Car Repair Prices: Yes, You Are Being Ripped-Off!

2008-10-20T22:16:00.000-04:00

RepairTrust "NEW" Auto Repair Blog...

RepairTrust has outgrown this blog, but will maintain it for archive purposes. Our new Auto Repair blog will give us the flexibility we need to provide you with the latest facts about Auto Repair Costs

We encourage your feedback and comments and look forward to your participation.

Ted

2008-10-05T13:32:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair and Auto Sales – The Evil Twins

The mishaps with automobile repair and car sales are common. Everyone knows at least somebody who’s had a hard time. With auto repair, it may be paying too much or not getting a problem fixed right the first time. With auto sales, it may be dirty sales tactics or hidden costs. What’s rarely discussed is the misery and despair experienced by the folks that actually work in the automotive industry and what this means for you - the customer? The dark underworld of the car business wreaks havoc not only on your lives, but also on the lives of those that toil under its greasy thumb...

Click Auto Repair to read the full article.

Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Auto Repair Estimates

2008-09-05T19:25:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair: Where Can One Find a Trustworthy Repair Shop?

We recently received an email from a disgruntled visitor. He stated that he was upset because we did not provide him with information on where to find a car repair center he could trust. Now, if we had that answer, RepairTrust.com would be obsolete. The fact remains that 98% of all repair shops can’t be trusted. In 20 plus years we’ve yet to stumble across one – although we remain hopeful – for at least 2% any way.

So, the question is not "where" to find an honest shop, but "how" does one protect themselves in the dark underworld of auto repair. We provide a plethora of information to protect you @ Auto Repair. Additionally, to address the false logic in searching for a trustworthy service center, please read the following brief article @ Car Repair Prices…

Best Regards,

Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Auto Repair Costs

2008-08-29T20:33:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair: Dealer Prices versus Local Shops

There are many who assume that local repair shops charge significantly less than the dealer for auto repair. While at times they certainly do; it’s not something one can bank on, nor compare – easily anyway. What type of service, parts, and quality of workmanship are you getting for your money? In other words, local shops can easily under-price a dealer by using aftermarket parts, for example. This is not to say dealers don’t have their issues - they’re often horrible, inept hacks - but we need to consider for "what" are we paying.

During a recent interview, a woman stated that she called her dealership for a quote for front brake pads and rotors. Since the price from her local service center was the same, she had them do it. She was happy that, in her mind, she got a fair deal.

In fact, the local repair shop used aftermarket disc brake pads and rotors. The labor rate was less. The parts were less. But she paid the same. She paid the same price, but got inferior parts installed on her vehicle. Her repairs may not necessarily be unsafe. They parts may work fine. However, does it make sense (for the same money) to do this? Did this woman get a good value? No – she got ripped-off. It happens every day….

To learn more, visit a free article center @ auto maintenance

Ted Olson
http://www.repairtrust.com/
Making sense of Auto Repair

2008-08-18T20:22:00.000-04:00

Auto Maintenance: Will Driving 55 MPH Save Gas?

In the current gas crisis, many are touting the benefits of auto maintenance, hybrid cars and driving-style strategies. Some suggestions are better than others. One, however, is down right dangerous – Driving 55 MPH.

Although a reduced driving speed does indeed save gas, there are three scenarios that will occur should one maintain such a reduced highway cruising speed as 55 MPH. They may happen individually or all at once.

Cussed out. You will be sworn at, glared at, and thought of as an imbecile. This annoyance by your driving compatriots is justified from the perspective of the "go-with-the-flow" commuter attitude. It may even be argued that your efforts at fuel conservation are causing a domino effect, making thousands of vehicles to "hit the brakes," which is one of the greatest wastes of energy for a car. Nevertheless, perhaps this seems miner given the extra pennies saved each month on gas.

Cut Off. Cars will be whizzing by you left and right. Many will cut in front of you – again rightfully so – based on the aforementioned commuter logic. Getting cut off is not fun, and can waste energy (as you slam on the brakes). It will also significantly increase your chances of crashing, which is never a good gas savings method.

Killed. Of course crashing can greatly increase your chances of getting killed, or killing others. What is the death risk-factor to fuel savings worth? Should one opt for the latter, is that decision fair to the driving community?

To confirm the above, a panic-stricken, professional woman related the horrors of when she tried to drive 55 MPH during her commute. She stated that she was cussed out, cut off and "damn near killed." Fellow commuters were making rude hand gestures, swearing, honking, and swerving in front of her of car. Fun stuff – for how much savings…?

Until we get every driver to govern one’s vehicle to 55 MPH it’s probably best to go with the flow. In the mean time, check your tire pressure, and keep your vehicle maintained according to your manufacturer’s recommendations.

Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Auto Repair

2008-08-07T20:57:00.000-04:00

Car Maintenance: Will it Really Help Gas Mileage?

As gas prices continue to rise, the auto industry is out in full force touting the benefits of car maintenance. Many repair shops even have custom "fuel saver" services. While maintaining one’s car is indeed important, does it really save gas? Before we answer this, let’s step back and look at auto maintenance for today’s cars.

The first question we need to ask is – what does my car need (according to the manufacturer) for it to be considered "maintained." Today’s cars no longer have distributor caps, rotors, points, and a variety of other ignition components – so these don’t need maintenance. Many vehicles now come with extended service parts such as 100,000-mile platinum spark plugs and life-time fuel filters. Oil change intervals have been extended to 5,000 miles or more. The 3,000-mile oil change is ancient history. Coolant flushes and transmission services aren’t needed until 100,000 miles if at all. Yet, even if we performed all the above services, will they increase fuel efficiency? Probably not. Unless your vehicle is misfiring (i.e., not running on all cylinders), you’re gas mileage is likely fine.

So what part of car maintenance adversely effects gas mileage for the average driver of a late model vehicle? Three things: tire pressure, air filters, and excess carbon.

Tire Pressure: Setting your tire pressure is free, and is the best maintenance service you can perform to maintain maximum fuel efficiency. It’s that simple.

Air Filters: Air filters can indeed get plugged after a considerable amount of driving and can then restrict air flow, which will not allow your fuel to burn efficiently. This can also cause excess carbon build-up, which can reduce miles per gallon. The good news: air filters are cheap ($15 to $30), are easy to install, and usually only need replacement every 30,000 miles.

Excess Carbon: There is another auto maintenance service that "can" help gas mileage. It’s called a fuel system cleaning service. Some repair centers call it fuel injector auto maintenance, or a fuel injection service. Simply, chemicals are added to your fuel system through a variety of orifices to clean out excess carbon deposits on your valves, pistons and intake manifold. This naturally forming carbon (in excess) is not good for gas mileage. Excess carbon absorbs gasoline, which would otherwise be used to power your vehicle. However, before you run out and spend the $150 + to have this service performed, there is one important consideration – the service will only work for vehicles that need it. In other words, yes the stuff works, but you’re vehicle may not have any excess carbon build-up. You wouldn’t wash clean clothes – right?

When you see those "fuel saver" services for $100 to $300, they’ll likely include an air filter, tire pressure check, and a fuel system cleaning service. If you’re wondering whether or not your vehicle needs it, ask yourself the following:

1) Do I use quality gasoline consistently?
2) Have I replaced my air filter at least every 30,000 miles?
3) Have I checked my tire pressure recently?

If you can answer these questions affirmatively, you’re probably ok. Buying cheap, no-name gas once-in-awhile is ok. Replacing the air filter and setting your tire pressure is common sense. Also, if you drive like grandma, get out on the highway and press the vertical pedal at your right foot "all the way to the floor" until your vehicle accelerates to speeds at which you’re not all too entirely comfortable. Then repeat a few more times. This will help clean out excess carbon – FREE – less the cost of fuel. Be careful. Watch out for cops.

In summary, follow your manufacturer guidelines for your car’s maintenance – not ones designed by those who stand to benefit most. Use name-brand fuel, set your tire pressure now and again, pop in an air filter, according to your car’s recommended interval, and don’t be afraid to drop the hammer now and again.

Ted
www.repairtrust.com
Making Sense of Car Maintenance

2008-07-03T20:16:00.001-04:00

Auto Repair - They Can't Even Get Tires Right!

I recently replaced the tires on my wife's minivan. I decided to try a local facility that looked like it had its act together and specialized in tires. I did my research at my favorite online tire resource (http://www.tirerack.com/) and picked out 4 Yokohamas. Tip - be very wary of what your repair shop recommends for tires - do your research!

I let the local auto repair shop sell me the tires, as by the time I had them shipped and installed - it just wasn't worth the savings, which was minimal - plus I don't mind letting shops make money - I made money for 20 years in the auto repair industry!

Prior to the work, I negotiated free installation (mounting and balancing), free disposal, free valve stems, a discounted alignment, and free nitrogen inflation. Tip - you can almost always negotiate auto service.

They did the work for a fair price and got it done when they said they would. That these two things were achieved at all was a miracle. However, they put the wrong wheel weights on!
This may seem like a minor point, but it bugs the hell out of me.

Here's why:

1) The wrong wheel weights look like crap
2) They fit poorly, scratching the aluminum rims
3) This scratching will corrode my rims, contribute to tire leaks, and it looks like crap
4) The weights don't fit securely and can fall off, causing vibration, and requiring me to have my wheels balanced again and/or prematurely. A wheel weight that falls off while driving can also chip the paint on my fender.
5) Did I mention it looks like crap? :)

Why would a "tire specialist" do this? Visit car repair prices to learn why we can't get our cars fixed right, and what you can do about it.

-Ted
RepairTrust
http://www.repairtrust.com/
Making Sense of Auto Repair, Car Maintenance, and Auto Repair Costs

2008-06-29T19:52:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair: Uncover Your Mechanic’s Lies

There’s an old sales joke: How do you know when a salesman is lying? Answer: His lips are moving! Similarly, when a mechanic is chatting about your car trouble, he’s often embellishing. The reasons for this requires a separate article, but incompetence, profit motives, and ignorance are the top three, and will provide the necessary backdrop for our discussion here. The following real-life example and the subsequent tips will help you recognize the danger signals during your next auto repair.

The repair customer in our example came to us with a common automotive complaint –squeaking brakes. You may have asked similar questions as him: Should my brakes be squeaking? Does it mean that I need brakes? Do they just need to break-in? The responses to these simple questions can get quite elaborate from the plethora of amateur mechanics in the field.

The original customer comments below have been edited here for grammar and context.

He writes:

My front brake pads were replaced recently, but the new ones only lasted a week before squeaking horribly at every stop. I returned to my repair shop and they said that I must have got a bad set of brake pads.

They installed a second set of brake pads, but apparently forgot to resurface or replace the rotors so the new brake pads went bad again, as this time I felt excessive vibrations in the steering when the brakes were applied at highway speeds.

They put on a third set of brake pads and installed new disc brake rotors. However, the third set was squeaking intermittently for over two months. When I returned again (the fourth time), they said it was just a rough spot that had to wear through. It didn’t.

Next, they proceeded to put on a different type of pad, stating that the last set “did not hold up.” It “seems” ok now.

The fact that this particular auto repair shop installed different types of brake pads suggests several things. One, the repair shop likely installed cheap aftermarket brake parts originally. Two, they installed the wrong parts. Three, they installed the wrong brake pads from a “material/OEM” standpoint. Four, the brake replacement procedure was done incorrectly. Five, they failed to recognize another brake component contributing to the squeak – a sticking caliper perhaps. Six, they didn’t service the calipers properly during service – a very common error. Seven, potentially all of the above at some point during the five attempts to fix a simple brake squeak on a car that “never” had squeaking brakes prior to this particular shop’s “Expert Brake Service.”

Moreover, brake pads do not cause vibrations. The condition the customer was describing is technically called “pulsating,” and is caused by the disc brake rotors being out-of-round. This is what was causing the “vibration.” The brake rotors were not replaced the first time – they should have been. Putting new brake pads on old, warped brake rotors are what caused the customer to notice the car’s vibrating steering wheel during high-speed braking.

Finally, the statement that the brakes had a “rough spot” and needed to wear through is a classic load of crap!

Tips:

1) Vague terminology like a “bad set of brake pads” is a signal that you’re dealing with an amateur

2) Forgetting to do a certain procedure (i.e., installing new disc brake rotors) on a critical safety system such as brakes is a strong signal to run like hell

3) Rough spots that your vehicle’s brake system needs to “wear through” are a mechanics way of telling you to go away in the hope that the real issue with your car will miraculously go away too

4) If your shop is installing parts that just don’t “hold up” on a “brake system” take this as a clear signal that they may not have your best interest at hand

Happy driving!

Ted Olson
http://www.repairtrust.com/
Making Sense of Auto Repair

2008-04-23T14:50:00.001-04:00

Auto Repair – Charging Too Much For Diagnostic Time

As a veteran auto mechanic, I will be the first to defend charging for diagnostic time. Today’s cars demand an in-depth understanding of a vast array of electronics, computers, processors – having this knowledge is valuable. However, too often, diagnostic time is billed arbitrarily and/or excessively.

A common example of excessive diagnostic charges is checking for a leak. Whether it’s coolant, oil, or transmission fluid, too often 1.0 labor hour is billed for inspections (which often consist merely of a glance at the under-carriage) that should bill only .3 hours.

Another frequent scenario is the 1.0 hour of labor that’s charged to investigate a check engine light. Essentially the technician plugs in a scanner that communicates with your vehicle’s on-boards computer and reads a trouble code. Depending on the vehicle, this service bills from .2 to .5 hours. The trouble is that the bulk of repair shops charge 1.0 hour to do this.

Charging 1 hour "just" to pull a fault code is excessive. Charging 1 hour to "diagnose" a check engine light is a different story. The code that’s pulled from your computer is only a starting point. The technician must then follow the appropriate diagnostic path to uncover why the code set in the first place. This process may take the technician 30 seconds or it may require hours.

Is it fair to pay 1 hour of labor for a 30-second diagnosis? If the diagnosis is accurate and the labor time corresponds with manufacturer guides and industry standards, then yes. You are paying for experience.

Importantly, claims of experience do often get abused or applied arbitrarily, but so we understand both sides of the situation, here’s an example to put diagnostic charges in context.

A friend called whose vehicle kept stalling and then intermittently wouldn’t start. Knowing the common problems associated with his particular model, I was able to make an accurate diagnosis over the phone. What was that worth? For his particular model it was worth $150 in diagnostic time.

In the end, paying for diagnostic time is routine. It’s part of the process of repairing your car. That said, don’t be afraid to ask your repair shop to justify their diagnostic time. Make sure you get a complete and detailed description of the diagnostic process that accounts for the charges. If the diagnostics charges seem excessive and/or evasive, get a second opinion.

-Ted Olson
http://www.repairtrust.com/
Making Sense of Auto Repair

2008-04-11T14:34:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair - Not Getting What You Paid For

I recently took my car to a local service facility for an oil change and a transmission service. I knew that the oil change was going to cost $30. I also knew the fair price for a transmission service and what it should include. My transmission fluid would be drained. The lower pan would be removed. A new filter and gasket would be installed and the pan would be cleaned and reinstalled. The transmission would then be filled with fresh fluid and road tested. At least that’s what a "traditional" transmission service includes…

I looked up at the "menu of services" and noticed that the Transmission Service was $149. This was fairly close to what it would cost if performed according to manufacturer recommendations. However, I wanted to ensure that I was getting what I paid for so I asked.

By the puzzled expression on the young mechanics face, I realized very quickly that he was not about to perform a traditional transmission service. He stated confidently that "many transmissions no longer have filters." This is true, but he failed to notice the vehicle that I was driving, which indeed does have a transmission filter. He went on to say that his hi-tech transmission flushing machine would be all that I needed.

Ignoring his ignorance, I asked how much they would charge for a traditional transmission service. He stated: "Well, it should be about another $100 – give or take…" I politely declined and took my vehicle elsewhere for its transmission maintenance.

In sum, there are two things that are extremely important for the car repair customer to know about the above "every day" scenario…

1) When a mechanic says: "it should be about" "ballpark" or "it will cost around" you’re in trouble. If your shop can’t give you a detailed estimate of what a repair will cost – especially for a straightforward service – find another service center. Ball park estimates leave too much room for error and leave you, the repair customer, without any detailed expectations. If you went to a hotel and asked about room rates and the clerk said "oh about $250 bucks" would you accept that? Of course not!

2) Find out what your car really needs. Unfortunately, you will need to be your own advocate. Many shops are either ignorant or have their own ideas about what your car needs, which is often in direct conflict with your manufacturer recommendations.

TedOlson

http://www.repairtrust.com/

Making Sense of Auto Repair

2008-03-24T15:14:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair - Just How Much Fraud Is There?

I received an inquiry from a reporter recently with one simple question - how much fraud is there? I though that I would share our response here as well...

"You ask a great question. RepairTrust studies show that 98% of all car repair shops are charging excessively in one form or another. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that automotive service consumers are scammed tens of billions of dollars every year. Repair shops—dealerships, local shops, and franchises—are repeatedly at the top of consumer complaint lists every year.

RepairTrust Consumer Surveys indicate the following...

86% of car repair customers surveyed stated car repair prices are either too high or outrageous

78% of car repair customers suspect that they pay too much for car repair

70% are concerned about getting overcharged for car repair

40% stated that they knew they were overcharged for car repair

73% want a resource to determine fair car repair prices

78% want information that will help them avoid car repair scams

69% want information that would allow them to advocate for themselves

62% want information that will help lower car repair costs

It's important to note that there are three broad areas of car repair fraud:

Consumer Fraud - this is probably the area that you're looking to investigate, and the area with which most are familiar

Warranty Fraud - very few realize the millions stolen from the vehicle manufacture by their dealer partner

Dealer Fraud - In-house fraud, or one department stealing from another (e.g., a service department billing fraudulent repairs to a sales department)

The information that we've collected from the dark underworld of auto repair is massive... I would encourage you to review the following FREE articles @ http://www.repairtrust.com/articles.html"

-Ted

http://www.repairtrust.com/

Making Sense Of Auto Repair

2008-03-04T15:54:00.000-05:00

Auto Repair: Check Engine Light – Why Is It On?

I get the check engine light question all the time. The answer is that I have no idea. There are literally thousands of reasons a service engine light can illuminate. Oxygen sensors, crankshaft position sensors, loose gas caps, rat-chewed wires - the list goes on….

One thing is certain – you should get it checked. But that is such an inconvenience! You have to schedule an appointment, drop off your car, pay a diagnostic fee, and then wait for the dreaded news, and cost.

Here’s a quick temporary solution that can ease your mind and may even reduce the strain on your wallet…. (You can also learn more @ http://www.repairtrust.com/check.html)

Most major Auto Parts stores (Napa, AutoZone) will scan your vehicle for free. While we need to be careful not to follow the advice and diagnosis of the parts guy scanning your vehicle for check engine light codes, it may ease your mind to know just what circuit and/or component is malfunctioning.

I recently tested this free service at AutoZone when the engine light came on in my wife’s minivan. They quickly scanned my vehicle and pulled code PO135. They proceeded to print out a brief description of what this means and what component was malfunctioning. It turned out to be the heating element inside the oxygen sensor. Having seen this code many times I knew that if I installed a new oxygen sensor I’d be all set.

Auto repair shops will charge an hour’s labor to tell you this. If that’s all they’re doing, an hour is probably not justified. However, if it’s backed up with documentation, print outs, and a solid recommendation of what it will take to repair and/or proceed, then that is worth it – usually.

It’s the not knowing that drives us nuts! That’s why I suppose I’m peppered with this question weekly. So, if you must know, and don’t want to pay anything, check out a major auto parts store and see what pops up during the free scan.

Let me know how you make out…

Best,

Ted Olson
RepairTrust.com
Making Sense of Auto Repair

2008-02-25T12:23:00.000-05:00

Is Auto Repair A Convenience or Necessity?

This sounds like a silly question, I mean, of course cars "need" service and repairs. Unfortunately, however, the repair industry has become accustomed to charging for convenience. In other words, your car repair prices will be higher because your car broke down in area A versus Area B.

Now some folks have no problem paying a little more for convenience. Others folks, however, are struggling to makes ends meet....read the full article @ auto repair

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making sense of car repair prices

2008-02-14T21:22:00.000-05:00

Car Repair Prices - The Top 5 Reasons It's Your Fault You Paid Too Much

Nobody likes to hear it, but often times you cost yourself $100s, even $1000s of dollars unecessarily in auto repairs. While I'll be the first the throw the entire auto repair industry under the bus, the repair customer can really muck things up...

Whether it's through lying, providing one's own parts, or telling the technician what you want done, there is one horror story after another.

One of my favorites is of the women who pulled into a gas station becuase her car was overheating. Refusing offers to help, she told the technician that her dad was a mechanic and she knew exactly what to do. Indeed, she got the diagnoses correct - the car was overheating, as the coolant had leaked out. She then proceeded to remove the "oil cap" and fill the "engine" up with water.

