Most of us feel a little vulnerable when we take our vehicle to a mechanic for repairs or maintenance. Because most people don’t know a lot about how vehicles work; they don’t know how to protect themselves from being ripped off. With a little common sense, however, it is possible to protect yourself from being taken advantage of by your garage. Here are some basic tips.
1. Make sure you have established a relationship with a garage. If you have followed the necessary steps to finding a good garage ahead of time, you will be less likely to be ripped off when you car breaks down. This article will walk you through finding a technician who is right for you, factoidz.com/how-to-find-and-verify-a-qualified-ase-mechanic/.
Unfortunately, that’s not always possible. Sometimes things happen when you are away from home; in that case you are at a disadvantage, but not all is lost. Before you even call the tow truck, call the nearest auto parts store and ask for a recommendation, or if worst comes to worst, ask the tow truck driver where he would suggest you take it.
2. Ask for your parts. Make a point up front of mentioning that you would like to see all the old parts that were taken off your vehicle after it is completed. Any reputable garage should be more then happy to show you your old parts and explain to you exactly what was done to your vehicle and why. If they are an ASE certified facility, they are required to save your old parts to show you.
3. Watch what you say. Never use the phrases "I don’t know anything about cars" or "just do whatever it needs" unless you already have a really good relationship with your mechanic or a lot of money to throw away. That is like being asked to be ripped off. Be specific about what problem you are having. It’s ok to say "There is a grinding noise from the brakes" but not "The front brakes need replacing", because the first thing they will do is replace the front brakes–that’s what you asked for, and that may or may not solve the problem.
4. Ask for a written estimate. If you don’t have an estimate, you don’t have any reason to complain when the bill is outlandish. Having work done without an estimate is like handing a garage a blank check.
5. Be specific. If you want your oil changed, say that, don’t say "I want the vehicle serviced"; different repair facilities will interpret that differently and what you thought was going to be a $30 oil change could wind up being a $400 replacement of all the fluids. Don’t forget to ask that you be consulted before any extra work be done, and make sure if you aren’t staying with the vehicle that you are available by phone.
6. Get a second opinion and watch out for scare tactics. If you bring your car in for an oil change and the technician is telling you that your brakes, rotors and calipers need replaced and you really shouldn’t drive the car, be leery. Ask to see the vehicle up on the lift and to be shown what needs doing and why. If that isn’t possible, walk away and take the vehicle somewhere else for a second opinion. A lot of the major chains will make you sign a waiver if they recommend repairs that you don’t have done, and that’s fine. We have had lots of people come in from national chains where they were told they needed thousands of dollars worth of work when they didn’t.
7. You really can’t get something for nothing. Watch out for "huge sales going on now" or "oil changes only $15" . The only way that establishments can afford to run these promotions is by up-selling. In other words, bringing you in for one thing and then selling you a lot of stuff you don’t need that costs ten times more then it would cost somewhere else. Some places even have quotas for up-selling for their technicians. If you decide to try to take advantage of one of these promotions, all the things you have learned so far are VERY important: get an exact estimate in writing, be specific about what you want, and refuse extra work.
8. Study up. Remember that if you are an informed consumer, you are far less likely to be ripped off. You are putting thousands of dollars into buying a vehicle, so at least take the time to learn about the major systems. When I took my vehicle in for warranty work the service manager tried to tell me that I didn’t need a new transmission (which they would have to pay for) I needed new rotors (which I would have to pay for). Luckily I knew the difference and was able to take the service manager out in the car and show him that I was right and he was wrong, but if I hadn’t known that the rotors were part of the braking system and not possibly the reason why the car wouldn’t go over 35 miled per hour, I would have been buying new rotors unnecessarily.
