Are there specific times of year when you're apt to get ripped-off? The short answer is yes! While it is always important to keep an eye on Car Repair costs, it is advantageous be especially alert throughout the months of January, February and March.
The automotive repair industry can be quite turbulent, but it usually experiences a slump anywhere from January to March up to even April. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the answer is simple that most folks service their vehicles in the spring and the fall - not throughout the icy cold months coming from all new year. For the current reason, your mechanic, service advisor, and/or shop owner can get very aggressive in involving repair suggestions.
There's nothing wrong with suggesting repairs as well as vehicle maintenance - provided the business is needed. The trouble comes because the work is being suggested because your particular shop is lessen the pace of.
Here's how it plays out in real life at a car dealership, for example. You drop your vehicle off for an oil change. Your service advisor could make some service suggestions immediately, or you may use a phone call that sounds similar to this...
"Yeah, hi, Mr. Jones - this is So-and-So from So-and-So Chevrolet. I wanted to let you know that we have your car inside the shop and the technician remarked that your front brakes are junk and that you need two new four tires (they're badly worn) plus an alignment (which will be much out) - your car's not safe to drive. Do you want us to take care of this while it's this aspect? "
Now, remember that you drove your vehicle in and it definitely felt fine. Nevertheless, according to the experts - you're in jeopardy. It's important to attention your vehicle may indeed need work you to are not aware; moreover, this example highlights the actual precise all-too-common story that few are familiar with and NO ONE discusses.
Here's what really happened with your car on that cold February afternoon. The price technician (someone who only gets paid when he produces) looked over your car extra directly, looking for anything that will help fatten his paycheck. While it is true that your brakes offered worn - perhaps 75% - they're far from "junk. " They may even last until a new spring. The tires, only "slightly" worn, may you need to be due to lack of rotation - no alignment issue.
Should you agree to the above recommendations, the technician will add approximately 4. 5 hours of labor to his pay pay out, the service representative gets his commission and you are out a grand - conservatively.
What to perform...
First, ask questions. Do not assume that because your service representative sounds professional and/or authoritative that he or she is telling you confirmed "whole" truth. Ask around alternatives.
For example, ask if they can just rotate the tires for the time being and come back for the brakes in the spring. Ask them to put in priority the repairs. Don't be afraid for just about any second opinion from some other person shop, or ask to speak to the service manager. Basically, watch out for imprecise language like "junk" or "way out. " Cruise specifics.
Too often, Car Repair customers are bamboozled into doing work immediately when it could be spread out over many years, or even years. Of course, there are many cases where the work wasn't necessary at all - except to assist the repair facility during get your slow season.
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