It can be very frustrated when it comes to fixing your car. Most of us are not mechanics, and we usually go with whatever they recommend. Here are some tips that you can apply right away to avoid getting overcharged at the auto shop.
Most female feels intimidated when it comes to visiting an auto shop. They often think that they are being overcharged and I don’t blame anyone. Audra Fordin, the fourth-generation owner of Great Bear Auto Repair in Flushing, N.Y., started consumer advocacy initiative called Women Auto Know/Drivers Auto Know. Her focus is helping not only women but others who think they are getting played at the shop.
1) Research
“ Doing your research and getting the information at the onset is really the most important thing that you should be doing,” said Fordin.
I believe that the reason people think they are going for a ride is that they don’t have any information such as the average price, what might be wrong with the car, name of the car part they might need, which shop is best to go.
Fordin thinks it is a myth that men get ripped off less than women. Once a complicated problem arises such as FUEL INJECTION, everyone starts panicking.
2) Break down the issue
“If you notice a problem when you stop at a stop light or when you’re merging or if it’s when you first turn the car on or shut it off, you can start to break it down and identify patterns when you feel there’s something not right”, said Fordin.
In her group “Women Auto Know,” she compares the car to the human body and breaks it down into different parts so it can be easier to identify. The modern automobile has check light, so we know what the issues are. If you are still not sure, some Autozone locations let you borrow the Engine Light Detector so either you or their employee can help identify the problem.
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3) Shop around for parts’ price
Ask the mechanics what parts does your car needs and what are their recommendations. We had an issue with our car a couple of months ago, and my mechanics recommend to get part at Napa Auto. It saved us a few hundred dollars. I don’t recommend going to the junkyard and look for parts because:
- You have to know what you are doing.
- If you are lucky, you can find simple parts such as a spare tire. However, the expensive part might be tricky.
4) Trust your instinct
Sometimes you have to put your trust in the mechanic’s hands. If the mechanic says something is wrong with the break, but you believe it is something else then it is better to seek for another mechanics opinions.
Thank you for reading. Hope these tips will help you avoid being overcharged at the auto shop.
Post inspired by Ann Jacob from Yahoo Finance
