Auto Repair Shop Case Study

If you feel intimidated or disappointed every time you take your beloved car to auto repair shops, you are not alone. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Federal Trade Commission, auto repair cons and frauds are among the top consumer complaints they receive. Even though most auto repair shops are operating legally and ethically, there are still unprincipled shops that rip car owners off whenever possible. Some of their tactics include performing unauthorized or unnecessary repairs, substituting used or counterfeit replacement parts, or even doing jerry-built works which could endanger your lives whenever you hit the road.

Here are some tips on how you can spot unscrupulous auto repair shops, and consequently avoid their fraudulent business schemes.

Pay close attention to word-of-the-mouth referrals - First of all, the wisest thing you can do is to have a reputable and trusted auto repair shop before you might need their services. In this manner, you will only have to give them a call or you can directly bring your car to their garage when your car needs repairs or maintenance services. When finding a professional auto repair shop, ask your auto insurance company, relatives or friends for referrals and recommendations. Their suggestions are a great start. You can also search the BBB website for a comprehensive list of accredited business in your state. In case you have the latest car model for a particular brand, you could ask for a seasoned mechanic who specializes in such brand. Nonetheless, you must first conduct a prudent research in order to filter out shops that have bad reputation on state/federal agencies and