Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Ways to Avoid Car Repair Rip Offs
When your car suffers a breakdown, rushing to have it towed to the closest auto repair shop in town might not be the wisest thing to do. While most auto shops are honest with their prices and services, there are some out there that wont hesitate to pull the wool over the eyes of an unsuspecting person who knows very little about automobiles. If youre not careful, you could find yourself paying for things that were never broken or paying higher prices than what would normally be charged. This is why car owners can benefit from having information on ways to avoid car repair rip-offs.
Search Shops
Search for a reputable auto repair shop instead of leaving your vehicle with the first shop you run across. There are several things to look for when trying to decide if youve found a trustworthy auto shop. A good sign for a shop is when they are approved by AAA or is partnered with top name manufacturers. The auto shop itself should be in good condition and you should be allowed to view the premises upon request. You should also make sure that all of their work will be backed by a warranty.
Request In Writing
Request the auto shop to put everything in writing for you prior to them starting any actual repairs on the vehicle. You not only want to know what exact work will be performed on the automobile but also the exact price. This can be tricky with some auto shops as they may claim that something unforeseen could occur that might need to be fixed outside of what can be put in writing. The good news is that most shops shouldnt make this argument due to the fact that repairs are often routine making them able to have prices quoted in advance. Just remember to stress that everything is included in writing. If oil needs to be added after a repair and theres a charge associated with it, then make sure its put in writing as well so you wont have any unexpected fees added later.
Seek Second Opinion
Visit another auto shop to get a second opinion especially if you feel that the first shop quoted prices that you think are questionable. Be sure to avoid mentioning anything that could influence what they say including prices or repairs that the first shop discussed with you. Simply take your car to them, explain the symptoms that the car is showing and see what they say. If the mechanic finds the same problem as the other shop but for a much lower price, then you may have just avoided a car repair rip-off.
Do Your Homework
Learn some of the basics about your automobile so that you can let the mechanic know what to check before they quickly assume and suggest unnecessary expenses. One example is by getting the mechanic to check for loose wiring in an alternator before assuming its defective and replacing it right off. Another example is having your battery terminals cleaned and tightened before allowing the shop to sell you a new battery right away.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.