Business Spotlight: Tinker Automotive Services

Expertise, keeping costs low, honesty and a passion for automotive repair excellence are the guiding principles of Tinker Automotive Services of Windham.

The Tinker Family welcome everyone to the
new location of Tinker Automotive Services
at 51 Tandberg Trail in Windham.
COURTESY PHOTO

Now in an expanded site at 51 Tandberg Trail, the new location allows owner Levi Tinker and his team of technicians to deliver the highest quality vehicle repairs in a more convenient spot with more parking and easy access for many customers.

“The difference is significant because we’ve gone from one bay to five,” Tinker said.

In business since 2017, Tinker Automotive has worked hard to keep up with advances in the industry and has recently added wheel alignment racks for the new shop. They are also equipped to be able to do more rust repair work there.

In addition to performing state inspections for four-wheeled vehicles, Tinker Automotive Services also can perform state motorcycle inspections too and offers a complete line of affordable repairs and maintenance services for all types of vehicles.

“We’re really happy at this new place and glad that we’ve made this move,” Tinker said. “We’re grateful to be able to serve this community and have made so many wonderful friends through the years.”

Levi Tinker’s expertise in auto repair started at an early age and continues to this day.

“I’ve always liked to ‘tinker’ with repairs,” he said. “Even as a kid, I would go to the town dump to see if I could find a bike to fix up. For me, it was so much fun to take a broken bike and get it up and running again. There was a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in that. And there still is.”

He’s worked in the automotive repair field for all his adult life and worked his way up to owning his own shop through hard work and a willingness to be honest and deliver exceptional work in a timely manner while doing everything possible to keep costs as low as possible.

Tinker also believes in transparency and taking the time to explain the extent of work required to his customers.

“I will take time to show people what the problem is and do my best to explain in a way they can understand,” he said. “Unfortunately, in the automotive repair field, women are often taken advantage of, and we are adamant about not doing that. We never upsell anything and we are straightforward and honest.”

Tinker Automotive Services has been voted for several years as a leading choice in The Windham Eagle's annual Eagle Choice Awards and it doesn't look like this trend will end anytime soon. Their positive reputation continues to spread throughout the community because of their commitment to performing exceptional repairs and maintenance on all makes of vehicles for every customer everytime.

Outstanding reviews posted online confirm Tinker Automotive Services’ devotion to its customers and the quality work it performs.

“We were referred to Tinker when our current mechanic retired. We were planning a long family road trip and wanted a thorough check of my vehicle before we hit the road. I immediately felt relieved by the fantastic customer service and great communication with everyone at the shop. When I needed to stop in with my kids they had toys and treats to keep them busy and were all very kind to my little ones. We had multiple issues with my vehicle that needed repair. The shop was thorough and very fair with their assessment and pricing. We feel that they went above and beyond to help us get on the road safely. It isn’t often that you find a kind and honest shop that is this great at repairs. We are happy to have found them and highly recommend to anyone in need of a good mechanic.” – Lynnsey Flynn

“Our vehicle was down, and we were in a pinch to get it looked at and fixed. Tinker Automotive was not only able to to get us in to diagnose the problem quickly but they were able to get it fixed and back on the road fast. Communication and response time were fantastic. They even followed up after we picked up our vehicle to thank us for our business. We are very happy with our experience and will be using Tinker Automotive for all our future vehicle maintenance and repair needs. Thank you to Levi and the rest of your team.” – Aaron Pieper

“Just had one of my vehicles fixed by the guys at Tinker. They did an exceptional job, and they stand by their work. And I liked that they visually showed me what needed to be fixed and the price was totally affordable.” – Ronnie Lee

The mission of Tinker Automotive Services is to help customers maintain a safe, reliable vehicle, and to provide the community with honest, reliable, and exceptional service. FMI or to make an appointment call or text 207-318-0342 and find them on Facebook. <

Business Spotlight: Black Bear Mobile Maintenance

With more than 23 years of expertise that he gained working on military helicopters and marine engines and systems, John Daggett, Jr. established Black Bear Mobile Maintenance a year ago and is now the leading option in the Sebago Lakes Region for those seeking tractor repair and small-engine service.

Daggett’s business offers the convenience of servicing and making repairs directly at a customer’s location and he works on all types, years and models of tractors.

“We are completely mobile. That is the significant aspect of our business. Competitors offer limited mobile repair, and their prices are considerably higher than mine,” Daggett said. “They also tend to work within their brands they sell where I will work on all brands.” 

In offering full-service tractor repairs on-site, Daggett said that he saves his customers costly transport fees and offers highly competitive pricing usually significantly lower than the competition.

Along with providing tractor repairs, Black Bear Mobile Maintenance can also work on other motorized yard equipment as well.

“We can fix just about anything including snow blowers, lawn tractors, generator engines and UTVs,” Daggett said. “I have a 5-star Google customer rating. I pride myself in my quality of service. I offer dealer- level service at a significant savings. I use all factory parts as long as they are available. I’m also federally licensed to work on A/C systems in tractors.”

