How to Save Money On Auto Repair
Step1
Becarful how you pick your posin.All mechanics aren’t honest as you should know. Economy bad slow business or plain old fashion greed all play factors in how much your bill is. The reason why an auto shop can so easily rip you off, is because you don’t know. Have you ever had a mechanic ask you to come in the shop so he can shop you what he’s talking about? If you don’t know much about cars this will automatically make you look for your cell phone. You don’t know what he’s talking about.
Step 2
Don’t panic almost everything on a car is fixable and most times for under 456.00 providing you buy your own parts. Example your driving along and someone cuts you off, YOU HIT A Curb. your car will nolonger drive. You get out to take a look. The wheal is bent under the car. You you get it toed to a shop, they you its an 85.00 an hour check out fee you say ok I NEED MY CAR. The shop calls you the next day and tells you your axel is broke and you damaged your hub bearing. The first thing you think is it sounds expencive.How much? He tells you 887.45 to fix it. Your response how much is your labor rait?Once you find out tell him don’t start on it yet you’ll call him back.
Step 3
Research time.There’re three places to call to check part prices. The local auto parts shop Auto Zone and so on. The dealer be afraid to check here sometimes there part prices are cheaper. And depending on what you need the junk yard. Call all three give them year make and model of your car and ask for the price of the parts you need.
Step 4
Total time who ever had the best part price is who you use. Most times you’ll be shocked to know these may not cost a lot. Next question how much was the labor. A axel may cost you 175.00.A hub bearing may cost 120.00.Thats 295.00 in parts. Call the shop and ask how many hours will it take to fix the car. He tells you 5 hours .425.00. Ask him about the 85.00 check out fee. It should apply to the labor. In most shops it does apply. Your labor should be 340.00.295.00+340.00 is 635 plus tax. Big deference from 887.45.This what’s known as the price mark up, this is how a lot of shops make money. Ask him if you bring your own parts how much would it be? It should be 340.00.
Step 5
What you need to know about mechanics. Most mechanics aren’t friendly. Make sure he’s not busy when you approach. Try to call in advance talk to much. Ask only car related questions, labor rate and how long.
Step 6
One last thing don’t be a sucker for CHECK ENGINE Lights. if your check engine light comes on don’t pay 25 to 45 dollars to get it turned out. If you don’t fix the problem it will come back on. Places like Auto Zone will check give you a printout of the problem and turn out the light for free. However they will not fix your car. What they can tell you is how much the part cost that turned the light on. And DONT LET THE MAN IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE PARTS STORE FIX YOUR CAR.
Written by rickycrudball
www.osceolacomplete.com Osceola Complete Auto Center – The best auto mechanic shop in Kissimmee Florida. Featured Services are towing, domestic & imports, minor repair, paint & body repair , alignment & balancing, new tires. They offer professional automotive service, maintenance, and repair performed by trained and certified ASE technicians using state-of-the-art equipment. Osceola Complete Auto Center contact info: Address :101 E. Fletcher St. Kissimmee, Florida 34744 Email : info@osceolacomplete.com Phone : 407-518-9888 Fax : 407-518-1238 After Hours: 407-908-3878 Visit www.osceolacomplete.com for more details.
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Question by Madeline M: Is it standard policy for all auto repair shops to charge shop supply fee on all invoices?
I was told by City Garage Auto Shop that all auto repair shops charge a shop supply fee regardless of whether any shop supplies are used.
Best answer:
Answer by Mr. Knowettoll
I don’t know about that specifically, but I do know that it is standard policy for auto repair shops to screw you out of every dime they can.
I recommend everyone get a Haynes or Chiltons repair manual for their car, they’re $ 15-20 at any major auto parts store and it will pay for itself the first time you use it.
Give your answer to this question below!
Auto, Money, Repair, Save
Most shops will charge a shop supply fee to cover the cost of things like shop towels and penetrating oil! Rather than trying to figure out the exact amount of each used for each job, they will usually either have a flat fee for shop supplies or charge a small (1%) percentage of the bill!
It is common practice
Yes. There are costs for shop towels, uniforms, cleaners, chemicals, and other things that need to be paid for, also. It’s better to charge the customer $ 5- 10 dollars for miscellaneous items than to bill out each one seperately. If only 1/2 can of brake cleaner is used, would you really want to pay for the qhole thing? And I love guys like the first answerer, those people we REALLY make money off of when they mess things up.
Some do …some don’t…it’s just a gimmick to make extra profit. I’ve heard of people calling the BBB and charging fraud if no actual supplies were used in their repairs. It’s like insurance where you spread the costs over many cutomers regardless of whether they use the service or need the items in the repairs….seems dishonest somehow. I try to avoid shops that charge this fee if possible. Most honest shops include costs of small items or normal shop needs like brake cleaner, shop towels, welding supplies, etc… into their profit figures and adjust their profit margins accordingly so it may be a wash either way…just never sat right with me….I always quoted jobs with everything needed to do repairs plus a margin for unexpected bolts, nuts, etc…that was removed from the bill if not needed. Some yahoo came up with the idea to make extra profit on the service dept and everyone jumped on the bandwagon….like 10.00 bandaids or 8.00 aspirins in hospitals.