That cooled the engine down alright!

Learn how to avoid the 5 most common mistakes - click car repair prices

-Ted
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Auto Repair

2008-02-09T19:53:00.000-05:00

Auto Repair Costs - Same Repair Three Different Prices - Shoot For the Middle!

I had to post this as it raises a very common scenario for many car repairs.

A client wrote to me asking:

I have an Acura TL 3.2, 1998. The muffler pipes between the exhaust and engine need to be replaced. I am getting three different prices:

Midas = $350.00
Acura Dealership = $600.00
Local Car Mechanic = $475.00

Which one sounds most reasonable, and who should I go with?

I responded:

You pose a fantastic question!

In short, given the age of the car - go with the $475. Just be sure that they're installing what's called a "direct fit" assembly - not some pieced together/makeshift jumble of cheap exhaust parts.

Stay far away from Midas - the precision of Acura and the hacks at Midas don't go well together.

The dealer's fine too - but the $475 will be the best bang for the buck...

My mother "still" tells me - get three estimates (on any type of service or product) and take the one in the middle - she's usually right - and she'll remind me of this often!

But check out this article too...
http://www.repairtrust.com/articles_dealer_locals.html

Let us know how you make out...

Thanks for the questions...

-Ted
RepairTrust
Making Sense Of Car Repair Prices

2008-01-25T21:00:00.000-05:00

Auto Repair Costs - The Worst Time of Year For Car Repair

Did you know that there are specific times during the year when you’re more likely to get ripped-off for car repair? It is always important to keep an eye on repair costs, but it pays to be especially alert during the months of January, February and March.

The auto industry can be quite turbulent, but it almost always experiences a slump from January to March – even April. There are a number of reasons for this, but the simple answer is that most folks service their vehicles in the spring and the fall – not during the icy cold months of a new year. For this reason auto shops tend to be a bit more...

Click Auto Repair Costs to read more...

RepairTrust
Making Sense of Car Repair Prices

2008-01-20T20:46:00.000-05:00

Auto Repair Costs - Should I Change My Oil Every 3,000 Miles?

After reading an article from a popular Auto Expert, who was touting to "change your oil every 3,000 miles," I had to respond with the facts...

For decades mechanics have been telling us to change our oil every 3,000 miles. Interestingly, no automotive manufacturer agrees with this maintenance schedule – not in the last 20 years anyway. So why are we being told to change our oil every 3,000 miles if it’s unnecessary?

Follow the money...click Auto Repair Costs for the full article

-Ted Olson
www.repairtrust.com/

2007-10-31T22:17:00.000-04:00

Single Mother Need Help with Car Repairs

“Hi, I’m a single mother. I need help with car repairs!”

I get this a lot. Single moms, not knowing who to trust, often write to me describing the most elaborate and time-consuming tactics they’ve had to undergo to avoid getting ripped off. It’s a sad reality, and it’s not just for single moms.

The short, two-part conversation below (edited for readability) speaks to all car repair customers.

Single Mom:

I am a divorced mother. Being on a budget, I have to plan for car maintenance repairs. I truly appreciate your web site for anyone who may not be mechanically savvy to know when to believe or trust car repair estimates. I received a quote... Click the following link for full article - Single Mother Need Help with Car Repairs

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Car Repair Prices

2007-05-29T14:40:00.000-04:00

NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, and Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices – Whose Prices Are Right?

The Internet has been touted as the greatest resource for the used car buyer. Prospective buyers can find trade-in, private party, and retail values in a heartbeat. The question to consider, however, is what Internet source is right? The three major sites: NADA, Edmunds, and Kelly Blue Book are clamoring to be the Trusted Authority on used car values. Yet price discrepancies are frequently in the $1000’s from site to site. Which web site, if any, is the most accurate source for the used car buyer?

To illustrate the discrepancies, here’s an everyday example: NADA may retail a 2003 SAAB 9-5 Linear at $15,996, Kelly Blue Book prices it at $17,456, and Edmunds prices it at $14,800. These are all retail values, assuming excellent or clean condition. $17,456 minus $14,800 is a $2,656 difference. That’s a huge price difference in the highly competitive used car market. This is not an argument to protect used car dealers. Rather, this is a warning for the used car buyer when he or she is surfing the web for used car prices.

The retail values placed on many vehicles by these web sites can have even larger price differences - some as high as $4000 to $8000 dollars. These gigantic price fluctuations can leave a used car buyer spending $1000’s extra, depending on which guide he or she used. Moreover, private party and trade-in sale prices do not accurately account for vehicle condition.
Vehicle condition is a critical variable. An owner might think his trade-in is in stunning condition and thus worth X, based on his Internet research. An expert may know it needs $1000’s in repairs and reconditioning costs.

The answer to "whose prices are right" is...click NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices

RepairTrust
Setting the Standard for Fair Car Repair Prices

2007-05-09T14:44:00.000-04:00

Searching For Car Repair Prices

If you’ve ever surfed the web looking for prices on car repair, you probably got a bit frustrated with the lack of information. The reason for this is multi-faceted. In short, auto repair costs are extremely variable because car repair has a number of variables as well as unknowns. Thus there are no accurate databases or lists, or even computer generated pricing programs, that could even come close to hitting the mark on car repair costs.

So there’s no easy cheat sheet that states: replace water pump: $487.65 - tune up: $125.87 - oil change: $29.95. A recent letter to RepairTrust illustrates just how hard it is to get accurate car repair pricing information:

It states:

Hi,

I’m working on a project for driver’s education and I need to find prices for a tune-up, 2 oil changes, and a brake job. Unfortunately, none of the sites will tell me how much they are...please help!

We responded:

Hi,

Specific and accurate car repair prices don't exist on the web. There are
just too many variables, too many types of cars, and too many repairs at any
given time to provide an accurate car repair estimate.

This is why RepairTrust has implemented "LIVE" auto repair pricing @ http://www.repairtrust.com/. This service will provide detailed, accurate and professional auto repair estimates.

We do provide FREE samples of online auto repair estimates @ http://www.repairtrust.com/contact_price_quote.html so you could get lucky.

Even your oil change question, while a GREAT question, has hundreds of
different answers. For example, an oil change on a Toyota Camry might cost
$29.95, but an oil change on a Volvo might cost $89.99.

The same goes for tune up, brakes, and the rest. There are no generic
prices.

I hope this helps.

If you'd like us to provide an estimate for you, visit us @ http://www.repairtrust.com/

Good luck on your project!

-Ted
RepairTrust
Empowering the Car Repair Customer
Making sense of car repair costs

2007-05-08T13:22:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair Estimates and Car Repair Prices - the Real Information to Avoid Car Repair Scams

Wondering whether or not you were overcharged for your car repair is awful.

There is tons of advice on how to avoid getting ripped-off, but no one ever talks about actual car repair prices. We really need to look at the charges on a car repair estimate or auto repair shop invoice.

In other words, the focus needs to shift from outdated advice to the specific charges on one's repair estimate. Are they legitimate charges? Can they be justified by industry guidelines?

Car repair estimates can be confusing. To get a better idea if your auto repair shop is charging you appropriately....to learn more click auto repair estimates

-RepairTrust

Making sense of car repair costs

2007-05-06T20:27:00.000-04:00

FREE Online Auto Repair Estimates

The most important factor in an auto repair estimate is the break down of the charges. Without a break down, one can not see the exact price for a specific car repair. Too often, car repair estimates are a jumble of confusing verbiage and prices.

What you'll notice about the estimates below (compared to an invoice from your auto repair shop) is the complete break down of costs.

Again, seeing the break down of the auto repair charges is the best way to ensure you're getting treated fairly. Learn more @ FREE Online Auto Repair Estimates

-The RepairTrust Team
Making Sense of Car Repair Prices

2007-04-19T15:47:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair Average Costs

Every now and again we get a few upset mechanics or shop owners complaining that it is not possible for RepairTrust to provide accurate car repair estimates. They go on to say that we don’t know what we’re talking about…that we’re idiots…and many other colorful words.

Following is one such discussion on car repair costs. It’s highlighted here to illustrate the resistance and defiance of the auto repair industry to anyone suggesting a fair car repair price - even an average - other than the repair facility itself.

This particular shop owner writes via email:

I would like you to inform me on "what" I should charge for a given repair without you knowing anything about my business, about my warranty, my benefits for employees, my services or overhead. Please explain with clarity how you can predetermine the cost of doing business from one location to another.

I would really be surprised if anyone replied to this request. Advise at a cost?? Come-on boys... lets come up with intelligent response here...Click Auto Repair Average Costs for the full and enlightening story...

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Car Repair Costs

2007-04-06T11:19:00.000-04:00

Car Maintenance Costs - The Real Story...

If you walked into your local car dealer and requested a 30,000-mile maintenance service, is it safe to assume that the dealer will follow manufacturer guidelines when servicing your car? Should the dealer “only” follow manufacturer guidelines? Can they bend the guidelines…?

Here’s a recent and very common scenario that occurred at a local Toyota dealership….

A service customer called the dealer to schedule the manufacturer’s recommended 30,000-mile service for his 2005 4-Cylinder Camry. However, the dealer added several services NOT included in the guidelines.

The additional services included a coolant flush (drain and refill), automatic transmission service (drain and refill), and a power steering fluid change.

According to the manufacturer, the coolant does not need to be replaced until 100,000 miles. The automatic transmission fluid can last until 120,000 miles. And there is no specific maintenance interval for the power steering fluid.

Now, before we throw the dealer under the bus, which, don’t get me wrong, is always a blast to do, is there any legitimacy in recommending these extra services? Are there any circumstances where one may want to consider performing a coolant or transmission service 70,000 to 90,000 miles sooner than recommended by the manufacturer of the car? Click car maintenance costs to view the entire article

RepairTrust
Making Sense of Car Repair Prices

2007-03-28T12:40:00.000-04:00

Car Repair HELP!

The following "real life" event is not all that uncommon. While your car may not be tied up for 5 months as described below, it may be delayed a number of days or weeks due to technician error and/or incompetence.

In fact, one recent conversation we had with a client involved her car being "held hostage" for three days while the mechanic (perhaps trying his best) fumbled along without any conclusive diagnosis.

For a wealth of FREE information discussing the pitfalls of auto repair and how to avoid them, visit our library of articles @ Auto Repair Info

Here's the article:

Mechanic Keeps Car For Five Months

You take your car to a mechanic, you expect it to be fixed and be on your way. But a local mechanic kept one woman's car for months, until she turned to the FOX23 Solving Problem's Team for help.

The Cadillac that Mary Stelle's brother bought for her is what she prefers, "My husband died a year and a half ago and my brother is trying to take care of me... so he bought me a car for my birthday and paid cash and bought an extended warranty."

But after a few months, the car had transmission problems so she headed back to the dealership that sold the car and warranty, Muskogee County Auto Sales.

That dealership held her car for five months! Stelle says, "It's one excuse after another, first he didn't have a mechanic and then he ordered the wrong transmission, then a mechanic had it at his house."

With no way to get around, Mary had to buy a second car, "It was all I had in savings to buy the other car, but I had to have another car. I'm very angry, it's not right. Those people or this man would not allow something like this to happen to his wife or his mother."Mary asked us to help, so we paid a visit to the dealership in Muskogee.

Click Car Repair Help for full article

RepairTrust
Making Sense of Car Repair Prices

Article Source: http://www.fox23.com/default.aspx

2007-03-02T15:29:00.000-05:00

Ask A Mechanic: Wading Through the Mess of Car Repair Prices and

Auto Repair Estimates

If you were handed an estimate to replace a water pump on your car, would you know if the price was fair? Could you trust the price? How about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporative emissions sensor? Most of us don’t know what these are, never mind the price. Yet it is components such as these that are commonly used to over charge you, the car repair customer.

We no longer live in an age of “trust.” We need to ensure that our auto repair costs are legitimate.

How many times have you suspected that you paid too much, but couldn't prove it? How many times did the price seem exorbitant for even simple repairs? How many times have you wished you had someone in which to turn for real and honest answers about auto repair costs?

To illustrate just how “At Risk” the everyday auto repair customer is to excessive repair prices, here’s a very recent real life example from a very “reputable…?” dealer.

Click Ask A Mechanic for the full article...

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust

2007-02-26T13:36:00.000-05:00

Car Repair Help: Since When Does Waxing A Car Involve Insurance?

If you have recently purchased a new or used vehicle, upon closing the deal, you may be offered an extended warranty, a tire road hazard warranty, and/or dent repair insurance. But how about insuring your vehicle’s paint against bird poop? Spilled coffee on your seat? No problem; we got a plan for that too! No worries! Insurance—does it ever end?

Paint protection insurance is another ingenious marketing plan that nets big numbers for car dealers. Who would have thought car wax could become so profitable?

Simonize, a veteran in the car wax industry, is the leader in the paint and upholstery insurance business.

Simonize uses a Teflon-based wax to protect paint against acid rain, tree sap, the elements, and yes, bird poop. The interior is protected against coffee, soda stains…etc. All of these are quite harmful to your car. And yes, Teflon is the same non-stick material used on frying pans.

The full insurance/wax treatment process is called Simonize System 5.

The natural occurrences listed above are not covered by manufacturer warranties, thus Simonize steps in to fill this warranty void. The Simonize System 5 Protection Plan provides coverage of the paint and upholstery for five years, unlimited mileage.

Click car repair help for the full article.

RepairTrust
Making Sense of Auto Repair Costs

2007-02-23T20:01:00.000-05:00

Auto Repair HELP?

Is there ANY Saving Grace for the Auto Repair Customer?

Auto Repair Complaints TOP Consumer Complaint Lists...

The following article shows further evidence for the continuing total dissatisfaction with auto repair. While this piece contains some decent practical advice, the statement such as "most repair shops are honest and do a good job" is actually an absurd and uneducated remark in light of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

What's scary is that the people who are suppose to be protecting you, the consumer, know very little about car repair prices, and auto repair scams that rob car repair customers tens-of-billions of dollars annually....

Click for the full Auto Repair Help article

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Auto Repair Costs

2007-01-03T10:18:00.000-05:00

Used Car Prices: Web-Based Values Myths and Facts

Eighty percent of car buyers are using the Internet to research cars and used car prices. For vehicle research, the Internet’s great! For vehicle prices, the Internet sucks! It sucks because the prices do not reflect reality for the buyer or the seller. Web sites that place values on vehicles have created more confusion than ever.

“My car’s worth $25,800.” “I looked up used car prices on the web and my vehicle’s worth twenty grand.” I hear quotes like these everyday. I wish, for the customer’s sake, that the values are real. By “real” I mean a viable number according to market value.

As hard as it is to accept, even for me as a dealer, what we think a car is worth, and what it’s actually worth according to “market value” is often drastically different.

To find a vehicle’s value....full article click used car prices

-Ted Olson
Medway Imports
Importing a Passion for Driving!

Ted Olson is the founder of RepairTrust. A website designed to empower the repair customer to take control of car repair prices

2006-12-31T23:27:00.000-05:00

Vehicle Maintenance Software

Simple Solutions To Lower Your Auto Repair Costs...

With all the unique and numerous needs of today's cars, how do we keep track of tune-ups, vehicle maintenance, tire rotations, fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance and other automotive needs?

Is there a simple vehicle maintenance monitor system?

Is there some kind of window software for vehicle maintenance?

Yes...Full Article for Vehicle Maintenance Software

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Car Repair Prices

2006-12-22T13:57:00.000-05:00

What’s My Vehicle Worth?

What's my vehicle worth? What a question! I wish that after 20 years in the automotive industry there was a simple answer. One would think that with all the information available it would make prices and values easier to obtain. In fact, in many ways, the numbers are more unclear than ever.

The following e-mail conversation regarding retail car prices and trade-in values highlights the confusion and misconceptions about automobile price and value.

This conversation occurred between me/Ted, the dealer, and Rich, the customer...

[Begin Email]

[Ted]

Hi Rich...

Donna loves the 2006 Volvo. It’s a perfect fit!

Again retail value is: $23,800

Here's what Medway Imports can do:
2006 Volvo S40 Price.............$18,995
2001 Chevy Impala Trade-In Value…........$4,000

Thanks Rich!

Note: the Volvo is still under its factory 4-Year 50,000-mile warranty, free road side assistance…etc.

[Rich]

Hi Ted,

Thanks for the information. The Volvo certainly is a great price, but isn’t my Impala worth $6,000-$7,000?....Click What's My Vehicle Worth for the full article...

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Take Control of Car Repair Prices and Used Car Prices

2006-12-16T21:04:00.000-05:00

Car Repair Scams

Would would Jesus do...

Car repair scams are so blatant, yet little is being done to help the auto repair customer.

In the process of exposing car repair scams, I have received some hate mail. Most of these state that I’m crazy or paranoid, or that I have no idea what I’m talking about. Others involve more general ranting.

One, however, stated that I was a scammer. Essentially, this person thinks that I am using scam tactics to sell eBooks which expose scam tactics.

Here is a small sample of the facts that I have been stating...click the following link for the full car repair scams article.

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Take Charge of Your Car Repair Costs

2006-12-13T07:04:00.000-05:00

Car Maintenance Costs

Car maintenance costs continue to rise despite new technologies. Repair customers have enough to worry about with car expenses and getting a square deal. Following is an interesting slant to lower car maintenance costs taking off in Asia...

You've heard of car pooling, why not car-sharing. Car-sharing will slice car maintenance costs down to a minimum--in Asia anyway. Could it catch on elsewhere?

Motorists turn to car-sharing...

SINGAPORE: With Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices now back on an uptrend, many people may reconsider getting a car.

A growing number of Singaporeans are giving up their cars altogether, opting to car-share instead.

59-year-old retiree Thong Chee Hong and his wife do not travel as much as they used to.

So, a day after scrapping his car in August, they joined Honda's Diracc car sharing scheme.

The couple says they like the convenience of having a car whenever they need it, without having to deal with cost factors such as road tax, petrol, car maintenance and repair bills.

"I would generally spend $500 to S$600 on average per month in owning a car. However, when I came on this programme, I'm now spending on average only about $200 a month, taking into consideration six to eight times of driving per month," Mr Thong says.

Users of this system can receive and return the cars at 16 ports, the majority of which are located within the Central Business District.

But as the fleet grows, the plan is to have more of these ports at residential areas.

Mr Thong says he is also swayed by the use of Honda's environment friendly hybrid cars which run on an electric motor and a petrol engine.

Hisao Kobayashi, Managing Director, Honda ICVS, says: "Whenever the number of vehicles gets more, there are congestion problems and noise problems. We would like to provide other alternatives to our so-called users. If you use the car a little bit less, why don't you use car sharing?

This car-sharing scheme is complementing mass transportation like MRT, buses or taxis."

-Dominique Loh, http://www.channelnewsasia.com/index.htm

A fabulous idea to save money on car maintenance costs, gasoline, taxes...etc. Could it also solve traffic issues? Pollution?

In the mean time click the following link in order to take control of car repair prices!

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Empowering the Car Repair Customer

2006-12-08T11:21:00.000-05:00

Car Maintenance Costs

Charging excessive car maintenace and repair costs has become an accepted practice across the auto service industry. Auto sales tricks, online and off, are just as outrageous.

The following RepairTrust Experiment sets out to change this...

The RepairTrust Experiment

We’re Going “Live” to Actively Promote Fair Auto Sales Pricing—Online and Off, and Fair Car Maintenance Costs.

RepairTrust has teamed up with Medway Imports, a European sales and service center. The experiment is to show that the rigorous “customer-friendly” pricing guidelines, discussed in-depth inside the RepairTrust eBook Trilogy, are truly workable in a “real-life” sales and service environment.

In other words, RepairTrust is putting its fair pricing claims to the test. Since the automotive industry is so money focused to the point of poor customer service, and unethical practices, RepairTrust and Medway Imports will...Get Full Article @ Car Maintenance Costs

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Empowering the Auto Consumer!

2006-12-05T20:24:00.000-05:00

Car Repair Scams

5 tip-offs to mechanic rip-offs...

Unless you’re a car mechanic yourself, dealing with a repair shop may require a leap of faith. But if you pay attention to what your mechanic says (and does), you’ll find clues that could tell you whether you’re being bamboozled.

Here are some things mechanics may say when they’re planning to take you for a ride--and we don’t mean in your car.

1. “Get that engine flushed right away or it’s toast.”
Beware if your mechanic’s idea of “scheduled maintenance” bears little resemblance to the recommendations in your owner’s manual. Some shops “build the ticket” (translation: pad the bill) by recommending extra and often unnecessary procedures, such as engine and transmission flushes, or by scheduling some tasks prematurely. Some hawk high-priced “generic” maintenance schedules that may omit procedures your car needs.