John Daggett, Jr., and his wife, Jessica, display
an antique Co-Op Tractor they are restoring
at their home in Harrison. Daggett operates
Black Bear Mobile Maintenance, a company
that repairs and services tractors and other
motorized yard equipment throughout the
Lakes Region of Maine and beyond.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

Based in Harrison, Black Bear Mobile Maintenance covers Southern and Central Maine in a timely manner and is an authorized Kohler Engine Dealer and Warranty Repair Service.

“We repair of all makes and models of riders, compact and full-size tractors. We make sure that all fluids and chemicals are contained and transported off site to be disposed of properly so there is no impact to the environment. We serve all of Cumberland and most surrounding counties,” Daggett said. 

From an early age, Daggett said he knew that he was born to be a mechanic. Growing up his next-door neighbor kept antique cars on his property and as far back as second grade, Daggett could be found studying the mechanical aspects of those vehicles and how they worked.

Eventually Daggett earned an associate of applied science degree specializing in high-performance motorsports.  He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from May 2001 to May 2006 as a heavy lift helicopter flightline mechanic and then began work in the marine industry as a technician servicing marine engines and systems.

​For the past five years, he has specialized in working on tractors and diesel engines and says that he loves his business and the opportunity to help his customers get their tractors back to operating in tip-top shape.

“As the only employee of Black Bear Mobile Maintenance, I can focus squarely on delivering exceptional customer service and quality workmanship,” Daggett said. “The customers I work for are grateful for what I do and the mobility of my business so that I can come to where they are.”

Black Bear Mobile Maintenance works on gas and diesel engines, offers spring and winter tune-up service, hydraulic and transmission repair, steering and sheet metal work, complete driveline repairs and a host of other general mechanical or emergency repair work.

With a diverse mechanical background and experience that makes him well suited to trouble shooting and dealing with challenging issues, Daggett is confident he can tackle and resolve the most complex mechanical problems. 

“There is no job too small or too big that I cannot handle,” he said. “And best of all, I come to you, and you can avoid the hassle of doing it yourself.”

His social media reviews are nothing less than outstanding.

“John is great. When you call, he actually answers the phone,” said Chris Paquet Przekop on Facebook. He showed up and fixed my lawn mower. It is a great service! An enthusiastic 5 stars for Black Bear Mobile.”

“Great service! John serviced my tractor, and I will be using him again. Highly recommend 5 stars,” said Liz Bucco on Facebook.

“Needed hydraulic fluid and oil changed on my John Deere 2520, he got back to me quickly and set up a date, which he kept. Did what he said he'd do for the price he said he'd do it. And he was super friendly. Will 100 percent use him again,” said Jason Libby on Facebook.

For more information about Black Bear Mobile Maintenance, visit www.blackbearmobilemaintenance.com or call 207-595-6256. Find them on Facebook under Black Bear Mobile Maintenance. <

Business Spotlight: DockWorld of Maine

Much has changed since DockWorld of Maine was launched more than 25 years ago, but its emphasis on quality work and being of service to customers has never wavered.

Located at 976 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, DockWorld is owned by Del Wescott and its focus remains on the sales and service of docks in the Lakes Region of Maine.

“If it’s on the lake, we’re there,” Wescott said. “We service anything on the waterfront. We build and remove boat lifts, mooring systems and perform remodels, along with the manufacturing and sales of docks.” 

Wescott’s business philosophy differs from the competition and it’s what keeps DockWorld successful after all these years.

“The difference for us is our people,” Wescott said. “In our industry everybody that does what they do is subcontracted. Our employees are full time, year-round employees and they take pride in their work. They work in manufacturing in the winter and are out in the field in the summer. We have great relationships with our customers and our employees demonstrate their care for our customers always.”

Because DockWorld manufactures the products that they sell, the company stands behind each item and guarantees its quality.    

“We offer fair pricing for quality workmanship,” Wescott said.  

DockWorld has six fulltime employees, and that number can swell to as many as 12 in the summer as the workload increases, Wescott said.

“They have the skills and the expertise for what we do,” he said.

In today’s market, older wooden docks are being replaced by more aluminum and maintenance-free products.

“Aluminum is the trend, but right now only 15 percent of docks in this area are made of aluminum,” Wescott said. “We do a lot of upgrades, but our service for other types of docks will never go away.”

The company does its own metal fabrication and welding when a dock needs repairs such as when a boat runs into the dock or for other structural issues that may arise. DockWorld also manufactures wooden docks tailored to meet customer specifications.

 A large portion of DockWorld’s business are the sales and installation of boat lifts, with the company installing up to 80 lifts each year.

“We sell Sunstream Boat Lifts and they’re the best in the business,” Wescott said. “They minimize the hassle and frustration of getting your boat in and out of the water.”

Sunstream is the industry leader for boat lifts offering exceptional engineering along with style, accessibility and convenience.

