How to Find an Honest Mechanic
One of my all time favorite movies is My Cousin Vinny.
One of my favorite lines came from the character Mona Lisa Vito when she was asked what qualified her as an expert in automobiles.
She responded, "Well my father was a mechanic.
His father was a mechanic.
My mother's father was a mechanic, my 3 brothers are mechanics, 4 uncles on my fathers side...
".
And so goes my life.
Everyone who is anyone in my family has or had a career in the automotive industry as mechanics.
This has often been a maligned industry and that's why I feel strongly that I need to stick up for it.
My family of mechanics was that rare find...
honest car repairmen.
People came from surrounding cities and waited for days to get an appointment at my Dad's shop.
Here are some things to consider when you are looking for that honest someone to repair your automobile.
It's based on my experience in the business.
o Don't be afraid to ask questions, especially those you have about the repair bill.
If the mechanic (or service manager) knows that you actually look at the bill and aren't afraid to ask questions, they will be less likely to "pad the bill".
I have actually seen cases where a mechanic will charge you for an additional hour or two of labor (even at $50 to $70 an hour) and hide it somewhere in the bill.
People are looking for the big outright scams that you see on TV, not this squirreling away of an additional hour or two to perform a service that didn't need to be done in the first place.
Another example might be to charge you for a water pump gasket when it was already included in the price of the new pump.
o If you feel you have been charged unfairly, speak up! Complain a little! Most auto repair places will "adjust it" to keep you happy and coming back again.
Don't be unfair or dishonest yourself, but if you think a part or labor quote is too high, complain...
politely.
o If you can't understand a company's invoice (sometimes made confusing on purpose), tell them you need an explanation of what "brake job $300" means.
Don't leave until you are satisfied with their job description and what parts were used.
In fact, ask to have the job description in writing for your own record of repairs you keep on your car.
It doesn't take long for the mechanic to realize you are someone who will require a full explanation or accounting of all charges and you're going to require it face to face.
Don't deal with the cashier; ask to see the mechanic who worked on your car or his service manager.
I hope this helps some of you who haven't had the advantage of working in the auto repair business.
It is a much needed industry and includes many hard-working honest car technicians.
One of my favorite lines came from the character Mona Lisa Vito when she was asked what qualified her as an expert in automobiles.
She responded, "Well my father was a mechanic.
His father was a mechanic.
My mother's father was a mechanic, my 3 brothers are mechanics, 4 uncles on my fathers side...
".
And so goes my life.
Everyone who is anyone in my family has or had a career in the automotive industry as mechanics.
This has often been a maligned industry and that's why I feel strongly that I need to stick up for it.
My family of mechanics was that rare find...
honest car repairmen.
People came from surrounding cities and waited for days to get an appointment at my Dad's shop.
Here are some things to consider when you are looking for that honest someone to repair your automobile.
It's based on my experience in the business.
o Don't be afraid to ask questions, especially those you have about the repair bill.
If the mechanic (or service manager) knows that you actually look at the bill and aren't afraid to ask questions, they will be less likely to "pad the bill".
I have actually seen cases where a mechanic will charge you for an additional hour or two of labor (even at $50 to $70 an hour) and hide it somewhere in the bill.
People are looking for the big outright scams that you see on TV, not this squirreling away of an additional hour or two to perform a service that didn't need to be done in the first place.
Another example might be to charge you for a water pump gasket when it was already included in the price of the new pump.
o If you feel you have been charged unfairly, speak up! Complain a little! Most auto repair places will "adjust it" to keep you happy and coming back again.
Don't be unfair or dishonest yourself, but if you think a part or labor quote is too high, complain...
politely.
o If you can't understand a company's invoice (sometimes made confusing on purpose), tell them you need an explanation of what "brake job $300" means.
Don't leave until you are satisfied with their job description and what parts were used.
In fact, ask to have the job description in writing for your own record of repairs you keep on your car.
It doesn't take long for the mechanic to realize you are someone who will require a full explanation or accounting of all charges and you're going to require it face to face.
Don't deal with the cashier; ask to see the mechanic who worked on your car or his service manager.
I hope this helps some of you who haven't had the advantage of working in the auto repair business.
It is a much needed industry and includes many hard-working honest car technicians.