Things You Will NEVER Hear From Your Mechanic - Part 3

Things You Will NEVER Hear From Your Mechanic - Part 3
“I make unnecessary repairs.”

You drop off your car at a mechanic’s shop for routine maintenance or a repair only to find out that the mechanic made additional repairs that you didn’t request but that he deemed “necessary.”

Recommendations for unnecessary maintenance are a common complaint among consumers, says Sherry Mehl, the chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) in California. (The bureau works to protect consumers within the automotive repair marketplace.) For instance, shops can suggest flushing a radiator or fluids, which can harm some cars, she says. (Car owners’ manuals specify if flushing will help.)

Consumer complaints about auto parts and repairs are on the rise, according to the Federal Trade Commission. For 2009, the FTC has 2,689 complaints, up from 2,438 in 2008 and 1,698 in 2007. It was dishonest practices that cost Santa Ana-based EZ Lube $5 million in a civil settlement for unfair business practices in December 2007. An investigation by the Orange County district attorney’s office “uncovered a pattern of unfair and deceptive business practices at several EZ Lube locations where consumers were being sold unneeded parts and services,” according to the DA’s statement. As part of the settlement, EZ Lube agreed to pay restitution to anyone with a legitimate claim over the past five years. (When reached for comment, a spokesperson for EZ Lube referred us to a company’s press release on the matter, which reads: “It is our goal to make sure all of our customers are protected by the highest safeguards in the industry when they bring their vehicle to one of our stores.”)

"Cars are incredibly complex and most unnecessary repairs in the marketplace today are due to the fact that a shop often ends up trying a few things in order to solve the problem,” says Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC. When a mediocre mechanic is baffled by a repair, he or she will probably keep replacing suspect parts until the problem is finally solved. Many of the parts replaced may have nothing to do with the problem, but you’ll probably end up paying for them anyway, he says.

- Portions of this post taken from Smart Money.

Don't Be The Biggest Loser When Searching For Auto Repair

Most people just arent familiar enough about the inner workings of their vehicles to determine whether an auto repair facility is honest and charges fair prices. Fortunately, there are a number of recommendations that will help provide assurance that an auto repair shop is both competent and honest.

In the first place, don't choose a shop simply because its location is convenient. You're just gambling and you may be a big loser. The National Alliance of Reputable Automobile Dealers (NARAD) recommends that you find a reputable repair shop before you need repairs. You can make better decisions when you're not rushed or needing repairs immediately. The Frank Myers Auto Maxx Service Center in Winston-Salem, NC will always advise you of the proper repairs that you need to make and never rush you into making a quick, uninformed decision.

When you first contact the shop, ask about its experience with your particular vehicle make and model and whether they specialize in certain types of repairs. Don't hesitate to ask the shop for a few references. Any facility that wants your business should be happy to provide them. A few minutes on the phone contacting references could save you a lot of grief later. Also, ask family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to recommend shops they have used that do good work at fair prices.

You can also check with your local Department of Consumer Affairs to see if there have been complaints against the repair shop youre considering. You may also inquire if an independently owned and operated shop is affiliated with NARAD. To be certified as a NARAD Auto Care Center, the shop must have gained a reputation for service quality in its community.

When visiting the shop, notice whether there are vehicles being repaired or in the parking lot equal in value to yours. Is the facility neat and well organized? Does it have modern equipment? Is the staff courteous and helpful?

All policies (labor rates, guarantees, methods of payment, etc.) should be posted and/or explained to your satisfaction. Also, find out if the facility offers a written guarantee on parts and labor as well as a customer satisfaction policy.

Some garages, such as the one at Frank Myers Auto Maxx, promote free inspections and this is usually to your benefit. However, please know that the shop must recover the cost of the time it spends on the inspection in some way and that usually results in trying to sell you repairs. A reputable shop that's affiliated with NARAD (like Frank Myers Auto), should only offer you repairs that you need. Other non-reputable shops will offer you repairs whether you need them or not.

NARAD advises against basing your choice of facility on price alone. You're paying not just for parts and labor but also for the expertise of the mechanics. Around the shop look for signs that it has the equipment and skilled technicians required to make the needed repairs. Look for the Certified Master Dealer symbol, a national standard of competence which should be prominently displayed. Dealer certified technicians must be trained and tested to achieve certification in a variety of repair specialties, and must be re-tested every five years to maintain certification. The display of trade school diplomas and certificates of advanced course work from car manufacturers can also identify qualified technicians. Since it is the technicians themselves, who are personally certified, not the shop, you may want to be assured that a certified person will do the repairs on your vehicle.

Discuss beforehand what parts will be used to repair your vehicle. Brand name parts are typically engineered to original manufacturers quality or better, and they often carry product warranties. However, remanufactured parts and non-brand name parts often cost less and may also carry warranties. Discuss with the shop the pros and cons of which parts to use.

Misunderstandings often occur due to poor communication between the customer and the shop. It's easy to become intimidated when communicating with a car repair shop and you're hearing a lot of words and concepts you dont understand. A hallmark of a good facility is the ability to communicate to you what is wrong with your vehicle and what your options are for fixing the problem. Don't be afraid to ask questions until youre sure you understand to your satisfaction everything that will be repaired and what it will cost. Equally important is to give the shop a full description of the problem. If the vehicle is making a funny noise, try to convey exactly when it happens. Does it occur when the engine is hot or when it is cold? when turning right or left? when braking or accelerating? with the lights on or off? on a full or empty fuel tank? For some problems, the best way to communicate may be to take the service writer or technician for a road test so they can see the exact conditions in which the problem occurs. The point is to do your part to help the mechanic accurately diagnose and repair the problem.

These days with the average cost of a new vehicle exceeding $23,000, people drive their cars longer. Basic automobile maintenance and good repair service is the best way to keep your car running well for many years.

For dependable auto repair maintenance and service in the Winston-Salem area, NARAD recommends the service facility at Frank Myers Auto Maxx. To speak with them directly, call (336) 831-0656.