Browse around the web and you will find a million different articles on just about every topic and subject that has ever been thought up by man with the title of: X tips for Y. Well, getting the best prices on auto repair doesn’t even require 7 tips, 5 tips, or even really 3 tips. There’s two simple steps to making sure that you get the best service and prices for your repairs.
So, what is step one? Step one is simple: shop around. This is important, because comparing prices, reviews and services is the only real way to make sure that you are getting the best deal. Everybody auto technician or repair place in town is going to say that they have the lowest prices and the best service. Can you imagine if they didn’t? Bob’s Auto Repair: Moderate prices, Mediocre service. Doesn’t really have quite the allure that low prices, best service would, does it?
So, the first step to saving money is getting multiple estimates and price quotes for the work you want done. Not only will you likely save money if you can get each auto technician to compete with the other one, but you might even find that the repair advice itself changes. If the first place you go to says you need one thing for so much money and the next two places tell you that you really need a much cheaper part fixed, then you should probably stay away from shop A in the future.
Step two to saving on your auto repair is to learn to perform basic maintenance and maybe even simple auto repair techniques on your own. This is one of those things, where people immediately think: Well, that’s ridiculous that is going to take time and effort! You’re right, but like anything that is worthwhile, it is also going to require a level of patience and effort. Just learning to change your own oil can save you hundreds of dollars a year. If you can figure out how to do a basic auto repair (like changing an alternator), without the repair advice of an auto technician, then you are well on your way to saving yourself thousands of dollars over your lifetime. There really might be something to this DIY stuff, after all.