Brake Repair: Guard Against Unexpected Charges
You would be wise to keep your guard up when going to a new shop for brake repair. There are more good shop than bad ones out there, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful. Here are some of the things you can do to make sure you aren't taken advantage of.
If you have a regular brake repair shop you like and trust,
running into unexpected charges should never be a concern. Unfortunately, many drivers never make finding such a shop a priority. It's a shame, because having a mechanic you can trust is one of life's great pleasures. It can make getting work done a joy, or less of a headache at the very least. Still, if you simply take your car wherever happens to be convenient, you would be wise to keep your guard up. Here are some of the things you can do to make sure you aren't being taken for a ride.
Ask Questions
Don't make the mistake of just nodding your head when a technician says something that you didn't understand. They are talking about something that's going to cost you your hard earned money, after all. You have a right to know what you're paying for. You don't need a full tutorial on how to fix the problem in the future yourself, obviously, but you should have a basic understanding of what they are about to do to your car. It is their job, in part, to communicate with the public. They do not—or should not—expect their customers to understand all of the insider terms. Ask questions when you need clarification on your brake repair.
Read Carefully
First of all, you should insist that you be asked about any brake repair work that is to be done before the mechanics get to work. When you get the final bill, read it carefully. Again, questions are your friend. You don't have to take a combative tone to ask these questions. This is what many drivers don't understand. They feel as though if they start reading the bill and asking questions, they will come across as accusatory. Don't worry about this. You have every right to ask about what you're being charged for. If the shop technicians start getting uncomfortable or short with you, maybe they have something to hide.
Do Your Research
It doesn't take much time to run a company's name through a search engine. Do so before you bring your car in for brake repair. See what comes up. If you live in a small town, there may not be much. If you live in a major metropolitan area, however, every shop worth its salt should have some customer reviews. Read through these reviews and see what the consensus is. If it's person after person complaining about the service they received, you might want to find somewhere else to take your vehicle.
