Probably everyone who drives has overpaid for repairs at one time or another. Sometimes this is unavoidable because you need your car repaired and you don't have a car warranty. So when you take it or have it towed to the nearest shop, it may be one of the most expensive in the area and you have no choice but to pay full price.
- If you have time, call around to get estimates over the phone. Honest owners will give you an idea of the cost of a repair based on the year, make and model of other repairs they have done.
- Be sure you have a good car warranty.
- Ask questions and use your own powers of observation. Does the shop have a business license hanging on the wall? Is the shop a member of the local chamber of commerce or the better business bureau? How long has the shop been in business? What level of expertise does the shop have working on your year, make and model?
- Question the labor rate.
- Find out whether or not parts are marked up.
- Get it all in writing. Otherwise it is easy for a shop to claim that your car needed much more than originally thought, giving the technician license to replace perfectly good parts and charge you a lot of money.
- Beware the fast-talking face man who is vague about the repair and doesn't know how much it will cost.
- If you feel uncomfortable about the transaction, get another estimate somewhere else instead of committing.