By LINDA KELLETT

C-S-E News Staff

NELLISTON — When a former employer decided to close the doors on his Herkimer County business for good, veteran auto mechanic Charles Heeder decided it was time to open his own garage here in the heart of Nelliston.

With 10 years of experience under his belt — three from Monroe Muffler in Colonie and seven from Richards Tire and Auto in Herkimer — the certified front-end, brake, suspension, and alignment technician bought most of his former employer’s equipment and established Precision Auto Care at the three-corners’ intersection of West Main (Route 5), Stone Arabia and River streets in the village.

The operation that launched in early September boasts a neat and clean waiting room with a fresh coat of paint, leveled floors, new window frames — and the lowest labor rates in the area. That’s according to Heeder, who moved to the community about four months ago in order to be closer to the shop, where he works with his father, Eric.

“I’ve always liked working on cars,” Heeder said, noting that he also enjoys working for himself.

He said he decided to set up shop locally not only because of the glut of auto repair places in Herkimer but also because of his acquaintance with local businessman Larry Alkinburgh, who owns the 10 West Main Street building where the repair shop is located.

Heeder is fully insured. He can do welding, install custom bumper-lift kits and other off-road accessories, and perform virtually all automotive services, including exhaust work and oil changes.

Although he’s not able to rebuild transmissions himself, he is set up with Jasper Engines and Transmissions to install their new and rebuilt transmissions. Those engines carry three-year/100,000 mile warranties, he said.

The garage is also a registered motor vehicle inspection station.

Fort Plain resident Brian Wilson is one of Heeder’s repeat customers.

A self-described customer-who-became-a-friend, Wilson said, “It’s hard to actually find a place where they give you an honest price. There are a lot of places that overcharge for work. That’s not the case here.”

Heeder said he has a quick turn-around time for customer’s work. “It’s an in-and-out thing here,” he said, noting that he doesn’t put customers off until the following week.

The shop, located at 10 West Main St., Nelliston, takes all major credit cards and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. For information or to make an appointment, call (518) 993-4555 or (315) 542-4703.