The Bristol Press| www.BristolPress.com Wednesday, August, 21 2013 | PDF: 2013-8 Aug

By BRIAN M. JOHNSON, CORRESPONDENT

TERRYVILLE – “I love what I do,” says Cliff Jones, owner of Cliff’s Auto Repair.

Jones, an automotive mechanic for 25 years, opened his one-man auto-repair shop at 410 Main St. in 2008. His services include general repair, oil changes, tires, brakes and exhaust for foreign and domestic cards and light trucks. The shop’s hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.a. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For Jones, his work is his passion. “It’s an enjoyable practice,” he said. “A lot of people hate going into work, but I’m not one of them.”

Jones said customers appreciate the personal attention he provides. “I run the shop all by myself, so you’re dealing with one person throughout the whole process of repair,” he said. “I also treat people fairly, like they should be treated, I may be the bearer of bad news, but I’m honest with people. I show them what’s wrong with their vehicle, and take care of them. Maintenance is key to a vehicle’s longevity.”

Jones said business has been up and down, but he always gets the job done right. “The economy is not great for anybody, but I’m still here working out any problems as they arise,” he said.

Jones said a majority of his business comes from word of mouth. “My advertising is almost completely done by word of mouth, and the little bit I do in the Bristol Press,” he said. “However, there are plans to create a website in the near future.”

Jones donates to several community groups and events. “I donate plaques fro the winners of the Terryville High School automotive show,” he said. “I also donate to Bristol Police Explorers, local car shows, the Elks Club, Terryville Fairgrounds, and the fair itself.”

Jones has also raced cars that he has worked on in Lebanon Valley. “I have a 97 Cobra Mustang which I’ve brought to Lebanon Valley for a couple quarter mile drags,” he said. “It’s something I do for fun.”

Cliffs Automotive is located at 410 Main St., Terryville, CT. Call the garage at (860) 314-9528 to set up an appointment or just stop by and say hello.

The Bristol Press| www.BristolPress.com Wednesday, January 23, 2013 | PDF: 2013-1 Jan

By LIZ NEWBERG STAFF WRITER

PLYMOUTH — After more than a quarter of a century in the automotive business, Clifford Jones, owner of Cliff’s Automotive in Terryville, CT can look at the business he’s built and take pride in the fact that his customers have been with him for more than 18 years.

That speaks volumes about the kind of automotive shop Cliff runs. And a successful business having ben built solely by word of mouth is even more testament to the fact the Watertown native offering customers an honest and fair deal.

Jones never advertises directly, and besides attending networking events and Chamber of Commerce events, he relies on satisfied customers to get the word out about his automotive shop.

His small-town business with a comfortable feeling that offers more personal service than one would find at a large company.

“It’s the simple things that matter,” Jones says. “What I really enjoy is keeping people’s vehicles rolling at a fair and honest price and making them happy to find a good, honest mechanic. I treat people fairly and honestly, like they should be. Customers appreciate that and keep coming back.” Besides being honest, another advantage that differentiates Cliff’s Automotive is that rather than dealing with a crew of people who may work on your car, Jones runs a one-man show. This means customers get answers straight from the source. There is no middle man in Jone’s shop.

“I do it all, whether it’s meeting people, taking messages or fixing cars,” Jones says. “So I can’t pass the buck. I’m all there is and that means I’m going to do it right the first time.”

The automotive expert realizes that people rely on their cars day-to-day. Having your car out of commission for an extended period can cramp your lifestyle. That’s another reason Jones’ customers keep coming back as his turnaround is usually within a day. When emergencies arise, Jones says he can usually get the car in that day.

Jones opened up his first shop in Farmington in 1997 and then moved to Prospect Street in Bristol, CT. Hist most recent move to Main Street in Terryville, CT is a chance to expand his business as it’s a larger facility with more growth potential.

Although Jones has no immediate plans to expand, he says the future is bright. His willingness to go with the flow and just be happy for tomorrow translates into a positive attitude that resonates with his customers.

“Anything can happen from here,” Jones says with a smile. “I’m just happy for today and will wait to see what happens next.”

Cliffs Automotive is located at 410 Main St., Terryville, CT. The hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cliff’s Automotive services foreign and domestic cars and small trucks. To reach Jones, call (860) 314-9528 or stop by the shop.

The Bristol Press| www.BristolPress.com Wednesday, June 27, 2012 | PDF: 2012-6 June

By LIZ NEWBERG STAFF WRITER

PLYMOUTH — Any morning is a busy morning at Cliff’s Automotive. If you can’t catch him on the phone, you can stop by and find him under a hood.

“It’s a good kind of busy,” owner Cliff Jones said after another morning had just begun at his garage located on Main Street in Terryville, CT.

“Whether it’s oil changes, tires or getting their cars ready for the weather by checking things like coolants and tire pressure, it’s all about what the customers need. No matter what, I will always treat you good,” he said. While Cliff has a regular and loyal customer base that he said has become more like family friends over nearly 20 years he’s been in business, he treats everyone that comes into his garage with the same care and courtesy.

“There are basically two different customers,” Cliff explained. “There are those who come year round and maintain their car regularly and there are those who just want you to fix it as needed. No matter what they need, I treat them all the same.”

Cars are simply his lifeblood and it shows in the service he provides. And a true measure of a man’s passion is what he does in his off hours.

When Cliff isn’t under the carriage of a car or checking tire pressure, he’s tinkering around with his favorite pastime — racing ‘97 Mustang Cobra that he proudly says can reach 105 miles per hour in just 13.1 seconds.

