1. Bristol Car Repairs -
5 Ways to Make Sure
You Don't Get
Screwed

2. Today's cars are becoming increasingly more complex, meaning that domestic car
repair requires advanced expertise now more often than not. Unfortunately, this also
means that as the general public is less likely to have the knowledge necessary to fix
their own cars, some domestic car repair shops are more likely to take advantage of
their customers' ignorance.
As it turns out, not knowing much about domestic car repair can end up costing you
quite a bit if your mechanic recommends unnecessary repairs. The Internet abounds
with complaints and lawsuits alleging that auto repair shops charged their customers
for unnecessary repairs.

3. Here are 5 ways to protect oneself from being a
victim in a similar case. 1: Research every domestic car repair
shop you are considering. Thorough
research is your number one best
weapon against devious mechanics. This
means checking out a repair shop
through ever means available to you:
word-of-mouth, the Internet, and
resources such as the Better Business
Bureau.
Ask around to see if anyone you know
has used the repair shops you are
considering, and whether their
experiences were good or bad. You can
also search for each repair shop's name
on the Internet, as there are many
forums online where people can post
complaints, or praise, about their
mechanics. Resources such as the Better
Business Bureau can be found online and
offline, and offer a way to check a
business's standing and whether there
are any unresolved complaints against
them.

4. 2: Ask for recommendations. This isn't quite the same as independently
researching domestic car repair shops. If you don't even know where to start, or
you would rather go to a shop with which someone you know has had personal
experience, you can ask around for recommendations. Rank recommendation
according to how long your friend has been taking their car there for example, if
they have been using the same mechanic for fifteen years, their recommendation
means more than someone's who has just used that mechanic once.
3: Ask lots of questions. It's perfectly fine to ask lots of questions before making a
final decision to take your car there. For instance, you might want to ask about
their prices, their guarantees or warrantees, how much experience their
mechanics have, whether they have won any awards, and how they handle
customer complaints.
Another thing to ask about is the repair work you need done. Asking many
thorough, intelligent questions about the repairs that will need to be done, and
any related systems, indicates that you are interested in knowing more about
your car. It also indicates that you are not an easy person to take advantage of.
Finally, a repair shop that is unwilling to answer your questions should indicate
that you are better off taking your car elsewhere.

5. 4: Show an interest in your car. When you take your car in for repairs, it is best
not to leave it alone while you go to work or shop. Waiting for your car makes it
harder for the repair shop to get away with unnecessary repairs. The shop needs
to ask for approval before performing any work other than what you originally
requested, and if you are right there waiting it will be easier to request a detailed
explanation of the repair and why your car needs it.
On the other hand, in cases where the repair shop calls to request permission,
the customer usually requests less information before approving the repair and
repair shops know this. Leaving is a sign that you are too busy to care about
keeping tabs on your car's repairs.
5: Request to see the problem. You often have a legal right to see the damaged
part. This ensures two things: One, that the repair shop actually did replace the
part, and didn't just clean the original part up and charge you for a replacement
they never installed, and two, that the part did in fact need to be replaced.
When asking to see a damaged part, always request that they show you the
problem, that is, why the part needed to be replaced in the first place. Also ask to
see the new part if they have it on hand, on the grounds that you would like to
see the difference or see what an undamaged part looks like. If you are waiting
for your car when they ask your permission, ask to see the problem before
approving the repair work.

6. The reason why domestic car repair shops get away with making unnecessary
repairs is usually because the customer is too lazy to verify the need for the
repair. You may have heard that a thief or rapist is more likely to choose a victim
whose body language indicates that she is an easy target. The same goes with
domestic car repair.
The more interest and intelligence you show when dealing with an auto repair
shop, the less likely a dishonest mechanic is to try to push unnecessary repairs on
you. Your best method of protecting yourself is therefore to be as informed, and
as involved, as possible.
Bristol Car Repairs may help you understand more about protecting you for being
a victim.