Meet our Mechanics...
Del's Automotive: Founded in 1980
Excerpts from a feature article in The SUN "Back in the 1960s, there used to be a service garage on every street corner," said Don Palmer of Bainbridge Disposal. That's not the case anymore, but Del's Automotive in Suquamish hearkens back to those days. At the beginning, Del Mueller worked out of a 20 by 20 foot garage in his front yard. Today, his family owned business, operates from a 3200 square foot shop, steps away from his house. The majority of Del's customers are from Poulsbo and Bainbridge. Others come from Port Ludlow, Tacoma and Seattle. The shop is located back in the woods off a winding road. It sits behind a 12 foot deep pond that is home to a family of ducks. Kathy, Mueller's wife, and daughter Vanessa, handle the books and parts orders. "I want my customers to know that where I work, I live," Mueller said. A wooden sign hangs from a post in their front yard. It reads, "Not Easy Street". Owning a business is hard work, but Mueller wouldn't have it any other way. Mueller started working on cars at age 13. He rebuilt the engine in his father's car at 14. He wrecked the car the same year and replaced the front fender and door from a wrecking yard. After serving in the army and working briefly for Boeing, Mueller worked for five year's at Faler's Garage in Suquamish, learning about car repair. Today, Mueller's shop repairs 5 to 10 cars a day. Mueller said. "I measure my worth by customer satisfaction." Customers appreciate the approach. John Curtis of Indianola said Mueller goes out of his way to get Curtis' car in and out quickly. "Besides the repair work, he looks over tires, fluids and brakes. I drop off the car, pick it up and am not overcharged. His rates are more than reasonable. Furthermore, if I ever have a problem covered under warranty, he tells me. He charges nothing to look at something that concerns me." |