2. “That rebuilt Camry alternator will run you $899.”
If you happen to know that your cousin paid only $399 for similar work, you’d better call around to check. Although good shops may charge higher prices to cover the cost of top-flight technicians and equipment, bills that are always 20 to 30 percent more than the going rate should put you on guard, warns John Nielsen, director of AAA’s Automotive Repair Network.

You can poll other shops to find out how much mechanics in your area are charging for common repairs and maintenance. For complex problems, try comparing the price of the parts alone by calling parts stores or dealer parts departments, advises Deanna Sclar, an auto repair expert and author of “Auto Repair for Dummies.”

3. “We thought the new fuel injectors would fix it, but it looks like you need a new fuel pump.”
Uh-oh. You may be dealing with a so-called parts replacer, that is, a mechanic who’s literally rebuilding your car because he can’t diagnose the problem, says Chuck Roberts, executive director for industry relations at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, an organization that certifies auto technicians.

Make the mechanic justify the initial repair. Even if it was an honest misdiagnosis, the shop should refund the amount of the first repair or discount the next one.

If the mechanic gets the diagnosis wrong again, stop replacing parts and replace the shop.

4. “With some cars, it’s not unusual to go through a starter every year.”
Yeah, right. This may be a tip-off that the shop did the work incorrectly or used poor-quality or makeshift parts instead of proper ones. Call some other shops to find out what they think or check the Web to see if there’s a discussion group devoted to your model and its problems. You might also want to take the car to another repair shop for a second opinion. If the original job was lacking, ask the shop that did the work to repeat the repair either without charge or at a substantial discount.

5. “You have to bring your car back to the dealership for service.”
Sure, the dealer wants all the lucrative repair and maintenance jobs. But generally, you need to use a dealer only for work covered under the warranty, recalls, post-warranty fixes you’re hoping the manufacturer will pay for under its “good will” program, or high-tech systems that require a dealership’s specialists.

These 5 tips come from Consumer Reports, and are a good start. Click the following link if you want the ability to STOP Car Repair Scams

Sincerely,

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Auto Maintenance Costs

2006-12-04T20:47:00.000-05:00

The Only Fuel Savings Procedure That Actually Works is the

"BG" Fuel Injector Cleaning Auto Maintenance System

If it doesn't say BG--AVOID IT! In the mean time, here are some "tricks" that you'll want to avoid as well...

Fuel-saving gizmos are gimmicks...

Today’s reader-replies column is a follow-up to a previous one about fuel-saving gizmos and the likelihood that any of them work.

Though “hope springs eternal in the human breast,” when hope is used to sell a quick fix for the high price of gasoline, the Federal Trade Commission scrutinizes the practice.

For the past several years – until recently – the International Research & Development Corp. of Nevada, through its Web site and broadcast e-mails, claimed its magnetically based FuelMax and Super FuelMax devices reduced vehicle emissions and increased fuel economy by 27 percent.

In August of this year, the FTC settled a suit against the company. Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, explains:

“Consumers are looking for ways to increase fuel efficiency and save money at the pump. There are some practical ways to do that, like following the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual, combining errands and avoiding jackrabbit starts. The fact is that many products that claim to save fuel don’t work, and worse yet, may damage your car and end up costing you more.”

The FTC settlement imposes a “lifetime ban on the manufacture, advertising or sale of FuelMax, Super FuelMax, or any similar fuel saving or emissions decreasing product.”

It bars the defendants from making “false or unsubstantiated claims and misrepresentations that products increase gas mileage or reduce emissions” and from “assisting others or providing others with the means and instrumentalities to commit deception.”

The settlement also recovers $4.2 million for “consumer redress.” If you have bought FuelMax or Super FuelMax, you could be entitled to a refund. The FTC hotline for the settlement is 1-877-382-2020, option 1.

Reader Lynn Lunquist weighs in with his opinion on another putative fuel-saving device:

“Of course the Vortex Valve works! I get concerned enough about gas prices to send them my $69.95, I have now shifted from frustration-about-gas-prices mode to do-something-about-it mode. I put the Vortex Valve in and start driving like I expect it to work. And it does! I save 10 percent to 15 percent on my gas bill because I am driving better ... Unfortunately, when the motivation to save gasoline wanes, then the Vortex Valve tends to develop space strings which clog the engine aspiration and mileage again drops off. But that’s OK! There are magnets for the fuel line, or oil additives, or ...”

Reader Edward O’Neal of Norfolk, Va., offers a more sensible suggestion for dramatically increasing fuel economy – a device with neither installation requirements nor upfront costs:

“What your readers need to understand is that they can drastically improve fuel efficiency by simply slowing down. Wind resistance, which is a major factor at highway speeds, increases with the square of the speed. Reducing speed by 10 mph can reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 percent.

“In my 1996 Volvo 960 with a 6-cylinder engine, my mileage goes up from 24 to 27 mpg when I reduce speed from 70 mph to 60 mph. The reduction is much less at in-town speeds, but at highway speeds, the improvement is dramatic.”

-Chip Keen

Chip's article reflects the garbage that is out there in the market place that repeatedly is used to scam the auto repair consumer.

Yes...slowing down "does" actually work. However, I personally like passionate, spirited driving...so...I want something that will work regardless of the MPH...

The good news is that there is a product that works--I mean it REALLY works. It's called BG Fuel Injection/Induction Cleaner. For videos, news clips, and all the proof you'll need, visit Fuel Injector Auto Maintenance for a full discussion.

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Making Sense of Auto Repair Costs

2006-12-04T19:43:00.000-05:00

How Car Dealers Treat Women

The following article illustrates the dispectful treatment of women that is so common in the auto sales and service industry...

The first time I went on a big car lot to buy a car, was with my girlfriend. The salesperson met us outside of our car as if he was going to valet it. I asked him if I could park there, and he responded jokingly “only if I wanted to buy a car”. He immediately asked what kind of car I was looking for. My response was, “the car is for her, she is making the decision”. I mistakenly thought that was direct and sufficient enough, but apparently I was wrong.

The next few questions were directed at me, as if he hadn’t heard my response to the first question. To which I answered “the car is for her, she is making the decision”, about six times I think. I thought maybe he was hard of hearing, but after hanging out for a few minutes with him, I found that wasn’t the case. She finally settled on a car in the price range she was looking for and he ran to get the keys, which of course he handed to me. I got in to drive, the salesman sat in the passenger seat and my girlfriend sat in the back. He was asking me about the power, the torque, and the handling.

About a ½ mile down the road, I pulled over to let her drive. The salesman nearly had a heart attack when I got out. “I told you a number of times that the car was for her, I am letting the decision maker drive, so she can make her decision,” I told him. I was expecting the same question about the power and torque directed to her, but they never came, just questions about the fabric interior and the color of the car.

It was as if he took a sales course about generalizing what each gender wants in a car.

When we got back to the car lot, we followed him inside to work out the numbers and financing. Then the games started. We were young, but not stupid. He was writing numbers all over the place on a sheet of paper that he folded in fours. He wanted to know a payment I was comfortable with. I just pointed at my girlfriend. She answered $200, to which he responded “$200 up to what”. “$201” I remember her saying, I knew there was a reason I liked her.

For the next 20 minutes, we were being manipulated into thinking that the car we drove may not be there tomorrow, and her payment of $223/mo. with what I thought was a sizable down payment, would get her the car tonight. Unlike most car buyers, she was not an emotional buyer. She decided the monthly payment was too high for her budget, and said “no thank you."

We got up to leave and the look on his face was as if we just punched him in the stomach. He had one last ditched effort to keep us as clients. When that was rebuked, he blocked the door and said, “When you come back to buy this car, ask for me, because I don’t do this for fun, I do this to feed my family”. I hope his family knows how to garden.

The whole experience made us want to go home and shower and not deal with people like that anymore.

If you ask any woman who has gone on a lot herself, you will be amazed at the comments they get. This one took the cake: “Did your husband give you his wallet to shop for a car tonight?” The reason I am now a used car salesman, is because there is nobody else stepping up and treating people like they should be treated when buying a car. There are way too many games and manipulations going on and people are buying cars for way too much with financing that is burying them, because some unscrupulous car dealer tricked them into it.

This article by Tom Carey speaks to the outrageous sales tactics so common in the automotive industry. When will it ever learn!

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Honest Car Maintenance Costs

2006-11-30T20:54:00.000-05:00

Volkswagen Reset Engine Service Light

Note: if you're looking to reset your maintenance reminder light, Volkswagen does not provide an alternate method to reset the service indicator display without the use of a VAS scan tool.

Engine lights....

You’re driving along and suddenly your Check Engine Light comes on. What is it? What does it mean? Check Engine Light, Check Engine Soon Light, Service Engine Soon Light, Engine Light, Engine Management Light, whatever you want to call it, simply means that your vehicle’s computer system has detected a problem.

With German cars, especially Volkswagens, the manufacturer recommends specific reset procedures. One simply can’t disconnect the battery or pull a fuse. A diagnostics scan tool must be used.

Why the check engine light is on varies greatly. Depending on the year, make, and model, it may be related to the engine, the transmission, even the brakes and suspension. There are literally hundreds of reasons a Check Engine Light may appear. Few are cheap!

Click the following link for a SAFE and FREE way to reset check engine light codes…

Volkswagen Reset Engine Service Light

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust
Empowering the Repair Customer

2006-11-22T13:40:00.000-05:00

Crazy Car Sales Tactics

When you buy a car--whether online or in person, you want to be treated with respect--not like an idiot. Here's a hilarious article from Darryl Siry on the bizarre sales tactics practiced by most car dealerships...

Darryl writes:

Since I am joining a car company I thought it would be interesting to buy some of the books out there that "teach you how to sell cars." Knowing that much of the body of knowledge out there would not be applicable to Tesla's business model - I still thought it would be good to get acquainted with the general field of car sales.

I am now acquainted! In fact, reading Mr. Davis' book was like watching an episode of Jerry Springer. It was also like a voyeuristic peak through the curtains into the seamy world of car sales in the US. Mind you - the book seems targeted toward used car salespeople - I think.

I started to eagerly highlight passages that I thought were real winners and candidates for my blog , but pretty soon I was just highlighting everything. It was that good! I started to be concerned because in his reservation of copyrights he says "no part of this book can be reproduced...except for brief quotations embodies (sic) in critical essay, article or review.

Now, I might consider this a review, but I would certainly find it a challenge to be brief. In fact, I may end up quoting half the book. This sales manual embodies all that I find physically and mentally repulsive about the way cars are sold today (at dealerships). Let me offer some highlights:

pg. 11: "Now that you have taken physical and emotional control, keeping the customer from mulling around the inventory and becoming confused, you can feel good about being professional, thoughtful and helpful.

"I can't help but laugh out loud as I type it! I just picture myself walking around aimlessly at the car dealer drooling, wondering when the professional salesman will come save me from my incessant mulling around the inventory. Thank god he is so professional and thoughtful.

pg 26: "Now that your buyer is excited and you have control, maintain it! Maintain control by starting in front of the vehicle and, working in a counter clock-wise motion, around the vehicle. Maintain a fluid motion, which is not too fast. If the motion is too fast, the customers can become confused and lose interest. However, the motion should not be too slow or they will become bored and detracted(sic) and it will be difficult for you to assert control, if they begin to mentally wander.

"There is so much depth and richness in this passage. Let me start with a question that is unanswered in the book: why counter-clockwise? Because it is more effective at hypnotizing the customer as you move in a fluid motion - not so fast! You might confuse and bedazzle me. When I am bedazzled you may lose your control of my mind. At the very least I am bound to become detracted.

pg 32: "As the seller you must always maintain control.

"pg 25: "In order to maintain control, you may want to say...'wait here. I'll be right back'"

pg 14: "...you should be able to gain physical control by saying 'Follow me!'"

What's with all this physical and emotional control bull? and then you get to pg 42 where the following bizarre statement is found:

"If the customers do not know what your next step will be they cannot object to it. Recall that "non-confrontational selling" is the constructive point of this book."

It's probably accurate to say that I can't object to something I have no knowledge of, but I fail to see how asserting physical and emotional control and manipulating people by not allowing them to assert control on their own is "non-confrontational"

A great example of how to not let your customer object is what to do when you are returning from the test drive:

pg 43: "When you return to the dealership, it is time for your first trial close. Tell your customer, "Park in the sold row." If your dealership does not have a sold row, direct them to an empty parking spot and refer to it as the sold row. If they do not object when you call it the sold row, your sales presentation is probably going well."

Either that or you have successfully intimidated them into not saying what is truly on their mind, like "What the f*k? I haven't bought the car!"

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. The problem I have with auto distribution these days, and perhaps the problem that has afflicted American auto companies, is that the sales engine of the traditional auto dealership has not evolved from the 1950's style paternalistic shove it down my throat because you know better than me approach. The feeling I get when I go to a car dealership is the same feeling I get when I am at a bar and a loud, obviously drunk group of guys walk in and immediately start trouble. I get fired up.

How about asking me what the heck I want and providing some service? How about not trying to control me and instead helping me out, even if it means I don't park it in the sold row? The general issue I object to here, and have objected to in this blog before, is this notion that the proper way to approach sales is to manipulate me into a sale that day, using subtle intimidation and beguiling techniques such as the fluid counter-clockwise motion (which gets me every time.)

Why does the auto industry even do this anymore? Why can't I go to a dealership where I can try out models, look at things and determine what I want and then order a car to my specifications to be picked up in 8 weeks or so. In the current model, manufacturers stuff the inventory pipeline and it is the job of the car dealer to push cars out no matter what. Part of the reason, in my opinion, is that the products are inferior (again - talking about mass market US autos) so they need to have some serious push behind them. Aggressive salespeople, incentives, "big sales", circus-like sales lots.

It doesn't have to be that way - there are plenty of examples of niche companies that have already moved away from that model. There are certainly plenty of ways for customers to assert themselves and avoid the horrible experience of going to an auto dealership. The last car we bought was from Carstelligent. It went swimmingly and we got exactly what we wanted. The BMW M3 I got before that was ordered to my specification, and guess what - I didn't mind paying full sticker for that privilege.

This article comes from marketing expert Darryl Siry

Darryl is absolutely correct: there are a number of ways for car buyers to avoid the "horrible" experience of going to an auto dealership. I'll add too that you can get a GREAT car without going new.

To YOUR car buying success...

-Ted Olson
Medway Imports
Safe Online Used Cars Sales

2006-11-21T12:04:00.000-05:00

Local Auto Sales and Service Center Takes the

Ultimate Honesty Challenge

Medway, MA November 21, 2006—Medway Imports, a European auto sales and service specialist located on Rt. 109 has teamed up with RepairTrust™, the web’s leading consumer advocate for fair car sales and repair pricing. The merger aims to promote honest and fair sales and service pricing, and to be the ultimate resource for automotive needs: sales, service, and accurate automotive information.

The challenge consists of adhering to rigorous pricing guidelines outlined by RepairTrust’s founder, Theodore P. Olson. “This is a challenge few shops are willing to take,” as the majority of auto facilities have gotten quite use to the excessive profits from manipulating industry guidelines, according to Mr. Olson.

Mr. Olson has been outspoken in his accusations of auto scams and industry pricing abuses with the statistical studies to back up his claims, including three eBooks. RepairTrust has consistently argued that 98% of ALL auto facilities are ripping people off in one form or another. Visit www.repairtrust.com for more information.

Medway Imports has been in business now for over a decade servicing and selling all makes and models, specializing in European imports. The owner, Barry Roth, “…is one of the few who are dedicated to fair and honest pricing,” according to RepairTrust.

Mr. Roth has affiliated with RepairTrust to ensure that Medway Imports maintains the same honesty and integrity of a small-town automotive facility as it expands its sales and service departments.

Barry Roth notes that “auto sales and service pricing is all over the map, leaving the auto consumer at the whims of aggressive sales tactics and tricks.” He goes on to say that Medway Imports will be working to inform auto sales and service customers the best way to purchase and maintain their vehicles via its website www.medwayimports.com.

Additionally, Mr. Roth urges anyone, anytime, that has a question to call: “We’ll be happy to help in anyway we can—we consider it a community responsibility—just give us a ring:
508-533-3555.”

Medway Imports
Importing a Passion for Driving!

About Medway Imports:
Medway Imports specializes in the sales and service of quality pre-owned European vehicles at fair prices. We’re auto enthusiasts to the core with 60 plus years experience in the automotive industry. We want to put the passion back into driving!

About RepairTrust:
RepairTrust is a network of automotive service professionals that work to protect car repair customers from repair scams. Over the past two decades, RepairTrust has gathered an overwhelming amount of evidence for industry-wide pricing abuses, and works to promote fair and honest pricing across the industry by leading the way, and setting the example.

2006-11-10T22:06:00.000-05:00

What’s the Best Car to Drive: European, Asian, or American—Fact or Opinion

I’m frequently asked “What’s the best car?” My answers have varied greatly, but over the past two decades in the automotive industry, I have come to the conclusion that European cars are superior. This is not to say I don’t appreciate some Asian or American cars, but they just don’t compare to the engineering thrills of European cars. American and Asian cars are missing something. They’re missing passion!

Is this my personal opinion? Or is it my objective expert opinion? The answer ahead…

I never understood what the fuss was about with European cars until I got behind the wheel of a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class for a 12-hour road trip. From the start the car practically drove itself. I merely kept one finger on the steering wheel, regardless of speed. It seemed to anticipate my desires and it responded effortlessly.

When you can push a car into 3 digits MPH, and it feels like you’re only driving 55MPH, that’s engineering…that’s Mercedes-Benz. I never appreciated that!

Now we all can’t afford a Mercedes-Benz, but I noticed similar characteristics in other European cars: SAAB, BMW, Audi, VW, even Volvos.

Quick Audi story:
When my brother got his license at 16 (I was 15), my mother, for some unknown reason, allowed us to take her brand-new 1984 Audi 4000 from Nashua NH to Needham MA—about an hour’s ride at 60 MPH. We made it in 30 minutes—you do the math.

At the time I did not realize the engineering that was keeping that car glued to the road as we weaved in an out of traffic, as only reckless teenagers do so well. This is not an endorsement for driving like an idiot—although sometimes I “still” do—but to show how European engineering has been and continues to be far superior than either Asian or American cars.

Sloppy Pontiac Bonneville:
To give you an idea of how much better European cars are, here’s another quick story (yes, it’s another stupid high-speed one). Again my brother and I were on a road trip. We rented a brand-new 1996 Pontiac Bonneville: heavy, powerful, and comfortable. This time I was driving. Despite its newness and its weight, it started to practically lift off the ground as we buzzed across the Nevada deserts at a buck twenty.

The car couldn’t handle being pushed. The heavy front suspension and front-wheel drive felt unstable. It was a burden, and not just at high speeds. Verdict: poor engineering! You can replace the Bonneville with any mid-sized front-wheel drive American car—Buick, Olds, Ford Taurus…etc, they all handle like CRAP!

Boring Toyota Camry:
I don’t want to leave out Asian cars in our comparison. In the late 1990’s as a Toyota certified technician I grew to love Toyota (especially Lexus). This love started to fade a few years back, however, as I got behind the wheel of so many comparable imports in the same class. Yes, Toyota is dependable and reliable. But these are also words for boring and uninspired. I got bored with my own Camry after 3 days! Toyotas all feel the same, and do the same thing—they’re predictable and bland. If I’m going to spend as much time as I do in my car, why not have excitement too—better yet: PASSION!

The realization over the past two decades in the automotive industry is this: There is a passion to driving. The Europeans have known this since the beginning.

Asian automakers have missed the mark. They try to elicit passion with fancy car names and accessories, but it’s just not there. Americans carmakers aren’t even close. And they get even more creative with their car names: Alero, Fusion, Magnum, Vibe—there are hundreds more that attempt to elicit driving excitement, but that can’t live up to the challenge.

European cars don’t have fancy marketing technique names. That’s because they don’t need to elicit passion and excitement in their vehicles—they’re a given! Passion and excitement are engineered into the cars!

For example,
• BMW states it’s the “Ultimate Driving Machine.” That’s because, in many ways, it is!
• Mercedes-Benz states that it’s “Like No Other!” This is true…plain and simple.
• SAAB advertises that it’s “Born from Jets!” Ever sit in the cockpit of a SAAB? It’s pretty cool!
• How about Audi? They claim to “Never Follow.” Again—true. Check out the new 2008 R8 to see an incredible “expression of engineering.”

Is all the above an advertisement for buying a European car—No! It’s a philosophy of driving. Driving can be fun—AND safe, AND dependable! European technology (safety, mechanical or otherwise) is light years ahead of Asian and American cars.

Even Lexus, who hails “unprecedented triumphs,” is only nipping at the heels of Mercedes-Benz. Sure Lexus ads make it sound like they came up with the latest and greatest technological—NOT.

The Ferrari Test Drive: Last Crazy Car Story…I Promise.
I had the rare pleasure recently of driving a Ferrari. I have driven some incredible cars over the years, but I had never driven an Italian super-car like a Ferrari, nor had I ever understood why anyone would want to, despite their striking looks and appeal.

