Are car mechanics jippin' us?

[Rocketman]

Just a general question. Seems like every time my friend takes his car to the repair shop, it's like $800 for something ridiculous, and then he has to take his car back two months later. Granted, it's a P.O.S. car, but honestly, for all we know, they could be fixing one thing while slightly loosening another bolt on purpose... and we'd never know.

So what do you think? Is this something to discuss? The whole business seems fishy to me, and you're defenseless against their rates. It's like you're completely vulnerable to whatever prices they throw at you... and who KNOWS what the hell they're doing while fixing your car.

 

[Anubis]

They're secretly all out to get you.

 

[The Guard]

Yes and no.

I work for an insurance company, and even with those rates, many mechanics and body shops aren't making money as it is. And then insurance companies undercut those rates, and shops must work at "insurance rates".

Most people who don't have brand new cars, and who don't take really good care of their cars, have a decent amount wrong with their cars after a few years, probably several thousand dollars worth, be it exhaust stuff, shocks, brakes, or other simple things. Cars are expensive to maintain, let alone to maintain properly.

My father, who is a whiz with cars, told me when I was younger that you can more or less expect to spend at least $700 every time you have a major issue with your car, and I've found that to be true. That's just the way the rates are. That's what they're looking to make for a few hours work. And a few hours adds up. And having tried a lot of that stuff myself, they pretty much deserve those rates in my mind.

I have found, that if you are polite, mechanics and body shops, by and large, will treat you fairly. There are some that are simply incompetent, and a few that are crooked. The crooked ones are usually not smart enough not to make up fake parts, and easier to spot.

 

[Wolfwood]

You could look up their history on different sites to see if anyone has had issues with them or shop around next time you have problems. Without knowing the issue though and from the fact that it's a POS car, 800 might be a fair price.

 

[bullets]

I know some people that work on cars and it really just depends on who you go.
There's a repair shop down the street that are trustworthy and if they don't fix a problem the first time you don't have to worry about them trying to charge you more.
It's been a nightmare to deal with some other places though. I've been ripped off several times

 

[Wolfwood]

When I had my POS car I had a really great mechanic. He sometimes took forever to do things, but he did a lot of stuff for free for me or let me pay him later on when I was low on cash.

 

[Manic]

Some mechanics will find ways to cheat you. There's this local mechanic who constantly takes advantage of my grandfather whenever he sends a car in for repairs. I caught on and started visiting a different mechanic who charges far less for the same services.

Also, I don't think it's appropriate to say "jippin." It comes from the concept of being cheated by Gypsies. Gypsy, Gyp, getting gypped, etc. It's like saying you "Jewed" your way into a bargain.

 

[Mace Bloodstone]

Lighten up.

 

[Manic]

Lighten up.

Go fall in a ditch. It's a racial epithet.

 

[Spider-Who?]

This is why I do as much car repair on my own as possible.

And words evolve. Their meanings and original intent change over time (for better or worse) with constant use. I know the origin of the term "jipped", but you're the first person I've EVER heard in all my life complain about it.

 

[Riddick]

Go fall in a ditch. It's a racial epithet.

I know some gypsies and they don't mind hahah.

 

[Anubis]

Liar, you don't know any gypsies.

 

[Erzengel]

Show me your fares, gypsies.

 

[Hotwire]

Well, I once had a dealership service department quote me $300 to replace the boost sensor on my '00 Mazda Tribute. I checked with their parts guy, bought the part for $25, and swapped it in the parking lot with no tools required. Just one electrical plug, then slip it off of the two plastic tubes it was on. Pop the new one on and plug it in. Maybe 5 minutes.

So yeah, some of them are trying to rip you off.

 

[Lighthouse]

If you go to Jiffy Lube? Yes.

 

[Manic]

Well, I once had a dealership service department quote me $300 to replace the boost sensor on my '00 Mazda Tribute. I checked with their parts guy, bought the part for $25, and swapped it in the parking lot with no tools required. Just one electrical plug, then slip it off of the two plastic tubes it was on. Pop the new one on and plug it in. Maybe 5 minutes.

So yeah, some of them are trying to rip you off.

I bet the dealership would've taken about 2 hours to do it, too.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

Go fall in a ditch. It's a racial epithet.

 

[Backstreets]

I took my car in for repair cause I wanted the transmission fluid changed, then they did an inspection and gave me a list with prices.. Here is the list.

LF Inner Tie Rod....$434.00
Flex pipe (needs to be cut out and replaced)...$217.00 (Had this redone for $180.00)
Rear Sway Bar Bushings....$192.00 ($13.50 on ebay - self install)
Power Steering Belt...$113.00

Total $957.xx + Tax


I called another mechanic across the street.

"How much for an inner tie rod"?

"$130.00 parts and labor"

Call around and even cross state lines if you can to find the better deal. If your friend is shelling out $800 every other month on repair, he should just get a new car.

 

[Immortalfire]

Indeed. You can always find someone who will do the job..often a better job..than the other guy, for a better rate.

 

[Marvolo]

I do all my own work unless I have to take the engine out. My family has its fare share of mechanics and gear heads. All honest people who did their job right. There are some shady ones however. Knowing and growing up around mechanics and race cars I can usually tell who is giving someone the runaround. Its always best to do your own work if you can and keep your receipts. Labor costs tend to be pretty high when you go to a mechanic.

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

When I bought my first car, a Chevy Cavalier Z24 in high school, it would break down every year. The biggest factor was the water pump and electric modulator which cost $700-$850 to fix at first, then went down to $500 after 10 years. Other random things that broke on that car:

Engine mounts
Engine oil leak ($800 fix, and it kept on leaking even after that)
Catalytic converter (three times)
O2 Sensor (at least 5 times and kept on malfunctioning after that)


I will never buy a Chevy ever, ever again.

I've had a Toyota for 5 years and I've never had to bring it in for a repair, not once, not ever.