A Look at Miscellaneous Charges: Extra Auto Repair Shop Charges You Should Know

In one of my previous posts last week, I talked about the usual breakdown of the rate that auto repair shops typically charge. These include the labor rate, the cost of the parts, and the miscellaneous charges. In this post, I’ll take a closer look at the broad term “miscellaneous” that you’ll find in your auto repair receipt.

What is this miscellaneous charge, and what are the items covered by this? Well, miscellaneous charges usually involve the supplies used by mechanics in performing the repair in your vehicle. These supplies could include the towel used by the shop, plus other shop chemicals such as penetrating oil and cleaner. The latter includes chemicals such as brake cleaner, elements used in cleaning the parts being repaired.

If you look at receipts from different auto repair shops, you’ll notice the difference in the way these shops compute the miscellaneous charge. Although there are shops that still compute the miscellaneous charge according to the actual items used, tallying each item on the receipt and indicating the price opposite each item, most shops today charge a flat rate for the miscellaneous fee, regardless of the actual supplies used. In the case of the latter, the rate varies from one shop to another. Some shops have a fixed rate for the miscellaneous charge while others compute this charge according to the billing of the labor hours, usually a certain percentage of the total labor rate.

This computation can be at the disadvantage of some customers, especially those whose cars were repaired without actually using a lot of shop supplies—that’s similar to paying for nothing. Therefore, if at all possible, you must go for auto repair shops that charge the miscellaneous rate per item, according to the actual supplies that have been used. This way, you know that you only pay for something that has given your vehicle direct benefits.

What to Say and What Not to Say to Your Mechanic When Bringing Your Car for a Repair

Are you prone to automotive rip-offs? The fact is, auto repair shops and mechanics who have the habit of ripping their customers off choose their victims. They don’t actually prey on every customer that comes in. They only prey on people who show that they’re easy to deceive. And, they sometimes get their clue from the things that the customer says.

So, what are the things that you should say and should not say to your mechanic if you want to avoid an automotive rip-off?

What to tell your mechanic: A description of the symptoms you are experiencing in your vehicle.

If you’re having a problem in your drive, you should tell your mechanic in detail exactly what you are experiencing. Describe any noise that is evident, any vibration originating from somewhere in your car, etc. This will help the mechanic in the diagnosis.

What not to tell your mechanic: Your own assumption about what the problem might be.

Auto repair shops and mechanics on the lookout for a customer that they can rip off can use your assumption to tell you of a problem that does not actually exist and charge you for a repair that they don’t actually do. So, keep your assumptions to yourself and let the mechanic do his work.

What to tell your mechanic: A description of previous repairs done on the vehicle and past problems encountered, if any.

Information about any repair done or problem encountered in the past months will give your mechanic the whole picture and may just make the diagnosis faster and easier.

What not to tell your mechanic: That you’re not familiar with the part that is problematic.

This can raise the red flag among mechanics looking for a chance to trick their customers. They know that a clueless customer is easier to deceive, so telling them that you don’t have knowledge about your vehicle will greatly increase your likelihood to be ripped off.

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.

How to Avoid Phantom Parts, Services, and Repairs

Services and repairs that were not performed but were charged to you. Parts that you paid for but were not actually installed in your vehicle. This kind of trickery is a common practice among some auto parts shops, and many vehicle owners have fallen into this trap. But, that doesn’t mean you would. You can avoid this kind of rip-off by being watchful and alert. Take action and try these preventive practices:

When a mechanic tells you that a service or repair has to be performed, ask to watch while the mechanic works on your vehicle. This way, you’ll be sure that you are charged for a service that has been actually completed.

And if the mechanic says that a part is damaged and needs to be replaced, you can check the old part or even ask for it back to be sure that it is indeed replaced with a new one. The exceptions to this include alternators, distributors, and some parts that have a core charge. These parts will be remanufactured or recycled when damaged, and they should be returned to the manufacturer. If you want to take the part back, you’d have to pay a certain amount to the auto parts shop for the charge.

In relation to seeing or getting your old part back after a replacement has been supposedly installed, it’s also important that you know the part that you ought to receive—even just the basic, which is the look of the part. This is important so that you’ll know whether the old part that the mechanic returns to you is the right part. Otherwise, the mechanic can easily give you a different part taken from just any vehicle.

By remembering all the mentioned pointers above, you can be sure that auto repair shops and mechanics will treat you right.

Auto Repair Shops: A Look at Phantom Parts, Services, and Repairs

This is a very common form of deception and rip-off that many vehicle owners encounter with auto repair shops and mechanics. You bring your vehicle to the shop because of a problem, and the mechanic tells you that there is a damaged part and that you need a new replacement. You give the mechanic a go signal to replace the part and leave everything at that, trusting that the mechanic will do the right thing—only for you to find out later on that the supposedly damaged part was actually in good condition and was not replaced, and you paid for nothing. That is, if you find out.