As you can probably guess, the car was gorgeous—brilliant red, incredible body lines, sleek…very sharp—a true head turner. Oh yeah…I looked great behind the wheel too! Anyhooo….as I sank into the Italian leather driver’s seat it seemed to suck me in and support me from areas where I didn’t know I needed support—at least I didn’t know yet….

As I fired up this rear engine craft, I swear the engine seemed to be urging…”go ahead, make my day.” I am not being metaphorical. The car was eliciting something….oh yeah…PASSION, EXCITEMENT, FUN!

Again, we all can’t afford to run out and buy a Ferrari, but there are several “European” cars mentioned above that boast these same characteristics.

It’s not a coincidence that people drive Volvos forever, or that SAAB owners frequently put 300,000 miles on their cars, trade them in and buy another one. Nor is it a coincidence that there are many who will drive nothing but German engineered cars. There is a relationship between man and machine.

For a little context, my first Ferrari experience came when I was about 12. I was driving down the highway in the back of my mother’s beige Toyota Cressida. I heard, before I saw the Ferrari. When I turned to look it was right behind us. I blinked and it was next to us. I blinked and turned, and it was a hundred yards ahead rapidly fading into the distance. At 12, I could see, hear and feel passionate engineering, although it would take 20 years of automotive experience to voice it.

The Ferrari I recently test drove was 16 years-old—a 1990 Grand Touring Targa. See the photos @ www.medwayimports.com. I mention the age to show how even “dated” European engineering still trumps the latest and greatest technological breakthroughs of its competitors.

As I pulled off, I was a bit unsure what a Ferrari would or even could do. But the car, very quickly, made me feel comfortable and confident. I mentioned earlier how the seat sucked me in and supported me in places I didn’t know possible. I experienced this in the parking lot of all places when I had to make a very quick, sharp turn—I didn’t move—the car took the corner for me as I remained perfectly seated.

The 5-speed shifter was a simple chrome shaft with a ping-pong-sized ball that fit perfectly into my palm no matter which way I held the shifter. The seat and steering wheel position were ergonomically perfect, and the gauges were easily accessible with a quick glance. Even the rear view mirror reflected so clearly that I thought there was no back glass—this is handy when “traffic weaving.”

In terms of the stability and handling, I’m not sure I have the words to describe it, but let’s use a Corvette for comparison. In 1996, I drove a brand-new Corvette at 90MPH onto an off-ramp (don’t try this at home). The tires squealed bloody murder, the body rolled, and the suspension wobbled. I was a bit hesitant to try that again in a vette.

Of course the Corvette and the Ferrari are not a fair comparison, but again, the point here is to illustrate the superior European engineering that even the best American performance cars can’t touch.

In the Ferrari, cornering was effortless, virtually regardless of speed: no squeals, roll, or wobble—and the technology was 6 years older than the vette. Cornering in the Ferrari was just plain fun! Never once did I feel as if I was pushing the car beyond its limits. In fact, as reckless as I can be, I never found its limits—I ran out of road.

In terms of quickness, the engine redlines at 7500 RPM, so there’s plenty of room to wind er’ up and go, regardless of what gear you’re in. In fact this engineering design took me by surprise; I am so use to driving cars that “do the driving for you.” The Ferrari wants you to be part of the experience by empowering you to work the engine in a very wide RPM range.

The experience of empowerment was similar at high speeds. At 4000 RPM, 80MPH in 4th gear, you have the option (empowerment) to drop it to 3rd and take off like a raped ape, or just punch the gas and watch the traffic around you come to a standstill as you casually slide into 5th, creeping past 135MPH with so much more power waiting to come out if only the roads weren’t so congested.

I understand now why people have to drive a Ferrari. It’s an experience “like no other.” It’s the “ultimate driving machine.” It’s not “Born from Jets,” but it definitely flies! It clearly leads and “Never Follows”…nothing else can keep up!

Most European cars posses these above characteristics in one degree or another.

Cool SAAB Test Drive:
On a more “practical car” level, I recently drove a 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero with 77,000 miles on it. What struck me immediately was the cockpit feel that SAAB keeps raving about. It really is like an airplane’s cockpit, making one feel very comfortable, and more importantly, in control.

Te tone of the engine and the solid feel to the car—even with 77,000 miles—was powerful. It was eliciting emotion—like the Ferrari! American and Asian cars tend to feel a bit sloppy after 60K whereas the SAAB felt like new, and was ready to go! It even had manual “shift paddles” on the steering wheel—for what?—FUN, EXCITEMENT…PASSION! No wonder people drive these cars forever.

The models above were chosen from a hat. There are dozens of cars I could compare, but the end result is the same. Asian and American cars are no match to the quality, dependability, engineering, and excitement of European cars. These are the facts. PASSION and EXCITEMENT are standard options on European cars.

-Ted Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Making Sense of Auto Repair Prices

2006-11-05T18:53:00.000-05:00

Car Repair Prices: Are Manufacturers to Blame for Excessive Auto Repair Costs?

In the ongoing effort to shed light on excessive car repair prices, we can’t discount the manufacturer’s role. During a spirited discussion in an automotive forum, the comments below from Ray Fast highlight the role the manufacturer plays in taking money from the repair customer’s wallet.

The discussion revolved around the difficulty of replacing an alternator in an Acura. The Acura, like all front wheel drive vehicles, has a transverse mounted engine. Transverse engines are the ones mounted sideways. Because of this “sideways” design, the alternator is mounted low and behind the engine, making it difficult to remove and replace on the year and model we discussed.

Front wheel drive has some good features, but is it better than its rear-wheel drive predecessor? Front wheel drive has created a host of additional repairs, none of which were necessary in years past. These repairs have been costing you, the service customer, a fortune.

Ray writes:

The shift to transverse engines and front wheel drive was a major marketing coup for the automobile industry. Vehicle manufacturers managed to dupe the market at large into believing that the new standard was somehow better than the previous convention of rear wheel drive.

[In reality] vehicles with transverse mounted engines and front wheel traction systems are less reliable mechanically, less stable, and less efficient than their traditional counterparts.

Advanced technology has compensated for these downfalls considerably; however, vehicles with traditional power and traction systems using similar technology are more reliable, safer, and more efficient. This is why high performance vehicles that are designed for applications requiring maximum stability “still” utilize inline engines and rear traction systems.

The answer to the question [Why is the alternator in such hard to reach place] lies in this fact: cars with transverse engines and front wheel drive are much less expensive to build.

By assembling the power plant and traction system as a complete module, then dropping the whole thing as one unit into the car, automobile manufacturers save gobs of money. The fact that the vehicles are considerably less serviceable (for instance, certain components are virtually impossible to access without removing the engine and transmission) is obviously of little, if any, concern to the manufacturer.

For that reason, anyone shopping for a new or used automobile should carefully evaluate the design, arrangement, and complexity of a potential purchase with regard to serviceability. The expense of owning a car is not confined to the sticker price. If you drive it, you're eventually going to need to fix it.

Ray’s comments speak to the rising costs of car repair. Gone are the days of actually "fixing" cars. Now we frequently spend extra time throwing hard-to-reach, expensive parts in them.

Importantly, we need to remember that manufacturers have two primary objectives: selling cars and selling parts. How long it takes, how much it costs you, or how frustrated one gets removing and replacing components, means very little to the manufacturer. It doesn’t affect their bottom line.

Fortunately, most manufacturers have moved away from "low-mounted" alternators (such as the Acura in our discussion) as the elements: rain, snow, dirt cause them to fail prematurely. However, the remaining cons of front wheel drive and a whole plethora of new manufacturer technological breakthroughs will continue to cost the service customer significantly in repairs.

Most importantly, no matter what you drive, YOU NEVER HAVE TO GET RIPPED-OFF!

Learn from the experts how to save $1000’s in car repair prices!

(Ray Fast: comments were reprinted with permission from the author, Ray Fast.) (http://blog.myspace.com/rayfast)

-Ted Olson ©
www.repairtrust.com

Empowering the Repair Customer!

2006-11-02T13:24:00.000-05:00

Car Repair Prices Have Gone Loco!

Auto repair scams are getting worse, spreading across the continents. Bogus auto repair costs (SCAMS) are becoming the norm in the auto repair industry. There's a big pink elephant in the room and no one is talking or "doing" anything about it!

Watch this Video

There's A Real Problem With the Cost of Car Repair!

Here's a brief overview...
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that automotive service consumers are scammed tens of billions of dollars every year. Repair shops—dealerships, local shops, and franchises—are repeatedly at the top of consumer complaint lists every year.
Multiple undercover investigations have caught repair centers red-handed ripping people off.
Government agencies across the nation warn against service center repair scams—including Alaska! Consumer advocate groups constantly provide tips and suggestions to avoid getting ripped-off. Service industry insiders continually step forward to expose service industry abuses.
Study after study reveals that service centers are manipulating industry guidelines, billing excessive auto repair costs. While the above video reveals blatant car repair scams, the bulk of auto repair rip-offs go unnoticed. Service customers have no idea if they were charged fairly or not. Most customers leave actually thanking their service representative when they should be questioning the bill!

RepairTrust has found that 98% of ALL repair shops are ripping people off!

THIS JUST IN: Australia just listed car repair scams at number 4 on their top 10 Consumer Complaint List!

These are the facts.

Learn from the experts what you can do to save $1000's on Car Repair Prices

-Ted Olson
RepairTrust

2006-10-20T21:52:00.000-04:00

Car Repair Scams: Why Traditional Scam Prevention Tips

Will Cost You a Fortune

The advice is all the same for auto repair scam prevention. You’ll be told to find an ASE certified shop. Ask around. Check out several different repair facilities first. Are they clean and neat? Do they provide written estimates? Check with the BBB. Is it AAA certified? Some will even advise to “ask for the parts back.”

Traditional tips and suggestions merely put a band-aid over an infected, gaping sore. Strong antibiotics are required to address the root source of the problems in the repair industry. To provide repair customers with the above advice is like sending a soldier into combat dressed in a pink tutu. We have to stop scratching at the surface.

There has not been any “new” advice in decades. More importantly, no one has answered why car repair scams have reached an estimated 40 billion dollars per year. Moreover, why is there still no solution to stop car repair scams?

The first hurdle to conquer is the perception of the frequency of auto repair scams. Many folks just don’t believe that car repair fraud is all that bad. Some even argue that the vast majority of repair shops do an honest day’s work, and that a few bad apples are making the rest look like crooks.

This is an interesting argument, and raises a number of questions.

If it is “only a few bad apples,” where are they hiding the 40 billion?
If most repair shops are honest, why does every state warn against car repair scams?
Why are auto repair shops at the top of consumer complaint lists every single year, in every state?

This is even expanding across the continents. For example, just this week Australia listed car repair scams at number 4 on their top 10 consumer complaint list.

The perception of frequency gets distorted because there are a number of levels to repair scams. There are the blatant rip-offs covered in the news. For a great video visit “Repair Scams Caught on Video” @ www.repairtrust.com. Then there are the common scams such as exorbitant prices and estimates, and aggressive scare tactics to get service customers to perform services. These occur every day.

The repair scams uncovered by RepairTrust not only found the tactics listed above and more, but a powerful undercurrent of scamming at the foundation of the automotive service industry. In reality, most car repair scams go unnoticed by the service consumer. Service customers just have no idea that they were ripped-off. This under-the-radar scamming occurs in dealerships, local shops, and franchises. Affiliation with ASE, AAA, BBB, NADA makes no difference.

An ASE patch on a technician’s arm, or an AAA or BBB sticker on the door of a service center means absolutely nothing in terms of a scam-free facility. Word of mouth recommendations can be just as devastating, as even shops that “seem” honest aren’t. Check out “Car Repair Prices: There Are No Honest Mechanics” @ EzineArticles or RepairTrust for further discussion on this. Also, for NEW and FREE scam prevention tips visit the Car Repair Scam Articles @ RepairTrust.

Traditional tips are ineffective in today’s service industry. Service facilities have found new and ingenious ways of ripping people off. In truth, many of the old tips and suggestions have actually become weapons allowing service centers to indulge in car repair scams more than ever.
The car repair playing field must be leveled. Service customers need solid answers, and they need to be equipped with information, understanding, tools, and an insider’s view of the who, what, when, where, why, and how of price-gouging. Navigating the dim underworld of today’s service centers with outdated information will cost a fortune.

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com

2006-10-18T11:34:00.000-04:00

Car Dent Repair: Myths and Facts About Car Dent Repair Insurance

The long arm of car repair insurance doesn’t stop at extended warranties or tire road hazard insurance. Marketing gurus have found all sorts of knick knacks to insure. Among the top are ding and dent protection plans. Ding and dent insurance is growing steadily, and addresses those unsightly shopping cart and parking lot dings.

Dings and dents are fairly synonymous terms, although a ding is smaller than a dent. You’ll notice a dent. You’ll need to squint, or catch the vehicle in the right angle or sunlight to see a ding. Some dings are smaller than eraser heads.

Like extended warranties or tire insurance, dent and ding protection plans promise to pay for damages in part or in full for a specific period of time. These plans are primarily sold by new car dealerships and cost a few hundred dollars.

Ding and Dent Repair: Paintless Dent Repair
Ding and dent repair is called PDR, short for Paintless Dent Repair. There are many companies that perform this service: Ding Doctor, Ding King, No Dents, Dent Wizard…the list goes on. Some are better then others, although ultimately it’s up to the skill of the PDR technician. Prices are similar.

How is it done?
Most PDR techniques are non-intrusive. The PDR technicians use specially designed tools and gadgets to slip behind the damaged panels and manipulate and massage the damaged metal back to its original form.

Does it work?
Actually, it’s incredible! It works so well that in the majority of cases the dings and dents are completely removed. They’re invisible, gone, can’t-believe-your-eyes fixed.

I saw a soccer-ball-sized dent removed from the rear fender of a $120,000 car. The dent also had a large crease, which makes repairs even harder. After thirty minutes there was no visible detection that a dent was ever there. The repair cost the client $400. Traditional body shop estimates were hovering at $2700.

PDR positives

Very low cost compared to traditional body shops
Same day repairs—even while-you-wait service
No paint work, sanding, or traditional bodywork required
Original paint remains—helps retain vehicles looks and value
Body panels remain intact—maintaining structural integrity

PDR negatives

PDR does not address scratches or paint chips that are often associated with dings (Many PDR companies will address chips and scratches, but it’s not PDR technology)
Many areas of body panels are not accessible, so PDR is not an option
Plastic bumpers or any plastic components can’t be fixed with PDR techniques. Since the bumper is the most common area to get damaged, this is a significant downside of PDR technology.
Some damage can occur to door panels, paint, interiors, window glass and hardware, although damage of any kind is rare.

Do you need PDR insurance?
God, no!

Should you get your dings fixed using PDR techniques?
Hell, yes!

Let me explain…
Insuring against dings and dents does not make economic sense. Ding repairs average around $50 per ding. Some dings cost $99 to $149 to repair. Two to four dings can run $100 to $450, depending on the size of the dent. Insurance at this level is just not necessary. Moreover, it’s a gamble you will lose.

To benefit from a $300, two-year plan, your vehicle would need to sustain multiple “PDR repairable” dings or dents. Despite your coverage, you may not even notice the dings, making a claim impossible. Also, despite the amazing PDR techniques, they can’t fix everything, especially the chips and scratches that so frequently accompany a ding—should dings even occur.

Yes, get your dings fixed with PDR (if they’re bothering you), but don’t buy an insurance plan.

Protection plan economics 101
An article by Terence O’Hara in the Washington Post is a wonderful piece on the insanity of protection plans, and is applicable here. He writes:

The decision to buy an extended warranty…defies the recommendations of economists, consumer advocates and product quality experts, who all warn that the plans rarely benefit consumers and are nearly always a waste of money.

‘[Extended warranties and protection plans] make no rational sense,’ Harvard economist David Cutler said. ‘The implied probability [of an issue] has to be substantially greater than the risk that you can’t afford to fix it or replace it. If you’re buying a $400 item, for the overwhelming number of consumers that level of spending is not a risk you need to insure under any circumstances.’

…extended warranties play upon a basic human trait to avoid loss, even if it means sacrificing a possible future gain. In this case, the gain is all the other things of value that a consumer could buy with the money that was spent on a warranty

Fix your dings
Fix your dings and dents (if you want) as they come—maybe every spring. Fixing dings keeps your car looking pristine, and increases its value. But don’t bother with a protection plan. Save your money.

Hold off on that paint job
Quality paintless dent repair is often a great substitute for those considering full paint jobs. Whenever possible, it's best to keep the original paint. Good PDR combined with a professional detail can restore vehilces to show room condition for less than $500.

Go with the best
Since 1983 Dent Wizard has been pioneering PDR technology. Their PDR technicians undergo extensive and ongoing training. The rates are reasonable and the quality is excellent. Always request a master PDR technician, as there are various levels of abilities.

Check with local dealers
Dealerships in your area may offer Dent Wizard. Your vehicle does not have to be of the same make as the dealership. In other words, you can bring your Chevy to a Ford dealer for PDR work.

Myths
Do it yourself paintless dent repair is easy.
No it ‘s not. It requires training, skill, and experience. There are many who practice PDR techniques who crack or flake the paint, or who create ripples in the metal.

The PDR products sold on TV do the same thing.
No! Not even close. There's no good substitute for the art of PDR.

Scratch and dent repair are the same thing.
No. A ding is a small dent, which can often be repaired via paintless dent repair procedures. A scratch is an actual break in the surface of the clear coat or paint, requiring traditional body shop techniques, or touch up paint.

It’s easy to learn how to repair dents on cars.
Maybe for some, but it’s a skill that few master. Dent Wizard offers a great training program. The management and staff are top notch.

What’s the best car dent removing protection plan?
Money in your bank account!

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Making Sense of Car Dent Repair

2006-10-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Car Dent Repair Insurance: Myths and Facts About Ding and Dent Insurance

The long arm of car repair insurance doesn’t stop at extended warranties or tire road hazard insurance. Marketing gurus have found all sorts of knick knacks to insure. Among the top are ding and dent protection plans. Ding and dent insurance is growing steadily, and addresses those unsightly shopping cart and parking lot dings.

Dings and dents are fairly synonymous terms, although a ding is smaller than a dent. You’ll notice a dent. You’ll need to squint, or catch the vehicle in the right angle or sunlight to see a ding. Some dings are smaller than eraser heads.

Like extended warranties or tire insurance, dent and ding protection plans promise to pay for damages in part or in full for a specific period of time. These plans are primarily sold by new car dealerships and cost a few hundred dollars.

Ding and Dent Repair
Ding and dent repair is called PDR, short for Paintless Dent Removal. There are many companies that perform this service: Ding Doctor, Ding King, No Dents, Dent Wizard…the list goes on. Some are better then others, although ultimately it’s up to the skill of the PDR technician. Prices are similar.

How is it done?
Most PDR techniques are non-intrusive. The PDR technicians use specially designed tools and gadgets to slip behind the damaged panels and manipulate and massage the damaged metal back to its original form.

Does it work?
Actually, it’s incredible! It works so well that in the majority of cases the dings and dents are completely removed. They’re invisible, gone, can’t-believe-your-eyes fixed.

I saw a soccer-ball-sized dent removed from the rear fender of a $120,000 car. The dent also had a large crease, which makes repairs even harder. After thirty minutes there was no visible detection that a dent was ever there. The repair cost the client $400. Traditional body shop estimates were hovering at $2700.

PDR Positives

Very low cost compared to traditional body shops
Same day repairs—even while-you-wait service
No paint work, sanding, or traditional bodywork required
Original paint remains—helps retain vehicles looks and value
Body panels remain intact—maintaining structural integrity

PDR Negatives

PDR does not address scratches or paint chips that are often associated with dings (Many PDR companies will address chips and scratches, but it’s not PDR technology)
Many areas of body panels are not accessible, so PDR is not an option
Plastic bumpers or any plastic components can’t be fixed with PDR techniques. Since the bumper is the most common area to get damaged, this is a significant downside of PDR technology.
Some damage can occur to door panels, paint, interiors, window glass and hardware, although damage of any kind is rare.

Do you need PDR insurance?
God, no!

Should you get your dings fixed using PDR techniques?
Hell, yes!

Let me explain…
Insuring against dings and dents does not make economic sense. Ding repairs average around $50 per ding. Some dings cost $99 to $149 to repair. Two to four dings costs $100 to $450, depending on the size of the dent. Insurance at this level is just not necessary. Moreover, it’s a gamble you will lose.

To benefit from a $300, two-year plan, your vehicle would need to sustain multiple “PDR repairable” dings or dents. You may not even notice the dings, making a claim impossible. Also, despite the amazing PDR techniques, they can’t fix everything, especially the chips the so frequently accompany a ding—should dings even occur.

