By Suzanne Schmidt
Anyone who has ever brought their car to Land O’ Lakes Transmission & Total Car Care in the last couple years knows Matt Martin.
He has been a mechanic there working for Larry Savage for four years until recently, when he bought the place and moved it to its new location at 21426 Carson Drive in Land O’ Lakes.
Martin bought the business after Savage decided to move out of the area.
“I figured with two new babies at home, it was time to be a business owner instead of an employee,” Martin said. “When he decided to move, I knew I wanted to own the business.”
Martin, 26, is married to Gretchen Martin and has two sons Cameron, 2, and Connor, 1. He has been a mechanic for 10 years. He started learning about cars when he was at Wesley Chapel High School. Since then he has earned ASE certifications for brakes, steering and suspension, air conditioning and heating and cooling.
“I have always liked cars,” Martin said. “Through high school, I did on-the-job training. I started out as a full-service mechanic and learned transmission over the last four years. I can fix anything but the tires.”
The new location offers a few amenities the old shop did not have like an air-conditioned waiting room.
“It is nice because we are in a new building now with better amenities,” Martin said. “I have room to work on the cars inside which helps me to be more efficient. I don’t have to stop working now because of the rain.”
Martin said the most important thing to him is to be honest with people and to make sure his customers are happy.
“I am not going to sell you something you don’t need,” Martin said. “I try to find the problem and give the customer the options needed to fix it. I offer service with a smile. I want to make sure people are happy with the services they receive here.”
Martin said he always makes sure he and the customer are talking about the same thing.
“I try to get the most information I can to diagnose the problem,” Martin said. “The first thing I need to do is to find out what the customer is experiencing because they know more about the car then I do. I will take the customer on a ride with me if I can’t get the same experience. I like to make sure the customer and I are on the same page.”
Martin said he does not usually charge to find the problem.
“Initial inspections and estimates are no charge,” Martin said. “If it gets more involved then I call the customer and charge accordingly.”
James Wright owns Stems USA, a wholesale florist in Land O’ Lakes. He has three vehicles he uses to deliver flowers to gift shops and grocery stores. He said he only trusts Martin with his cars.
“I would not go to anybody but Matt,” Wright said. “He is super honest. For three years I have been going to only him. His pricing is very fair and I know he won’t do work I don’t need.”
Wright said he also appreciates how Martin is willing to go above and beyond.
“I like how I can call up and he knows who I am,” Wright said. “He is a really caring person. I will take vehicles to him when I am deciding to buy it.”
For more information, call (813) 996-3680.
