AutoMD.com just released its Consumer Guide to Fair Auto Repair, specifically designed to help car owners get a "fair shake" in auto repair. So what tips are they giving your customers? Let's look in on their findings.
In a recent nationwide analysis of repair shops by AutoMD.com, mystery shoppers uncovered price quote variances for the same repair job on the same vehicle. The report's mystery shoppers also were able to shave an average of nearly 14 percent from the quoted estimate given by the majority of the shops by countering with online information: i.e., specific, "fair" job estimate based on labor rates and labor hours required, as well as true parts cost.
As an extension of this study, AutoMD.com recently teamed with CBS News for an undercover investigation of auto repair shops; and, as reported on the CBS Early Show on April 14th, the investigation not only revealed repair shops giving overblown estimates, but also multiple instances of shops recommending unnecessary work.
AutoMD.com says its Consumer Guide to Fair Auto Repair is firmly grounded in the following four major quick and easy steps. So here's what you need to know your customers could be looking into and coming in with.
1) Diagnose Problem: The guides suggests consumers should diagnose the problem before they go with online diagnostics question-tree tools and how-to guides to perform a tangible, physical diagnosis (determine the issue or find questions to ask so as to not be hit with unnecessary repairs).
2) Fair Auto Repair Estimate: Consumers could start telling you that they will be using an online Web site such as AutoMD.com to get industry standard auto repair labor hours and labor rates, as well as true part costs. This shouldn't be a problem for most shops, as they do offer fair estimates. The site also suggests consumers ask for their replacement parts back as an insurance upfront to make sure they aren't paying for unnecessary repairs. The guide advises consumers to counter with the fair price estimate to make sure the quote is within those guidelines.
3) Compare Auto Repair Shops: Before authorizing work, consumers are encouraged to use an online shop finder to locate other area shops and call them to get several quotes over the phone.
4) Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate. The guide also suggests to consumers that once they are armed with an online fair price estimate, and quotes from other area shops, they should ask for a lower price.
"With American car owners spending roughly $150 billion a year at repair shops, AutoMD.com is dedicated to putting that 14 percent savings (and we believe it could be as much as 20 percent), equaling over $20 billion dollars, back in their collective pockets," says AutoMD.com President Shane Evangelist. "Add to that the amount consumers can save by not paying for repairs they don't need, and the savings could double."
The AutoMD.com Consumer Guide to Fair Auto Repair provides a step-by-step roadmap for car owners: from how to diagnose to establishing the fair price estimate to identifying the best and most affordable shops all interwoven with insider tips from auto repair experts and mechanics covering everything from what questions to ask, what not to say, as well as how to dissect an actual auto repair estimate.