Yes, get your dings fixed via PDR (if they’re bothering you), but don’t buy an insurance plan.

Protection plan economics 101
An article by Terence O’Hara in the Washington Post is a wonderful piece on the insanity of protection plans, and is applicable here. He writes:

The decision to buy an extended warranty…defies the recommendations of economists, consumer advocates and product quality experts, who all warn that the plans rarely benefit consumers and are nearly always a waste of money.

‘[Extended warranties and protection plans] make no rational sense,’ Harvard economist David Cutler said. ‘The implied probability [of an issue] has to be substantially greater than the risk that you can’t afford to fix it or replace it. If you’re buying a $400 item, for the overwhelming number of consumers that level of spending is not a risk you need to insure under any circumstances.’

…extended warranties play upon a basic human trait to avoid loss, even if it means sacrificing a possible future gain. In this case, the gain is all the other things of value that a consumer could buy with the money that was spent on a warranty

Fix Your Dings
Fix your dings and dents (if you want) as they come—maybe every spring. But don’t bother with a protection plan. Save your money.

Go with the best
Since 1983 Dent Wizard has been pioneering PDR technology. Their PDR technicians undergo extensive and ongoing training. The rates are reasonable and the quality is excellent. Always request a master PDR technician, as there are various levels of abilities.

Check with local dealers
Dealerships in your area may offer Dent Wizard. Your vehicle does not have to be of the same make as the dealership. In other words, you can bring your Chevy to a Ford dealer for PDR work.

Myths
Do it yourself paintless dent repair is easy.
No it ‘s not. It requires training, skill, and experience. There are many who practice PDR techniques who crack or flake the paint, or who create ripples in the metal.

Scratch and dent repair are the same thing.
No. A ding is a small dent, which can often be repaired via paintless dent repair procedures. A scratch is an actual break in the surface of the clear coat or paint, requiring traditional body shop techniques, or touch up paint.

It’s easy to learn how to repair dents on cars.
Maybe for some, but it’s a skill that few master. Dent Wizard offers a great training program. The management and staff are top notch.

What’s the best ding and dent protection plan?
Money in your bank account!

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Making Sense of Car Dent Repair

2006-10-17T11:44:00.000-04:00

Tire Insurance: Myths and Facts About Road Hazard Policies

Insurance—it’s everywhere. One can insure just about anything. Are tires an investment one needs to insure? Tire insurance, also called a road hazard policy, road hazard warranty, or tire reimbursement plan, is a rapidly growing industry in the automotive world.

Tire warranty plans pay in full or in part for the replacement or repair of damaged tires and/or rims from “road hazards.” Road hazards are defined as pot holes, debris, nails, wood, and other hazards found in the road. Curbs, sidewalks, and stone walls are not road hazards. This is an important distinction to consider when deciding if tire insurance is right for you (discussed further ahead).

Tire plans last for a specific period of time and tire wear tread-depth. Some plans last 2-3 years. Others can last 5 years or 60,000 miles. Several plans come with fixed amounts of coverage: $500 per year up to 4 years. Many contracts require three years of law school to comprehend. In terms of tread depth, a tire is usually considered worn out (and thus the plan null and void) at 2/32 to 3/32 of an inch.

Another important distinction is in the type of plan.

Tire reimbursement plans are just what they say. You, the plan holder, will be reimbursed after the claims process is finalized—usually 2-8 weeks. There is an out-of-pocket expense. These plans are often sold by new car dealerships. The prices can range from $300 to $600 dollars.

Road hazard policies operate similarly to reimbursement plans. However, some tire insurance providers, in partnership with the repair facility, may have a direct-pay relationship. Thus, there would be no out-of-pocket expense, except for applicable deductibles, and items not covered in part or in full. These plans are primarily sold by tire dealers and repairshops. The prices range from $10 to $30 per tire. They also can be based on a percentage of the cost of the tire: usually 12% to 15%.

Both types of plans have a number of variables, requiring a magnifying glass to read the fine print. Also, many are pro-rated warranties, covering only a percentage of the cost of the tire based on its wear.

Claims and Coverage
Depending on the plan, claims are initiated by the repair shop. The process is fairly smooth, although there can be a significant delay from the provider for authorization. This delay may be an hour or an entire weekend. This means that you’ll have to “ok” the tire replacement, and then hope it’s authorized for the full amount, or drive on your spare.

Some plans offer national coverage either among their service facilities or from other repair centers. Claims procedures will vary. Others only provide local coverage, or coverage at the selling facility.

Limitations
Tire insurance does not mean that everything is covered. Pro-rated warranties are based on the wear and tear of the tire. You may get 75%, 50%, or only 10% coverage depending on the tread-depth. You’ll pay the remainder. While there are plans that offer full coverage, even these have limitations, or they may conflict with a repair shop’s policies.

For example, many plans allow for a maximum of $30 to mount and balance one tire, and a maximum of $15 to repair a tire. However, sport tires often have significantly higher mounting and balancing fees—upwards of $50 per tire—and tire repair prices can exceed $90. There are also discrepancies on the tire and rim prices themselves, which in the end, may have to be supplemented by the service customer.

Although there usually is not an issue with the latter given the competitive market, the service center’s price mark up may be unacceptable to the plan provider. In this case, the service center needs to lower the price or you, the service customer, need to pay the difference—or go somewhere else. This does happen!

Rim Prices and Repairs
Rim replacement is becoming less frequent. With the high cost of aluminum wheels and sport wheel packages, tire insurers have opted to have them repaired. Repair will only be done if the rim does not hold air. What this means is that even if the rim is warped—enough to cause a vibration and even premature tire wear—they won’t replace it. Rather, they will send it out to be straightened and repaired.

Rims are replaced only if the damage is so extensive that the new tire, when mounted on the rim, won’t hold air. However, even in this case, especially if it’s an expensive sport wheel, they may still attempt to repair it.

Repairing rims is a bad option. While some rim repair is acceptable, badly warped or damaged rims will in no way ever be the same.

Alignments
If a car hits a road hazard hard enough, such as a pot hole, it’s wise to have the alignment checked. Road hazard policies and tire reimbursement plans do not cover alignments. The service customer will have to pay for this procedure.

Road Hazard Protection Positives
Some plans include tire rotations, wheel balancing, and nationwide coverage.

Myths
Can I pop all 4 tires and get a new set of tires?
You can try. But this type of claim will trigger a number of red flags with the insurer. The policy holder will likely send out adjusters and/or require photographs. You will also have a difficult time explaining how a “road hazard” caused all 4 tire pop.

New tires come with a warranty.
New tires do come with a warranty by the tire manufacturer. However, it only covers defects in workmanship. New tire warranties do not cover punctures or damages from external sources. This is why "road hazard" protection is being pushed. New tires are rarely defective. If there is a problem, it’s usually noticed when balancing the tire. Or, there is a drivability concern such as vibration or noise. If there’s a defect it’s generally caught right away, and the tire swapped out.

It’s so cheap; it’s a no-brainer, right?
Actually, the experts don't agree with this statement.

The Economics of Tire Warranties
An article from the Washington Post by Terence O’Hara explains the economics of extended warranties and purchase protection plans in general. It is quite fitting for road hazard warranties. He writes:

The decision to buy an extended warranty…defies the recommendations of economists, consumer advocates and product quality experts, who all warn that the plans rarely benefit consumers and are nearly always a waste of money.

‘[Extended warranties or purchase protection plans] make no rational sense,’ Harvard economist David Cutler said. ‘The implied probability [of having an issue with the product] has to be substantially greater than the risk that you can’t afford to fix it or replace it. If you’re buying a $400 item, for the overwhelming number of consumers that level of spending is not a risk you need to insure under any circumstances.’

In short, road hazard warranties are a waste of money. Don’t insure that which you can afford to replace.

Numbers Game and Slim Chances
Like all insurance, tire insurance plans are a numbers game. However, this is a game you have a 98% chance of losing. Insider statistics show that the percentage of claims paid out by providers is as low a 2%.

Curbs
Another interesting note is that a lot of tire damage is caused by curbs. Curb damage is not covered under most road hazard policies. High granite curbs with sharp edges slice through tens of thousands of tires per year.

You Won’t Notice
Many people don’t even notice tire damage. Other than to see if the tires are holding air, who “really” looks at tires? Tires are subject to a whole host of external influences which cause bubbles, slices and gouges. Despite the potential dangers of damaged tires, the damage very often does not translate into any noticeable drivability issue. The point is that if you don’t notice any tire damage you can’t benefit from the coverage.

Research Shows
Those raving about the benefits of a road hazard policy are the actual folks in the industry who stand to benefit from the sale. They’ll argue that it’s so cheap—only $10 to $20 per tire. Even so, for four tires, that’s $80 based on the “possibility,” the “chance,” of damaging a tire that meets the repair/replacement requirement protocols.

Auto Insurance
If a rim and tire has incurred significant damage, it’s quite likely that other problems have resulted as well. The first is that the vehicle may have been jarred out of alignment. Secondly, hub bearings, front end components: tie rods, spindles, ball joints, and a variety of other components may have sustained damage. In this case, auto insurance, which you are already paying for, will pay for everything—brand new.

Free Road Hazard Warranties
Many tires come with road hazard warranties FREE. In other words, in an effort to secure retailers, many tire distributors provide service centers FREE road hazard insurance. Some shops pass this on to their tire customers, others sell them. Ask if the tire “comes” with a road hazard protection policy. If not, request that one be provided at no additional charge. It’s worth a shot.

Also, some car manufacturers provide road hazard warranties FREE of charge for 12 months or 12,000 miles. If you’re buying a new car or even used, ask that the dealer provide a complimentary road hazard policy (after all the wheeling and dealing is done, of course), and just before you commit.

What’s the best road hazard policy?
Money in your bank account.

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Putting the service customer in charge of auto repair costs

2006-10-14T22:05:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair Insurance: Extended Warranties—Myths and Facts

How much insurance does one need? You have the big four: home, health, life, and car insurance. Then there’s a second category, which starts getting a little hazy with credit card insurance, purchase protection plans, fraud insurance and more. Extended warranties, also called extended service contracts, or extended service policies fall into the mist of this second category.

Extended warranties are supposed to pay (in full or in part) for specified repairs for a specific period of time after the expiration of the factory warranty. They can be a great value. They can also be a significant waste of money. It gets quite foggy in the details. What exactly is covered? How long? How much? Are there hidden charges?

There are numerous extended warranty companies and an even wider variety of warranty packages available: silver, gold, platinum, platinum-plus, and a host of other confidence-building words. What’s the best plan, and are extended service contracts worth the money? Extended warranties, like life insurance policies, are a numbers game. They’re a gamble. You pay $2500-$4500 for a 2 year, 100,000-mile protection plan and hope that you get at least that back in warranty repairs. The provider on the other hand, hopes to pay out less than it insured.

There are three major types of plan providers: The manufacturer, the dealership/third party, and third party providers. Each one has its assets and liabilities (discussed ahead).

What exactly is covered in an extended service plan? As mentioned above, what’s covered depends on the package purchased. Some plans only cover the power train: the mechanical components of the engine, transmission, and rear-end. Others cover the power train plus some electrical components. Still others cover electrical, advanced electrical, and computer components. Some only cover what’s listed in the contract. This is called a “Stated” or “Named” contract. This means that if it’s not stated, it’s not covered. Some cover bumper-to-bumper, similar to a manufacturer warranty, except trim pieces, upholstery, exterior components, cosmetic items, and a number of other exclusions.

Never before has the adage, “The devil’s in the details,” been so applicable.

Manufacturer Extended Plans: Extended service plans from the manufacturer are the best in terms of coverage, convenience, and quality. Coverage is similar to the warranty while the vehicle was under its original factory warranty—with similar exclusions stated above. The billing is direct, meaning you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket, except for a deductible, if applicable. Quality is great too, as an extended warranty from the manufacturer will only use factory parts. They also have money, so there’s less risk of bankruptcy.

The down side of manufacturer extended service plans is that they are not cheap. These plans are generally the most expensive, require low mileage standards, and necessitate servicing your vehicle at a dealer for coverage.

Dealership/Third Party Plans: Extended warranties from a dealership are actually from a third party insurer. These providers are “generally” reputable, but not always. However, if there is an issue (such as the warranty provider filing chapter 11, which is quite frequent in the extended service contract business), the dealer “may” step in to cover any repairs that would have been covered under the defunct plan. Also, claims are easier: billing is direct because the dealership has a working relationship with the provider, and there is usually agreement on price.

Some dealers set up their own “internal extended warranty,” which is honored by the selling dealer. This is rare, and should not be confused with a manufacturer warranty. Important: extended warranties are often passed off as “manufacturer” warranties. They’re not. This is a sales trick. Also be aware that there is a significant mark up, as the dealership is merely acting as the middle man. Lastly, extended warranty companies often go bankrupt without warning.

Third Party Plans: These plans are called third party plans because they are outside the responsibility of the manufacturer and the service center performing the repairs (unless there’s a working relationship with a repair shop as stated above).

There are hundreds of extended service contract companies. Some have good reputations, some don’t. Third party plans are frequently sold by used car dealers. You may also receive an official looking notification in the mail stating that your warranty is expiring, and directing you to call an 800 number ASAP. This is a marketing tactic by an independent warranty provider. Despite the “official” appearance of the postcard or envelope, it’s not from the manufacturer. Manufacturers do not send out reminders about warranty expirations.

Given the wide-variety of third party plans there are numerous red flags.

1) Claims: Extended warranty companies will be quick to tell you that filing claims is easy, and that the service center gets paid immediately via a credit card. Thus, there’s no out-of-pocket expense for you. However, the warranty company can’t dictate a service center’s policies. Some service centers will only accept payment from the repair customer. Thus the burden is on the repair customer to fill out the forms, contact their warranty company, and await reimbursement via check, which can take 2-8 weeks.

It is the service center’s responsibility to contact the extended warranty company to let them know what’s wrong with the vehicle and to check coverage. This process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 20 days, sometimes more, depending on the degree of repairs and especially the amount. (See $1000 and Adjusters ahead)

Service centers and extended warranty companies frequently battle over the “fair” price of repairs. Many repair shops no longer negotiate, and just state the price, leaving the contract holder (i.e., the service customer) responsible for the difference.

2) Rentals. Rental coverage is a great benefit. However, there are fixed rates and time limits. In other words, the warranty company is not going to pay to have you drive a Mercedes-Benz, even if you drive a Benz. Rental allowances range from $25 to $35 per day. Also, rental coverage is based on the number of hours it takes to repair the vehicle, NOT how long your car has been at the shop.

3) $1000 and Adjusters. Repairs that approach $1000, or that require a significant amount of work, will be cause for the warranty company to call in an adjuster to confirm the diagnosis. This will delay the repairs by a minimum of 24-48 hours. It may cost you additional money when an adjuster is involved. You may be charged to have your vehicle pulled back into the shop for inspection, as well as for the time spent with the adjuster.

4) Tear-down Charges: In many cases, an extended warranty company will require that a particular component be taken apart for inspection to determine if the repair is indeed needed and covered. This puts the service customer in a very awkward position. The customer will have to authorize potentially hundreds of dollars of tear-down expense in the hopes that the repair is covered. If it’s not, the customer is out the hundreds in tear-down PLUS the actual repair. This does happen!

Common Myths:

Extended warranties cover maintenance services and brake work.
No. Extended warranty plans do not cover maintenance or wearable items. Brake pads and rotors are wearable parts. Maintenance such as coolant, brake and transmission flushes, tune-ups, services, oil changes, bulbs, wipers, and more are not covered.

They told me it’s bumper-to-bumper, so it covers everything right?
Wrong. Not even a factory warranty covers everything. When pitching the sale for the extended warranty, one is very often lead to believe that he or she will have nothing to worry about. This is just not true on so many levels. For example, if your bumper falls off it’s not covered.

I don’t have to pay anything, right?
Wrong. Despite the claims of 100% coverage, there are many factors involved. The labor rates, labor hours, diagnostic times, parts prices, and machine work are just a few items that often conflict with a service center’s policies. Some extended contracts only pay a maximum of $55 per hour, and only allow one half hour for diagnostic time. This is generally unacceptable to the service center, as labor rates have skyrocketed to over $100 per hour at many dealerships, and average $75 at local shops. Moreover, with the complexity of today’s vehicles, diagnostic time is at a premium. The customer pays the difference.

If I have an expensive problem, I can just purchase an extended service contract.
It’s unethical, but it’s an option many attempt. However, most service contracts have a minimum time requirement before the first claim can be filed: usually three months. Also, many contracts require that your vehicle be inspected by a service center to check for pre-existing conditions—just like life insurance.

My contract lasts up to 100,000 miles.
Only if the time limit doesn’t run out first. All extended warranty plans have a time limit. For example, a typical contract will state that the vehicle is covered for two years or 100,000 miles, which ever comes first. During the sales pitch, however, the emphasis will be on the 100,000 miles, not the time.

If my car breaks, it gets fixed like new.
Actually, depending on the contract, an extended warranty company can insist on installing remanufactured or even used parts.

Items commonly not covered by extended warranties:
• Any component with a pre-existing condition
• Any component related to a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)
• Many components that has been updated by the manufacturer
• Extra components necessary “due to manufacturer updates” to complete the repair
• Trim pieces: molding, cup holders, dashboard, console, body parts, glass
• Many accessories: radios, DVD players, TVs
• Many expensive electronics: climate control units, navigation assemblies

Service contract positives: Some service contracts are transferable, and may thus increase the resale value of a vehicle. Many come with trip interruption reimbursement, towing and 24-hour road side. Some plans can also be financed, or have E-Z Pay Plans. Others offer a money-back guarantee.

What should you do? You’ll get lots of advice about doing the research, comparing plans, and reading the fine print. This is all sound advice. But what about doing the math?

Let’s say a plan costs $2500 for 2 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. To break even you’ll need a minimum of $1250 per year in covered repairs, excluding regular maintenance. Remember covered is the vital word here.

Another way to break it down is to anticipate having to pay $104.17 per month over the next two years in “covered” repairs. Do you want to take that bet?

What could happen? You could double your money or more in repair work. You could conceivably get a new engine and transmission (or used ones anyway). You could also easily spend $2500 for a service contract, and still have to pay another $2500 for repairs, which for a variety of reasons, were not covered under your plan. Now you’re out $5000.

Alternatively, you could keep the initial $2500. In many ways all an extended warranty does is prepay for repairs. You could stick the money in the bank and collect interest. Then you could withdraw the money for repairs as needed.

Another consideration that’s rarely discussed is the cause of the problems. Many car repairs problems are the result of wear and tear, neglected maintenance, physical damage, or acts of God—such as flood damage. None of this is covered. The gamble only covers failed components.

If the vehicle you’re driving does cost $2500 to $4500 in repairs due to outright failed components, is it a vehicle you even want to consider keeping? A vehicle that needs this kind of repair work due to mechanical, electrical, or computer failures may not be worth it. The $2500-$4500 would be better spent on an upgrade to a quality vehicle rather than insuring a lemon.

There’s no question that auto repair is expensive, and even quality cars break from time to time. But do they breakdown to the tune of $2500-$4500? That’s a hefty bet on a “possibility.”

Terence O’Hara from the Washington Post makes an excellent assessment about extended warranties in general. He writes:

…extended warranties play upon a basic human trait to avoid loss, even if it means sacrificing a possible future gain…the gain is all the other things of value that a consumer could buy with the money that was spent on a warranty

What’s the best plan? Money in your bank account!

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Making sense of car repair prices!

2006-10-13T14:57:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair: The Top Ten Mistakes Made by Your Mechanic

Number One: Not confirming the concern. Confirming a repair concern is a basic diagnostic principle frequently overlooked. To fix a problem, the first thing one must do is recognize it.

Number Two: Insufficient Road Testing. The importance of a thorough road test (even for an oil change) is well documented in automotive training manuals. Yet, many technicians consider driving the vehicle into the shop good enough.

Number Three: Misdiagnosing. For the above reasons and a multitude of others, your vehicle is misdiagnosed more often than not. Mechanics will spend hours chasing the wrong problem, wasting your time and money.

Number Four: Throwing parts at a problem. To compensate for lack of skills, mechanics often just throw parts at the problem in the hope of getting lucky. It’s common to hear mechanics say I replaced this, this, this, and that, and the problem’s still not fixed. This goes right back to mistake number one: confirm the problem with diagnostics, then proceed.

Number Five: Not addressing primary concerns first. Technicians often spend an inordinate amount of time looking for easy sells that will fatten their paychecks. There’s nothing wrong with this provided there’s no charge for the inspection, it doesn’t conflict with your time, and the upsell suggestions are valid (they’re frequently not). However, this type of free inspection and the subsequent upselling too often overshadows the primary concern. So…what’s wrong with my car?

