Auto Repair, Avoiding Rip Offs
It’s that time again. Your car’s maintenance light came on, so you called the service advisor you’ve always gone to. You pull into the dealership’s driveway he greets you with his familiar southern drawl. He gets the information from your car, and leads you into his office. He writes up a repair order and gives you an estimate. He tells you when your car will be completed and provides you with a loaner car. Your repair order is signed and your on your way. Later in the day you got a call that your car was done. You drop off the loaner, go to the cashier, pay for and picked up your car. It was running great, everything was fine. Right? Wrong, you were just ripped off again!
What if I told you the service advisor you have blindly trusted for many years just ripped you off? He’s sold you your third major service in two years. If you had checked your owner’s or maintenance manual you would have found that all you needed was an oil change. In the manuals the order of the services are spelled out: 1) oil change, 2) minor service, 3) oil change again, 4) intermediate service, 5) oil change, 6) major service. Then the program starts over again.
Having known this information would have saved you hundreds of dollars in maintenance bills. So what can you do to protect yourself? Educate yourself on what maintenance is needed on your vehicle and ask questions if you’re not sure.
According to the Bureau of Automotive Repair, part of the California Department of Consumer Services, which is the watch dog of California’s auto repair industry, these are the things you need to look for when selecting a repair shop:
- Neat, well-organized service floors
- Modern equipment
- Clearly posted and easily explained policies regarding labor rates, guarantees, and methods of payment
- Courteous, helpful staff
- Service manager who is willing and able to answer your questions
- Qualified technicians
Look for indications such as Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications, or advanced training certificates. Other marks of professionalism include memberships in the Automotive Service Council or
Better Business Bureau as well as AAA- approved auto repair status.
It’s your responsibility to keep a service history on your vehicle and see that you are having the proper services performed. Being educated on what maintenance is required on your vehicle is very important.
Another thing you can do is go online and check for automotive repair referrals services like the new www.LAAutoReferral.com. There you can find reputable shops that have been recommended by your community and friends. These shops have been carefully checked for clean, well-lit facilities, courteous staff, properly trained technicians, the latest tools, and proper licensing. They go through LA Auto Referral, Inc. certification process before being listed.
If you need some more information about protecting yourself, go online to www.autorepair.ca.gov, the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s website. There you should click on publications, and look for Consumers Guide to Auto Repair in California. This guide outlines the steps needed and what to look for when you bring your car in for service. So go online now and learn about protecting yourself.
