how to save $$ on car repairs you are getting cheated on now

[jw4848]

I recently had some bad experiences when I found out that I was lied to on costs of auto repairs.

First, you are told that it is done per hour. Usually $100 or more an hour or any part thereof.

This is a lie. The shops use a book that gives the hours it should take to do the job.
It usually takes one half or less time.

For example for brake shoes to be changed I discovered:

There are two types you can buy. The shop only tells you of one type.
ceramic and a regular pad shoe. The ceramic costs more but lasts twice as long.
If you let them buy the parts for you I was told a 20% markup. I discovered another lie.
The markup was 100% and sometimes more. If I buy the parts I get a lifetime warranty on all
brake shoes and other certian parts from O'riely, Autozone, etc.. check with your parts house and call them about warranties. You will find they are longer than the repair shops warranty.

This is not all.. They stated they did not do a lifetime warranty but warrant a defective part if they buy it. Brake shoes if they have a split or crack before wearout the shop gets them replaced free due to defect. The same shop charges me for new shoes and labor for the defective shoe because it was near wearout.

This is my learning from Goodyear that I did business with for 5 years on two cars replacing alternators a few times that could have had a lifetime warranty and they said no one give them anymore.. another lie.. Starters too.

So on car repairs talk to your auto parts store folks about lifetime warranties and how long they last.. alway buy new so new will be replaced and not have a chance of defect.

Many places say they will match other repair shops too. Get it in writing and bring it the estimate from another shop and get a refund. That was another lie... I found a shop that put it in writing $40 labor per axle and Goodyear charged $130 labor and would not honor the match.

So call around and get it all in writing or get ripped off.

[Gary Barzel]

That is the problem when it comes to service relegated businesses. Most people don't know the first thing about how much repairs should cost, and what needs to be repaired so they get taken advantage of. The key is to do your research and find out how much a particular part should cost, how much you should be charged for labor or per job. Find someone that is reliable and honest, and is not out to take you for a ride. It will help save you a lot of heartache and a lot of money in the future.

[photo]

Originally Posted by Gary Barzel

Find someone that is reliable and honest, and is not out to take you for a ride.

That, in and of itself, is a challenge. Friends, relatives, and colleagues are usually in the same boat.

[feh]

Originally Posted by Gary Barzel

The key is to do your research and find out how much a particular part should cost, how much you should be charged for labor or per job.

Better still - do it yourself.

Brake shoes are a good example. There's no reason this can't be done by the owner, assuming they have some basic tools and a place to work on the vehicle.

Failing that, yes, try to find a reputable shop. Ask around for recommendations.

[jw4848]

I have started.. Thanks.. I also found a family run business that works with you on cost also.
Found they underprice all competitors by 20% on average. They are honest too. So, find a family run business (it is usually small and they prefer y ou buy the parts).

[bjl584]

I do all of my own work on my cars, but I've heard of people having bad experiences. It's a tough call finding someone that is reliable and honest. Some of the best people that I've found to help with auto reparis over the years are the people that work at parts stores. Autozone, Advanceauto, Napa, etc. Most of those guys have a passion for cars and work on them in their spare time. They can be an invaluable resource if you have questions or need some help with something.