ALT-7 How to Deal with Auto Mechanics
For those of us who don't know much about cars, dealing with an auto mechanic can be one of the most confusing and expensive consumer transactions we engage in. To deal with auto mechanics effectively you either need to trust them or be able to independently evaluate the information they are giving you.
Trust takes time. It's a process of accumulating experiences. You take your car in, you get your car back. The cost to fix it was reasonable. And the "fix" appears to have worked. It's funny, people who have come to trust their mechanic treat the relationship like a personal asset. The person becomes "my" mechanic. We all want to find "our" own mechanic, too. It is the simplest way to "deal" with a mechanic.
Word of mouth can be a surrogate for trust. If you have a friend you trust and they recommend a mechanic, it can be the next best thing to having your own
However, as is most often the case, when you don't trust your mechanic and you can't get a referral, then knowledge is power. You need to be able to independently evaluate the information they are giving you about your car. You can do this in a variety of ways.
First, just like at the doctor, get second opinions. Mechanics have varying levels of experience and expertise. For potentially expensive repairs, it makes sense to shop around. You might find that there's a simple fix for your major problem.
Second, compare prices. I had a van that was giving me some trouble once. I took it to a mechanic and got a quote for $1400. I really needed the van fixed quickly, but I decided to take it down the road for a second opinion. Sure enough, what the first mechanic said was wrong was right. However, I told the new mechanic that if he could beat the price, he had the work. I saved $600 and found "my" new mechanic.
Third, the internet is full of websites and forums. I have found forums quite useful in finding and eliciting answers from knowledgeable people. It seems that there is always someone willing to take the time to address your question. There are a lot of car fanatics out there and do-it-yourself mechanics with as much skill as the guy/gal at the corner garage. Tap into that knowledge for some free advice. Just don't forget to follow up with a "thank you" post.
Finally, and least likely, call the car guys at Car Talk. If you are a fan of National Public Radio, then you know what I'm talking about. If you aren't an NPR devotee, Car Talk is a hilarious, and somewhat helpful, radio show where listeners call in with their car conundrums. Even if you don't get a lot of help, you're guaranteed to laugh.
Once you settle on a mechanic, ask for an estimate. Don't authorize work until you get the estimate in writing. Don't sign the estimate unless there is a cap on how far over it they can go, such as 10%. You don't want to get in a situation where you thought you were paying $200 and end up with a $2,000 bill. If you end up in that situation, your mechanic has you. You'll have to pay the bill and consider taking them to court for reimbursement.
If you pick up your car and the fix didn't do it, take it back as soon as you realize that the problem persists. If you can't get the car back immediately, call and let them know. To the extent possible, you want to eliminate their arguing that the problem is caused by an intervening issue and not due to their failure to adequately fix the original problem. The sooner you get the car back to them the better.
Dealing with mechanics can be tough. Once you find a good one, treat them like gold. But, to get to that point, you've got to make sure you have the knowledge to sort the good from the bad. I hope this article helps you do so.
