Money Talk with Your Mechanic

Do you know how to discuss money and payments with your mechanic without alerting him and giving him any opportunity to rip you off? Sure, there are many honest mechanics out there, but there are also unscrupulous ones looking for every opportunity to rip you off. And if you’re not yet so sure of your mechanic, you need to be careful when it comes to discussing anything money related.

Your attitude towards money may just be the needed invitation of your mechanic to perform his deceiving tricks on you. So, which type of money attitude is so appealing to a mechanic?

The first, most appealing money attitude for a mechanic is the “I could care less” attitude. When it comes to auto repairs, this attitude is evident among people who would say things like “I don’t care how it costs—just fix my car” or something like “Do everything that needs to be done to fix the problem.” These statements show a mechanic that you don’t care how much you spend and that you are capable of paying a lot, and this is one huge invitation for a rip-off.

Another attitude would be the opposite extreme of this, the so-called “I want the cheapest” attitude. Statements like “I want the cheapest part that you have” or “What’s the cheapest way to do this?” will tell a mechanic that you’re not so concerned about the quality of the part to be installed or the work to be done as long as it’s cheap. And, this could lead to the use of substandard components or subpar services.

Although we all want to get the cheapest rate, the way to talk to your mechanic about money is to express that you want the best service at a reasonable rate. Talk confidently and be honest about your budget. Talk openly about the options. This way, your mechanic will see you as a responsible vehicle owner and will most likely treat you with respect.