Sales Scams

The scam that is used most is making unknowledgeable people pay for imaginary repairs or replacing perfectly working parts. It pays to know your vehicle and check into more information about your car before you just let anyone work on it. The best time to shop around for a good mechanic is when you don’t need one. Why not test out a different repair shop each time you change your oil until you find one that you really like? Liking the staff is important. You’ve got to feel comfortable talking to the mechanic and it’s got to be somebody that you feel you can trust.

Find a shop before you’re in trouble and establish a relationship. Another way to narrow down your mechanic search is to choose a garage that specializes in your kind of car. Before taking your car in, check out the shop with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure to ask about any consumer complaints.

An unprofessional atmosphere. Are the service technicians impatient or condescending? Are they reluctant to answer your questions? Do they try to pressure or scare you into making decisions? If so, you’re better off leaving. This is not the kind of repair shop that you can trust.

A sloppy, chaotic work area. Look at the appearance of the shop Good, responsible shops should be neat and organized with modern equipment.

An ever-growing repair bill. Does a simple, routine repair become complicated and expensive? All of a sudden the work is three or four times the advertised price, That might be a sign of caution.

Nothing comes in writing. Is the shop willing to give you a work order or estimate in writing? Are its labor rates clearly posted? What kind of warranty does the shop place on its repairs? Ask for a written copy. If somebody is not willing to stand behind their work that puts up a big, red flag. Be cautious of flat rate repairs. This means that you will pay a specific amount for the job regardless of how long it takes.

You think you’re getting a good deal because you’re not paying for time, but the mechanic knows he can do the job in nothing flat. You end up paying much more than you would have had you agreed to an hourly rate from an honest mechanic. Restrict overcharges. Get an estimate for the cost of repairs and parts. Make sure your mechanic sticks to this estimate and get an itemized accounting.

 If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. You take your car in for an oil change, your mechanic compiles a list of items that need replacement or repair, even though the vehicle isn’t giving you any trouble. Unless the mechanic is someone you trust, take your car to another professional for a second opinion. Some unscrupulous mechanics will try to persuade you to pay for unnecessary repairs. Check that the parts you pay for are actually used on your car. Some con artists can charge you for parts that you don’t need. On top of that, they don’t even give you the new parts. Always ask for the old parts back, so you can make sure you’re getting the parts you pay for.

Make sure your car mechanic uses manufacturers parts or replacement parts. Some mechanics use counterfeit car parts but charge you for the more expensive versions. Always check the parts before you pay for them to make sure they’re from the manufacturer. If they’re visible after installation, make sure the mechanic used the parts he showed you.

• Waiting until the vehicle is up on the lift and partially disassembled before getting your authorization to proceed with the repairs. By then, you are essentially forced to: (a) authorize overpriced repairs or risk getting your car back in a disassembled and unusable condition; or (b) pay a large and unexpected fee to have your vehicle reassembled, only to discover it no longer runs at all.
  
• Showing you dirty oil with metal filings in it as evidence that you need a new transmission. Virtually all used transmissions have dirty oil with some amount of dirt and metal filings. This is normal and is not necessarily a sign that you need a whole new transmission. However, once the transmission is disassembled and reassembled with the same old seals and parts, it usually does not work the same as before.
  
• Commencing repair work on your car without first getting your authorization to perform the repair work, and then charging you for repair work that you did not authorize,
  
• Giving you a verbal estimate as to the cost of repairs, then charging a higher price.
  
• Representing that repair services will be completed by a certain day in order to induce the sale, then failing to have the repair services completed by that day.
  
• Telling you that repairs are needed when in fact they are not needed.
  
• Failing to disclose reassembly or inspection charges before starting repair work.
  
• Advertising that the shop will provide “Free towing” and then requiring you to pay for your towing costs.
  
• Telling you that the shop will provide a free rental car during repairs and then requiring you to pay for the rental charges.
  
• Telling you that the shop will provide repair services pursuant to a warranty then charging you for repair work covered by the warranty.
  
• Representing that work or services have been done, or parts replaced in your car, when the work or services were not done or the parts were not replaced.
  
• Starting repair work on your car before obtaining authorization from you, then charging you for it.
• Starting repair work before obtaining written approval of the loan from the finance company, in those instances where you borrow money to pay for repairs. If the loan company does not approve the loan, and the work is already done, you may still be liable for the payment if you can’t show the deception.
  
• Failing to complete the repairs as represented to you in the repair work agreement.
• Failing to repair your car in accordance with the warranty provided after your car is brought to the shop for warranty repairs.
  
• Failing to notify you and secure your additional approval, in writing, for any additional work to be done that was not set forth in the original written agreement.
  
• Representing or advertising that the shop will accept consumer credit cards or personal or business checks as payment for goods and services, and then refusing to accept credit cards or checks.
  

Auto-Facts.org, this site is wonderful and filled with information and insight on every imaginable thing you need to know. Blue Seal of Excellence Auto Service Professionals AAA/CAA Approved Auto Repair facilities near you: RepairPal,find a shop and other essential information for the car owner. If you think you’ve been a victim of an auto repair scam, report the shop to your state attorney general’s office and local consumer protection agency. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.