Do you ever feel like the auto repair shop is out to get you?

I usually go to the dealership for my detailed FREE estimate, and then take it to my mechanic to be fixed, that way I already know what's wrong and I can save money.

That is how I feel too. At least I have a husband who knows about cars a little bit, but when they start taking it apart, God only knows how they are going to put it back together. I dread it every time. Thanks for responding.

I do too. When I took my car to the dealership to get something fixed that was recalled, they came saying I need to get this looked at and that fixed. I ended up calling my husband to ask him like every 10 minutes to see if we really needed it fixed. He told me "just say no". It was hard though. They are a lot more expensive too. Thanks for responding.

A little piece of advice for those who need auto repairs, if you go to an auto mechanic shop and they tell you that you need this part and that part, get a list of the parts, take the list to a parts store like UAP NAPA, or whoever is in your area, and buy the parts yourself, have the shop install them. Auto shops make there parts up over 300% and I am not joking, I used to work for a popular mechanic shop and our mark up was 500%, example...a muffler would cost a customer $69.99, our cost was $9.99, The clamps to install the muffler, our cost 10 cents each, customer cost $5.99 each, shop supplies like using the torches, the customer paid $15.00 our cost 55 cents and 1 hour labour $65.00 total to customer $161.97 plus tax, our cost $25.74 ....hows that for a markup, I would list the Company but I would be afraid to...there labour was $65.00 an hour...I didn't stay with this company long after I found out just how bad they were ripping off people in costs. I soon after went out on my own and done repairs for some of my customers and they were really pleased that I was so upfront with them, If I thought the repar was more than they were ready to budget I would give them the alternatives, and they really appreciated it.

OH yeah definitely, if the place will let you bring your own parts, definitely do that. You can save all kinds of money that's for sure. My mechanic will even order the parts for me while I'm there or give me a list as long as I pick them up.

Even if you don't buy your car from a major dealer (Ford,Chevy,etc) they will do what's right for your vehicle because it is their name brand, and is their job to make sure that vehicles with their brand name run appropriately.

My husband does, thank God. But they still seem to get you everytime.

A vehicle CAN run with a blown head gasket. Most people don't notice it until the engine starts to overheat, than it's usually to late and the majority of damage has been done. It is not uncommon for the head gasket to be blown when the timing chain or belt goes.

You should still report it. Don't wait for something to happen again. I would contact the auto dealership and tell them what happened.

A backyard mechanic could be worse than going to a shop. You never know if they know what they are talking about or not. I recommend asking around for a good mechanic.

Do you not realize that 99% of the cars sold at auctions do not have the original miles on the odometer, the companies roll back the mileage drastically, I have seen cars come to me from auctions saying they only had low mileage and when I put it on the computer that tells me exactly ho much mileage it has, you would be blown away to know the real truth. Next time you buy a car at auction, if it is new enough, take it to a shop and have them put it on the computer and read the real miles. The car you were saying that had only 13,000 miles but needed shocks most likely had the miles rolled back and may very well have needed shocks. Be carefull of this mile roll back scheme, dealerships do it as well, when they receive a car on trade and if it has high miles they roll them back..I had 3 cars from a dealership come to me that a customer was going to buy, he wanted me to check it over before he bought the car, and all 3 had the miles turned back. Another thing to check for that you will never be told by an auction or dealership is a accident report, or water report, also a lemon report, these can be found at the vehicle registration centre, this will list all if any accidents the vehicle has been in...dealerships and auctions do not have to realease this information to a potential buyer, unless requested...there are a lot of cars out there that people drive everyday that have been in a fairly damaging accident, but the dealership or auction has made drivable again, these vehicles are not road worthy, most wear out quickly. I have also had my share of these vehicles as well, I had one brought to me to have a wheel allignment and I couldn't allign it, as it was litterally twisted, you couldn't see how bad it was until it was put on the alignment machine...the poor owner bought this as is where is, and couldn't keep tires and ball joints in the car...just a little something to be carefull of.

Just how many miles do you think your car can go without needing shocks? If you buy cars from auctions, you never know what condition the car is in. If it has ever been in an accident, it is possible the shocks are wearing more than normal. Even your tires can wear funky if the car was in an accident. People with the mentality of just getting in a car to drive it without having to do routine maintainence should never be allowed to drive.

That's why you have to have them look at your car or truck and give you a WRITTEN estimate. You don't just take your car and want it fixed without knowing what they have to do. People have to protect themselves. It's like getting a second or even third opinion.

They usually are. You must protect yourself.

The labor is not what kills you, it's the parts. The average mark up on parts is anywhere from 40-60 percent. The labor is most always calculated by a standard of time that everyone follows. If the book says something will take 1 and 1/2 hours to repair, guarantee you will be charged for 2 hours.

Any good mechanic will RECOMMEND repairs if they see something that isn't up to specifications. They are supposed to do that. That way they are not liable. Not all mechanics are out to get everybody.

Wow! Thanks for making such a long response. I can't believe that they would actually do that to innocent people. Unbeliveable! Thanks for responding.

Me too! Somewhere there has got be an honest mechanic. I used to have one back in college, but he moved away. I really do miss him.

That is so mean and rude. And he is right, because he can. Awful!