Lloyd’s Automotive and Transmission Specialists, Inc. has been servicing Thurston County cars in downtown Olympia since 1963, when Lloyd DeBoer owned and operated the place.
The shop’s current owner, Eric Bagley, grew up here and began working at Lloyd’s when he was just 18.
“In 1996 I got a summer job here, sweeping the floors and doing cleanup,” Eric says. “And then they paid me to go to tech school, so I became a tech.”
Eric found he had a knack for working on cars.
“I had a natural ability,” he says. “I just liked cars, and then I ended up being good at it, so I progressed quickly.” Eric became the shop’s lead tech.
In spring 2004, Eric bought the business from Lloyd’s son Neil, who had purchased the shop from his father in 1983, along with his uncle Dwight DeBoer.
Eric’s responsibilities shifted more to the business side after becoming owner, but he still loves working on the cars that come in.
“Oh yeah, I work on the cars and diagnose stuff and put transmissions, engines, anything, in and out,” he says.
The 7,425 square foot shop has four techs, plus Eric, as well as a front office person. Eric’s wife, Jennifer, does the accounting.
Lloyd’s is Thurston County’s leader in vehicle repair and service, focused on honesty, integrity, quality, and value, while providing complete automotive diagnostics, maintenance, and repair on all makes and models.
“We specialize in transmissions, which makes us unique from a lot of the other shops, where they just buy a unit from the dealer or some manufacturer,” Eric explains. “You just have one option.”
But with Lloyd’s, their ASE-certified techs take the transmission apart, on site. “We can go in and fix just the problem that you have, we can overhaul it, build it up, make it heavy duty, put a used one in. The sky’s the limit,” says Eric.
Which means they can get the work done at different price points, depending on the customer’s budget.
Choosing the AAA-approved Lloyd’s over a large, impersonal chain automotive store simply means more alternatives for customers.
“There are many ways to fix a car,” says Eric. “We try to work with people, help them out, and give them options.”
At Lloyd’s the team finds out what the customer really wants and needs, rather than railroading them in one direction like many places do.
“We tell people what’s wrong with their car, and then try to help them prioritize,” says Eric.
The Lloyd’s team will tell you what’s necessary for maintenance but may not be pressing right now. “If we find a safety thing that you definitely need to do, we’ll give you a few different options, like higher-quality parts or lower-quality parts,” he says. “We’ll do whatever you want.”
And Lloyd’s won’t suggest extras that simply may not be necessary. “If you’re going to keep your car for a short time, why get this 3-year or 100,00-mile warranty and pay a huge price?” Eric asks. “We’re able to save you $1,000 to $1,500 by just fixing what you’ve got. And it will work just fine for the time you need it – and then some.”
Lloyd’s large number of longtime, repeat customers speaks volumes about the business. Trust is crucial in an automotive shop, and Lloyd’s regular customers keep coming back because of the exceptional service, straight talk, and quality workmanship.
Loaner cars are offered when available, and shuttle service is free for anyone needing a ride home or to work after dropping off their vehicle.
Lloyd’s is currently running an iPad giveaway through its Facebook page. Anyone who “likes” the Lloyd’s page between now and May 31 is automatically in the running to win a new iPad.
Customers can also make appointments right through the company’s Facebook page by simply clicking the “Appointments” link.
When asked what his favorite thing is about owning and operating Lloyd’s Automotive & Transmission, Eric answers with a smile: “the best is handing the keys to the customer and watching their smiling face…shaking hands with them as they explain to me how they felt like they were treated like family.”
Lloyd’s Automotive & Transmission
425 State Avenue NE
Olympia WA 98501
360.357.7422