Wescott first launched DockWorld more than two decades ago in South Windham and then moved the business to North Windham to take advantage of manufacturing opportunities there. He also operates DockWorld’s sister company, Sebago Marine.

“The best thing about what we do happens when we walk away from each job with the satisfaction of knowing that we’ve paid attention to detail and done the very best we can for our customers,” Wescott said. “Finishing a job is very gratifying and who wouldn’t want to be outside on the lake every day for your work?”

He said that the toughest aspect of the job is trying match DockWorld’s scheduling into such a condensed time frame.

“Working from Ice Out in the lake to Memorial Day is difficult and always a juggling act, but we do our utmost to accommodate every customer’s needs,” Wescott said. ““Our customers have no time for service issues and summertime here is so short. They don’t want to be without their dock for weeks,” he said. “Using the best products that are available to us guarantees that local boat owners won’t have to miss prime water time when they hire us for a job no matter how large or small it may be.”

But to DockWorld employees, it’s more than just offering superior products and having the knowledge and experience of working on docks, it’s really about forming outstanding relationships with customers in the community.

“We understand as a team that it’s truly all about service and doing good work that’s what separates us from the competition,” Wescott said. “Quality work propels our business and is at the heart of everything we do. We’re a family company and we are driven by our work ethic.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment with DockWorld of Maine, call 207-892-5500. <

Business Spotlight: Dave's World

Summer may not usually be associated with thinking about winter heating costs, but there’s never been a better time for home and business owners to consider investing in a highly efficient dual-purpose heating and cooling pump from the experts at Dave’s World with great rebate opportunities available.

With Maine locations in Windham, Scarborough, Dover-Foxcroft, and Ellsworth, Dave’s World is committed to providing only the finest high-quality products and legendary customer service after the sale. Offering more than 40 years of experience and knowledge of the products they sell and maintain, Dave’s World has become the largest residential heat pump installer in the United States and remains a trusted leader in the field of heating technology.

“We’ve been in business since the 80’s and have 60 employees and growing,” said Matt Scott, Dave’s World vice-president. “The best thing we offer is peace of mind. We’re really good at electronics and can fix any issue that arises with a heat pump. Our reach is tremendous and extends from Jackman to Calais to Ellsworth to Kittery and we have a dedicated sales team at each store that truly cares about customer service.”

Scott said that Dave’s World specializes in ductless heat pump systems that are energy and environmentally efficient and supply long range heating and cooling solutions tailored to fit customer needs. The company sells state-of-the-art hyper-pump brands such as Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Daikin, LG and Haier and their own brand, Osem.

According to Scott, a heat pump is an electrical device that extracts heat from one place and transfers it to another, similar to the technology used in refrigerators and air conditioners. The heat pump cycle is fully reversible and can used to warm homes in the winter and cool them in summer.

Heat pump systems deliver quiet and reliable comfort throughout the year at substantial savings over wood, pellet, oil, and propane systems. They are a smart, energy-efficient alternative that take the place of both furnace and air conditioning units and offer unbeatable efficiency and an environmentally friendly upgrade to traditional heating and cooling systems.

The process begins with a simple and convenient consultation in your home with a Dave’s World sales team member. A written estimate is developed on the spot based upon the size of structure to be heated and your desired budget. All heat pump systems come with a full 12-year warranty and a one-year workmanship guarantee and financing for systems is also available.

“We offer the total package and the best value in the business,” Scott said. “We use top-notch installers and stay up to date on cutting-edge technology to better serve our customers.”

He said during the installation process, Dave’s World handles all mechanical and electrical permits needed to add a heat pump, so all customers have to do is sit back and enjoy the savings they will experience.

“They are most gentle on the environment because they are electrical,” Scott said. “From no other heating source can you get above 100 percent efficiency, yet heat pumps offer 300 percent efficiency. Every single BTU is used.”

By regulating the climate inside homes and businesses, heat pumps also promote health and improved quality of life by eliminating buildups of condensation, mites, mildew, and airborne spores through the circulation of clean and dry air to breathe.     

Because the company has been in business for four decades, customers can rely on Dave’s World for practical and honest guidance about heating solutions or repair costs.

“Our customers are not guinea pigs,” Scott said. “We’re very seasoned and we know the best products to use with every structure. And one of the most important things we’ve found through the years we’ve been doing this is that service after the sale really matters.”

Costs to operate a properly sized heat pump are about one third of those of a conventional heating and cooling system and lead to huge savings for home and business owners in the long run, Scott said. 

Because Dave’s World is a family business, Scott said that each and every employee can relate to concerns and questions customers may have.

“We’re small town people and treat everyone like family,” he said. “We keep the same pricing no matter who you are and care about everyone we work with. We believe in sharing our expertise and industry knowledge with all of our customers to help them make informed decisions that meet their unique needs.”

In Windham, Dave’s World is at 359 Roosevelt Trail and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment only on Saturdays. 

For more information, call 207-523-9414 or visit davesworld.com.   <