Have you ever felt completely helpless when dealing with auto body shops after a car accident? It’s a common frustration. Many car owners share stories of extended repair times, unexpected bills, and impersonal service. The experience can often leave you feeling more stressed than when you first brought your vehicle in. I know this feeling all too well from past encounters. It’s a feeling of being at the mercy of mechanics, unsure if you’re getting a fair deal or quality work. This was my mindset after a recent hit-and-run incident left my car significantly damaged.
Driving home one evening on I-95, I noticed my passenger side mirror was askew. Pulling into my driveway in Warwick revealed the grim reality: my car had been sideswiped, likely in a busy shopping plaza parking lot. The damage stretched from headlight to taillight, a stark reminder of someone’s careless actions and their subsequent flight from the scene. No note, no witnesses, just extensive dents and scrapes across both passenger side doors. Buying a new car in today’s market felt daunting, so repair was the preferred option. I contacted my insurance company, and they helpfully suggested a local auto body shop, conveniently located near my home. Eager to get the repair process started, I drove over to get an estimate.
The shop’s modern facade was initially reassuring. Inside, a sleek office with two receptionists seemed professional enough. However, the welcome was anything but warm. Neither woman acknowledged my presence. One was engrossed in her phone, the other simply waited, forcing me to initiate the interaction. Finally, with palpable reluctance, one asked, “Can I help you?” It felt less like an offer of assistance and more like an imposition. Mentioning my insurance referral and the accident, she made a brief phone call and announced the owner would be out to see me. My initial impression of unhelpfulness was quickly confirmed.
A man emerged, presumably the owner, without a greeting or introduction. No handshake, no name exchange, just a curt walk outside to inspect my car. His assessment was brief and dismissive: “Drivable? Can’t get it in for at least two months.” He inquired about my deductible, noted my claim number, and informed me I’d need a rental once they could take the car. Standard procedure, it seemed. Then, he produced a glossy business card with a generic car image, handed it over, and said he’d “be in touch.” Still no name, no eye contact, no personal connection whatsoever. A final, fruitless inquiry about timeframe from the disinterested receptionists, and I left, feeling deflated and deeply unimpressed.
Driving home in my damaged car, I vented my frustration to my friend Bobby. His immediate advice was a game-changer: “Call Tony at Euro Auto Body.” Following his recommendation, I contacted Tony Magliolo.
Tony’s response was a breath of fresh air. He invited me to stop by at my convenience. The next day, I visited Euro Auto Body at 939 Main Street in West Warwick, a familiar area from my past. Stepping inside, I was immediately greeted by Tony himself. A genuine smile, a firm handshake, and a clear introduction – “Hi, I’m Tony Magliolo” – instantly set a completely different tone. In stark contrast to my previous experience, and echoing past disappointments with other shops, Tony exuded competence and care. He assured me, “Relax, we’ll handle everything.” He explained that a rental car would be ready for me on the day I dropped off my car, eliminating any logistical headaches.
Tony Magliolo, Owner of Euro Auto Body, standing proudly in his shop
Euro Auto Body Owner, Tony Magliolo, embodies a commitment to customer care and quality.
Feeling obligated, I called the first shop to cancel. The receptionist answered with a yawn – an almost unbelievable confirmation of their poor customer service. Informing her of my change of plans, her response was apathetic: “Ok.” When I sarcastically asked if she wanted my name, she again said, “Ok.” I provided my name, pointed out the abysmal impression of yawning into the phone, and hung up, still shaking my head at the lack of professionalism.
True to his word, Tony completed the repairs on my car within the promised timeframe. No hidden costs, no rental car surprises, just honest, reliable service. Picking up my car was an astonishing experience. In the driveway sat a vehicle that looked vaguely familiar, but significantly better than I remembered. “I wish that was my car,” I thought, admiring its pristine condition, before noticing a familiar Harley Davidson sticker in the back window.