Phantom parts, services, and repairs pertain to parts that were supposedly installed and services and repairs supposedly performed, but were not. These are just another trick performed by some auto repair shops and mechanics to rip you off of your hard-earned dollars.

This kind of trickery comes in two common forms.

1. Mechanics do not perform the entire service and repair. They do not replace the part that they said to be damaged. In cases like this, a mechanic complicates an otherwise very simple problem, telling you that a replacement part is needed when all that’s actually required is a little tweak here and there to restore the operation of the old part. Then, once your car works fine, they’ll tell you that they have already replaced the part when actually they have not.
2. Mechanics perform the service or repair, but not as extensively as mentioned. They replace the part, but not with a brand new part but with just another part from a random vehicle. Although this can remedy the problem in your ride, the truth is that you still have been ripped off.

You may not know it, but it’s very easy for some auto parts shops and mechanics to perform phantom services and repairs. But, you can avoid being deceived. How? Check out the next post.

Auto Repair Shop Services: What are You Actually Paying For?

My last post was all about asking the right questions when bringing your vehicle to auto repair shops so that you will be fully informed about what is to be done to your car. In the process, you become fully informed and you become less prone to a rip-off.

Moving on, another thing that you must be fully aware of is the repair rate of the shop to which you bring your vehicle. I’ve asked this before, and I will ask this again: do you really know what you’re getting from your money?

Generally, the amount that you pay to auto repair shops covers any or all of the following:

* Labor rate or flat rate. Both of these refer to the rate for the actual work done to service your vehicle. However, while labor rate is often computed per hour, flat rate pertains to a fixed rate for a given service, regardless of the number of hours consumed. An example of a service with flat rate is a tune up.

* Parts. As the name implies, this pertains to the amount of a replacement part that is to be mounted in your vehicle as a replacement to a damaged part or as an upgrade. The price of the part may vary, depending on whether it’s new or remanufactured.

* Miscellaneous. Many shops will charge you for the supplies used in performing the vehicle service. These supplies include such things as rags. Other shops also have additional charges such as disposal fees.

It is very important to be clear with your mechanic about the breakdown of charges in your repair bill. You must know the exact items included so that you’ll be aware where your payment goes, down to the very last cent. The auto repair shops and their mechanics should be able to provide you with the comprehensive breakdown.

Questions to Ask When Bringing Your Car to Auto Repair Shops

The first step to avoiding a rip-off from auto repair shops is awareness. And to be aware of the work that is to be done on your vehicle, you must investigate and make inquiries to the shop mechanic when you bring your vehicle in for repair. Keep yourself fully informed. Ask the following questions:

1. Will the inspection be charged? Most shops will inspect your vehicle for free, but it is still a good idea to ask. This way, you won’t be surprised when you see an inspection fee in your bill.
2. What will be included in the bill? Other than the labor charge and the replacement part needed, if ever, what other items will be included? Will there be miscellaneous charges such as disposal fees? Again, you would want to know these to avoid elements of surprise.
3. Of course, what is the problem with the car and what does the mechanic plan to do about it? Will it require a simple repair or is a replacement part needed? If so, will it be a new part, a remanufactured component, or a used one?
4. Will the shop provide a warranty to the work that it has performed on your car? Asking this question will force a mechanic to make his work above standard so that the shop won’t have to deal with warranty issues later on.
5. How long will the work take? This question will ensure that your mechanic will take your car as his priority and work on it promptly. Similarly, this will tell you whether the mechanic is doing a good work. You can compare the time given to you to the usual time that the said service consumes—you will find your needed information online.

An informed customer is an empowered customer—and this also applies to you when bringing your vehicle to auto repair shops. By asking the right questions, you establish control of the situation and you become less prone to getting ripped off.

How to Deal with Auto Repair Shops that Might be Trying to Rip You Off

In my last post, I mentioned a few pointers about avoiding rip-offs by auto repair shops. Avoidance is the key. But, no matter how you avoid these, there are still instances when you will find yourself in the middle of an uncomfortable situation with a mechanic who might be trying to rip you off. Here are some things that you can do:

1. If the mechanic tells you that he has replaced a part because it’s damaged, and is now asking you to pay a higher amount than you agreed on earlier, ask to see the original part that has been replaced. See if it is indeed damaged in any way. Don’t agree to pay the additional amount if the mechanic can’t show you the replaced part. The mechanic may have performed what is termed as a “phantom service” (more on this in one of my upcoming posts).
2. If a mechanic is charging you for a repair that he said he performed without you seeing it, ask a warranty from the mechanic. This way, you can save on your money when you encounter a premature problem with the part that has been supposedly fixed. Get the warranty in writing.
3. Don’t pay at once without checking the bill. If there are items that look suspicious, clarify them with the mechanic before paying for them. This will eradicate any feeling of distrust and dissatisfaction that you might have.
4. And of course, if a rip-off has happened and auto repair shops refuse to settle the problem with you, you can always complain to authorities and authorized bodies such as the Better Business Bureau.

