How to Avoid Scams at an Automotive Repair Shop
Let me start by stating I am a mechanic. The one thing I have noticed whenever anyone (male or female) comes to a shop for repairs is dollar signs popping up in most mechanics eyes. I have ran my own shop and I have worked in many other shops as well. The only thing I can state is whether you know a lot about cars or not the one thing I can say is get an estimate in writing and then call around to some part stores. On the top of most estimates has all the information about you car, ie; make model and engine size. With most shops they will let you bring in your own parts and just charge labor costs for putting the part on,even though they will not warranty the part but the parts store will cover the part with the manufacturing warranty whether its life time or a set time limit.
I have seen most shops raise the part costs 2 to 3 times more then what it would cost you to go and get it yourself. I would recommend getting at least two quotes and still call the parts stores to get prices on the parts the shop is trying to tell you your car or truck needs. You should never settle for the either the closest or go by what a friend says because most shops treat people differently especially if they have a friend that works there. I have seen a lot of people refer family members to shops they use for years and the shop will rip off the family member before the one that referred them because they either know someone there or have been going there for so long they make it seem like they are giving them a discount by lowering there prices on some jobs and all they are really doing is cutting back on the time it takes to do the work and adding more work to the bill so it looks better the what is really is.
The only thing I as a mechanic can suggest is before picking any shop (hopefully before you break down) do your homework and check-up on any shop you might use. You can call your local Better Business Bureau or Small Business council. See what they say if there are any bad reports then I would go else where or see what they were because some will complain just to try and keep people from going there and try to get them to go to their own shop. If you go to any shop and ask about another one and they bad mouth the one you ask about its because they want you to stay with them and keep your business there.
