Techniques Auto Verdun Inc.

The Garage with heart and a whole lot more! 

 by Nancy Snipper

Techniques Auto Verdun Inc.

In this day and age, it’s so difficult to find a garage that can fix your car from head to toe, and make you feel happy – even lucky that you nailed the best car doctor in town.   I’m talking about a very special garage: Techniques Auto Verdun Inc in Montreal, Quebec.

APA approved and owned by the Trinidadian-Canadian Dickson family of East-Indian descent, the garage is stocked with men whose smiles are as genuine and warm as the level of excellence of the work they do. These fellows have been repairing cars and doing superb body work for ten years, and they love what they do. They have two class-one mechanics working in the garage – a rarity to find such high qualifications these days. A team of family members work darn hard to get it right with your car and they always succeed. Their resident mechanic, veteran Claude Laneuville whom everyone calls the “yoda master" of mechanics has been with the garage for 40 years; he stayed on when the Dicksons bought it.

One stop shopping  that is so convenient

You’re never just a number at Techniques Auto Verdun. As Alan, the manager said, “We care so much about cars, as much we care about their owners – and that’s a lot”. In fact, when I brought my car in to fix the rust on both sides of the car at each door bottom, Alan was so committed into   getting rid of it. Karim – his body man – works on the aesthetics of cars, and this guy is amazing. Alan called me over to show me the job Karim did on my Hyundai, Elantra. I couldn’t believe it Wow!

What I loved was watching their enthusiasm and pride that made me know they strive for perfection to get an immaculate end result. They were as excited as I was. And boy, they produce results!

On the interior of the driver’s door, Karin had taken the panel off working to the bone sanding to ensure all rust was completely gone – rust that one can’t see unless that indoor panel is removed.

These guys are my car heroes!  

Can you believe it, but Alan actually walked over to my street where my car was parked before he even started the job - just to take a look. Now that’s a first. He spoke to me about why it was rusting and how to stop it further and possible options.

Being a single woman, I’ve been taken by poor workmanship and gouged where inflated costs to get my car fixed backed me into a corner to concede.

That didn’t happen with me here. I was astounded by their respect and reassurance. I could see they really stand by their word and workmanship.

 They’re honest and their integrity was obvious

They went the extra mile and then some. They even fixed the lopsided gas tank cover and touched up all the small areas that marked my car that was now approaching 10 years of age.  With their passion and incomparable expertise, they turned my car into a spanking slick-looking white car. No wonder, they are experts on high-end cars, such as jaguars and crème de la crème collector models, and though mine is a mere “commoner”, it didn’t matter to them. They took so much care in making it look like a high-end beauty. Plus it was ready in two days!!!

The price was so reasonable, especially since I know how expensive body work can run. I wanted to stay and chat, even hug them, for they truly rescued me. I knew where I would be heading in the event of any future car calamity.

“Thank you, Alan, Karim and the gang of great guys at Techniques Auto Verdun!”

Here is the garage’s address: 640 avenue Gordon, Verdun, QC H4G 2R9.

The phone number is (514) 751-2525.

Their email is: groupexotika@hotmail.com

The Most Creative Hairdresser in Chapala, Mexico

                                                            By Nancy Snipper

Her name is Karla, and I discovered her by chance. I had just climbed down the mountain leading off the main street in wonderful Chapala. The view from the top gave me a 360- degree vista of Chapala’s stunning enormous lake that is the focal point of this city in Jalisco province.
Estetica Karla’s is just on the main street that ascends up to the base of the mountain.
She and her daughter have been working together and their combined experience offers more than 22 years of cutting, styling and colouring hair.
I walked in and told Karla to give me something funky, fun and lively.
She began mixing colours using at least three different bowls and after two hours, my dark drab hair was no longer. I was full of golden streaks, strategically placed to give me a wow effect. It was a 240-karat job as far as I was concerned. Then, Karla told me she couldn’t let me leave without applying makeup. This was on the house. Oh my God, I felt like a movie star. I must have looked like one too, for when I left; a woman on the street was staring at me. I asked her in Spanish why she was staring at me. Her reply was simple: “Eres Bella.” That made my day. I was “beautiful” according to this lovely-looking lady who was at least 20 years younger than me.
Karla was not only fun, she laughed a lot, danced to the music after my hair was done, and generally made me realize that joy resides in her ‘estetica’ ( beauty salon).
She is a beauty. So next time, you need a hair fix, a face “lift” and a smile at your lips, you just poke your head in and say: “Karla, I need you.” The cost for all of this was $25. In Canada, it would have cost close to $250.00! Just ask for Karla’s Estetica. Her address is: Lopéz Cotilla #361-A; her cell is 333-506-34-13.

Karla (left) / Nancy (right)

Also posted on:

http://smrcultureplus.blogspot.com/2012/01/most-creative-hairdresser-in-chapala.html

The Best Doctor in Chapala

                                                                  by Nancy Snipper

He does acupuncture, manipulations of the spine, holistic treatments, consultations and tests and readings of lab results.

In fact this doctor is so well trained and knowledgeable, I would move down to Mexico just to be treated by him. His name is Dr. José Ricardo Heredia Granados. He has trained in Beijing and North America. I didn’t even have an appointment. I walked into his “office” and he appeared from his inner office. Hand-made wooden furniture designed by him warmed me up to the place.
Dr Granados immediately welcomed me and read my lab reports ordered by another doctor who was not available to read the report.
Not only did he call the lab for further testing, but wanted me to stay one day longer in order to prescribe appropriate treatment after all tests were completed. He could do this in a few hours the next day.
We began to talk about the body and healing. At this point I asked him if he would like to listen to a song magnificently sung my Georgia. It is called “Who Wants to Live Forever.”  The late great Freddie Mercury of Queen also performed it; in fact one of his band members composed it. Thank God for You Tube.
Dr. Granados didn’t hesitate. Together we listened to it, and he commented how much he admired Freddie Mercury of Queen. This was a cool doctor who truly understood the value of a moment and to go with it. He suddenly asked me if he could do some manipulations on my back. It was killing me, and I had been suffering for several months. “There is no charge. I need to help you.”
He gently manoeuvred my body into various positions and made the comment that he does not wait until he hears a crack of the spine. He feels this is not necessary. Nonetheless, he did realign me as several ‘cracks’ came out, including those painful kinks that we all have in the neck and back.
The cost for the 2 hours I spent with him was a mere $17. He also handed my friend several tablets of cipro, a powerful antibiotic that alleviates infection. He did not charge him, and this drug is very expensive. Dr. Granados’ office is on Flavio Romeo #453 in Chapala. He is right beside the lab. Please visit him, even if you feel well. Phone: 376 765 22 33, Cell: 331 408 18 32.

Also posted on:

http://smrcultureplus.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-doctor-in-chapala.html