Number Six: Overconfidence. Too often unqualified technicians get in over their heads. Rather than defer to a more experienced technician or facility, they often keep going and do more harm. How’s it go…The road to hell is paved with good intentions?

Number Seven: Taking shortcuts. In the ongoing effort to beat the clock, technicians will create a host of problems: breaking parts, snapping bolts, short circuiting sensitive electronics. Refer to Auto Repair: How Can They Screw Up an Oil Change for a great discussion.

Number Eight: Poor Repairs. Whether through incompetence or laziness, mechanics frequently don’t do repairs correctly. It’s often sloppy work. Forgotten bolts, parts not lined up correctly, or components not re-installed properly are common. It gets worse with computer repairs: incorrect software programming, coding, and resynchronization protocols are just a few.

Number Nine: Not confirming repairs. After a repair is complete, it’s important to re-check to ensure that the problem is indeed fixed. Too often parts are thrown in and the car is pulled out only to pull in another victim.

Number Ten: Making a mess. If the above nine mistakes weren’t bad enough, there are now greasy fingerprints on the hood and steering wheel, and two big greasy boot marks on the carpet.

-Theodore P. Olson
Auto Maintenance Software

2006-10-11T12:41:00.000-04:00

Auto Repair: How Can They Screw Up an Oil Change?

“It’s all about beating the clock.” This quote comes from a wise old service manager, advising me on how to maximize my income as a flat-rate technician. If you have ever wondered why your car doesn’t get fixed correctly, or all your concerns weren’t addressed, you can blame, in part, the flat-rate pay structure.

Flat-rate simply means that your mechanic is paid a flat fee for a particular repair, regardless of how long the repair actually takes. In other words, if your car needs a water pump, which pays two hours of labor, and the mechanic completes the job in one hour, he gets paid for two.

In theory, this can work to your advantage. If the job takes longer, you still only pay the “predetermined” labor amount. In THEORY, not reality!

The flat-rate pay structure is designed to drive productivity. It’s very effective. The flat-rate pay system encourages technicians to work hard and fast, but it does not promote quality.

In terms of getting your car fixed correctly, the flat-rate pay structure has disastrous effects. Flat-rate technicians are constantly looking for shortcuts to beat the clock in order to maximize the number of hours they bill. Experienced flat-rate technicians can bill anywhere from 16 to 50 hours in an 8 hour day.

It’s these shortcuts and the breakneck speed at which flat rate technicians work that result in some of the most idiotic mistakes. In the rapid-fire pace of a shop I’ve witnessed technicians start engines with no oil. I’ve seen transmissions dropped, smashing into little pieces onto the shop floor. And I’ve seen cars driven right through bay doors—all in the name of “beating the clock.”

Flat-rate technicians can get quite elaborate with shortcuts. My favorite was the implementation of an 8-foot-long 2-by-4, which was placed under the engine for support while a motor mount was removed. It made a job predetermined to take 1.5 hours achievable in twenty minutes. A win-win, right? The technician makes extra money; you get your car back faster. Actually, in many cases the placement of this 2-by-4 damaged the oil pan. Moreover, it caused the car, your car, to balance precariously 6 feet in the air, while the technician manipulated the car lift to access your engine mount. This tactic was abruptly discontinued when a technician’s 2-by-4 snapped causing the car to crash nose down onto the concrete floor.

Sometimes the shortcuts create very subtle disturbances, which create problems overtime. A quick example: a vehicle had its transmission serviced with a new filter, gasket, and fluid. During the procedure, the technician was able to save time by bending the transmission dipstick tube slightly, in order to get the transmission pan out faster. The vehicle was reassembled, and the technician re-bent the tube back into place and off it went—no worries….

Six months later, the vehicle returned with an intermittent misfire. The engine wasn’t running on all cylinders. After extensive diagnostics, it was discovered that the transmission dipstick tube had chaffed through the engine harness, intermittently grounding out an injector. Hmm, that’s strange. Don’t usually see that.

The high-speed environment and the subsequent shortcuts illustrate the devastating effects of the flat-rate, sales-driven pay structure on the quality of car repairs. No wonder even an oil change gets screwed up!

The poor quality of work encouraged by the flat rate pay structure is disconcerting enough. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop here. The negative effects of flat-rate get exponentially worse as it opens wide the door to rip you off!

-Theodore P. Olson
Auto Estimate Repair Solutions

2006-10-09T23:05:00.000-04:00

Car Repair Prices: Should I Go to the Dealer or My Local Guy?

There is lots of advice on where to service one’s vehicle. Many argue that local shops are best, and that you only need to go to the dealer for warranty work and recalls. Others state that dealers are the real experts even though they’re expensive. These arguments are interesting, but do little to clarify the myths and facts of dealership service versus local shop service.

The two primary objectives of these arguments are money and quality. These two interweaving points need to be fleshed out when determining the appropriate facility in which to service a particular vehicle.

In terms of money, all car repair is expensive. Whether at a dealership or local shop, studies show that car repair prices are extreme. Consumers are scammed tens of billions of dollars every year. Every type of service facility: dealerships, local shops, and franchises, are ripping you off in one form or another. Stating that one facility is more expensive fails to recognize that 98% of ALL repair shops are ripping people off.

Moreover, the expense argument of car repair doesn’t take into account the quality of service for the money. The quality of service between a dealership and local shop is a key factor to consider.

There are vast differences in the quality of car repairs. There are many variables, from the customer service received, the diagnosis of the problem, the quality of parts used, to the technician performing the actual repair.

In short, you could have a water pump replaced perfectly, and at a great price, at a dealership. You could have the same job butchered at a local shop. You could easily switch these scenarios, and add ten more variables.

The concern over the quality of repairs is heightened by the fact that the majority of technicians lack the appropriate training, which can also increase the price. Furthermore, depending on the facility, the technician will be limited by the facility’s resources—equipment and expertise, as well as by the service center’s internal policies and practices.

For example, at a dealer, a technician can only use factory parts (parts built by the manufacturer). In most cases, this is great. Factory parts are perfectly designed for the vehicle. However, a twelve-year-old car doesn’t necessarily need a factory part. While it can’t hurt, the age of the car may not justify the expenditure, if the repair can been done for significantly less elsewhere. The technician may know this, and have a great alternative solution “outside company policies.” It’s unlikely, however, that he’ll speak up, or that he’ll even be allowed to speak up.

In cases like these, the customer suffers, having to pay significantly more than necessary. Dealership by-the-book protocols often dictate replacement of expensive parts, and thus dealer personnel will not and/or cannot offer alternatives. Following these mandates isn’t necessarily bad, and this example is not intended to frame dealerships in a negative light. However, repairs in a dealership environment very often exceed the value of the vehicle being repaired.

The point here is to illustrate that depending on the year, condition, and value of one’s vehicle, a dealership “may” not be the best alternative. However, this is rapidly changing. Technological advancements require dealer service more and more for computer updates, software updates, intricate electronic coding, and a host of mechanical concerns outside the scope of the local garage.

Unfortunately, a local shop may not be a good alternative either. At a local shop, a technician has a whole range of parts from which to choose. However, this presents problems. First, most local shops will use local parts suppliers regardless of quality because of speed, convenience, and business relationships. This means that you “may” get a better price (refer to Car Repair Prices: Who Charges More, Dealerships or Locals @ http://www.repairtrust.com/articles.html for an in-depth discussion on car repair prices). However, the use of many aftermarket parts (parts not built by the manufacturer) can cause numerous problems, and may even cause other systems to fail. This is common—and, you pay for it!

Local shop technicians—the good ones anyway—know the difference between quality parts and cheap parts. However, as mentioned above, the good ones are rare. In light of this, many local shops are turning to the use of factory parts because it’s just less headache. There’s nothing more frustrating than installing an aftermarket component that has to be bent, twisted, tweaked, and manipulated to fit correctly or work properly. Not only is the part made poorly, it’s been modified before it’s even installed. Comforting, isn’t it?

Car repair concerns are not limited to parts. The quality of the worked performed—diagnosis, labor, experience, and installation procedures—is a critical factor. In this arena a dealership technician and a local shop technician are often worlds apart.

A dealer technician has all available information and proper equipment at hand, although he may lack the training to know what to do with it. Nevertheless, he does have a team of co-workers to turn to, and he can draw from their experience. Dealer technicians also see your car and its types of problems daily, and what might be a complicated repair for a local shop is quite easy for a dealer.

However, the structure and flat-rate environment of dealerships very often cause even experienced technicians to overlook even simple problems. This is exacerbated by the lack of effective of communication of an inexperienced or overwhelmed service advisor who is supposed to be advocating on your behalf. While there are numerous other obstacles, the point is that dealers are in the dark ages in terms of consistent quality service.

Before discussing what’s better, a dealership or local shop, a final point to consider is the condition of your vehicle after several years. What facility keeps your vehicle in “better” condition: a dealership or local shop? And, does this “better” condition translate into dollars?

Given the current state of the service industry, it would be an aberration to receive consistent, quality service anywhere. Nevertheless, both local shops and dealerships are a vital component of the automotive service community. (Franchises are dangerous and thus have been excluded from this discussion) The consistent use of inferior parts and poor technical understanding and workmanship continues to be the locals shop’s downfall. Vehicles need to be maintained according to manufacturer specifications. There’s no argument on this. Although dealers still struggle with good customer service and consistent positive results, a well-maintained vehicle from a state-of-the-art dealership results in a significantly better quality vehicle, long term. A better quality vehicle equals an increase in value.

-Theodore P. Olson
Exposing the Truth about Car Repair Prices

2006-10-03T21:05:00.000-04:00

Auto Sales & Auto Service: Who Rips You Off More, Sales or Service?

Everybody hates car salesman. They talk too fast, use too many clichés, and are generally exasperating. There’s nothing worse than being verbally romanced only to find out you were ripped-off—or is there?

· How about getting ripped-off repeatedly?
· How about getting ripped-off repeatedly for years?
· How about never even knowing you were ripped-off, repeatedly, and for years?

Welcome to service! When it comes to swindling, automotive service representatives are the real experts. They have more experience, and way more opportunity to rip you off.

A car salesman has only a few chances to rip you off provided you even engage in negotiations. There’s the price of the car, financing, leasing, accessories/options, extended warranties, your trade-in, and the general bull that wafts from the salesmen’s mouth.

You should also watch out for the finance manager. Today’s finance folks aren’t just number crunchers, they’re salesmen in disguise. This is where you’ll be encouraged to buy the extended warranty and a host of other accessories that can all be packaged up nicely into your financing.

Car sales rip-off attempts are easily thwarted. Number one, you can just walk away! Also, there are numerous resources on how to buy a car without losing your shirt. If you’re interested, visit the RepairTrust resource link www.repairtrust.com and you’ll find several sites that will tell you everything you want to know about buying, trading, leasing, financing, new, used…etc.

It’s quite different in the world of car repair. Your car needs service. You HAVE to deal with a service representative, like it or not.

The folks in the dim underworld of automotive service are well-trained in the art of ripping people off. They’re not the feeding-frenzied, thrashing sharks of sales that are easy to spot.

No, service representatives are the Great Whites. They primarily hunt alone, hiding in the murky waters of service, striking without warning.

What’s really scary is that the service industry is infested with Great Whites. Traditional tips and suggestions to avoid their attacks don’t work. This is evidenced by the fact that service customers are scammed tens of billions of dollars every year.

Information is the key to STOP a Great White. If one knows who, what, when, where, why, and how it hunts, one can take control.

Importantly, "Sharks are not mindless eating machines." The Great Whites of the service industry are experienced and smart. There are so many attacks from so many different directions, and new technologies provide fresh chum daily.

Technology creates ripples and waves, making it difficult to see below the surface of even simple auto repairs.

In auto repair, technology creates confusion. Like a struggling swimmer, the Great White can sense the anxiety of a service customer. In the midst of this confusion, the waters of service get even murkier, and SPLASH—it’s cost you an arm and a leg.

In today’s service environment, the service customer needs protection, and needs to be empowered with accurate information and powerful tools before even entering the waters. There’s no need to lose any limbs, ever!

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Empowering the service customer to take control of car repair prices

2006-10-01T14:21:00.000-04:00

The Top 10 Rarely Voiced Justifications Mechanics Use When Ripping You Off

The following is a list of ten excuses that mechanics use to justify excessive car repair prices. This list is the result of numerous interviews and question and answer sessions with a variety of automotive technicians, shop owners, and managers across the world. A bit of humor is used to highlight the insanity of it all.

Number 1: The costs of doing business are outrageous!
The number one rationalization mechanics use to charge excessive car repair prices is their own costs. When the bills roll in for them, they roll them out to the service customer. Don’t get your car fixed during tax season.

Number 2: It’s not easy, you know!
After mechanics are done crying about how much it costs them to rip you off in the first place, they lament about how hard their jobs are. It’s dirty AND there’s so much technical mumbo jumbo to keep up with.

Number 3: Industry pricing guidelines are unfair!
Not satisfied with the industry experts, mechanics emphasize the “guide” in guidelines to justify their prices, and to guide them to ever increasing profits.

Number 4: The car’s rusty!
This unfortunate characteristic of metal is commonly used to defend a host of charges. Those pesky nuts and bolts accumulate a lot of rust, you know!

Number 5: The repair didn’t include that!
Mechanics frequently use this “hazy ignorance” when justifying multiple charges on a repair that was supposed to include the multiple charges.

Number 6: The guy’s a jerk!
There’s an old adage in the industry: Never Piss-off a tech!

Number 7: I can get away with it!
No remorse here.

Number 8: I screwed up!
Charging the client for mechanic errors…it’s like paid training!

Number 9: Somebody else screwed up!
I’m not paying for the wasted time! Damn parts guys, delivery guy, machine shop guy, owner guy….

Number 10: Everyone else is doing it!
Finally! The TRUTH!

98% of ALL Repair Shops Are Ripping You Off!

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com

2006-09-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

Car Repair Prices: Further Evidence that 98% of ALL Repair Shops Price-Gouge

According the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is estimated that automotive service consumers are scammed tens of billions of dollars every year. Repair shops—dealerships, local shops, and franchises—are repeatedly at the top of consumer complaint lists every year. Multiple undercover investigations have caught repair centers red-handed ripping people off. Government agencies across the nation warn against service center repair scams. Consumer advocate groups constantly provide tips and suggestions to avoid getting ripped-off. Service industry insiders continually step forward to expose service industry abuses. Study after study reveals that service centers are manipulating industry guidelines. There’s a real problem! Yet, there are still skeptics.

The above comments are sweeping strikes against an industry so vital to the community. Yet even these known facts don’t take into account the unknown. Ripping people off in the automotive service industry is so ingrained in the business design and culture it’s considered normal. In other words, before one even begins to uncover excessive charges, this self-regulating industry hasn’t just stacked the deck, it has built and entire house of cards.

The bulk of auto repair scams go unnoticed (in spite of the tens of billions already recognized scammed from service clients yearly). Few understand the service industry’s pricing guidelines and accountability structures, much less its scams and tactics. Service customers have no idea if they were charged fairly or not. Most customers leave actually thanking their service representative when they should be questioning the bill!

Service centers are quick to protest, shouting, “We’re honest and fair.” Yet, when questioned on their billing practices they don’t know, follow, or even understand established guidelines.

If they don’t know the rules, then how are they playing the game? The answer is simple: they make the rules up based on loose interpretations of industry guidelines. Loose interpretations allow for a plethora of pricing abuses. Is it any wonder every state has warnings about car repair scams—including Alaska!

In the process of developing a solution to end price-gouging, RepairTrust has stated that 98% of ALL repair shops are ripping people off in one form or another. During these studies, estimations actually pointed to 100% of service centers price-gouging. However, we allowed for a margin of error and reduced this to 98%.

In light of the ever-increasing evidence of repair scams and pricing abuses, RepairTrust may reconsider the margin of error!

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com

2006-09-28T21:46:00.000-04:00

Pre Road Trip Car Maintenance

Here are some Pre Road Trip Car Maintenance tips. Provided you follow factory Routine Auto Maintenance Schedules, Pre Road Trip Car Maintenance is simple…

Here’s what to do:

Clean your car inside and out—windows too! Cleaning your car is a great way to get to know it. For example, you may notice worn tires or a broken lamp.

Set tire pressures to factory specifications. Adjust tire pressures according to your owner’s manual, especially if you are hauling significant weight.

Check the fluids, belts and hoses—with most of today’s cars, these can be checked quickly with a peek under the hood.

Test all your wiper blades to ensure they’re cleaning well. Replace as needed.

Check all your exterior lights, including fog lamps as applicable.

If you’re close to your next scheduled vehicle maintenance, get it done.

Use FREE Auto Maintenance Software as your Vehicle Mileage & Maintenance Record Book.

Have it right on your desktop!

Important: your mechanic does not need to know you’re taking a trip. Sad as it is, "taking a trip" is often used to take advantage of service customers. Check out 10 Things You JUST NEVER SAY to Your Mechanic for more information.

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com

2006-09-27T21:01:00.000-04:00

Snow Tires: Do I Need Snow Tires?

With all of today’s traction control and stability control systems, and front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive vehicles, it can be a bit confusing when trying to decide the value of snow tires. Following is a break down of the rules.

Rule 1: no matter what traction electronics a vehicle has, in the snow, it boils down to rubber-meets-the-road-traction

Rule 2: traction comes from your tires gripping the road. No grip, no traction. Traction is important not just for stability, but steering, braking, and propulsion

Rule 3: some all-season tires are adequate in the snow, many are not. Various tires that are “rated” all-season have sport tire attributes, and are inadequate in the snow—even dangerous. SUVs with sport tires (DUBS) run into this scenario quite often

Rule 4: the best all-season tire is not better in the snow than a premium snow tire

Rule 5: all season tires can stiffen in cold weather—stiff tires, less traction

Rule 6: snow tires really do make a noticeable difference

Rule 7: replace all four to maximize safety. Replacing only two encourages unequal traction, which leads to loss of control

Rule 8: snow tires will feel/ride differently, but nothing like the days of knobby, studded-snow tires. Tire technology has come a long way, and there are many snow tires on the market that ride beautifully

Rule 9: consider a rim and tire package. It makes swapping to your snows a breeze

Rule 10: you don’t have to use snow tires. In a safe area, try driving on your regular tires in the snow. If you’re all over the road, get some snows. If your car feels fine, great. Save your
money!

These comments are intended as a general guide. Refer to your owner’s manual for particular vehicle requirements.

Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com

2006-09-26T18:51:00.000-04:00

10 Things You JUST NEVER SAY to Your Mechanic

When speaking to your mechanic or service representative, there are many things one should never say. Sad as this is, certain questions and requests can trigger multiple price-gouging tactics from your service center. Following is a list of ten statements in random order. The term “mechanic” may be exchanged for “technician,” “service representative,” “service advisor,” “owner,” “service manager,” or anyone that you deal with when having your vehicle serviced.

1) Do I need a tune-up?
This innocent question seeks to ensure that your vehicle is up-to-speed with its maintenance. However, it reveals that you know nothing about your car’s maintenance and can therefore be “easily” taken advantage of.

What your mechanic is thinking: Puddy in my hands!

Instead: ask what services are due for your vehicle given its age and mileage according to your manufacturer guidelines. Also visit www.repairtrust.com/maintenance.html for an overview of today’s maintenance needs.

2) Do I need tires?
Essentially what you’re asking is whether or not your tires are safe, and if they are wearing normally given the current mileage.

What your mechanic is thinking: Cha-Ching!

Instead: ask that your tires be checked to ensure that they are “wearing normally given the current mileage.” You should be provided with tread-depth measurements, and any other notable conditions such as cupping, abnormal wear, sidewall damage, bubbles, dry-rot—cracks or splits in the rubber—and any other pertinent information.

3) I’m taking a trip.
This comment is a safety concern. It’s great that you’re taking a trip—have a nice time—but your mechanic doesn’t need to know this.

What your mechanic is thinking: This guy’s nervous about his car making the trip. I can sell him anything! You may even see a reflection of $$$$ signs flash in his eyes.

Instead: tell your mechanic that you want to ensure that your vehicle is in sound condition. If you are following a factory maintenance schedule with a decent service center, they should be keeping you up-to-date with your vehicle’s condition and needs. If not, find another shop.

4) My son’s going off to college.
Congratulations, but your mechanic doesn’t need to know this either. You’re concern is with your vehicle’s integrity in order to protect your child.

What your mechanic is thinking: Daddy can foot the college bill…Cha-Ching!

Instead: ask that your vehicle be checked over to determine that it’s in sound operating condition, as you would like to keep it for a few years (hopefully four). Request a list of anything your vehicle may need in the order of priority—safety being the most important factor.

5) I know it’s probably something bad.
It’ll be bad alright. The service industry is extremely negative. Don’t add to it!

What your mechanic is thinking: Bad for you, anyway.

