If you were handed an estimate to change a water pump on your car, would you know if the Auto Repair Price was reasonable? Could you trust the price? How about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporation emissions sensor?
Most of us do not know exactly what these are, never ever mind the cost. Yet there are elements such as these that are commonly utilized to over charge you.
We no longer live in an age of trust, so how do we guarantee that our vehicle repair expenses are genuine.
The number of times have you suspected that you paid excessive, however couldn’t prove it? How many times did the price appear inflated for even basic repairs?
To highlight just how “At Risk” the everyday automobile repair works are coming up with extreme vehicle repair rates to their customer, we are presenting you some real life examples from a “credible …?” dealer.
A customer brought her Audi to a licensed Audi dealer for a basic timing belt maintenance service.
The price for this service averages $1575 at the car dealership level, (including pulleys, water pump … etc) and about $1275 at the independent repair shop level.
The lady left the dealership with a costs of $2025.68.
Exactly what happened?
Inning accordance with the repair order, there were no irregular scenarios, no problems noted by the professional such as rust or other extenuating circumstances that would have possibly increased the labor, or included additional parts.
In short, it was a straight forward service, however the costs was $450.68 greater than it had to be. There is just no legitimate reason to have “that much” inconsistency.
How’d they get away with it?
The response is very easy, and it’s a point that I do not want anybody to miss out on:
They get away with it due to the fact that they can!
The average individual doesn’t know how much car parts expense. And who understands how much labor time a repair work should take?
Upon assessment of this lady’s repair order, it was discovered that she was charged a full 4 hours “more” than the basic labor time. At $100 per hour, this included an extra $400. The remaining $50.68 originated from the parts, which were billed greater than MSRP.
She was quoted $2,025 for a repair work that tops out at $1575. The woman didn’t know. She just left and paid the bill.
How many times do folks just pay the bill and leave? Basically that’s all one can do considering that there is no available information for the cars and truck repair consumer to effectively question a repair expense. Extremely few even know what questions to ask!
The automobile repair industry has actually been over-charging for years– in some cases discreetly, in some cases boldly, absolutely frequently. The evidence for this is frustrating; yet, there are no simple services available for the vehicle repair client.
Federal government firms cannot help. The Better Business Bureau can’t do anything. Even the more experienced “cars and truck repair specialists” do not have the understanding of the breadth and insidiousness of the vehicle repair company at all its levels.
A dealer operates differently than an independent repair shop, and a franchise, like Midas, is absolutely unique. Who actually understands what goes on in the underground of such a complex and varied market?
The Solution?
Car repair clients need access to information on vehicle repair work rates. Without this, they’ve got absolutely nothing tangible in which to determine fair charges. They likewise need to have the ability to navigate the labyrinth of parts and labor charges for their vehicle repairs and maintenance.
Like everything else, information is the key to ensure reasonable treatment. Without it, the automobile repair work consumer will continue to “swim with the sharks” with no security.
And who understands how much labor time a repair should take? Pretty much that’s all one can do provided that there is no available details for the car repair work client to adequately question a repair costs. Vehicle repair customers should require access to information on cars and truck repair rates. They likewise need to be able to navigate the maze of parts and labor charges for automobile repairs and maintenance.