Friday, November 26, 2010

How Not to be an Easy Target of Auto Repair Rip-Offs

Similar to many other things, the auto repair world can be like a jungle. The strong preys on the weak. There are auto repair shops and mechanics that will try to rip off a customer who looks like an easy victim. So, you need to always look alert when bringing your car to a shop that you have never tried before. You need to look like someone who knows about vehicles so that a mechanic planning to rip you off will have second thoughts. Here are some tips:

Learn automotive basics. Regardless of the level of your knowledge and interest in automobiles, there are basic automotive tasks and concepts that are easy to learn. Even if you don’t have inclination towards vehicle repairs, you can still be familiar with a few things in your car. You must get yourself acquainted with the parts found under your hood. When it comes to this, and more, you can rely on your vehicle manual. This manual contains all the information about your ride, from its parts to the service intervals of certain components. Knowing this, it will be easier to see when a mechanic is trying to deceive you.

Learn to ask. Give out the symptoms you’re experiencing and ask for possible problems. Although there is risk in this, it’s better to ask than to assume and then find out later on that your assumption was wrong. By asking questions, you also tell the mechanic that you want to know everything about your car, and that could hinder a possible rip-off.

Learn to listen to your instincts. It is very important to establish trust with the auto repair shop in which you bring your vehicle. If you’re not comfortable and if you distrust the mechanic working on your ride, it’s best if you transfer your vehicle to another shop or to a mechanic that you trust.

Rip-offs by auto repairs shops might be common, but you can avoid being a victim with the given tips above.

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