Instead: keep a positive attitude. If you’re frustrated or nervous about the expense, then say that. In truth, most repairs are simple. If not, find another shop, or get another car.

6) Take all the time you need. I just want it fixed right.
You’re clearly patient, and probably a perfectionist, which is fine. But…

What your mechanic is thinking: Charge all the money I need! Charge all the money I want! Got it!

Instead: try saying, “I am particular about my car, and would like it fixed correctly the first time. Please make your best effort to put my vehicle in the hands of the most qualified technician to address my concern(s). And please keep me up-to-date with its progress and any additional costs.”

7) Just do whatever.
You either really don’t care or money is not an issue.

What your mechanic is thinking: Charge whatever!

Instead: take a moment and say, “Please perform all services according to manufacturer guidelines only. If my vehicle needs any further repairs, please notify me in advance with the break down of the costs.”

8) I’m taking a trip to Europe; please drop my car off at the Ritz Carlton when you’re done.
Drop offs are a common request—although Europe and the Ritz aren’t so common.

What your mechanic is thinking: Actually, in this case, he’s probably singing…I’m in the money…I’m in the money…

Instead: request what services you would like while you’re away, but then provide a contact number to be notified of “any” additional services, recommendations, and costs.

9) Just fix it.
This request generally reflects one who lacks the time or patience to worry about the details, and wants his or her vehicle back as quickly as possible.

What your mechanic is thinking: No Problemo…Mucho Dinero!

Instead: remember that the devil’s in the details. Request to be notified of any additional costs to demonstrate that your wallet is not a free-for-all.

10) Do you want my credit card now?
The motive here may be expediency and efficiency.

What your mechanic is thinking: No problem paying! No problem charging!

Instead: request that you be advised of any costs above and beyond what you agree to at the time of your appointment. Pay after. Always pay after.

All the above comments, requests, and questions, while innocent, are taken advantage of daily in the automotive service industry. These statements “reveal your hand.” You may have a long and trusting relationship with your service center, but for God’s sake, keep your cards in!

There’s truth in humor.
The truth hurts.
The truth will set you free.

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com

2006-09-22T10:52:00.000-04:00

Car Warning Lights: Is My Car Going to Blow Up?

Today’s vehicles are equipped with an array of warning lights. Of course we’re all familiar will the seat belt warning and the door ajar indicator; however, with the automotive industry’s technological advancements there are a number of warning lights that can be quite alarming.

Following is a Question and Answer Guide on some of the more common Warning Light concerns. Note: due to the frequency of the Check Engine Warning Light, it has a section all its own. Visit www.repairtrust.com/check.html.

SRS Light (Supplemental Restraint System): the supplemental restraint system is your Airbag System. It may incorporate a variety of active, passive, and even pre-safe technology depending on the vehicle. Given that the SRS System is a safety system, it is well monitored with numerous sensors and automatic self-tests. The slightest malfunction in this system illuminates the SRS light.

Can the vehicle be driven with an SRS Light on? Yes, at the owner’s risk. There are thousands of vehicles on the road without SRS technology.

Is the airbag going to blow up? It’s unlikely. When the SRS Light is on the system is inoperative.

ABS Lights: The Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light is another common occurrence in today’s vehicles. The ABS system helps to keep you from skidding out of control during braking by limiting your wheels from locking up/skidding.

The ABS system is often integrated with traction control and stability systems, all of which are designed to keep you safe during panic stops, wheel slippage, and handling.

Do I need brakes? You might, but that’s not why the ABS Light is on. The ABS Warning System does not monitor disc brake pad or disc brake rotor wear (see the Padlight Warning section below)

Can the vehicle be driven? Like the SRS system, the vehicle can be driven at the owner’s risk as there are many vehicles still on the market without the enhanced safety features of ABS.

Why is my ABS light on? How do I reset the ABS Light? These are simple questions with a multitude of answers depending on the vehicle in question. For a QUICK and FREE solution, follow the information and guidelines for Resetting Check Engine Light, and apply them to your ABS light.

Low Coolant Light: The Low Coolant Light will come on when the coolant drops below the coolant level sensor—generally one to two quarts. If this light is on, there are two primary possibilities. The most common is a coolant leak. The other is an electrical fault in the warning lamp circuit. Have them checked out.

Can it be driven? If there are no major leaks, the vehicle is not overheating (and does not start to overheat), and there is still some evidence of coolant in the overflow bottle, it can be driven. If you can see coolant leaking on the ground—tow it. When in doubt, always tow it!

Red Oil Light On: Stop driving immediately and shut the engine off! If a Red Oil Warning Light comes on PAY ATTENTION.

The best case scenario is that your engine oil is a little low. The second best case scenario is that there is an electrical issue with the Oil Level Warning System circuit.

First, follow your owners’ manual’s instructions to check your oil. If low, add as recommended—make sure you don’t see it dripping or pouring out on the ground, which would indicate a “major” engine leak.

If the oil is not low and your engine is making ticking, knocking, or unusual noises, Tow it!

If everything appears ok, and you’re a bit of a gambler, it may just be an issue with the warning lamp circuit. In this case, get your vehicle checked out at your earliest convenience.

The worst case scenario is internal engine damage.

Note: many of today’s vehicles have very sensitive and sophisticated Oil Level Warning Systems. You may be alerted of oil level too high, or oil level too low. Again, refer to your owners’ manual’s instructions.

So whether it’s a 1993 Ford Aerostar Check Oil Light, or a question of “Why does oil light flash in Saab automobile,” PAY ATTENTION!

Red Brake Warning Lights: Generally, Red Warning Lights mean DANGER. In the case of a Red Brake Warning Light, there may be a hydraulic brake fluid leak. If the brake pedal feels abnormal or spongy—don’t drive—Tow It!

Can I drive it? If the car is stopping ok, and you’re a gambler, go ahead. If the brake pedal feels different than usual, or if the vehicle is not stopping properly, don’t drive it!

Note: make sure that your emergency brake is not on or partially engaged, as this will illuminate a Red Brake Warning Light.

Yellow Brake Warning Light (Padlight): This is an early warning system for brake pad wear. Essentially, as your disc brake pads wear down, at a certain point a sensor is tripped to alert you that you will need brakes soon.

Can I drive the vehicle, and for how long? Yes, you can continue to drive. How long depends on your driving style. City drivers (city driving is generally harder on brakes due to the constant stop and go) will likely need their brakes addressed before someone who does primarily highway driving.

Will I do more damage to the brakes? Depending on how long you continue to drive you could conceivably wear your disc brake pads down to the metal backing plate, which could then damage your disc brake rotors and, in rare cases, the disc brake calipers. However, with many of today’s brake systems, the replacement of the disc brake rotors along with the disc brake pads is required or strongly recommended.

Important: It is better to have your brakes checked early to increase the possibility of saving money by not having to replace the rotors. However, many of today’s brake disc pads and rotors require replacement not due to wear, but due to rust and corrosion; thus rotor replacement is often necessary anyway. Brake calipers rarely need replacing during regular brake work.

Air Suspension Lights (Airmatic, Air Ride, Hydraulic Suspensions): Suspension Warning Lights illuminate when the suspension’s monitoring system has detected a fault. Often there is a leak—either air or hydraulic fluid.

Can I Drive It? Sometimes. But if the suspension is lower than usual, and/or the vehicle just doesn’t feel right—Tow It! Extensive damage could result if the suspension drops too low while driving.

Note: air suspension system repairs are best left to the best, state-of-the-art service center you can find, preferably a dealership.

Tire Pressure Warning Light: This recent technological development causes quite a bit of confusion. Put simply, if your tire is getting low on air, your car lets you know via sensors mounted in various places depending on the model.

What is the low tire pressure warning light reset procedure? Sometimes the reset procedure is as simple as pressing a button. Other times one has to set the tire pressures, recalibrate the on-board computer, genuflect and cross two fingers. Check your owners’ manual or call a specialist or dealer.

Note: Local shops and franchises (for the most part) lack familiarity with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems given that this is a fairly recent technological development. You can refer to How to Reset Check Engine Light, and follow the tips, and suggestions for getting it reset.

Emission Warning Light: This light is similar to the Check Engine Light. Many European models such as Volvos have this type of Warning System. It’s essentially letting you know that an emissions component has failed or detected a fault. Follow the Check Engine Light information and tips to address this particular warning light.

Note: make sure you take it to a shop equipped to handle emissions work.

Resetting Oil Lights (Oil Change Warning Lamps): Whether it’s a Toyota Oil Light Procedure, an Oil Change Warning Light Reset 2005 GMC Envoy, or the process to Reset 1999 M3 Oil Service Light, all require a specific course of action.

Most owners’ manuals have this information. You should find it under maintenance or oil service. You can also call your local mechanic, who resets oil service lights everyday on a variety of models. A dealership will certainly have the information; however, finding someone in a dealership who can translate it effectively may be difficult.

If the above fails, see the process for Resetting Check Engine Light.

Note: several European models require special tools to reset the oil service light, thus it’s best to call or visit a specialist or dealer.

Note: This information is not a substitute for your vehicle’s owners’ manual. It is meant to be a general guide. Always refer to manufacturer vehicle-specific guidelines.

Note: PAY ATTENTION to how you are billed for any of the above warning concerns. Because of their technical nature they can get “unnecessarily” very pricy, quickly.

Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Making Sense of Auto Repair Cost Estimates

2006-09-20T20:07:00.000-04:00

Car Repair Prices: Who Charges More, Dealerships or Local Shops?

Many argue that dealership prices are 4 to 6 times higher than local shops. This is farfetched. That would mean that $100 at a local shop would be $400 to $600 at a dealership. Dealerships aren’t run by the sharpest businessmen, but this kind of pricing discrepancy would put dealers out of business, fast. The sources calculating such pricing gaps are never quoted, so I am not sure from where such data comes, but let’s look at what’s really going on.

First, 98 % of ALL service centers are overcharging. For supporting documentation of this claim, see excessive car repair prices. This includes dealerships, local shops and franchises. Stating that dealerships charge four to six times higher unfairly singles out this portion of the industry. We need to watch out for every type of service facility. While it’s always easier to focus on the big, faceless name of a dealership, it’s unwise. Your local mechanic who you pass in the grocery store is just as likely to rip you off.

Surprisingly, in many respects, a dealership is often less expensive. To be clear, I am not siding with dealerships. Again, no matter what type of facility one services a vehicle, some type of price-gouging will occur. Having said that, here are some common myths about dealership prices.

Myth One:
The parts are more money.
This is not true. Dealers, for the most part, stick to MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) guidelines. Guidelines, as abused as they are, are better than none. Local shops have no guidelines. They can charge whatever they want.

We've all been taught that aftermarket parts are less expensive than factory/MSRP parts—this is not true. A frequent “case in point” is air filter prices. Below is a sample from one of many actual invoices:

Dealership/MSRP Price: $17.00 (factory fiber filter)
Local Shop/Aftermarket Price: $32.00 (aftermarket paper filter)

Tip…always compare you’re aftermarket part price against MSRP, you’ll be surprised just how much your local garage is charging you for inferior parts.

Myth 2:
The labor “time” is higher.
Actually, many dealers follow manufacturer recommendations and industry standard multipliers. In other words, they’re not just shooting from the hip. The labor time (i.e., how long it takes to repair something—1, 2, 3 hours…etc.) may be lower than the resulting times from the labor price-gouging tricks practiced by your local garage.

This is not to say that dealers don’t practice labor tricks—they’re the masters! It is to say that they are more inclined to follow suggested guidelines.

Myth 3:
Dealers always rip people off.
In the automotive service industry, every type of service center rips you off, dealers are no exception.

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com

2006-09-19T22:58:00.000-04:00

Car Repair Prices: The Dim Underworld of Automotive Service

Most know the most glaring auto repair pricing abuses: Service centers overcharging $100’s even $1000’s for repairs, or charging for service that was never done at all. To be sure, this still happens every day. However, there are many other techniques which involve flying just low enough to avoid detection. The savvy service centers increase the price so as not to set off any alarms. It’s become so common that it’s not just an accepted industry practice, but even service customers have accepted paying higher prices.

Knowing how ingrained price-gouging is within the automotive service industry, it’s shocking (although understandable) that even service customers have succumbed to excessive car repair prices. I frequently hear service customers’ state: “Yeah, I know I was ripped off, but my car’s fixed now.” Or, “I know they charge too much, but they’re convenient.”

This is insane! To accept auto repair price-gouging is to allow its continuation. The difficult part, of course, is how to stop it. Given that the automotive service industry is so big and powerful (and so frightfully necessary) how does one battle such a force?

Perhaps the first thing to understand is the degree to which this type of stealth-like price-gouging occurs. A two-decade undercover investigation has revealed that 98% of all repair shops (dealerships, local shops, and franchises) are price-gouging their customers in one form or another.

The following exchange, between a service manager and service advisor, provides an idea of the “scope of scamming” below the radar.

A service advisor asked his manager how to bill more hours per month, which is another way of asking how the advisor can make more money. The service manager casually stated: “Simply add an additional two tenths to every ticket you write.”

In other words, every customer the service advisor “helps,” he was instructed by a superior to add a “little” extra. So if the labor rate is $100 per hour that would equal $20. Rather than pay $100 per hour, the service customer would actuually pay $120.

$20 doesn’t sound like much compared to the gross injustices we’ve all heard about. However, whether it’s an overcharge of two cents or $20, it’s too much. If you visit a shop practicing this strategy alone (there are hundreds of strategies, many applied simultaneously), you may end up paying over a $100 or more by year’s end.

What’s really shocking is that being ripped off $100 over a year’s time is actually minor!

Try $500-$5000

-Theodore P. Olson
Auto Repair Fair Prices

2006-09-18T13:02:00.000-04:00

Check Engine Lights: Myths and Facts

You’re driving along and suddenly your Check Engine Light comes on. What does it mean? Check Engine Light, Check Engine Soon Light, Service Engine Soon Light, Engine Light, Engine Management Light, whatever you want to call it, simply means that your vehicle’s computer system has detected a problem.

Depending on the year, make, and model, it may be related to the engine, the transmission, even the brakes and suspension. There are literally hundreds of reasons a Check Engine Light may appear. The following questions and answers discussion will clarify the truth about Check Engine Lights…

Service Engine Soon Light FAQ:

Can the car be driven? The general rule is: if the Service Engine Soon Light is on, and the car seems to be running ok, you can drive it. However, you should have it checked at your earliest convenience.

If your vehicle is running poorly—bucking, stalling, hesitating, or you just don’t feel safe, tow it. When in doubt always tow it!

The check engine light went out by itself. Is it ok now? Probably not. Check Engine Lights often come and go. Even if the light is out, your vehicle’s computer system will retain information that will allow the problem to be diagnosed. To avoid potential long term issues, get it checked out.

My check engine light stays on. What should I do?
If your check engine light stays on constantly, follow the instructions above, under “Can the car be driven?” Don’t panic.

Can I disconnect the battery, or pull a fuse to reset the service engine soon light? Maybe, but I wouldn’t. Removing the battery cable or an ECM or PCM fuse may clear the code, but it is not universally recommended in the industry. Most manufacturers advise against it. See the Best Way to Reset Check Engine Light Codes below.

What is the Check Engine Light?
The Check Engine Light is a warning light for multiple systems operating in your vehicle. In simplest terms, it’s like an engine management warning light to alert you of a problem. Just like your computer pops up with an “error message window” saying that something’s wrong, your service engine soon light pops up to warn you that it has detected a malfunction: mechanical, technical, software, or otherwise.

How to Reset Check Engine Light?
This is a great question! I get it all the time. See the guide below.

Resetting Check Engine Light:
First, if your Check Engine Light is on, it’s on for a reason. The Check Engine Light indicates that your vehicle’s on-board computers have stored a fault code. There are hundreds of fault codes, any one or more could be stored in the computers memory.

Fault codes are critical for accurate diagnoses of the problem.

Sometimes the fault code points directly to a faulty component, allowing for a quick diagnoses and repair. Other times, the code may only indicate a problem circuit and thus extensive diagnostic procedures may be required.

By resetting the Service Engine Soon Light, it erases important fault code data that turned the check engine light on in the first place. Without this critical information, the root problem can not be discerned.

Unfortunately, there is no universally accepted way to safely turn off a check engine light. Even if there was, if the root problem is not addressed, it will come back on.

So whether it’s a Chevrolet Service Engine Soon Light, Camry Check Engine Light, Mighty Max Check Engine Light, or a 1993 Thunderbird Check Engine Light, they require individual procedures to diagnose, repair, and reset the check engine light code.

Following is a Safe and FREE way for resetting check engine light codes.

Best Way to Reset Check Engine Light Codes:
If you’re not interested in diagnosing your truck, SUV or car Check Engine Light, or it’s already fixed, and you just want the engine light out, visit any local repair shop. Most shops will have a universal Check Engine Light Code Reader that can quickly and safely reset, and check engine light trouble codes. It should take about 30 seconds.

Note: European models are better off with a specialist, and some older vehicles may require more time.

Here’s what to do:
Politely ask your local service center (ask a technician if you see one) if they could reset the check engine light with their Check Engine Light Code Reader. They may protest, arguing that the problem must first be diagnosed.

Tell the service representative that you understand fully, and that you appreciate his professionalism. But that you would just like to try resetting the Service Engine Soon Light, and if it comes on again, you’ll come back for a full diagnosis.

Be genuine. Service representatives respond positively to sincerity. If the service center wants to charge you just to reset your Service Engine Light, try another facility.

IMPORTANT, check engine light repairs can be quite costly given their technical nature. Service centers can easily hide behind complex technical language to inflate the difficulty of your Check Engine Light concern.

Theodore P. Olson

Service Engine Soon Light

2006-09-17T22:29:00.000-04:00

Tune-Ups Are Dead: The Truth About Today’s Routine

Auto Maintenance Schedules

Automobile maintenance is nothing like it used to be. Thank God! In the past, your vehicle required regular replacement of a variety of parts: spark plugs, ignition wires, PCV valves, distributor caps, ignition rotors, and more.

With the exception of spark plugs, technology has replaced most of these with advanced, integrated ignition systems. Nevertheless, vehicle maintenance is still vital. So what does your vehicle really need in order to maintain it? Put another way: “What am I paying $300, $400, $500 for anyway?”

Given the abundance of car maintenance questions, let’s put the general requirements of today’s vehicle maintenance management into two categories:

Tune-Ups
Regular Vehicle Maintenance

IMPORTANT: always refer to your manufacturer’s guidelines for your car or truck maintenance information.

Tune-Ups, Car Maintenance and Problems

Let’s start with tune ups. Tune-ups are a thing of the past. As mentioned above, most of today’s vehicles are equipped with advanced technology, which has replaced many wearable parts. While there are still many vehicles on the road with the above parts, they are fading fast.

Today’s tune-ups are incorporated into regular vehicle maintenance. In the past, they were often considered separate auto maintenance.

This is helpful. If you're wondering when you need a tune-up, just follow your manufacturer's maintenance interval. More importantly, find a shop that will actually follow your manufacturer's maintenance interval.

What makes up today’s tune-up? There are generally only four primary tune-up components, many of which have extended replacement time intervals (auto extended maintenance). For example, some fuel filters last the life of the vehicle, others last 60,000-miles. Today’s platinum spark plugs easily last 100,000-miles.

This reduces primary tune-up components down to only two:

Air Filters: Some air filters can last 60,000 miles. Although most last between 15,000 to 30,000 miles. There are lifetime performance air filters, but these require maintenance.

Cabin Filters: Cabin filters filter the incoming air of dust and debris, helping to keep your interior clean and dust free. They require replacement starting around 10,000 miles. Not every vehicle is equipped with cabin filters.

Following is a break-down of today’s most common tune up parts:

Tune Ups:

1. Air Filters

2. Fuel Filters

3. Cabin Filters (also called dust filters, or HVAC filters)

4. Spark Plugs

Now, if we add tire maintenance—rotation, balance, replacement, and alignments, that about covers the extent of vehicle maintenance services for today’s vehicles. Then there are various maintenance inspections: brakes, front end, under-carriage, belts, hoses, and battery. Lastly, we can’t forget wiper blades and miscellaneous lubrication services.

But generally, that’s it!

Important Note on Tire Rotation: many manufacturer maintenance sheet guidelines neglect the importance of tire rotations, which creates confusion. To keep it simple: rotate your tires approximately every 5,000 miles, as applicable.

Finally: Car Maintenance Online Help & Car Maintenance Schedule

Vehicle Maintenance Management procedures are variable, pending the year, make and model. Again, I have separated vehicle maintenance from the Tune-Up section above for clarity. Today, tune-ups and maintenance procedures are performed together during service intervals.

Follow your factory maintenance interval and you're set!

Below is a general break-down to five vehicle maintenance services:

General Vehicle Maintenance:

1. Oil and Oil Filter Service

2. Coolant/Antifreeze Flush

3. Brake System Flush

4. Transmission Fluid Service

5. Differential/Gear Box/Transfer Case Services

And that’s about it!

