Ask A Mechanic: Wading Through The Mess Of Car Repair Prices And Auto Repair Estimates
If you were handed an estimate to replace a water pump on your car, would you know if the price was fair? Could you trust the price? How about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporative emissions sensor?
Most of us don’t know what these are, never mind the price. Yet it is components such as these that are commonly used to over charge you, the car repair customer.
We no longer live in an age of trust, so how do we ensure that our auto repair costs are legitimate.
How many times have you suspected that you paid too much, but couldn’t prove it? How many times did the price seem exorbitant for even simple repairs?
To illustrate just how “At Risk” the everyday auto repair customer is to excessive car repair prices, here’s a recent real life example from a “reputable…?” dealer.
A client brought her Audi to an authorized Audi dealership for a standard timing belt maintenance service.
The price for this service averages $1575 at the dealership level, (including pulleys, water pump…etc) and about $1275 at the independent repair shop level.
Yet the woman left the dealer with a bill for $2025.68.
What happened?
According to the repair order, there were no abnormal circumstances, no problems noted by the technician such as rust or any other extenuating circumstances that would have perhaps increased the labor, or added additional parts.
In short, it was a straight forward service, but the bill was $450.68 higher than it should have been. There is simply no legitimate reason to have “that much” discrepancy.
How’d they get away with it?
The answer is very simple, and it’s a point that I don’t want anyone to miss:
They get away with it because they can!
Think about it. The average person doesn’t know how much auto parts cost. And who knows how much labor time a repair should take? To what sources does one turn to find out this information? Who even has the time to investigate!
Upon examination of this woman’s repair order, it was found that she was charged a full 4 hours “more” than the standard labor time. At $100 per hour, this added an additional $400. The remaining $50.68 came from the parts, which were billed higher than MSRP.
She was quoted $2,025 for a repair that tops out at $1575. The woman didn’t know. She just paid the bill and left.
How many times do folks just pay the bill and leave? Pretty much that’s all one can do given that there is no accessible information for the car repair customer to adequately question a repair bill. Furthermore, very few even know what questions to ask!
The auto repair industry has been over-charging for decades-sometimes subtly, sometimes boldly, definitely frequently. The evidence for this is overwhelming; yet, there are no easy solutions available for the car repair customer.
Government agencies can’t help. The Better Business Bureau can’t do anything. Even supposed “car repair experts or advocates” lack the understanding of the breadth and insidiousness of the car repair business at all its levels.
A dealership operates differently than an independent repair shop, and a franchise, like Midas, is totally unique. Who really knows what goes on in the underground of such a diverse and complex industry?
The Solution?
First and foremost, car repair customers need access to information on car repair prices. Without this, they’ve got nothing tangible in which to determine fair charges. They also need to be able to navigate the maze of parts and labor charges for car repairs and maintenance.
Like everything else, information is the key to ensure fair treatment. Without it, the car repair customer will continue to “swim with the sharks” without any protection.
Theodore Olson
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/ask-a-mechanic-wading-through-the-mess-of-car-repair-prices-and-auto-repair-estimates-135369.html
Can someone recommend a legitamite website that has to do with" Automotive Car Repair", Thank you?
Looking to work on my own car at home and would like to refer to a depenable ONLINE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR MANUEL.
Here you go…
http://www.alldatadiy.com/
If I have a car repaired that I do not own, do I or does the owner have to pay for the repair bill?
The car is my ex’s; he initially promised to give me the car. No title was forthcoming. I had to get it repaired. I refuse to drive the car because I it’s not legally mine. Since he’s the owner, can I wash my hands of it – legally? Can the mechanic shop owner sue me?
If you authorized the repairs then you have to pay for them.
The shop can put a mechanic’s lien on the vehicle.
Where is multi brand car repair service center in model town in New Delhi?
I am looking for a car service center / repair service station in the area of Model Town, Ashok Vihar, Kingsway camp or near GT Kernal Road. I need to get complete car check up for my three vehicles – Honda and Hyundai and Maruti.
you can go to mahindra first choice multibrand car workshop at gt kernal road. it has all facility for car servicing and repairs. for details see this page http://mahindrafirstchoice.mericar.com
What is future of car repair business in india?
What is future of car repair (mechnical) , dententing, penting &sale of its spare parts
stick to shoeing donkeys
Spent money intendened to pay for car repair?
I was in a major accident and it was the other drivers fault. The other drivers insurance company contacted me and asked me what place I would like to get my car repaired at. I told them the repair shop. It took a while for the car to be repaired and little by little I would take money out of the money that was to be used to pay the repair shop. ( The check was issued to me but to pay the repair shop, but only my name on the check). The car is being financed. Now the car is finished and I dont have the money to pay for the repair. The repair shop is calling the insurance company telling them I havent paid for the repair, and the repair shop is threatening to put a lein on the car. What can the insurance company do to me and what can the car repair do to me. I still have a large portion of the money I need to pay them but they wont accept anything less than all of the money which I do not have. What can happen to me legally and financially.
