My car is 7 years old, but I have only had a few significant problems with it over its lifespan so far. Until last weekend, that is.
I experienced a situation last weekend that people who leave in warm climates dread.
My air-conditioner stopped working in my car.
With two small children, and temperatures reaching 95+ degrees in mid-June, not getting it fixed was not a viable option.
Although several knowledgeable people I know told me to expect a repair bill in the $1500 to $2000 range if I needed a new compressor and other major air-conditioning components, the repair ended up costing me about $1000. (It doesn’t seem right feeling lucky when you have to spend $1000, but I do)
I have a mechanic that I have been using for several years, who, based on my slightly above-basic knowledge of car repair, only fixes what needs to be fixed, and charges me what I consider to be a fair price. So going in, I knew he was going to fix what needed to be fixed, and that it would be at a fair price for the work being performed.
So how to you find a good, trustworthy auto mechanic?
If you have an older car, one that is out of warranty, one of the smartest things you can do is find a good, fair mechanic or auto repair shop. The best way to find a good mechanic or repair shop that you can trust and will give you a fair price on repairs, in my opinion, is word of mouth.
Talk with your friends, co-workers, and family members to find out who they use for car repairs, and consider trying them out.
Several things to consider when getting advice on local mechanics and repair shops from someone, include the following:
Do they use a dealership exclusively?- Dealerships are fine if your car is under warranty, and many of them will do great work, but you are probably not going to find the best price at a dealership, in my opinion. There could be other reasons, such as convenience, but I would use a dealership as a last resort, for non-warranty work.
How old is their car?- This is somewhat related to the first question, but if they have a relatively new car, they may not have had to get much repaired on their car yet, or they could be using a dealership because the car is under warranty. If they always drive newer cars, they may not have much experience or knowledge regarding car repair.
Consider the source- Is the person knowledgeable about cars and auto repair? The more they know, the more likely it is that they know what a fair price is, and whether or not the repair was totally necessary. Someone who rarely opens the hood of their car may not know if they are getting a good deal or not.
Be sure to check out a mechanics reputation, by checking with the Better Business Bureau, if applicable, and by searching the internet for and information or feedback from previous customers that you can find.
Similar Posts:
- How Asking a Very Simple Question Can Save You Money
- The Irony of the 3 Day Only, 50% Off, Salebration!
- How To Keep Your Car Running Longer-Car Maintenance-The Basics
- How to Save Money on Gas- Fact vs. Fiction
If you have enjoyed this article, please consider subscribing to Think Your Way To Wealth updates
using
an RSS reader or
by email to get all of the latest posts and updates delivered for free!
{ 1 trackback }
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Pretty cool post. I just found your blog and wanted to say
that I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon!
Boy do I wish I had discovered this simple truth earlier in my car owning life! Back when I had my Audi, I spent so much money schlepping it into the dealership for constant repairs. It wasn’t until I tried to sell it that I discovered the huge difference in price between an independent repair man and the dealership. One small change could have saved me hundreds of dollars, just like they say in those Geico commercials or in the book The Power of Small. Should have listened!
Hope we can help in the future if you have any more problems with your car. We take the hard work out of finding Reputable Car Garages as we call around for you with the best quote from our list of Approved Garages, for all your Car Repairs & Servicing. Check out our Website and hope we can be of help yo you in the future.