So many people have been victims of auto repair scams, even from large entities or supposedly reputable companies. This makes many automobile owners wary when it comes to repairing their vehicles. However there are times when it is necessary to seek help for automobile repairs and services. Top Notch Auto Body & Mechanics knows about your struggle and would like to share a few ways to spot a scam before it occurs and how to avoid becoming a victim of an automobile scam.
Additional Car Repair Fees After Initial Estimate
Most automobile scams consist of additional fees after the original quote. You may even be told that there are additional repairs needed that they discovered as they worked on your vehicle. If the vehicle owner doesn’t know much about the inner working of cars, they often become an easy target. To avoid becoming a victim of unneeded repairs, it is best to have your vehicle inspected by at least three different automobile repair shops and see what matches ups. It is important not to share that you taken your vehicle down to other shops and don’t share the other shop’s analysis of your vehicle’s needed repairs. All three may be honest and all three may give you the same results. However those who seem to have discovered more repairs than any other automobile shop, you may want to avoid using them. Unnecessary repairs are a well known problem. In fact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggested that there is nearly ten billion dollars worth of unnecessary repairs done each year.
Oil Change Ripoffs
One common scam done by those shops that perform oil changes is to show the vehicle owner a bad and really dirty air filter that didn’t even come out of their vehicle. Because this scam has come to light, many oil changes are done in front of an open window for the car owner to view the progress of their own vehicle and to prevent these types of scams. It is important to also choose a reputable mechanic that you can trust like Top Notch Auto Body & Mechanics!
Get a Itemized Written Auto Repair Estimate
To avoid any scam is to always get your vehicle inspected and have the repair shop provide a price quote. Make sure you and the shop each have a copy of this quote. If they later found another problem with your vehicle, they will need to call and advise you first. If they take it upon themselves to repair it and charge you without your consent, they have done so illegally and you do not have to pay for those repairs. If they do contact you suggesting you need those repairs you can either decline or ask to see the so called broken part before they begin the repairs.
Investigate Auto Repair & Body Shop
Another way to avoid scams is to investigate to company first, either through yelp or better business bureau. Both are great ways to find out what other people are saying about the company and what has been filed through the better business bureau.
Auto Body Repairs & More in Dallas, Texas (Just Minutes Away from Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Coppell, DeSoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Garland, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Irving, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mesquite, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale & Wylie, TX)
Top Notch Auto Body & Mechanics doesn’t want people to fear or become victims of automobile scams. Follow some of these basic strategies to avoid auto repair scams. Top Notch Auto Body & Mechanics is dedicated to repairing your vehicle honestly, quickly and efficiently. If you’re looking for an honest automobile repair service, especially those involved in an accident, come down and get a free estimate today.