| Kyle Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used
Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money. The book can be
ordered from Barnes and Noble or Borders, or by visiting
www.drivethebestbook.com. The web site accepts all transportation questions. |
 The cost of vehicles and their
related repairs are expensive. Although the tips provided in this
article will not eliminate such expenses, they will help you to take
control of vehicle repairs and thus lower their costs.
We have all seen commercials on TV
touting the "great vehicle service" provided by dealer
service departments. They know your vehicle better than anyone else,
they use original replacement parts, etc. etc ... But at what cost
is such great service available? Well, usually at about $75-$95 per
hour.
In many instances, vehicle repairs
can be completed for substantially lower hourly rates. Many
independent garages employ ASE certified and licensed mechanics.
These garages generally charge about $40-$50 per hour.
If you are unfamiliar with
independent garages in your area, it can be useful to talk with your
friends about which garages and mechanics have repaired their
vehicles. Be on the lookout for the names of garages that are
recommended over and over by numerous people.
Next, visit a few of the garages,
talk with the owner, and ask about the hourly rate charged for
vehicle repairs. Be sure to inquire if the rate charged for the
repairs is a "straight hourly rate" or a "book
rate."
A straight hourly rate involves the
amount of time that it actually takes a mechanic to do a vehicle
repair. On the other hand, a book rate involves the customer being
charged an amount of time the book specifies a repair should take.
For example, installing new front and
rear brake pads on a vehicle could take one hour. Using a straight
rate of $50 per hour, the repair would cost $50 for labor, plus the
cost of the brake pads. The book rate might specify that it
"should" take the mechanic 1.5 hours to do the work. Thus,
the customer would be charged $75 for the labor, plus the cost of
the brake pads.
When using the book rate method, even
if the brake job takes the mechanic only 55 minutes to complete, the
customer is still charged for 1.5 hours of time. The book rate
method of doing vehicle repairs generally benefits the garage and
not the customer.
If the garage owner seems to squirm
when you ask about the billing method used for vehicle repairs, it
is best to visit other garages. Mechanic ASE certification,
licensure, and the garage owner's response to billing practices will
go a long way in your identifying the garage that is right for you.
Last, but not least, observe how neat and orderly the repair shop
looks. This is a straightforward indication of how the garage is
run.
In most instances, garages
"mark-up" the price of parts used for vehicle repairs.
Garages purchase parts at wholesale prices and then mark-up the
parts used for repairs. Although it is becoming rarer and rarer
today, some garages will allow a customer to purchase the parts that
will be used to repair their vehicle. Such garages will quote the
customer on just the cost of labor to install the parts.
It can be to a customer's advantage
to get a quote on both the parts and labor prior to having their
vehicles repaired. If the customer is so inclined, he or she can
check on the cost of parts at retail parts stores such as Auto Zone,
or Advanced Auto. In many instances, even better prices on parts can
be obtained by getting on the Internet and visiting sites such as: expressautoparts.com
or performancemotorcars.com.
When it comes to vehicle repairs,
taking the time to ask some questions and establish a good
relationship with an independent garage can really help to lower
vehicle repair costs. Identifying a garage and a mechanic with whom
you are comfortable makes all the difference in the world!
--End--
| 
