Retail Repairs
The Good News Garage in Burlington, Vt., is now open to the public for quality car repairs!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your hours?
We are open from 8am to 5pm for pick up or drop off. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment (802.861.2990 to speak with our service manager, Rob Ryan).
How much do you charge?
We charge $75 an hour for labor. An oil change costs $40 (not including tax) for most cars.
Where are you located?
We are located in the Old North End of Burlington at 331 North Winooski Avenue (the old bus barn!). If you are coming from downtown Burlington, we are before the Riverside intersection on the way to Winooski.
Is there anything Good News Garage can’t do?
We are a full service garage and can perform almost all maintenance and repair needs. We cannot, however, do alignments or replace windshields.
What are the qualifications of your mechanics?
All our mechanics are A.S.E. certified technicians.
Does your garage follow proper environmental procedures?
Yes, we recycle materials whenever we can. We always recycle scrap metal, coolant and motor oil. Anything we can't recycle is properly disposed of.
Do you use new or used parts?
Generally we use new parts except for large items like engines or transmissions. We also will use used parts in other situations whenever they are in quality condition and it makes sense.
Will my car take longer to work on than a "normal" garage?
Not at all! We will make sure your car is returned to you in a reasonable amount of time.
Are you listed with the better business bureau?
We are planning on being listed with the BBB.
Why are you doing this? I thought you were a nonprofit…
Good News Garage relies on donated vehicles from the community to fulfill our important mission. However, the tough economy has caused a decrease in donations, and we are looking for other revenue streams to maintain our programs. At the same time, we have a large garage facility that is often not utilized to its full potential.
We at Good News Garage are excited to offer the Burlington community a much needed service, and at the same time support our Vermont social service programs for low-income families. This new venture is what's called a "social enterprise." If you look around, you'll see many other nonprofit social enterprises in the community: The Red Cross provides classes and trainings; food pantries and shelters run cafes or sell cookies; The Salvation Army sells donated goods; there are many more examples of how charities use profits to fund their operations.
Why should I bring my car to Good News Garage?
Your patronage supports our organization and mission: to provide low-income families with reliable and affordable transportation throughout New England.
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