AAA of Minnesota and Iowa has just released its ninth annual award for outstanding service performance in 2009 and for the sixth year in a row, Sanderson Auto Repair in Albert Lea has been chosen.

Sanderson Auto Repair earned this distinction in 2004 through 2009 by scoring 98 percent or higher in an ongoing customer service satisfaction program monitored by AAA. To be part of the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility program, Sanderson Auto Repair had to first pass a rigorous inspection process and score 90 percent or higher on a random survey of 200 past customers.

In addition, Sandersons agree to provide AAA members at least a 12 month/12,000-mile limited parts and labor warranty, provide a written estimate and complete repairs within 10 percent of the estimate, provide a free vehicle maintenance inspection when a member’s vehicle is in for repairs or service, provide old parts to members unless needed for exchange or warranty purposes, and agrees to abide by AAA’s decision in the event of a dispute with a AAA member over repairs or service.

Once a repair facility is accepted into the program, AAA monitors monthly customer satisfaction surveys from January through December each year. Sanderson scored 99.6 percent in all customer satisfaction surveys again during 2009 and have been awarded the AAA Top Shop distinction.

Dick Townsend, AAA field representative, made the trip to Albert Lea to present the award and added, “Achieving the Top Shop Award for a sixth year in a row places Sanderson Auto Repair in an elite class of auto repair facilities. Anyone needing vehicle service or repair can trust this repair facility to provide professional service at a fair price.”

Mark Sanderson, owner of Sanderson Auto Repair added, “More than anything people are looking for a repair and service facility they can bring their vehicle to and know the work will be performed correctly and at a fair price. Earning each customer’s trust has been our number one priority since we opened in 1985, and the AAA Top Shop Award is a result of the hard work by every member of our company. They all share in this vote of confidence from our customers!”

Sanderson Auto Repair is located at 131 W. College St. in Albert Lea. The phone number is 377-3320. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays by appointment. Emergency road service is available. The web site is www.sandersonauto.us.