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You may have been the victim of "auto repair rip-off" and not even know it. It's been estimated that up to 33% of auto repair is fraudulent. This amounts to about $10 billion (yes, I meant $10 billion) annually in auto repair rip-off.
Protecting yourself against auto repair fraud begins in your glove compartment. Buried under all those grocery lists and maps (you know the ones that don't make sense) is your owner's manual. So what if you've never cracked it open before, it's time to get educated so you can FIGHT BACK! By studying the owner's manual, you will gain a solid understanding of your car's inner workings, standard maintenance schedule and also learn some of the so called "buzz words". (Part 2 will have a section on "How to Talk Like an Auto Mechanic" Just Joking!) These buzz words will assist you in accurately explaining your car's symptoms and help you appear less like a "sitting duck" just waiting to get taken and more like the independent, highly intellectual woman that you are.
If at all possible, get referrals from friends and family members that have some automotive experience. Members of American Automobile Associations (AAA) can receive a listing of all AAA approved mechanics. Look for mechanics that are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified. This certification issued by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence requires a mechanic to pass certain written exams. Although sometimes more expensive, the Dealer's service centers may be a good choice, because their mechanics are trained for your specific make of car. Therefore, there may be, shall we say, less "guessing" (mechanics are only as good as their knowledge and past experiences) and Dealers also use factory-built parts. Reputable, honest and capable independent repair shops that specialize in your make of car are a blessing. Many are less expensive than the Dealer's service centers and can take care of you and your car for years to come. Your neighborhood light repair shop like Firestone, Goodyear and Sears are generally not good for major repair jobs, but are capable of handling light maintenance and less complicated repairs. If you are familiar with your car's service maintenance schedule (can be found in owner's manual), you can take advantage of periodic specials available at these repair shops and don't forget to look for coupons being circulated in your neighborhood. Where you pump your gas and get a quick snack from is typically your last resort unless the repair shop at your local gas station comes highly recommended. If you must use a gas station, stick with large nationwide gas stations so, if there are any problems, you can resolve those issues with the parent company.
If you have been "ripped-off" by the auto repair shop, we want to know about the circumstances so we can share it with the other FiscallyFit members. Just e-mail your story to: mystory@msfiscallyfit.com Remember, we help each other become FiscallyFit!
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