CASSIA HAMILTON
Staff Writer
All right ladies, it’s time to tackle the big problem. How in the world are we supposed to know if we’re getting overcharged on car repairs? There could be a couple of hundred dollars difference between a fair price quote and some serious she’ll-have-no-idea-how-much-we’re-ripping-her-off-because-she’s-a-woman price gouging.
Stories like this happen all the time, but it’s usually only after you’ve paid $150 to replace an air filter that everyone comes out of the woodwork to comment on your horrible deal.
How can the average woman, who admittedly doesn’t know much about cars, realize when she is getting ripped off? I admit that you may never be able to know for sure, but there are some things you can do to minimize the risk.
For starters, never go to the dealership. There is an obvious exception to this rule, and that is if your car is still under warranty — then, by all means, let them fix it for free. But if you don’t have any warranty, avoid them at all cost.
Here’s the problem: Say that your car comes in with a cracked oil pan. The dealership mechanics get a new oil pan and swap out the old one, no problem. The job is done in 30 minutes. So you would think you’d be charged for the price of the oil pan and 30 minutes of labor, but no. Many dealerships have a reference book that tells them the average amount of time it takes to do every mechanical procedure on every car, so they will charge you for the two hours of labor it was supposed to take, not the half-hour it actually took. And at $100 or more per hour for labor, the final bill is just not pretty. Forget the extra friendliness and carwash they give you. It just isn’t worth the extra money that you’ll end up paying.
That leaves mom-and-pop mechanics or chain stores like Jiffy Lube and Pep Boys. I’m not a huge fan of chain stores, but they are better than dealerships. They are a bit impersonal, though, which means you won’t really get to know your mechanic, nor will your mechanic gain any thorough understanding of your vehicle.
If you can, find a place recommended by a friend. Ask everyone you know. Chances are someone’s car has needed service around Malibu. If a person gets ripped off and finds out about it, he or she will warn you. But the reverse is also true: If a particular place has given them great, honest service, they will recommend it with pleasure. That’s a tried and true way to find a reliable mechanic. It’s harder at school because not many students have established a good mechanic-customer relationship, but you can still narrow down your search by asking around.
Now that you have a possibility or two, go check out the mechanic. Visit the location and talk to him (or her, but I highly doubt it). Ask if they are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence, a national organization) certified, meaning that they have attended various training courses and have some element of trustworthiness. Ask if they specialize in your type of car (European, for example). As you’re asking questions, note how they treat you. Are they talking down to you or trying to use big words to cause confusion? Or are they clearly explaining problems and terms? If you can understand them, chances are they are not trying to rip you off.
If everything checks out, it is now time to test their mettle. Take your car in and get a quote for the service or repair, then schedule a follow-up appointment a few days later for the actual repair. In the meantime, check to see if the quote is a fair price. Various Web sites, such as www.edmunds.com.
maintenanceservlet, offer regular service estimates and are customizable for vehicle make, model and year. Or ask a friend, parent or whoever else knows lots about cars. People don’t know everything, but they can usually make an educated guess. If your parents have a family mechanic back home, consider calling him to reference your price quote. If it turns out to be extremely high, call back and cancel your appointment.
Let’s review. Go to a corner garage and not a dealership. Go to one that is recommended to you by someone who’s been there. Make sure the mechanics can talk directly to you and are willing to explain things in simple terms. Get a quote on your vehicle repairs, and reference it online or with a knowledgeable friend. If everything works and you actually find a good, honest car mechanic, never leave.
With these steps, you can hopefully avoid the “I’m an unsuspecting woman at an auto mechanic shop” syndrome of paying too much for car repairs. And ultimately, your car will get the quality service it deserves.
11-03-2005
