Ever feel like you're being taken advantage of at the car repair / tune up shop with dishonest treatment to get you to spend more money? Try these tips that you can follow in order to avoid being overcharged next time.
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This following is a guest post from SB @ One Cent At A Time. SB is an informed husband and father with dexterity for investing and passion for finance. His blog has over 5,000 subscribers and an impressive repertoire for those interested in making money, savings, investing, and family. Enjoy!
In case you’re an average American, your car is nearly 11 years old, meaning that your wheels are most probably in need of regular maintenance and love.
If you are someone who drives a car, there’s nothing that you can hate more than getting the car repaired.
Car repair is usually a time-taking hassle, which no driver looks forward to. But, that doesn’t mean that car repair has to be a bad experience.
You have to be cautious enough to ensure that you’re not overcharged by your mechanic, as this is a common scenario among people who take their cars for some kind of repair.
If you are handling your mechanics who are trying to deceive you for unnecessary work, there will always be an inevitable toll on your wallet.
Repairs can definitely be a huge hassle, which most of us tend to avoid even more than visiting a dentist.
In case you don’t know much about car repairing and you think you’re vulnerable in front of the mechanic, here are few tips that you can follow in order to avoid being overcharged by him or her.
Car Repair Money Saving Tip # 1 - Shopping around is important
Everyone has got a different meaning of “expensive,” and when you hit the wall, don’t ever feel the pressure to book a car repairing service right there when you visit a shop.
Check out pricing with other shops and take a breather. The bigger dollar repairs have bigger margins on the parts, and hence, cross-shopping will possibly yield more competitive prices.
- Don't just visit one car repair shop and accept their price as "just what it costs" for the work. Instead, shop around by comparing prices at multiple providers around town.
- Action Step - Right now (before you have an actual need), ask around your office and/or do an Internet search for car repair shops in your area. Keep their contact information ready for when a repair need arises so that you can call them to get quotes to compare for the repair work.
- Or, if you're looking for actual price comparisons for a potential repair, check out Repair Pal, which provides free estimates from multiple providers.
Car Repair Money Saving Tip # 2 - Utilize the ‘show me’ method
Whenever your mechanic tells you that something is broken and needs an immediate change, tell him “Show me.” Enter the garage with your mechanic and take a look at what has happened.
Most often, maintenance which is necessary is visible. For example, exhaust pipes may have holes, brake pads can carve up, or leaks can also be visible.
If he or she is a good mechanic, he or she will gladly take you to the car and show you what you need. But, if it’s the other way around, steer clear!
- Whenever an unexpected repair item is identified for your car at the shop, ask the customer service representative to take you to the car and be shown the damage or what is wrong.
- This will help you identify the true "urgency" of the repair situation and be more objective.
Car Repair Money Saving Tip # 3 - Have a clear knowledge on what you may need
Mechanics are aware of the fact that you never spend your time in reading the manual of your car, and hence, they may suggest that you need a few additional services based on the mileage of the car.
Take a few minutes in order to go through the maintenance schedule of your manufacturer so that you may clearly know what ball joints or brake lines you may need.
If you need, you may even look online and tell them things that can shock them!
Tip 3 - Know what repair(s) to expect
- Preventative maintenance and repairs are often driven by the total mileage on your car.
- Action Step - Figure out (for yourself) what maintenance procedures are actually required for your car based on its mileage by reading the car manufacturer's manual in your glove-box for their actual recommendations. Don't just take the repair shop's word.
Car Repair Money Saving Tip # 4 - Be alert about hidden charges
Your vehicle repair estimate that the mechanic gives you might not include factors like tire-disposal fees or oil-disposal fees.
In case the estimate given to you at the beginning didn’t reflect such fees, put on the cape of an auto-expert and challenge them about it.
Shops which wish to create loyal customers can be glad to honor your request, and when you speak up, this may boost a policy change. So, educate yourself in order to stay aware of all hidden charges.
Tip 4 - Be aware of hidden charges
- Ancillary charges, such as tire and oil disposal and/or recycling fees, are fairly standard across the car repair industry.
- All charges (including the ones mentioned above) should be included in any written repair estimate you obtain. If they are not, ask for a refund on those charges.
Car Repair Money Saving Tip # 5 - Work with a professional
Ensure you are visiting a mechanic which is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified. A shade-tree mechanic might give you the best possible price, but always make sure you work with a professional.
Badly done repairs could drain your wallet even more in the future. So, it is better to work one time with a professional and get the job done correctly.
Therefore, if you’re eager to stay alert that your mechanic doesn’t overcharge you, consider following the above-mentioned steps. Save money and get a trustworthy repair.
Tip 5 - Always work with a professional
- A car repair shop that offers the lowest price is not necessarily the best, most reliable option for your service needs.
- Always make sure the car mechanic you're going to has been certified by a nationally-recognized organization, such as ASE.
- Action Step - Search and locate ASE-certified car repair shops in your area here at the ASE website.
Conclusions
For many people, taking their car to the mechanic for repair work can be scary because they never know if the repairs suggested by the mechanic are good/necessary, or merely the shop trying to make money at the expense of the customer's ignorance.
However, the saying, "a little knoweldge goes a long ways," definitely applies here. Take the 5 simply steps in this post, and protect your hard-earned dollars!
What strategies do you take to make sure you're getting honest car repair advice and only the repairs that your car actually needs?
Share your experiences by commenting below!
***Photo courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/29233640@N07/4427689738/in/
