Everyone who owns a car will most likely need to visit an auto body shop at some point in their lives. Since many everyday people are not familiar with automotive repair, it can be tempting for some providers of this service to be less than truthful with their customers to make extra money. It is not uncommon to hear stories on the news about a repair place scamming customers and tricking them out of hundreds or thousands of dollars, so it is crucial to educate yourself and be wary of any location you go to.
You can narrow down your choice of an auto body shop by referring to the list of approved providers your car insurance has decided on. After that, try to find friends or family who have been to one of the shops listed to find out if they provide quality work. You can also check the Better Business Bureau or look for online reviews to see what kind of reputation the place has. The best way to be sure of a garage's work is to research other customer's experiences rather than simply taking the word of the shop.
It is an added bonus if the provider you go to is part of an organization that encourages attentive care and ethical treatment of customers. Also check to see if the employees are certified to do body work, instead of just being mechanics who dabble in car repair. Sometimes it is better to have the auto body shop do their own estimate of the damage, rather than waiting for a representative from the insurance company to come out and look it over.
If the auto body shop does not look professional and you only see them working on low quality cars, chances are they do not make enough money to provide higher quality parts and service. Check if they have worked on your make and model often and carry the parts needed to service it. If you opt for generic parts to save money, make sure they are certified by the Certified Automotive Parts Association. After the repairs are finished, thoroughly look over your vehicle to make sure everything works and nothing was accidentally damaged in the process of fixing something else.
When you find yourself needing car repair, try to choose a reputable and honest provider who has experience working with your particular car model. Ask for a breakdown of all charges to find out exactly what your money is going towards in order to prevent being overcharged. Do not let yourself become another victim by trusting the first place you go.
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