“That’s pretty good for a car driven everyday on the road,” Cliff said.

His 7-year-old son is inheriting the same love of cars as his father and he never misses one of his dad’s races on the quarter-mile track in Lebanon.

But Cliff’s extracurricular activities don’t stop with his Mustang. He also has a composite motorcycle that he built from the ground up.

He and his son go on motorcycle rides together and joined over 100 bikers in a run organized by local restaurant Shoot Gates to raise money for a sick child whose family hails from the area.

While Cliff’s passion for all things automotive extends to all parts of his life, he said the best thing about his business are the customers he enjoys serving every day. “My customers are fabulous,” he said. “Word of mouth is a wonderful thing. We have great people here and we do it right and it shows.”

Cliffs Automotive is located at 410 Main St., Terryville, CT. Call the garage at (860) 314-9528 to set up an appointment or just stop by and say hello.

The Bristol Press Wednesday, December 21, 2011 | PDF: 2011-12 Dec
CENTRAL CT CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

By LIZ NEWBERG
TERRYVILLE

Walking into Cliff’s Automotive repair after a busy Saturday morning of oil changes, tire rotation and dealing with transmissions in remission, don’t be surprised to find the owner himself relaxing over Chinese barbecue spare ribs and a cold one in the middle of his garage.

With a Chevy on one lift, a Ford truck in one of the bays and Bad Company playing on the radio, Cliff Jones relaxes with long-time customer Gene Kaczypenski.

“I’ve been coming here since 2008,” Kaczypenski said. “He took care of my car’s problem the first time. I didn’t have to keep coming back again and again for the same thin. And that’s something I can appreciate.”

That kind of customer confidence is earned over time, and Jones certainly has earned it.

“People will drive by at 7 or 8 at night and see the lights in the garage still on,” Jones said. “People rely on their cars, it’s important to get them back in their cars as soon as possible. A quick turnaround time is important. It may not always be easy to maintain, but it’s important.”

This work ethic is reflected in the homey environment of Jone’s more-than-comfortable, airy and naturally lit waiting area complete with rugs over a smartly tiled floor, leather chairs, a plush sofa, flat-screen TV, as well as free coffee and hot chocolate. It’s almost enough to make you forget you’re at an automobile mechanic’s garage.

“You wouldn’t want to come into a place that is dirty or uninviting,” Jones said. “Let alone waiting there for your car. That’s a reflection of my business, how I take care of the jobs I do and how well I do my job. So if that doesn’t look good, what are customers going to think about the service they get on their card?”

He looks at his shop as his first home, rather than just a place to go to work.

“You know how everybody says this or that is like their ‘second home’? Well, my shop is like my first home because I’m here more than I am at my own home.”

Winning “Best of Bristol” in car service for 2010 and 2011, it’s obvious what Cliff’s Automotive is a leader in its class.

While he struggles to maintain a healthy balance between work and family, often staying late to ensure the best job for his customers, his commitment to solving his customers automobile problems remains a top priority.

“I try to work to everyone’s timetable and when there’s an emergency, then I’ll be there to solve it,” Jones said.

With presentation and punctuality being paramount, Jones aims to make every customer feel at home and satisfied with a job well done. And if they hang round long enough, they may even get lunch to go with the top-rated car service. And that’s a great deal.

Cliff’s Automotive is located at 410 Main St. in Terryville, CT. The shop is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call(860)314-9528.

The Bristol Press| www.BristolPress.com | PDF: 2011-2 Feb

Wednesday, February 23, 2011
By LIZ NEWBERG STAFF WRITER

After 25 years in the automotive business, Clifford Jones, owner of Cliff’s Automotive in Terryville, CT can look at the business he’s built and take pride in the fact that his customers have been with him for more than 17 years.

That fact speaks volumes about the kind of automotive shop Cliff runs. And a successful business having been built solely by word of mouth is even more testament to the fact that the Watertown native offers customers an honest and fair deal.

Jones never advertises directly and, besides attending networking events and Chamber of Commerce events, he relies on satisfied customers to get the word out about his automotive shop.

“It’s the simple things that matter,” Jones says. “What I really enjoy is keeping people’s vehicles rolling at a fair and honest price and making them happy to find a good,honest mechanic. Customers appreciate that and keep coming back.”

Besides being honest, another advantage that differentiates Cliff’s Automotive is that rather than dealing Jones’ shop with a crew of people who may work on your car, Jones runs a one-man show. This means customers get answers straight from the source. There is no middle man in Jones’ shop.

“I do it all, whether it’s meeting people, taking messages or fixing cars,” Jones says. “So I can’t pass the buck. I’m all there is and that means I’m going to do it right the first time.”

The automotive expert realizes that people rely on their cars day-today. Having your car out of commission for an extended period of can put a cramp in your lifestyle. That’s another reason Jone’s customers keep coming back as his turnaround is usually within a day. When emergencies arise, Jones says he can usually get the car in that day.
Jones opened up his first shop in Farmington in 1997 and then moved to Prospect Street in Bristol, CT. His most recent move to Main Street in Terryville, CT is a chance to expand his business as it’s a larger facility with more potential to grow.

Although Jones has no immediate plans to expand, he says the future is bright. His willingness to go with the flow and just be happy for tomorrow translates into a positive attitude that resonates with his customers.

“Anything can happen from here,” Jones says with a smile.“I’m just happy for today and will wait to see what happens next.”

Cliff’s Automotive is located at 410 Main St. in Terryville, CT. The hours are Monday, Tuesday,Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cliff’s Automotive services Foreign and Domestic cars and small trucks.