Fraud among repair auto shops today is like an epidemic plaguing the entire country-side.
With the economy the way it is today, and indeed, anyday, consumers need to be aware because they are going to need car repair. Auto shops are many and so is the fraud and abuse everywhere as well. In this day and age with everyone zipping around to and from work, school, etc, in their automobiles, it is a foregone conclusion that repair bills will take into account much of the costs of driving. Getting gouged on repair bills can cause migraine headaches. Fortunately, a joint committee created the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF). Their main purpose is auto repair reform because of this troubling trend.
Most people understandably feel that they can do nothing about the practices of repair auto shops, and pay whatever they charge you. True, many cars have much more complicated equipment, like computer chips, which then have to be hooked up to an even more complicated device to ascertain what the problem may be. This always costs a pretty penny. But even more simpler, or what should have been simpler repairs, have left customers scratching their heads at the bill they received.
Everyone has known, or heard of tricks, by repair auto shops of switching your old part with another old part that looks newer than your true old part. Or to not replace it at all and charge you as if they did. One trick I always use is to key a scratch in your oil filter for instance. When you get your oil changed, you can take a look and see if that scratch is still there. If it is, then they just charged you for replacing an oil filter which was not replaced at all. That will give you an indication of the repair shop’s honesty on a fairly mundane task, which is an easy one to try to pull a fast one with.
I also like to ask around to friends, co-workers, and family if they know of a good repairman. Since everyone who drives has to get repairs at some point, you will not be without good information and horror stories of who to use and not to use. This is the best source since these people are usually speaking from first hand experience.
When you decide on an auto shop to do your repairs, dont be afraid to ask questions about anything and everything you do not understand, especially on what the bill will be. Make them give you a written estimate. Most reputable shops will do this automatically. If one does not and you have to ask, be on guard, and make sure they give you one. Use the free services of the BBB (Better Business Bureau) to check for any complaints.
Fraud, waste, and abuse in the auto repair industry has had repercussions at the cost of billions of dollars. Your knowledge and questioning will throw up red flags to any auto shop that was thinking about defrauding you. Doing your homework first, and asking a lot of questions at the shop will go a long way toward reducing your chances that you will be “taken for a ride” rather than you taking your newly repaired vehicle for a ride.
Happy Driving!
Video References
1.Video. Auto Repair: Stay On Guard – Free Financial Advice from USAA. 2/2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auAEHxeAmOA
