ALT-4 How to Avoid Scams at an Automotive Repair Shop
How do you avoid auto repair scams? The truth is - I don't know! I am a former ASE certified mechanic that did all my own work unless there was something I could not do such as an alignment or state inspection.I remember one time I took my '79 LTD for an alignment and was told over the phone that my shocks were broken and that they were running a special for $93 on two front shocks! Yes broken. Well this was news so I asked "Where did they break? At the top tower or are they just leaking?" The manager said something over the phone which I didn't understand and then said he would have to ask his mechanic. I didn't and never did buy the shocks and drove the car for 5 more years.
Don't get me wrong, there are some honest shops out there that just want to make sure your vehicle is safe - for you and the other drivers on the road. But auto repair is also a business, and businesses need to make money. So shops will look for opportunities to make money by selling you repairs on items that SHOULD be done but aren't really necessary.
When I worked at a dealership, we routinely performed maintenance on vehicles that wasn't necessary. The 15k and 30k mileage check ups were big sellers but I remember draining fluids that looked just as clean as what was being put in. We would drain the radiator and then dump a gallon of antifreeze in it. I knew this was dumb because the old antifreeze in the engine was still there and would now mix with the new stuff!
If I could give any advice it this: Get informed. This is true with any field or industry you deal with. Read and learn about your vehicle. You might try the owners manual! If a buy a 10$ toaster, I'll read the manual, but some people buy $60k vehicles and don't ever look in it. I'll leave you with this story about the little old lady who took her late husband's car in because the A/C didn't work. The technician got in the car started it up and looked for the A/C switch. He couldn't find it because the car didn't have it!
