| 1. How to choose a repair shop. What you should | | | | estimate on repair before contacting you. Most |
| look for when choosing a repair shopAsk for a | | | | honest shops will contact you first before doing |
| recommendation from friends, family, and anyone | | | | adding any excess charges.Make sure you know |
| else you really trust. Look for a repair shop | | | | about parts that are to be repaired or replaced, |
| before you need one so you are not rushed at | | | | parts are classified as:New-These parts are made |
| the last minute to find one.Use the telephone, | | | | to original manufacturer specification either by the |
| shop around by phone to compare prices and | | | | vehicle manufacturer or and independent |
| Warranty policies on the repair to find your best | | | | company, such as NAPA etc. Prices will vary from |
| deal.Ask to see their current licenses if local and | | | | Original Manufacturer original equipment or an |
| or state law requires shops to be licensed or | | | | after market manufacturer and you should be |
| registered. Also your state Attorney General | | | | informed of what is used or decided which you |
| office or local consumer protection agency, BBB | | | | want replace on your vehicle.Re-manufactured, |
| and Chamber of Commerce may know if there | | | | rebuilt or reconditioned.-All three of these terms |
| are a record of complaints against a particular | | | | generally mean the same thing. It means the |
| shop.If you have an Extended Warranty Contract | | | | respective part has been restored to original |
| and intend to use it present it to the shop to | | | | working condition. Most of these parts will have |
| make sure it will be honored before any work is | | | | standard warranty on them from 30 days to a |
| started.2. How To Find The Right Automotive | | | | lifetime depending or the part and reman. |
| Technician. And is one automotive technician | | | | company. Usealy this includes just the part and |
| better than another.Look for shops that display | | | | not labor to replace it.Salvage-These are used |
| various certifications of their technicians, like an | | | | parts taken from another vehicle without any |
| ASE certification seal. Certification indicates that | | | | alteration from vehicles in a salvage yard. These |
| some or all of the technicians meet a basic | | | | parts carry a 30 day guarantee depending on the |
| standard of knowledge and experience in a | | | | part and salvage yard. Most electrical parts from |
| specific technical area, if the certification states | | | | a salvage yard is bought as is.After the repair is |
| the tech is a Master certified tech that means the | | | | completed make sure you get the completed |
| tech has passed tests and meets the standard | | | | repair order showing work done and parts |
| for all areas of repair.Also make sure that the | | | | replaced. It should list the repair , parts used, cost |
| certifications are all current as the mechanics | | | | of parts and cost of labor. Make sure you check |
| have to be re tested every few years to make | | | | the odometer from when you brought the vehicle |
| sure they stay up to date with changing | | | | in and when you pick it up, there should not be |
| technology, but remember just because the shop | | | | any difference in the miles unless a road test was |
| is certified does not always guarantee good or | | | | needed after the repair to make sure everything |
| honest work. This is where investigating the shop | | | | was working properly. Ask to see all the replaced |
| techs will pay off.And make sure you ask the | | | | parts, you are entitled to take them with you if |
| shop/mechanic if they have experience working | | | | you want with the exception of a part that was |
| on the make/model of your vehicle as some | | | | replaced and needs to have the old part returned |
| shops may not have the experience working on | | | | as a core. The shop is charged a core charge for |
| your import if the specialize in domestic cars and | | | | the old part until it is returned to Parts store, if |
| vise versa.3. Unlocking the Mystery of Repair | | | | you want to take this part you can if you pay |
| ChargesBefore arranging to have any work done | | | | the core charge. Sometimes these are very high |
| to your car, ask what the shops pricing policy is. | | | | depending on the part as they are sent back to a |
| Some shops charge a flat rate for labor on | | | | rebuilder to be reconditioned, large parts |
| vehicle repair. The rate is based on an | | | | (transmissions, engines etc.) and electrical parts |
| independent or manufacturer estimate of the | | | | are most expensive.I will be adding additional |
| time required to complete a repair. Some shops | | | | articles on this and other Automotive subjects, so |
| will charge actual time the tech works on the | | | | if you found this interesting and informative go to |
| vehicle. Most shops use the flat rate system and | | | | and click on the Article button bottom left to read |
| this is usually the best for the customer as there | | | | more CarFacts and information. While you are at |
| is no wiggle room for the tech to "make time" on | | | | check out the other information there.Jack |
| a repair.If you need an expensive repair or a | | | | Cooper is the owner of Cooper |
| complicated repair or if you question the required | | | | Occupation: Auto Appraiser/Inspector |
| repair, consider getting a second opinion. Just think | | | | Website: I have over 40 years experience in the |
| of it as going to a doctor for major surgery and | | | | Automotive field, from ASE Master Tech to |
| you want to make sure the doctor is right.Find | | | | owner of my own repair shop and have been |
| out if there is a diagnostic charge if you decide to | | | | doing Automotive Appraisals and extended |
| take the vehicle some where else for the repair. | | | | warranty/pre-purchase inspections for the past 12 |
| Many shops will charge you for diagnosis time if | | | | years.I have been working on building and just |
| you have repairs done or not, most will deduct it | | | | about anything connected with cars all my life. I |
| from repair bill if work done at their shop.Where | | | | have been a Drag Racer (early years) drove |
| ever you get the repairs done, make sure you | | | | stock cars (asphalt and dirt) built Hot Rods and |
| ask for a written estimate and the written | | | | restored classic cars, so have been around just |
| estimate should include the following: It should | | | | about any type of vehicle you can imagine.My |
| state what is being repaired, the parts and parts | | | | hobby is NASCAR and building web-sites. My |
| cost needed and the labor cost for the repair. | | | | current web-site is a site I started several years |
| Make sure you get a signed copy before you | | | | ago as an information site for Cars and expanded |
| leave the shop.Also the Repair Order should state | | | | into trucks, 4X4's, ATV's, Motorcycles and |
| that the shop will contact you before they do any | | | | NASCAR. The site started out to be a business |
| extra repair or time that exceeds the original | | | | site, hence the jtcbiz name, but turned into a site |
| estimate. State law requires this. In most states | | | | on vehicles so don't be alarmed with site name as |
| shops can only charge up to $25.00 over | | | | it had a lot of exposure so I left the name. |