Well, the insurance company has wiped there hands clean… they paid for your repairs and they are done. so they arent going to do anything to you (obviously they will be taking their rental back if you have one). The shop on the other hand will obviously keep your vehicle until you pay. and they will likely start charging you outrageous storage charges as well for every day they keep it (probably around 30.00 per day)
Should I claim a refund after not-professional car repair?
I recently had my car serviced. During those mechanical repairs my dashboard gauges where broken (They were working perfectly before the visit). After that Electrician was called and carried on with electrical repairs. At the moment I bought a replacement dashboard element from eBay. My question is should I claim a refund from the garage for replacement item?
Did you tell the repair folk that the guages were broken by them before you left the premises?? Unless you can prove that it was them who did it, you will have very little chance of a refund. Perhaps if you plead your case in a polite way, they will try to keep their customer services on a good footing by offerrng you some kind of compensation. Good luck.
Where can I find cheapest car repair in San Diego?
I am looking to replace the breke pads of my car?
Can anyone tell me where can I find cheapest car repair? How much should it cost?
Thanks
Raj
http://www.coxautoservice.net/specials.html
I recently spent $1000 on my car repair, is it okay to make a deal with my mechanic for other work?
Is it proper to ask for a deal? I spent $1000 for repairs. I would like to get Flowmaster Dual Exhausts installed on my car. Has anyone ever tried to get a deal going by saying that you were a return customer and were happy with the work they do and gotten a good deal?
If you are a mechanic, would you be cool with it?
I am a mechanic and there are some work that I won’t do and I have talked to the shops and made deals.
I also will work with my customers. Sometimes I even do something extra for them at no charge.
Now overall that deal depends on what you want done, you must remember that he is trying to make an honest days wage too. If you are reasonable and not trying to get the work done for free your mechanic may be willing to work with you.
In today’s economic situation it does not hurt to try to make a deal but do understand if the mechanic does not feel that deal will work for him.
CAR BODYWORK & REPAIR (training)
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/disk-o-matic
http://disk-o-matic.com
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/disk-o-matic
http://disk-o-matic.com
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/disk-o-matic
This is a great introduction to the world of paint and body work. The instructor breaks down professional and current techniques such as tool selection, dent repair, priming, sanding, blocking, painting, buffing and explains the reasons behind the procedures! This video also includes important information on blending basecoat colours, metallic paint application, paint gun operation, troubleshooting, handling tips, and much more, plus important safety information.
80 minutes running time
Safety precautions & prevention
Shows Bodyshop Equipment And How To Use It Correctly
Basic Tools- What You’ll, Advice, How To Select
Sanding- Grits Explained And Where & When To Use Them
Choosing An Air Compressor, What To Look For
Chemical & Mechanical Bonding- The Differences
Pre Repair Inspection, What To Look Out For
Body Work Preparation, Cleaning And What You Need to Do And Know Before Committing Yourself
Dent Repair & Removal
Reading The Light And How It WILL Help You
Straitening Metal Panels
Masking Tips And Techniques
Dent Pulling, Uni Spot Welding Stud Gun
Using A Slide Hammer
Grinding
Filling & Fillers, How To Mix Correctly using hardeners
Onion Boards
How To Apply Filler & Work
Levelling & Shaping Filler
Smoothing Filler
Using Guide Coats To Reveal Imperfections (High & Low Points)
Pin Holes & Pin Holing
Polyester Putties
How To Block And Avoid Using Hand & Fingers
Primer & Priming Surfaces
How To Mask Door Edges Using Back Taping
Mixing Paint
Understanding Mixing Ratio’s
Testing Spray Patterns
Tack Rags
How To Apply Spray Coats
Overlapping Explained
Flashing & Drying Times
Using Blocks & Blocking Techniques
Tactile Awareness
Drawing Light
Removing Badges & Mouldings
Blending & Blowing Paint Spray
Using Fine line Masking Tape
Overspray
Painting Techniques
Spray Guns Explained In Detail
Basic Features Explained
Fan Control
Fluid Control
Trigger Control
How To Hold Spray Gun Correctly
Triggering Techniques
Air Pressures For Spray Guns
How To Make Your Own Spray Gun Air Flow Meter For £10
Cleaning Prior To Spraying
Using Paint Strainers
Stepping Down Paint To Blend
Thinners
Clear coats & Lacquers
Cleaning & Stripping Down Spray Gun After Use
Correction To Paint
Runs
Sags
Polishing
Compounding
Buffing
Wet Sanding
Nibbing
Refitting Badges
Duration : 0:6:27