Adam and Eric in
the shop, skillfully employing the most up-to-date and
environmentally-responsible equipment available. Eric
(hired 1993), Adam (hired 1995) and Bruce are a great
team: three highly-skilled and experienced mechanics
who love to help customers keep their Volvos running
smooth and safe.
While
Eric and Adam work on the cars, Bruce is up in front
welcoming customers, scheduling appointments, discussing
options, making recommendations, and answering questions.
Adrian , the shop assistant, assists Bruce at the front
desk, gives customers rides, works on marketing projects,
and keeps the shop and front area clean. The customer
area features an exotic fish tank, Peets coffee, biscotti,
potted orchids, framed photographs, and a wide range
of current magazines. These creative and comforting touches
reflect Bruce's personal interests as well as his commitment
to giving customers a pleasant experience.
Bruce's
customers come from all walks of life, but when they
talk about why they bring their Volvos to Ackerman's,
certain themes come up over and over again:
SAFETY
Purchasing a Volvo expresses a commitment to safety on
the road, and so does becoming an Ackerman's customer.
Ackerman's uses only top-quality tools, parts and equipment,
and does everything possible to help customers stick
to their preventative maintenance schedules. As Kim
Moriwaki of El Cerrito says, "When I drive away from
Ackerman's after a scheduled service, I think what
a great car this is!' I like how well Bruce and the
staff keep our Volvo running ."
HONESTY
Ask Bruce's customers what's special about coming to Ackerman's,
and they're likely to mention the trust factor. For
example, El Cerrito's Aarin Harris reflects, "I felt
safe dealing with someone I know and trust. A lot of
women feel like they have a hard time getting honesty
from a mechanic, but Bruce is honest and he tries to
do the right thing." On the opposite end of the spectrum
from "hands-off" customers like Aarin are Volvo drivers
like Charles L. Robinson of Berkeley, who knows how
to work on his own car and enjoys discussing mechanical
concerns with Adam, Eric and Bruce. "I've done plenty
of shadetree," Charles comments, "and I still like
to work on my car from time to time. But I bring our
Volvos to Bruce because I know I can trust him and
the guys he hires."
VALUE
One of the benefits of going to a mechanic you can trust
is knowing that you don't have to worry about being
scammed. Customer Larry Hanover, a Contra Costa County
psychologist, explains, "Bruce's prices are fair and
he explains things clearly. If you compare Ackerman's
to another shop, the prices may be about the same,
but the trust level is a lot higher at Ackerman's."
COMMUNITY
"Many automotive businesses are seen as undesirable neighbors,"
observes customer (and professor of urban studies/environmental
studies, and West Berkeley resident) Raquel Pinderhughes,
"but Bruce is an environmental role model who shows
that shops can take proactive measures to be good neighbors."
In 1997, Ackerman's became the first certified Green
auto repair facility in Berkeley. In 1999, Bruce began
donating 5% of each customer's bill to the school or
community group of his or her choice. In its first
four years, this program put over $20,000 back into
the community, and current donations are well over
$750 per month. Again, Raquel speaks for Ackerman's
socially-aware customers when she says, "What I really
like about Bruce is that he as an individual and his
shop as an extension of himself really complement all
the values that I think are important: equity, diversity,
caring, family-friendliness and environmental consciousness."
For
more information about Ackerman's, to schedule an appointment,
or to request a copy of our semi-annual newsletter, please
email us or call 510. 549.9330. Thank you, and enjoy
the ride! |
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