ALT-9 How to Deal with Auto Mechanics
As a woman whose husband is not in town all the time to help with this situation, I have come up with my own strategies for dealing with auto mechanics. The first thing you need to do is preventive care on your car. Check the fluid levels, tire pressure, and belts for wear and tear, on a regular basis. You would be surprised at how much you can save in the long run by taking the extra time to do this.
The time will come however, when you will have to seek the advice and skills of a professional mechanic. Whether it is for anything from major engine work to body work; approach it the same way every time. Know what you are dealing with. I keep a Chilton's manual for my car, so if something is making a funny noise or the car is not handling like it should, I can look it up and get a basic idea of where the problem lies. Forewarned is forearmed when dealing with auto mechanics. If they think you know about cars, the less they will try and take advantage you.
Know the mechanic. When you need to find a reputable mechanic, do your homework. Talk to family members, friends, neighbors, and your local Chamber of Commerce. These guys get reported if they are found to be fraudulent in their dealings, and most rely heavily on word of mouth being spread about the work that they do. Once you have a list of different repair shops to go to; go. With the knowledge of what you have gained in taking the measures to find out what could possibly be wrong with your car and the background of these garages, you should be successful in finding a good, reliable mechanic.
So now you are ready to take your car in, what's the next step? Call ahead first to see if you need an appointment to have your car checked. When you get there, talk straight to the mechanic. Don't be afraid to share with him what you know about your car. Chances are if he can see that you know what you are talking about, he'll know that he won't be able to take advantage of you. Let him know what you expect of him up front. Don't commit to the first mechanic that you deal with though. Go see as many as you can and get a price list with detailed amounts on both parts and labor charges. Some mechanics will try and tell you that they can't estimate the labor costs; that's a bunch of malarkey. If they have been working on cars long enough, they should be able to give you an ESTIMATE on how much work and time will go into your car repairs.
You now have a handful of estimates and need to make a decision on which mechanic you will choose. Don't always go with the lowest price quote. Mechanics are not bound by their estimated costs. You need to make an informed determination and include everything that you saw and heard while you were at the garage for the initial visit. Did the mechanic talk to you with sincerity? Was he avoiding eye contact? Did he become elusive with you when you asked him pointed questions regarding any guarantees they may have to back up the work done? All of these things should enter into the final decision making process.
If you can find a good mechanic and you both are aware that he needs your continuing business, and you need him to be dependable; it can end up being a good working relationship. The more that you deal with each other the more satisfaction you will get knowing that the other is being honest and forthright. I've been fortunate enough, by following these steps, to find a loyal, trustworthy mechanic that I have dealt with for the better part of seven years. We know and value the other.