So if auto maintenance has been drastically reduced by technological advancements, why are the prices still so high? The answer: You’re getting ripped off! 98% of ALL repair facilities are price-gouging you, the service customer.

It’s considered normal.

Theodore P. Olson

Routine Auto Maintenance Schedules

www.repairtrust.com

2006-09-16T18:01:00.000-04:00

Car Repair Prices: Fuel Injection Services, Are They Worth It?

Fuel injection services are growing in popularity for the following reasons in the order of motive.

Increases service center's profit
It's an easy sell with today’s gas prices
Offsets manufacturers' maintenance reductions, and extended life systems
Poor gas quality
Poor adherence to vehicle maintenance

Notice that "It's required" did not make the list. That's because fuel injection services are not required the majority of the time. In short, if your fuel efficiency is fine don’t bother with a fuel injection service—Save Your Money!

However, injector services are at times beneficial, even necessary. See the following frequently asked question and answers…

What do they do?

Depending on the product, injection services clean naturally forming carbon deposits from the fuel injectors and fuel rails—some will even clean the fuel tank, and valve carbon deposits.

Do they work?

In short, yes. Provided it’s a premium product (such as BG), and the service is performed correctly. Fuel injection services can do amazing things. They can improve fuel efficiency, increase horse power, and repair some performance concerns, although this last benefit is rare.

Whether or not fuel injection services will do all the above "every time" is another story.

I have even seen fuel injection services quiet horrendous carbon knocks--a knocking noise from the engine due to excessive carbon build-up coming in contact with internal engine components.

Are they worth it?

Maybe. It really depends on the condition of the vehicle. If the service achieves any of the advertised claims, it may be worth it. In truth, most cars don’t need it. The consistent use of quality fuel, and proper vehicle maintenance should be all that is necessary to keep a car running properly.

However, consistent use of cheap gas and poor adherence to an auto maintenance schedule, as well as certain driving styles can significantly increase the accumulation of carbon deposits. Thus the possibility of poor fuel efficiency, decreased horsepower, and performance issues increases--all of which could be helped by injector maintenance.

The other factor to consider is the expense. How much fuel savings justifies the cost of the fuel injection service, and how long is the pay off. BG claims that their product will pay for itself in a year's time. However, remember that the condition of the vehicle is a big variable!

How often should it be done?

It depends on the product, but generally between 15,000 to 30,000-miles is the average.

Are they necessary?

It depends: See the discussion under Are they worth it?

Can a fuel injection service do any damage to my engine or car?

Not if done correctly. Done incorrectly, anything goes. A technician could conceivably hydro-lock your engine, or blow a hole in the piston—although both scenarios are rare.

If anything does go wrong, there is usually an underlying problem, which gets exacerbated by the fuel injector auto maintenance.

Why doesn’t my manufacturer recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance?

No manufacturer recommends fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance under normal operating conditions. From a manufacturer’s viewpoint: take care of your car right (i.e., as the manufacturer dictates) and you’ll be fine.

However, depending on the problem, some manufacturers will recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance as the cure—especially carbon knock. With the variety of fuel qualities available, manufacturers may reconsider fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance.

How much does fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance cost?

Prices vary depending on the service center and the actual procedure performed, and product used. The procedure you want should clean the entire fuel system including the tank and should not cost more than $150.

Also, make sure the service is actually performed as fuel injector maintenance is a common scam across the industry.

Lastly, fuel injection maintenance is also presented in such a way as if it is the magical cure for all your car's quirks--it not!

When in doubt, don't do it.

-Theodore P. Olson

www.repairtrust.com

Making sense of Car Repair Prices

2006-09-16T13:33:00.000-04:00

Car Repair Prices: Jiving the Talk, Jacking the Price

The automotive industry is slowly expanding its vocabulary. For decades service customers were accustomed to such greetings as "Yeah, wudda ya want?" Or such in-depth diagnostic explanations as "It’s all set!" The industry is learning that it can’t get away with this "Joe’s Garage mentality" of service. What the industry has learned is to pack its vocabulary with value—real or fabricated.

Most service facilities get the repair description from the technician. A typical technician’s description of a repair is quite brief. He may write: "Changed oil." If one is lucky, he may add, "and filter" too. For an oil change this may be a good enough description to justify the $29.95.

However, what if there was a serious diagnostic problem such as a car not shifting gears properly? What if the technician determines the vehicle needs a new transmission for $3700. A description stating: "Replaced trans," for a whopping $3700 does not justify the expense—it doesn’t show the value.

To be sure, most shops still practice abbreviated descriptions; however, the sharper ones have discovered the value of jive talk. Jive talk is technical jargon used to embellish the repair or service description to inflate the price.

Some jive talk is justifiable, as today’s cars are very technical. Here’s a description that shows the value for transmission diagnostics and replacement:

Customers Complaint: Vehicle consistently hesitates when shifting between first and second gears.

Cause/Description: (Technician notes)

Step One: Road tested vehicle. Mileage documentation 5 miles: 37,455 to 37,460. Confirmed customer’s concern. Vehicle is not shifting properly between first and second gears. Performed basic and visual inspections: no signs of exterior damage, transmission fluid clean and full, external conditions normal.

Step Two: Set up diagnostic equipment and performed full diagnostic scan. Retrieved multiple transmission codes" 0032—shift solenoid malfunction, 0098—park indicator malfunction, 0098—torque converter error, 0987—transmission control module fault.

Step Three: Per manufacturer guidelines, began diagnostic tests to pinpoint error. Cleared all trouble codes, recalibrated transmission, shift points, and road tested vehicle. Mileage documentation 4 miles: 37460 to 37464. No change in shifting concern. Rescanned vehicle, all codes returned.

Step Four: Continued tests per factory guides: Removed all necessary parts and hardware in order lower transmission pan to inspect valve body. Valve body intact, but found particles of metal at the bottom of the transmission pan.

Step Five: Continuing diagnostic evaluation, removed valve body to inspect. Found damaged retaining pin on top off valve body. Suspect major internal transmission fault.

Step Six: Dismantled transmission and found multiple broken and/or fractured transmission components.

Technician Recommendation: Vehicle needs a new or rebuilt transmission. (Estimate with parts and labor break down attached)

I won’t continue with a complete parts and labor outline, but the idea here is that this description (which would continue with the actual step-by-step removal and replacement procedure of the transmission) shows the value. In other words, you’ll be leaving the service facility with documentation longer than a paragraph, which in many ways is comforting—you got what you paid for.

Here’s the twist, the detailed description above was a total fabrication. It was a "real-life" car repair scam. While the vehicle did have a transmission problem, it was fixed with the replacement of a new control module and recalibration. This particular repair costs about $876, parts, tax, labor, and diagnostics.

With the industry’s new vocabulary skills, a little bit a jive talk opens wide the door for price-gouging scams in the $1000’s.

This is not to say that every facility takes it to the extreme described above. However, by learning how to express itself, the industry has learned to charge significantly more for car repair prices without actually doing anymore work.

-Theodore P. Olson
Auto Estimate Repair Solutions

2006-09-13T15:53:00.000-04:00

There Are No Honest Mechanics!

I enjoy reading the tips and suggestions on finding an honest or good mechanic. These can be found on various government and consumer websites. I think the same guy wrote all the suggestions for all 50 states.

You’ll be advised to check around by word of mouth (WOM), and make sure that you see ASE or AAA posted somewhere. Check out the facility—makes sure it’s clean. Check with the BBB. You’ll be acronymed and common sense suggested to death. None of it will really help.

I know AAA certified shops that can barely change oil. I have worked with ASE certified technicians that frightened me with their diagnostic theories. I know shops that are consider great that have serious BBB scars. And WOM is actually the worst method. I have heard clients rave about how wonderful a particular shop is when I KNOW it’s run by a thief!

Tips and suggestions only scratch at the surface of the automotive underworld. Sure, some tips might help. What’s really needed is experienced insider information. The consumer needs to know what really goes on, and how to identify what’s really going on in order to make sense of auto repair costs. With the right guidance, automotive customers can estimate car repair costs on their own.

Relying on tips and suggestions is like relying on a blind man to lead you across a major interstate. You might make it, but wouldn't you rather follow a traffic cop.

Yes, all of this is a shameless plug for my $29 eBook trilogy and software which exposes two decades of automotive pricing abuses, and empowers the service customer to NEVER GET RIPPED OFF AGAIN!

Yes, shame on me for exposing the truth!

-Theodore P. Olson
http://www.repairtrust.com

2006-09-12T20:38:00.000-04:00

Why Your Oil Change is Never “Just an Oil Change”

For a repair shop, there is little profit in the $29.95 oil change. By the time a shop pays its technician, pays for the oil, the filter, and the hazardous waste disposal fees, there’s no money left. This low profit margin is worsened by the extremely competitive “Quick Lube” business, which forces local repair shops to refrain from raising prices, despite rising costs.

This all begs the question: If oil change specials, which range from $15.95 to $29.95, clearly produce very low profits, then why do so many service facilities advertise oil change specials?

The answer is actually very simple: It gets you in the door. Service centers know that once they have your vehicle, they can sell you additional work.

Suggesting additional work is called upselling, and it’s a primary profit tactic of every service facility. Here’s a typical example. You drop your vehicle off for “just an oil change.” Upon completion your service representative smiles and proudly states, “We noticed that your air filter was dirty; so we popped in a new one.” You “may” think great; what wonderful service!”

What really occurred is that you were casually upsold an air filter. It probably wasn’t needed; it certainly wasn’t replaced according to any factory recommendation, and you were definitely overcharged for what was most likely a poorly-fitting, aftermarket, inferior air filter.

Here’s a real-life example that occurred recently. This particular vehicle had 54,000 miles on it, and was dropped off at a local shop for “just an oil change.” Upon paying the bill, the customer was handed an estimate for $199 to replace his air filter and top radiator hose. Shocked at the price, he called me.

After review, I found that the air filter suggestion was premature. It didn’t need replacement until the manufacturer’s recommended 60,000-mile service interval. The top hose was also premature. In fact, it did not need replacement at all, despite a very minor problem easily addressed during the factory maintenance schedule—at no extra cost.

Check out the aftermarket part prices quoted below (including the unnecessary radiator hose). Compare these to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the factory OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

Local Shop Aftermarket Air Filter: $32
Manufacturer OEM Filter, MSRP: $17

Local Shop Aftermarket Top Hose: $36
Manufacturer OEM Top Hose, MSRP: $19

Notice that this local shop was doubling the price of the OEM parts with its inferior aftermarket parts.

Now, let’s look at the labor time my friend was quoted.

Local Shop Labor Time: 2.0 @ $60 per hour = $120
Manufacturer Labor Time: 0.9 @ $60 per hour = $81

Notice that the shop labor time estimate for the repairs was 2 hours. This is more than twice the manufacturer’s recommendations (even after calculating manufacturer times against the industry standard multiplier).

Had the local shop abided by the vehicle’s particular maintenance intervals instead of trying to make a quick buck, it should have recommended a 60,000-mile service at the next visit. This would have better served the client, saved him $199, and maintained the vehicle properly.

What needs to be made crystal clear is that this type of price-gouging occurs every day in every type of service facility in one form or another across the automotive service industry. This type of price-gouging is considered normal!

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Making sense of car repair prices; empowering the service customer!

2006-09-11T21:15:00.000-04:00

30% Chance of Getting Your Car Fixed Right the First Time

While there are a number of factors why it’s difficult get your car fixed right the first time, let’s explore a primary reason: the qualifications of who’s actually fixing your car. According to studies, 70% of automotive technicians are not qualified to work on your car. This includes technicians from dealerships, local shops, and franchises.

Over a decade ago, automotive manufacturers were predicting widespread shortages in “qualified” technicians. Now, given that 80% of the functions of the average car are controlled by electronics, qualified technicians are in even greater demand. I frequently come across advertisements for master technicians which include $5000 sign-on bonuses.

Today’s mechanics must be “technicians” in the true sense of the word. Technicians need an in-depth understanding of the complex and advanced interactive theory of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems. Today’s cars are literally a network of computers on wheels.

The true technicians are the guys who can navigate multiple systems of theory to diagnose what’s causing your car to intermittently stall at highway speeds in cold weather, on Route 66 every other Thursday morning, when it rains.

Automotive technology has advanced far beyond local mechanics, most of whom are still struggling with basic electronics (see the “Acceleration of Price-Gouging” blog, September 2006). The service industry has responded somewhat with a focus on training, but it’s too little too late. Training alone will not make up for the years of lost time, coupled with the technological advancements to come.

The really bad news is that you, the service customer, will pay top dollar to have an amateur poke and prod your vehicle. No matter how you look at it, paying top dollar for an amateur is ripping you off!

There are a few good tips to ensure a qualified technician works on your car, but in terms of price, they will not make any difference. In fact, the more experienced the tech/shop, the more they will know how to rip you off without you ever knowing.

Today’s service customer needs to be empowered with information that has been kept well-hidden for many years. What’s really needed is an “insider’s” understanding of the automotive service industry—its pricing structures, hierarchy, and mentality. This, along with easy-to-use software, guides, and comprehensive, eye-opening reading material will revolutionize the service industry, allowing the service customer to take control of car repair prices.

Although true, this last part is a shameless plug for my eBooks…

$29 for all three!

-ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!
-Maintenance Myths: A Step-by-Step Guide to STOP Getting Ripped Off!
-Auto Repair: Who’s Ripping You Off and Why!

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com
Car Repair Help

2006-09-10T21:29:00.000-04:00

The Truth About Automotive Service Managers

In any industry, an easy target is the leadership. If a business or industry has an issue, always look to its leadership. Automotive service managers are an especially interesting study. First, there are no licensing or training requirements for service managers. Anyone is eligible, regardless of ability, experience, or ethical practices. This is particularly remarkable given their power and influence. Also, there are no schools or college courses for automotive service management. Essentially, this leaves you at the mercy of service managers who lack even the fundamentals of management. A McDonald’s manager is likely to have significantly more management credentials than an automotive service manager!

Service managers don’t know how to set guidelines, protocols, and accountability structures to produce an honest, well-run service center. In fact, I’ve seen service managers stick their fingers in their ears and sing la, la, la, la, la because they didn’t want, or know how to respond to their customers being ripped off by their own employees—I am not kidding!

A point to remember when questioning whether or not your auto repair prices are trustworthy; service managers lack the critical business management skills to keep you, the service customer, from getting ripped off by their own employees.

-Theodore P. Olson
www.repairtrust.com

If you don't think you are being treated fairly with your auto repair prices,
discover the shocking and complete story, and the SOLUTION inside...
ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!

2006-09-09T18:43:00.000-04:00

The Acceleration of Price-Gouging

The phenomenon of price-gouging has a fascinating history. In the 1970’s most service customers had at least a rudimentary understanding of automobile repairs, and thus there wasn’t as much for a service center to hide behind. In the 80’s, with the increase of advanced emission controls and enhanced electronics, confusion set in. The rapid pace of technology kept everyone—technicians and customers alike, bewildered and guessing. As the 90’s came to a close, cars were full-blown computers on wheels. In addition to complex mechanics and electronics, the industry now encompassed advanced computer technology. Suddenly, sophisticated technical information and a solid understanding of the interactive theory between mechanics, electronics, and computers was critical to fixing cars. The industry was not ready for this. It’s still not.

With all the technical confusion from the 80’s and 90’s, price-gouging took a firm hold. Mechanics could easily hide behind complex terminology, and wax nostalgic with the client: “They just don’t make em’ like they used to.” Suddenly your car needed $300, $400, $1400 computer sensors and gadgets. What was really happening is that your mechanic was learning—he was practicing on your car! Costly computer devices were often replaced unnecessarily due to misdiagnoses. Or, they were damaged by improper diagnostic techniques and obsolete testing equipment. Even though you didn’t need these parts when you dropped your vehicle off, you did by the time you left, AND you paid for them. This still happens today—every day.

Why $2,000?

With the Y2K scare of 2000, the reliance on computer technology was clear. Cars were no exception. Automobiles were no longer computers on wheels; they were now a “network of computers” on wheels. Today’s cars think and adapt to the environment. Highly advanced fiber optic and infra-red technology is commonly used. Ultra low emissions and flexible fuel systems are increasing faster than gas prices. Hybrids are common! It is in this advanced environment of integrated computer technology that you will be price-gouged today.

It will leave you asking: “Y $2000 K?”

$29 eBook and software reveals the automotive service industry's shocking pricing abuses, and walks you step-by-step through its dim underworld in order to NEVER GET RIPPED OFF AGAIN!

ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!

Auto Repair: Revealing Every Scam and Tactic of the Automotive Service Industry

-Theodore P. Olson

www.repairtrust.com

Empowering the Service Customer!

Working 24/7 to control the escalation of auto repair prices

2006-09-09T18:17:00.000-04:00

98% of All Repair Shops Are Ripping You Off!

One of the hardest things for many to accept is the breadth and scope that the automotive service industry is ripping people off. They just don’t think it’s possible. It’s not just possible, it’s EASY! And you’ll never even know it’s happening.

To be clear: 98% of all repair shops: dealerships, local shops, and franchises are price-gouging you, the service customer!

What is price-gouging?

Price-gouging simply means that you are getting ripped off. You are paying too much for car repair prices. The automotive service industry has been price-gouging for decades, and it's getting worse.

Due to the unique nature of the industry, I have created a dictionary-style definition to clarify its abuses.

1) Price-gouging is the process by which a service center charges a service customer in excess of industry standards or manufacturer guidelines for repairs and/or services. This includes parts, labor, services, miscellaneous charges, or any combination of these. Industry standards are understood to mean the commonly accepted practices of using vehicle manufacturer guidelines to determine pricing.

2) Price-gouging is also defined as charging the customer for repairs or services which are unnecessary, done poorly, incorrectly, and/or cause damage—(immediately or at a future point) that would not otherwise have been the client’s responsibility.

In short, you are getting ripped off whenever you are being charged above the automotive service industry's guidelines.

How often does this happen?

Every day! Industry guidelines are ignored, abused, and manipulated on a daily basis by 98% of the service facilities nationwide.

Price-gouging is an accepted practice!

-Theodore P. Olson
Founder, www.repairtrust.com
Empowering the Service Customer
Visit us and check out our FREE Maintenance Time Saver Software

2006-09-08T22:47:00.000-04:00

Introduction to Lying: The Truth About Lying

An elderly woman brought her car to a local dealership because her interior lights didn’t work. A few hours later, she got a call from her service advisor. He explained to her in detail that they had encountered a difficult electrical problem, and that it was going to require more time than expected. A large portion of her interior would need to be removed in order to access some wiring harnesses. She proceeded to authorize 4 hours of diagnostic time to investigate why her interior light didn’t work. Several hours later she got another call from her service advisor. Finally, they had discovered the root cause. A corroded wire at the connector of a control module was the culprit. Luckily, the control module did not need to be replaced, which would have exceeded $3000 including parts, tax and labor. However, in order to fix the wiring as well as remove and reassemble all the necessary interior components, it was going to cost $1500. She agreed to the charges, and was relieved that “that’s all it was.”

What Really Happened

The above story sounds perfectly plausible, doesn’t it? You’ll be shocked to learn what really happened… The interior light problem was examined by a technician. Here’s what he should have done:

First: ensure the interior light switch was turned on (it was).

Second: check to see if the interior light fuse had blown (it had).

The fuse was the cause of the problem: a 15 cent fuse that’s quick to check and easy to replace. Instead, the technician literally spent hours working on the problem. He reviewed wiring diagrams. He traced the wiring harnesses, consulted technical manuals, and removed multiple interior components looking for the source of the problem. After 15 hours, he finally thought to check the fuse and found the problem. 15 hours to find a blown fuse! This is an outrageous amount of time, and was a direct result of the technician’s incompetence. The repair should have taken 15 minutes, not 15 hours! Nevertheless, the technician expected his 15 hours of pay. The service advisor made up the detailed and elaborate electrical story you just read, as well as the “lucky” savings to cover the technician’s time; the service manager didn’t care about this deception. The elderly woman was billed $1500, not because she was elderly or because her car was older, but because scenarios such as this happen every day in every type of service center across the automotive service industry. It’s normal!

I use this "real-life" example (one of many) to illustrate that price-gouging (auto repair rip off scams) are extremely common, and can get quite elaborate.

The unfortunate truth is that these scams happen EVERY DAY, and that there is little "accurate" information to not only avoid getting ripped off, but to STOP getting ripped off!

I have compiled two decades of car repair price-gouging scams, and developed step-by-step guides and software to NEVER GET RIPPED OFF AGAIN. All of this can be found inside...

ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!

Auto Repair: Revealing Every Scam and Tactic of the Automotive Service Industry

-Theodore P. Olson

Founder, www.repairtrust.com

Making sense of car repair prices!