United Car Care Shares Tips to Avoid Getting Ripped Off by Your Mechanic

Unfortunately, it's a major issue all over the country that many car mechanics will take advantage of someone who doesn't know much about repairing cars; this is especially prevalent amongst women due to stereotyping. When it comes to getting their vehicles repaired, many women often face the potential to be significantly overcharged.

While it's important to bring your car in to a mechanic and have it fixed, the thought of being ripped off can make any person hesitant. Luckily, you don't have to be a car expert to not get ripped off by a car mechanic. Here are a few tips from United Car Care on how to avoid being taken advantage of the next time your car ends up in the shop.

Use a Local Shop

Rather than go to a business that has countless others all across the country, you might consider giving a locally owned repair shop a try.

Because they work on a significantly smaller level and depend on the community, they tend to offer more quality, reliable service. If they continually cheated their customers out of their money, they would develop a poor reputation that would ultimately shut them down. Instead, many local shops tend to build strong customer bases because of their integrity and quality.

Furthermore, local owners are more likely to care about their neighbors. They may have grown up in the area and have invested their lives in their small shop. Not only are they more expected to be fair and trustworthy, but your money spent at their shop goes back into your local economy.

Educate Yourself

While you don't have to become a car expert, it's still a good idea to learn about your car before heading to the shop.

Firstly, read through your car's owner manual. This will familiarize you with the vehicle and help you understand some of the more common diagnostic issues.

If you hear a strange noise or see a light on your dashboard, try searching for these indicators online and exploring the internet. There are dozens of forums out there where current and former owners alike can post the details of their car's issues and their solutions.

Ask Around

Enquiring with your friends and neighbors about their past experiences with nearby mechanics is a great way to filter out the good from the bad.

If someone you knew had an unfavorable experience with a repair shop you were considering, hearing their opinion may save you from costly expenses. On the other hand, if they continue to go back to that same mechanic and highly recommend them, the search may very much be over.

Find the Right Mechanic for the Job

There are many differences between domestic and foreign cars, and if you have a foreign car, you're going to want someone who has experience with the brand. Even though a general mechanic may say they can do the job, the extra labor time and special-order parts can tack on additional charges to an already-expensive bill.

About United Car Care:

United Car Care vehicle service contracts offer reliable protection at an affordable cost, which is exactly what consumers want when looking for mechanical protection for their vehicles. Our product is backed by an A-rated insurer, thus providing our contract holders with the utmost security.

United Car Care has earned an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, which speaks to the way we do business-with integrity. We are proud of the fact that we have had over a million satisfied customers as well as many long-time relationships with our dealers and agents. These relationships are a true testimonial to United Car Care's core values: quality, dependability, and customer service.