Alan Thompson is the service manager at Pro-Tech Auto Repair in Corcoran.
Originally from Elk River, Thompson grew up farming corn and soybeans, a practice he still does today.
In high school, the humble Thompson avoided the spotlight, but he befriended all types, choosing to associate with others based on their personality instead of anything superficial.
“If I liked talking with someone, then they were my friend. Simple as that,” Thompson says.
“I didn’t care about their background or interests. I just wanted to be around good people.”
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At fifteen, Thompson started working at his uncle’s auto repair shop.
“After school and on holiday breaks I would work there. My uncle was pivotal to my development because he taught me so much about cars and he was patient with me throughout,” Thompson explains.
Upon graduating from high school, Thompson continued his auto education by enrolling at a tech school in St. Cloud.
This was followed by two more years of working at his uncle’s auto repair shop before he transitioned to Pro-Tech Auto Repair in Corcoran, a family-owned business he has been with ever since.
“I’ve now been in the industry for 22 years,” shares Thompson, who has worked himself up to the service manager position at Pro-Tech.
Every day, Thompson assists customers from the time they call into Pro-Tech Auto Repair, all the way through final invoicing, a role that requires much more than just superb organizational and communication skills.
That’s because Thompson also serves as a consultant who is tasked with presenting key information and working with customers to find a solution to whatever is ailing their car.
“I walk our customers through the entire repair process, going over things like what they can expect to be fixed on their vehicle, and how much our services will cost,” he says.
“With auto repairs, there are also times where there is more than one solution, meaning the technician has different options when it comes to fixing a vehicle. My job is to lay out those options to the customer in a way that’s easy to understand, and then let them make the choice that is right for them and their unique set of circumstances.”
In an industry that is littered with conniving auto repair shops who prioritize profit over the well-being of their clientele, Thompson is a welcome relief for Twin Cities customers who simply want to receive exemplary repair work at a fair price.
“No one wakes up in the morning and hopes that their car is going to break down,” Thompson reminds readers.
“In that sense, people aren’t overjoyed to come into our shop, which is why I make a concerted effort to make the process as seamless and painless as possible, and ultimately give them an excellent experience.”
At a dealership or chain auto repair shop, the standards are different.
Often, interactions at places you see advertised on TV are devoid of personal connection, but more importantly, the employees at these outfits are routinely encouraged to push products and services that increase revenue but ultimately don’t help customers in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
“I would never make it at those types of places,” Thompson says with a laugh, one that suggests a confidence stemming from knowing that he doesn’t have to spend his days convincing customers to needlessly spend their hard-earned money.
”My approach is the same approach that the company takes, which is, do right by the customer. We’re not here to shove unnecessary parts or services onto people. We instead see ourselves as stewards of the community, and we believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that our customers are getting the best possible service, at the most fair price possible.”
Adds the sanguine and genuine Thompson:
“Unfortunately, not all auto repair shops operate with the same level of intentionality that we do, which in some cases makes our job more challenging, but the silver lining there is that once people work with us, their perception of this industry changes.”
In practice, this means that Thompson and Pro-Tech Auto Repair are very forthcoming about pointing out when something should be repaired, and when a customer can instead monitor a potential problem and plan for an eventual fix.
“Still, sometimes there are tough decisions that have to be made. Not everything is as easy or as straightforward as we might like it to be, but for me, having that extensive background of working on vehicles, and having been in the industry for over 20 years, I know I can help people,” Thompson says.
One might hope that this approach would be replicated by the dealerships and corporations, but when people visit these entities, it’s common for them to have to deal with several different people throughout the process, all of whom may be conveying a different message.
“That can make auto repairs seem very confusing,” Thompson says, but the next time your check engine light comes on, remember: there are companies like Pro-Tech who can take the agony out of car repairs.
“People just want their cars fixed, and when the process becomes overly complicated and certain services or procedures are being pushed on a client, that’s when they get annoyed and frustrated.”
Adds Thompson:
“That’s what makes my job as a service manager so vital, but it’s also why I relish the opportunities I do have because I know how frustrating it could be to be in a position of not knowing what to do, and worse, not feeling like you can trust the person who is giving you information.”
Therefore, consumers have the autonomy to select which kind of experience they want to have the next time they need an auto repair, but if you want to avoid the potential headaches that can come with simply walking into a dealership, consider heading over to Pro-Tech Auto Repair, which has been in business now for over 43 years.
As for pricing, every project has its specific criteria, but Thompson and Pro-Tech follow labor guides that are widely used throughout the industry.
“Those guides are essentially a standard that tells auto shops how much a repair should cost,” Thompson notes.
That being said, there is more than just price that separates reputable auto shops from their competitors, and so much of that can be attributed to customer service and leading with integrity and transparency.
“I’ve been on both the technician side and the consultation side for so long that I have a really good grasp of what goes into everything,” Thompson says, and while his expansive expertise is reassuring to clients, more crucially, management has given him the green light to service the customer instead of their bottom line.
“I’ll repeat it again because it is worth mentioning: I’m instructed to take care of the client. I’m not here to push services onto clients that they don’t need just so we can make extra revenue,” the Elk River native emphasizes.
“Not only is that mentally freeing because I don’t feel pressured to compromise my values, but it also enables me to approach things in a very objective way, which is what is going to benefit the customer the most.”
Looking ahead, the talented and sagacious Thompson appears primed to continue helping Twin Cities drivers get back on the road.
Unlike some competent professionals featured on this platform, Thompson is not seeking out the next big thing.
He’s content in his current role, and as we wrap up our conversation inside Starbucks, it’s clear that his satisfaction is felt in a way that some may never experience.
“I’m extremely happy at Pro-Tech,” he says.
“I enjoy helping the customers and being part of an excellent team. This is where I want to be because I’m making an impact and I feel fulfilled, and in many ways, that’s all someone in my position can ask for.” QS
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