Technorati Tags: auto repair, Car repair, car servicing

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Technorati Tags: auto repair, auto servicing, Car repair, car servicing, driving

By Craig Wilson

Like death and taxes, car repairs are an unavoidable part of life and with the costs involved in keeping a car in good shape increasing all the time it is important to know the best strategies for avoiding unnecessary expenses. Some of these savings can be made simply by following maintenance schedules for your vehicle but more importantly knowing how to deal with the repairer when it comes time for a visit to the repair shop.

From being a self employed motor mechanic for the last six years of my life and hearing tales of woe from vehicle owners on an almost daily basis I can comfortably say that there are more dishonest shop owners in our industry than we would care to admit. Unfortunately when the consumer is totally uneducated to the way these repair shops work they are often taken for a ride, simply because they have no choice but to believe what they are being told by the repairer.

The key here is knowledge. Arming yourself even with the most basic information about how your vehicle works and what to look for in a repairer has the potential to save you thousands of dollars on your repair bills. Many repairers will take your lack of knowledge about your motor vehicle as an invitation to fill your head with stories of additional repairs need to be carried out and why these repairs need to be done immediately when this simply may not be the case.

Quite a few workshops also employ tactics that encourage you to take your car in for a discount service that may seem great value on the outside but often times it is merely a way to get your car in their workshop so they can up sell you on a host of other ‘necessary’ repairs. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for making a living from the service you provide but how can you be sure that what you are being told is the absolute truth?

Sure there are honest mechanics and workshop owners out there and if you have been lucky enough to find one I suggest you treat them like gold. If they value your business and their reputation I am sure they will treat you just as good however if you have not been so lucky now is the time to educate yourself and start saving your hard earned dollars instead of lining the pockets of these not-so-honest operators.

For more information and access to one of the best resources for educating yourself against paying too much for your auto repairs please see Autofix.com.au
Craig Wilson is a trade qualified mechanic, workshop owner and the author of http://autofix.com.au, offering Free Online Auto Repair Advice, DIY Tutorials and Automotive News n Views.

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Technorati Tags: auto repair, Car repair, car servicing

Have a look at this article.  It’s just a tad worrying. But read the tips below

Auto Repair Service - 3 Vital Facts You Must Know To Save Thousands

By Drew Turnbaugh

Think you’re getting quality auto repair service? What if I told you some of the biggest names in the business were out to get you on a daily basis? Since launching, we’ve been getting story after story after story about $5 oil change offers exploding into $750 - $3850 repair bills. We’ve heard about ‘new’ tires loosing tread and causing near fatal accidents. We’ve even heard of MASSIVE name shops charging people anywhere from $280 - $5200 again and again for the same botched auto repair service. How can this happen?

Most of this happens because people have just come to accept it. People have been beaten down and lied to for so long they just expect auto repair service to destroy them financially. But it does not have to be like that.

Auto Repair Service Tip #1: Shop Around… Always

But don’t just shop around for price, shop for info. When you call shops always make sure you take notes on what they’re telling you. How do you know you’re comparing apples to apples? It’s best to gather quotes from at least 3 different auto repair service locations and then check your notes. Once you have the information use a search engine to locate more specific facts. Use those facts to leverage your position.

Auto Repair Service Tip #2: Never Accept “Bring It In And We’ll Take A Look”

This phrase, and phrases like it are the mottos of the auto repair service industry. You as a consumer have the power to demand change. Mechanics can give you information over the phone… they simply choose not to.

Why do you think they always tell you to bring it in? They do this because over 89% of consumers will try to Find A Way to do business with someone once they begin the interaction. People feel guilty about saying no! And how much harder do you think it’ll be to say no once they have your car 6 feet in the air with the tires in a pile?

Auto Repair Service Tip #3: With High Dollar Jobs… Get An Advocate

An auto repair service advocate is a trained professional who you trust to give a second opinion. They can be hard to find, but they’re worth every second you spend looking. During most botched auto repair service the only way you’ll find out where and what the problem is will be to have someone who knows take a look.

Repair complexity is a double edged sword and it always cuts you twice. As cars get newer they become more advanced… as they become more advanced they become more complex… as they become more complex auto repair service professionals must receive more training. Do they? Of course. Their training is on your car when you bring it in.

Drew Turnbaugh is the founder of The International Automotive Network (IanAuto). IanAuto lets drivers shop local Quotes for Auto Repair Service. Give it a try today!

If you think this is an exageration, I can honestly say that the garage 3 streets up from me was closed down for “rogue dealing” so it must be quite common.

Technorati Tags: car repairs, car servicing, Garages