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