If it is to be done, it is up to me. that sentence is much more true when dealing with vehicle repair shops than any other issues in life. Because your car is your leg, your way to make money and go places. What do you do if your mechanic raise prices on you in the middle of repairs, and how do you handle a repair shop who takes your car hostage and will not let go of the car even after you pay?. Because by now they have added new charges along with other fees.
Well my dear reader I am going to share with you a few secrets and ways that repair shops hate when you use those tips constantly, because they will know you are an educated consumer and this will help you get the best prices, and also be treated with respect and honesty.
First and foremost, always get a written estimate at a repair shop before you leave your car to be worked on, because once you hand over the keys and leave, you can be charged anything and have any sort of repairs begun. Now it is okay to leave your car just for an estimate, and always ask if it is free or how much do they charge up front?. You do not want no surprises and no misunderstandings.
Second, never go to the repair shop that is offering you all the thrills of vacuuming, car wash, coffee, engine pressure washing. And never go either to the repair shop that only have a warehouse with no car lifts, no computers, and not even some air tools. You can ask to inspect the garage from the outside or from the window of the waiting area. So, always go for the repair shop that is in between those 2.
Always discuss their liability insurance with them, especially if you do not have full coverage or you have a high deductible on your insurance. Because you do not want your car stolen there, or they drop your car from the lift, and then all they want to tell you is: call your insurance. What if you do not have comprehensive insurance?, now the repair shop does not want to pay, and all of a sudden this becomes a legal matter and you have to threaten to call your law firm / attorneys. And make sure you mean it.
Always keep a record of your mileage when you turn in the car and ask the attendant or mechanic to write it down before you sign the estimate, especially if you have a nice car. For it has been known for your car to be used for joy riding or used to go home with, and or to go pick up parts. Especially when your car is running great and you only need a fluids change, or sensor change, or a tune up.
Fifth thing to watch out for is to never let the repair shop change a part and you car is still not running, and then they tell you: well, you were going to need it anyway. This is the old: trial by error until we succeed. Yeah at your expense and little bit of money you have left on top of the $75 to $105 per hour they are charging you. So, either they do not really know what they are doing or they are too cheap to buy all the machines and testers to diagnose your car trouble. So they are going to keep changing parts at your expense?. Ask them to put your part back or threaten to call your attorney right away and mean it.
Always ask to see your old parts and ask to take them with you, (unless they are going to give you a good discount, and do your homework and call around to see how much this part costs.) Because there are times, they will charge you full price, and return old parts to get "core charge back", 10 to 30% back from original price. And they may even reuse it on the next customer ' s car.
Seventh way is to always keep your membership with AAA active, it only costs $75 a year or $6 per month, if you have a car that is 4 years or older. do not let repair shop tow your car for you, then you are obligated to get your car repaired there or they will charge you to release your car. With a AAA membership you pool your money with other members and you can use that service to tow your car unlimited, from one shop to the next. it is not your $6 per month that pays, but the 1 million members paying the same. Last great tip on how to deal with repair shops is to always stay abreast of your legal rights when dealing with them.
The same agency that regulates limousines and taxi cabs, is the same one that regulate motor vehicle repair shops in your city. If you do not want to do that, then you need to always have a law firm on retainer and keep them around to enforce your legal rights, protect you from having a lien placed on your car title, or worst having your car sold at auction for a huge repair bill you do not agree with. I have found through my research to help and protect you and I, a great company that provides you with a highly rated law firm in every state and Canada, that you can use whenever you have a legal situation.