By knowing all these, you won’t be left out feeling angry about a deception. You can instead channel your energies into doing the appropriate thing to do to deal with rip-offs by auto repair shops. 

How to Avoid Being Ripped Off by Some Auto Repair Shops

You might be familiar with all the deceptive practices of many auto repair shops, but the more important thing that you must learn is this: how to keep out of them and avoid being a prey to these practices. Here are a few tips:

1. If you go in for a free inspection or a free service and you’re told afterwards that the mechanic has found a problem that needs immediate repair, ask questions. Ask what the problem is and what its symptoms are. Ask for complete explanation about the problem. Check the part that is supposedly damaged to see whether it really looks worn, torn, or broken. If you’re not convinced that there really is a problem, ask for a second opinion.
2. If you bring your vehicle for repair and the mechanic gives you a quote or an estimate, see to it that it’s put to writing. This way, in case the mechanic tries to charge you with a higher price later on, you have proof about your earlier agreement.
3. If you notice symptoms of a problem in your ride, do some research before bringing your car to auto repair shops. Check out forums and ask questions. This way, you’ll have an idea about the possible problem. When you get to the shop, you’ll know what to ask and the mechanic will realize that you are in the know. Any mechanic planning to rip you off will have second thought about doing it.

Some auto repair shops will rip you off once they get even the slightest chance to do so, but remember that the outcome is in your hands. So, be on guard when bringing your vehicle to the shop, especially if it’s your first time in that shop. Familiarize with all that you should do to avoid possibilities of deception.

The Most Common Rip-Offs Practiced by Some Auto Repair Shops

Auto repair rip-offs are a common practice among some auto repair shops. These shops prey on unsuspecting customers using tactics designed for deception. If you’re bringing your vehicle to a shop that you’ve never tried before, it pays to practice caution and to be on guard to avoid rip-offs. Below is a list of the most common deceptions practiced by some repair shops:

Free Inspection and Free Service Scams. You’ll see these ads posted by many repair shops—free auto inspection, free change oil, and many other services offered for free. It’s important to note that many of these are genuine, services designed to serve customers. However, there are some that are formulated as a means of deception. How? Some auto repair shops will perform an inspection or service for free, only to tell you afterwards that they have found a problem with your vehicle upon inspection and then recommend that you let them fix it—at a very expensive rate. In most of these cases, the problem they will tell you is not even existing.

Accelerated Service Intervals. When you check your vehicle manual, you’ll see a list of common maintenance procedures that you need to perform at given intervals—according to the manufacturer. However, when you bring your vehicle for repairs, some shop mechanics will tell you to do maintenance—replace parts like filter and change fluids—at a shorter interval. Some of them even go to the extent of doing the service (without your permission) and charge you later on.

Sudden Price Hikes. In connection with the second, you must watch out for auto repair shops that charge way higher than the usual estimate cost given by the mechanic. They’ll tell you they found other problems, which they repaired without telling you, and then charge you for them.

These three are just among the few, but there are other practices that you should watch out for. You must know how to deal and avoid things like this when going for repairs. How? Watch out for the next post.

Introduction: Auto Repair Awareness Can Save You Dollars

Automotive repairs are getting more and more expensive. But, do you really know what you’re getting from your money?

I know how auto enthusiasts like you value your car, and I know how difficult it is to entrust it to the hands of another—especially a stranger. If you want to be sure that your car will be taken care of and that you will be satisfied with the service that you get from auto repair shops, it is in your hands to take action and ensure that your hard-earned money is put to good use.

One thing you need to do is to guarantee that the auto repair shop to which you bring your car will treat you fairly. Watch out for the tricks that some shops and mechanics practice in order to rip their customers off and earn additional dollars.

This is not a secret: there are many auto repair shops (not all of them, though) that are dishonest to their clients. How do you combat these kinds of shops? How do you avoid getting ripped off?

The answer is awareness. You need to know about the typical forms of dishonesty practiced by mechanics. You need to watch out for them. Similarly, you must have even just a little knowledge about your vehicle so that you won’t be easily fooled. Learn to ask the right questions when bringing your car to shops. Also, do some research when your vehicle encounters problems so that you’ll have an idea about the needed amount of work when you go in for repairs. If at all possible, ask referrals from friends so that you won’t have to take your chances on a shop that you’ve never encountered before. And lastly, know the actions that you must take if you find that you were ripped off by auto repair shops.

All of these, and more, I will talk about later on in this blog to help vehicle owners and enthusiasts like you get the most from your auto repair budget.