| 1. How to choose a repair shop. What you should | | | | Many shops will charge you for diagnosis time if you |
| look for when choosing a repair shop | | | | have repairs done or not, most will deduct it from |
| Ask for a recommendation from friends, family, and | | | | repair bill if work done at their shop. |
| anyone else you really trust. Look for a repair shop | | | | Where ever you get the repairs done, make sure |
| before you need one so you are not rushed at the | | | | you ask for a written estimate and the written |
| last minute to find one. | | | | estimate should include the following: It should state |
| Use the telephone, shop around by phone to | | | | what is being repaired, the parts and parts cost |
| compare prices and Warranty policies on the repair to | | | | needed and the labor cost for the repair. Make sure |
| find your best deal. | | | | you get a signed copy before you leave the shop. |
| Ask to see their current licenses if local and/or state | | | | Also the Repair Order should state that the shop will |
| law requires shops to be licensed or registered. Also | | | | contact you before they do any extra repair or time |
| your state Attorney General office or local consumer | | | | that exceeds the original estimate. State law requires |
| protection agency, BBB and Chamber of Commerce | | | | this. In most states shops can only charge up to |
| may know if there are a record of complaints against | | | | $25.00 over estimate on repair before contacting |
| a particular shop. | | | | you. Most honest shops will contact you first before |
| If you have an Extended Warranty Contract and | | | | doing adding any excess charges. |
| intend to use it present it to the shop to make sure | | | | Make sure you know about parts that are to be |
| it will be honored before any work is started. | | | | repaired or replaced, parts are classified as: |
| 2. How To Find The Right Automotive Technician. | | | | New-These parts are made to original manufacturer |
| And is one automotive technician better than | | | | specification either by the vehicle manufacturer or |
| another. | | | | and independent company, such as NAPA etc. Prices |
| Look for shops that display various certifications of | | | | will vary from Original Manufacturer original equipment |
| their technicians, like an ASE certification seal. | | | | or an after market manufacturer and you should be |
| Certification indicates that some or all of the | | | | informed of what is used or decided which you want |
| technicians meet a basic standard of knowledge and | | | | replace on your vehicle. |
| experience in a specific technical area, if the | | | | Re-manufactured, rebuilt or reconditioned.-All three of |
| certification states the tech is a Master certified tech | | | | these terms generally mean the same thing. It means |
| that means the tech has passed tests and meets | | | | the respective part has been restored to original |
| the standard for all areas of repair. | | | | working condition. Most of these parts will have |
| Also make sure that the certifications are all current | | | | standard warranty on them from 30 days to a |
| as the mechanics have to be re tested every few | | | | lifetime depending or the part and reman. company. |
| years to make sure they stay up to date with | | | | Usealy this includes just the part and not labor to |
| changing technology, but remember just because the | | | | replace it. |
| shop is certified does not always guarantee good or | | | | Salvage-These are used parts taken from another |
| honest work. This is where investigating the shop | | | | vehicle without any alteration from vehicles in a |
| techs will pay off. | | | | salvage yard. These parts carry a 30 day guarantee |
| And make sure you ask the shop/mechanic if they | | | | depending on the part and salvage yard. Most |
| have experience working on the make/model of your | | | | electrical parts from a salvage yard is bought as is. |
| vehicle as some shops may not have the experience | | | | After the repair is completed make sure you get the |
| working on your import if the specialize in domestic | | | | completed repair order showing work done and parts |
| cars and vise versa. | | | | replaced. It should list the repair , parts used, cost of |
| 3. Unlocking the Mystery of Repair Charges | | | | parts and cost of labor. Make sure you check the |
| Before arranging to have any work done to your car, | | | | odometer from when you brought the vehicle in and |
| ask what the shops pricing policy is. Some shops | | | | when you pick it up, there should not be any |
| charge a flat rate for labor on vehicle repair. The rate | | | | difference in the miles unless a road test was needed |
| is based on an independent or manufacturer estimate | | | | after the repair to make sure everything was |
| of the time required to complete a repair. Some | | | | working properly. Ask to see all the replaced parts, |
| shops will charge actual time the tech works on the | | | | you are entitled to take them with you if you want |
| vehicle. Most shops use the flat rate system and this | | | | with the exception of a part that was replaced and |
| is usually the best for the customer as there is no | | | | needs to have the old part returned as a core. The |
| wiggle room for the tech to "make time" on a repair. | | | | shop is charged a core charge for the old part until it |
| If you need an expensive repair or a complicated | | | | is returned to Parts store, if you want to take this |
| repair or if you question the required repair, consider | | | | part you can if you pay the core charge. Sometimes |
| getting a second opinion. Just think of it as going to a | | | | these are very high depending on the part as they |
| doctor for major surgery and you want to make | | | | are sent back to a rebuilder to be reconditioned, large |
| sure the doctor is right. | | | | parts (transmissions, engines etc.) and electrical parts |
| Find out if there is a diagnostic charge if you decide | | | | are most expensive. |
| to take the vehicle some where else for the repair. | | | | |