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Short-circuit the scare to get the car service you need
by Jay Koblez
Auto repair rip-off is among the most common ways consumers are separated from their hard-earned money. Although most auto repair shops and their personnel are honest and hard working, it only takes one or two bad experiences to sour a person on the entire industry.
It's possible to arm yourself with knowledge that will prevent you from becoming an auto repair scam victim. The first and best step is to find a good, honest repair shop and stick with it. Ideally, you should discover a good shop before you really need it and establish a good relationship with that shop and its mechanics. Such a preemptive move could save you money and frustration later on (see "Put Your Mechanic in Check," Verve, April 1999).
One of the places you'll likely get ripped off is on the road. In this case, you don't have the luxury of establishing a relationship with a mechanic, so your membership in a roadside assistance organization--the American Automobile Association, for example--can be invaluable. In choosing a mechanic, look for the same signs you would at home for quality service. If the repair seems expensive or unnecessary, call your home mechanic for advice on a more affordable way to get you back on the road and home for a more thorough examination. If your regular mechanic is unavailable, call the service department of a new car dealership for your vehicle make. If you have a new car, your dealership may help you out.
The toughest time to find assistance--whether on the road or at home--is on a weekend or holiday. Repair shops in remote locations will be more difficult to find and you can expect even the most honest mechanic to charge higher rates. Just as you would expect overtime or other compensation for working unusual hours, the mechanic is entitled to extra pay for remaining available to you for emergencies. In such a case, a higher yet reasonable fee is not the same as a rip-off scheme.
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