It was my car. It looked brand new. The transformation was incredible. Every inch of the car, inside and out, had been meticulously detailed. The tires gleamed, the rims sparkled, and the interior was cleaner than it had been in years. Euro Auto Body had performed a complete, top-to-bottom detailing job that exceeded all expectations. When Tony came out, my elation was overwhelming. “I can’t believe the job you did!” I repeated, almost speechless with gratitude. Tony, calmly smiling, replied, “I get that reaction a lot.” It was easy to see why.
In a world where genuine customer service often feels like a relic of the past, Euro Auto Body stands out. Walk into many establishments today, and the personal touch seems lost. My exceptional experience at Euro Auto Body prompted me to ask Tony for an interview. Unaware of my role as a writer for eurodripusa.net, he graciously agreed, eager to share the story of his family’s business. What unfolded was a compelling narrative of the American Dream, built on unwavering principles of honesty, loyalty, hard work, and relentless dedication.
The Magliolo Family Legacy: Building the American Dream, One Car at a Time
The Magliolo family’s story is a quintessential American success story, rooted in old-fashioned values and tireless effort. Honesty, loyalty, and elbow grease – these are the cornerstones of their enduring business.
Tony Magliolo, a youthful 53, was born in Fornelli, Italy, a small farming town nestled in the mountains east of Naples. “It was a town of 1800 people when we left, and it’s still 1800 people,” Tony recalls. In 1972, his parents, Enrico and Filomena Magliolo, embarked on a life-changing journey to West Warwick, Rhode Island, bringing three-year-old Tony and his older brother Maurizio with them. “Coming to America legally took time,” Tony explains. “Health paperwork, proving we were disease-free, and my father needed a job lined up. Within days of arriving, he was working. My parents spoke no English. Italian was our home language. No health insurance, no handouts. My father worked incredibly hard. Nothing was free, nothing was given.”
Enrico Magliolo was a skilled body man in Italy, and he continued his trade in the US, working for Jake Kaplan’s Jaguar and often holding multiple jobs simultaneously. “All he did was body work. I rarely saw him. To see my father, I had to go to his second or third job,” Tony remembers. “But he was happy to work.”
In the early 1980s, Enrico’s ambition led him to purchase a small garage in Hope, Scituate. Demand quickly outgrew the space, prompting a move to a larger location in the Arctic section of West Warwick. In 1981, Enrico’s Auto Body was born. Tony’s apprenticeship began at the tender age of six. “I wasn’t an employee, but I was learning to sand and tape cars. It was just me and my dad. My brother wasn’t interested,” Tony says. “He taught me everything from the ground up. Back then, sanding and polishing were all done by hand. I learned by watching and asking questions.” The Arctic garage, accommodating only six cars, soon proved too small. In 1989, they acquired their current building, where Euro Auto Body has thrived ever since. Tony shares, “My parents initially planned to return to Italy. But that changed. My father will tell you, ‘Once you live in the United States of America, you never want to live anywhere else.’”
Tony Magliolo, Owner of Euro Auto Body, standing proudly in his shop
Enrico and Tony Magliolo during the 1980s, building their auto body legacy.
The name “Euro Auto Body” reflects the shop’s early specialization in European luxury vehicles. Tony explains, “Back in the day, my father worked on Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, Jaguars, BMWs, and Mercedes-Benz. High-line cars, we called them. That’s where the name came from. As we grew, I knew we needed to service all types of vehicles. But in the Arctic location, seeing all those beautiful European cars lined up was quite a sight.” For over four decades, Euro Auto Body has flourished, driven by exceptional workmanship and unparalleled customer care. My own experience is a testament to this enduring commitment.
Modernizing Euro Auto Body: Embracing Innovation While Retaining Family Values
“My father retired from full-time work in 2000,” Tony recounts. “The section of the building we’re in now didn’t exist yet. I was young, and his equipment was older, very old school. I envisioned modernizing, buying new equipment, expanding the building.” Enrico was skeptical. “He thought I was crazy, going bankrupt. ‘Are you nuts?’ he’d say.” Undeterred, Tony borrowed $250,000. His mother Filomena intervened, encouraging Enrico to trust Tony’s vision. “I knew where this company could go. I wanted state-of-the-art equipment, a modern facility.” He invested in a cutting-edge spray booth, a new frame machine, and advanced welding equipment. He also began to expand the team. “Until then, it was just me and my father. I had a plan, and I made it happen.”
