Don't get Scammed by your Mechanic

Most of the time when you go to a mechanic, it is a smooth experience but every so often you can get scammed. Someone who is close to me, got new tires recently and they ended up doing something to her car battery. She had no choice but to purchase a new one. She never had battery problems before this. Of course the mechanic would not admit it was his fault. He blamed it on the “cold weather.” Cold weather meaning 50 degrees, which was not cold compared to what the car had been other times. They also set the tires to 40 instead of the suggested 30. Thankfully, she had an oil change and they fixed it for her.  It’s really important that you know what you are getting in to.  The mechanic can be intimidating when you don’t understand what they are talking about.  It’s easy to trust someone because it’s their job. Most of the time, they are trustworthy and don’t try and rip you off, but you need to be educated. Some prey on women or older people who may not know that they don’t need new brakes or that’s their engine is sound.

 Here’s an infograph by Active Insurance to help you know what the warning signs of auto repair scams.  It also gives you an estimate of what certain parts cost and just some good tips. I love the tip about asking for the old part when it’s replaced. I would have never thought of that. It’s to make sure they really replaced it. You are in the waiting room and you never know what they are doing in the garage. 

Are you comfortable with getting car repairs? Do you get them yourself or do you send your husband or dad to take care of it?  Did you learn anything new?