Stop Automotive Repair Fraud and Save Money
Too many automotive centers are taking advantage of the consumer’s lack of knowledge about their automobile or truck. While there are many trustworthy shops that do honorable and reliable work, there are always places that just take the consumer’s money while not making the necessary repairs, if they do any work at all.
The government and press are trying to intervene, and while some shops are getting caught and being indicted with fraud, too many shops are still doing it, and getting away with it. Most likely you have seen the headlines about automotive repair shops being indicted with fraud because they lied or cheated their customers in one way or another.
Here are some tips on how to be better educated about your automobile so that when you go into a shop for repairs, you will know what to say and more important, what you should look for when the automobile is in the shop being repaired.
The most important thing is to go to a reputable place of work. Ask your family or friends where they have their vehicles repaired. Ask them why they like the shop, and how long they have been using that particular place of business. Just doing a little homework can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
When you take your vehicle to the shop of your choice, be very specific in what you want done. For example, if you need tires, let them know you are in there just for tire work. If the service advisor tells you that you need other work done, do not be afraid to ask why it is needed. If he is trying to sell you a tune-up, and all you asked for was tires that should raise a red flag. There is no reason for the mechanic to look under the hood when the vehicle is in there only for tires.
The service advisor may tell you that you need brakes or that you have leaks, both of which can be relatively easily spotted when the vehicle is in the air and the wheels are off the vehicle. Ask the advisor for measurements of components that are worn, such as the brakes, and ask if you can have a look at the problem. If they will not give a measurement or they will not allow you to view the problem, do not have them repair it. As a matter of fact, do not let them do any work and take your vehicle somewhere else. Reputable shops have no problem with this type of request.
If you need major repairs, such as engine replacement or transmission replacement or an overhaul, always get a second opinion from another reputable shop. If you have built up a good relationship with your existing shop, this may not be necessary. But if this is the first time you have brought your automobile to a new shop, you really need to get another opinion, sometimes it takes just a phone call. Sometimes it’s not practical to have your vehicle towed from one shop to another, and then back again to the original shop.
By being a knowledgeable consumer, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars on car repair costs over many years. It’s not cheap to maintain your vehicle these days, you should do your homework when it comes to finding a great shop so that you do not become a victim of automotive repair fraud.
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