q&A
The Wheel Deal
colin fritz looks under the hood to find the best auto shops
By PAul gAllAnt
roadside assistance partner
network, Colin Fritz and
his team determine which
auto shops meet AMA’s
high standards and get
the nod to serve members.
To date, the team has
approved more than 300
repair shops, lube facilities
and glass facilities to form
AMA’s network of Approved
Auto Repair Service (AARS)
partners. But Fritz is
looking for more than just
great mechanics.
party arbitrator to issue
binding resolution. We want
to give members peace of
mind—the shop may be
independent, but it’s backed
by this large organization.
As mAnAger of AmA’s
Although you’ve been
with AMA for a decade,
you’re originally from B.C.
What do you love most
about Alberta?
I love that the geography is
so diverse. Sure, there’s lots
of flat land, but when you
see Crowsnest Pass, with its
stunning mountains, you
feel like you’re in Europe.
Then you hit beautiful
Waterton Lakes National
Park, which I think is one of
Alberta’s best-kept secrets.
Are you a car guy?
For me, the allure isn’t
the automobile itself: It’s
knowing a car will work
when someone turns the
key. My passion is helping
people. What I appreciate
about our partners is
that they are car people
who work hard to ensure
customers are confident in
the work that’s being done.
frItz: paul swanson; tIres: kurga/Istock
What’s the most valuable
skill for your job?
If I can build a great relationship with our partners,
they’re going to provide the
best possible service to our
members. It sounds a bit
hokey, but we’re all about
a family mentality.
Winter
tire 101
fall is the
perfect time to
start thinking
about winter
tires
What do you look for in
auto service providers?
Part of my job is meeting
with all of our garages, so
I’m on the road a lot. I consider their reputation with
customers and even the
look and feel of their place:
Would my wife be comfortable here? Is it clean?
(Sometimes a big tell is the
washroom.) Do they educate
the customer, taking time
to instil confidence? I also
Winter tires:
use winter tires during the cold season
for top traction on
slushy or icy roads.
they’re made from
a rubber compound
designed to stay
What makes Waterton
unique, from an AMA
perspective?
reflect on the interactions
I have with staff and management. It goes far beyond
just fixing a car really well.
We have a partner there—
and it’s the only gas station
in that park. They provide
roadside assistance for
AMA on bicycles. Their
bike trailer contains an
unlocking kit, booster pack
and tire wrenches. They
get weird looks sometimes,
but people will tell them, “I
don’t care what you rolled
up on. Just change the tire.”
I think that’s awesome.
And if a member has concerns about the service?
AARS facilities provide
Canada-wide, one-year,
20,000-kilometre warranties—far beyond current
industry standards. But if
a member has a concern,
AMA can act as a third-
flexible and maneuverable starting at
7 c. they feature
deep tread blocks
that bite ice and
snow, pushing them
away for superior
traction.
All weather:
while they don’t
have as much
traction as winter
tires, all weathers
can be used in
winter on city or
suburban streets.
Members save
at Kal Tire: 10% off
parts and services,
5% off tires, 5% off
select rims
AMARewards.ca/
KalTire
AMA InsIder
fall 2016
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