Euro Auto Body’s continuous evolution is key to their success. “Vehicles are constantly changing, so ongoing training for my team is essential,” Tony emphasizes. He acknowledges the dramatic shift in auto repair technology. “Cars today are all electronics. Radar sensors, parking sensors, crash avoidance systems, cameras – we have to know how to work on all of it.” A far cry from the days of basic tools and manual processes. “Training is yearly, mandatory for every employee. Everyone has a specialized role now. It’s too complex for one person to do everything. It’s a staged process.” He details the modern repair workflow: dismantling by a body man, structural work, paint preparation by a specialist sander and primer, expert painting and color matching, detailing to eliminate imperfections, and finally reassembly by a skilled body technician. “Today, it takes at least ten years of experience to truly master this profession. That’s how long before I’ll let someone work independently.”
Euro Auto Body's modern facility features state-of-the-art downdraft spray booths, essential for achieving flawless paint finishes.
Euro Auto Body features two state-of-the-art downdraft spray booths, ensuring top-quality paint jobs.
Listening to Tony, his passion and dedication are evident. He recounts his story without arrogance, simply stating facts. He transformed a small family garage into a leading auto body shop through vision, investment, and unwavering commitment to quality. While I didn’t interview Enrico, it’s clear his pride in Tony’s accomplishments must be immense.
Today, Euro Auto Body employs ten full-time professionals. Tony, reflecting on the business’s transformation, notes, “You didn’t need many tools to work on cars back then. A basic set, and you could take a car apart. Now, it’s all electronics.” This evolution demands constant adaptation and expertise.
Tony and his wife, Lynn, live in Coventry and are the proud parents of ten-year-old twins, Lorenzo and Dante. Following in his footsteps, his sons are showing interest in the family business. “They come to the shop, they’re interested. I’m slowly introducing them,” Tony says. He observes a generational shift in work ethic. “Kids today have so many distractions. My father says I was grown up at five. Kids today aren’t as focused, doing so many things. Coming from Italy, we were poor. I wanted to help my father, even at six. I wanted to earn money, buy baseball cards. I was eager to work.”
The Magliolo Family: a picture of family unity and business success at Euro Auto Body.
The Magliolo Family: Lynn, Tony, Lorenzo, and Dante Magliolo.
Tony’s philosophy is simple: “This is a business, but I treat my customers like friends. We do the job right the first time. Customer satisfaction is paramount. We treat people with respect. Yes, we get a check, but it’s more than that. Over the years, countless customers have become friends. My wife jokes that everywhere we go – supermarket, Home Depot, vacation – I run into customers. That’s a good feeling. If I wasn’t providing good service, that wouldn’t happen.” He emphasizes the personal stake he feels in the business. “It’s personal. It’s not just about the paycheck. Treating people right, making them happy, is crucial. I’m here six days a week. My 83-year-old father still works part-time. Before kids, I was here seven days. That’s how I grew up, seeing my father work.” Fatherhood brought a shift in priorities. “Once my children were born, I wanted more family time.” He concludes, “My work ethic, how I treat people, comes from my father. I learned everything from him. Even though I don’t need to be in the shop physically, I love being there. When I’m in the shop, working alongside my team, I’m happy. I ask my guys, ‘What do you need me to do?’ I see myself as equal to them. I want everyone to feel valued, not pressured or stressed at work. I’ll always be a body man at heart. I love working on cars.”
My personal experience unequivocally confirms that exceptional customer service is not just a slogan at Euro Auto Body; it’s their operating principle.
Exterior view of Euro Auto Body, highlighting their commitment to quality car repair services.
For unparalleled auto body repair and customer service, visit Euro Auto Body at 939 Main Street, West Warwick. Connect with them on Facebook or online at euroautobodyri.com. Contact Tony directly via email at euroautobody.ri.com or by phone at (401) 823-1790.
Brendan Higgins, writer for eurodripusa.net and author.
Brendan Higgins, writer for eurodripusa.net, author, and advocate for excellent customer service.
