John Wisniewski from Cleveland Auto Repair

John Wisniewski

Cleveland Auto Repair

About Us

We fix cars. We are simple folk, I’m too old to have dreams of being Scrooge McDuck so we ply our trade. Our advertising budget consists of helping people make informed decisions concerning their cars. We don’t charge to look and discuss options. We are a 20th century operation with 21st century tools.

How We Got Started

My father left the farm and start his business in 1945. He appropriated a loan from his father for startup. Grandpa made that money with the family still. I grew up in the family business, eventually took the reins and am now too dumb to quit.
I was urban renewaled out of downtown Grand Rapids about 10 years ago and here I am in Spring Lake today.
I still have the still.

Products & Services
We offer Priority and Evening Service to our business and fleet customers. This option gets you to the front of the line and the ability to choose ...
Recommendations Given (21)
"Good work out of that outfit. "
"Betten Baker has been my dealer of choice for the Grand Haven, Spring Lake area. "
Recent Activity

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on November 20, 2021
You help where it’s needed. Some people hit a hard spot. Be there for them. Go out of your way to help kids. Respect the elders ( hard for me now because everybody older than me is either dead or has a reservation) make people laugh.  (more) You help where it’s needed. Some people hit a hard spot. Be there for them. Go out of your way to help kids. Respect the elders ( hard for me now because everybody older than me is either dead or has a reservation) make people laugh. 

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on August 22, 2021
This is all a part of life. If this kills me, I won’t  be around to worry about it. If it doesn’t I still won’t worry.  I have friends that came to their vacation home this month. They are so afraid of covid that they haven’t eaten in a restaurant in 1.5 years. I haven’t stopped by their house on... (more) This is all a part of life. If this kills me, I won’t  be around to worry about it. If it doesn’t I still won’t worry.  I have friends that came to their vacation home this month. They are so afraid of covid that they haven’t eaten in a restaurant in 1.5 years. I haven’t stopped by their house on purpose. I am around a LOT of people so I will respect their paranoia about the disease. I do miss seeing them. I think of them while I’m savoring my restaurant cooked steak.  Sorry, I won’t live like that. It gives a whole new twist to “Live free and/or die. “

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on November 19, 2020
Bottom line, it’s the people. My customers are a big part of my life. I care about them, their kids, their grand kids. I get to scratch their dogs.  Sounds crazy, but, these are my people. I am thankful for them and their friendship and trust.  John (more) Bottom line, it’s the people. My customers are a big part of my life. I care about them, their kids, their grand kids. I get to scratch their dogs.  Sounds crazy, but, these are my people. I am thankful for them and their friendship and trust.  John

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on October 22, 2020
Most of our work is done away from people. We use our heads and stay back and/or use masks near customers. Cars are sprayed with disinfectant.  I expect our efforts degrade risk by 90%. We could all crawl under a rock and starve to death to achieve that extra 10% but that outcome is even more... (more) Most of our work is done away from people. We use our heads and stay back and/or use masks near customers. Cars are sprayed with disinfectant.  I expect our efforts degrade risk by 90%. We could all crawl under a rock and starve to death to achieve that extra 10% but that outcome is even more mortal.  Is the state shuts us down, I don’t think it will last long. The suckers are too lazy to walk to work when their cars break.  In short use your heads, mitigate risk stay healthy and spend a buck with your neighbors. 

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on April 18, 2020
The coming thing is not going to be will but lack of money. People are trying to keep their cars running but cash is scarce now.  Our governor has gotten a little nuts on the mandates and is keeping large sections of the economy shut tight. This is to keep us safe. Plenty of work can be done with... (more) The coming thing is not going to be will but lack of money. People are trying to keep their cars running but cash is scarce now.  Our governor has gotten a little nuts on the mandates and is keeping large sections of the economy shut tight. This is to keep us safe. Plenty of work can be done with little or no risk to the people. Hopefully somebody in Lansing will take an IQ booster and we can strike a balance.  God bless and good luck to you all.  John

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on March 27, 2020
Dang phone must be broke.  Really the only thing coming in is BROKEN stuff. Problems that can be put off - are.  To top it off we have some big jobs finished that are not being picked up. People are stretching dollars. Can’t say that I blame them.  Now is the time to work with people. Help... (more) Dang phone must be broke.  Really the only thing coming in is BROKEN stuff. Problems that can be put off - are.  To top it off we have some big jobs finished that are not being picked up. People are stretching dollars. Can’t say that I blame them.  Now is the time to work with people. Help where you can. This too shal pass. 

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on February 27, 2020
Electric, definitely. Solar? Fixed system or boonie emergency charging will do well early on.  Stanley Steamer was an excellent car.  What killed it was the inability to go instantly when needed.  You had to build a head of steam.  Old fart golf carts in Florida might be a perfect nitch.  (more) Electric, definitely. Solar? Fixed system or boonie emergency charging will do well early on.  Stanley Steamer was an excellent car.  What killed it was the inability to go instantly when needed.  You had to build a head of steam.  Old fart golf carts in Florida might be a perfect nitch. 

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on January 02, 2020
1) I’m still sucking air.  2) My customers in Spring Lake are the best dang people that I could ever hope to work for.  3) Life is good - see above.  (more) 1) I’m still sucking air.  2) My customers in Spring Lake are the best dang people that I could ever hope to work for.  3) Life is good - see above. 

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on November 07, 2019
Most of the business is caring for customers and producing a great product.  What you need to learn in a hurry is to watch out for the crooks and bottom feeders. They WILL find you.  (more) Most of the business is caring for customers and producing a great product.  What you need to learn in a hurry is to watch out for the crooks and bottom feeders. They WILL find you. 

John from Cleveland Auto Repair Answered this on October 03, 2019
Here is my distorted twist on this.  Many decades ago, the owner of Car Carnival (Pete) told me a interesting line. I remember it verbatim. .... Johnnie, if you are going to sell used cars, it helps if your mother’s a snake.  Yes people buy on want or impulse.  The question that begs an answer... (more) Here is my distorted twist on this.  Many decades ago, the owner of Car Carnival (Pete) told me a interesting line. I remember it verbatim. .... Johnnie, if you are going to sell used cars, it helps if your mother’s a snake.  Yes people buy on want or impulse.  The question that begs an answer is, “ Do you pander to that?” I won’t sell cars. I do fix them, however.  I find myself down selling in some cases and even not selling in others. An example is brakes. Some of my younger customers get hooked on “race rotors “. They have little holes and grooves cut into them for improved cooling. At 3x the price and a noticeable difference only under the most severe conditions that these cars won’t be subjected to, I try to sell them a cheaper one. They read the hype but are better off spending their money on baby food.  I sleep soundly at night.  Cars are the same. Go ahead and pounce on a weakness and put someone in  the bucket. 

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