Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2015

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2015
41 MARKETING CONTENT BEST OF 2015
East CooperAuto Pros
Winner – Best AutomobileTechnician
There’s a certain vibe both
longtime and new customers feel when
visiting East Cooper Auto Pros. It’s
hard to pinpoint at first, but, after a
while, it’s obvious: optimism. Owner
and self-declared optimist William
“Willie” Hopkins is at the helm of this
family-owned-and-operated business in Mount Pleasant,
and his positive attitude is what keeps his team happy and
his clients coming back. The shop was voted first place for
Best Automobile Technician in the Best of Mount Pleasant
in 2015, second place in 2014 and first place for the last
three years in the Moultrie News Reader’s Choice Awards.
“I stay positive because I value the important things in
life, which are faith, family and friends,” Willie commented.
Willie and his wife, Christine “Chrissie” Hopkins,
started the business back in 1994 on Lansing Drive. It was
a terrific blending of the couple’s talents: Willie, who had
his A and P license for working on airplanes, elected to
bring his passion and skill set to the automobile industry.
Meanwhile, Chrissie had been working in the education
field as a preschool teacher for years and was a natural at
networking within the community, spreading the word
that East Cooper Auto Pros was open for business.
Today, East Cooper Auto Pros is a full-service
automobile shop for both domestic and import cars, but,
more importantly, Willie and his team strive for a type
of customer service that instills trust and fosters good
relationships among the staff and clients. It’s a simple
technique, according to Willie – the customer is always
given options and the freedom to make the choice.
“When a car comes to us, it’s completely checked,”
he affirmed. “We tell you the options and educate you
thoroughly – but we leave it up to you. It’s our job to
educate and advise the customer – and to show them, if
necessary.”
The show and tell method of helping customers with
their vehicles has been the cornerstone of East Cooper
Auto Pros’ success since the beginning. Willie stressed how
the number one person in the business is not himself or
even the members of his talented crew – it’s the customer.
Naturally, the customers note that a visit to East Cooper
Auto Pros saves time,
headaches and money.
The shop even offers
a generous two-
year parts and labor
nationwide warranty.
And since East
Cooper Auto Pros is
a NAPA auto repair
shop, the warranty is
good for three years
on parts and labor
with the use of a
NAPA credit card.
“Our customers
come to us for an
honest opinion,”
Willie explained. “If
their car is still under
a manufacturer’s
warranty, we’ll look it up to make sure and then tell them.
If it will save them money to purchase tires at Costco, we’ll
tell them.”
“We don’t use scare tactics,” added Bob McCormack,
the shop manager. “We simply show you what the issues
are with your car and give you choices.”
But no matter what news is in store regarding your
vehicle, a trip to East Cooper Auto Pros is never a sobering
experience. In fact, Willie, Bob and the rest of the staff
take pride in the amount of fun they have on a daily
basis. They agreed that what sets the shop apart, besides
customer service, is the sense of humor shared among staff
members and customers.
“I keep candy bars and coffee at the front desk. ... and
I have customers who stop in for no other reason than to
say hello,” Willie remarked. “We like to have a good time,
but our customers’ needs are the most important aspect of
this business.”
To find out more about East Cooper Auto Pros, located at
1198 Shadow Drive in Mount Pleasant, visit
or call 843-881-2820.
Photo by Cassandra Michelle Photography.
Willie and Chrissie Hopkins blended
their talents in 1994 when they started
East Cooper Auto Pros. The business is
still thriving today.