Many dealerships have fixed-price packages that cover a predetermined set of repairs. Depending on your car, that package might include repairs you don’t need—or exclude repairs you do.
“A customer who’s price shopping should make sure they know what they’re actually getting,” says Shannon Robello of Acme Auto Repair. She even cites cases of customers getting charged for repairs to parts their car didn’t even have.
“You need to be careful with those generic packages,” she says.
In general, customers who shop on price alone need to be sure they’re actually getting value for the money they’re spending. “Quickie” oil change shops, for example, hire lower level mechanics and are notorious for poor quality work. Ms. Robello suggests using a reputable mechanic, preferably one with a long track record of reliable service.
“A cheap oil change chain isn’t always the best place to do your oil change,” she says. “They may end up owing you an engine.”
Because it’s very difficult for customers to evaluate brands for themselves, she recommends they stick with repair shops that use recognized, name-brand parts.
