Why is it so expensive?!?!?

Question

Why is it so expensive to have your car maintained? Labor costs are outragous. Why do they charge so much in labor? And what can I do to try and get discounts? I feel like they try to scam me sometimes because I'm a girl, but they don't realize that I do know about my car...just not how to fix it. What hints can you provide?

Answer 1

Its a sad fact that the dealership is such a gender-biased area. What hints can I offer? One thing I'd suggest, and this may be upsetting to hear, is bring a male friend or companion with you when you're dealing with mechanics and salesmen. My boss is recently divorced, and her husband was a putz anyway, so I have always accompanied her to the mechanic or the dealership, to make sure that she's not being taken for a ride. She did that after a mechanic took advantage of her and talked her into repairs totaling more than her old car was worth. I wasn't able to do anything about it after I saw the bills for it, but I made sure that any time after, I was at her side during any repair done by professionals.

Labor costs are going to be steep no matter where you go. You can always shop around for someone who owns/operates/works at a shop that isn't associated with a dealership. If you do find someone who fits your budget, ask to possibly get the names and numbers of former customers to check their abilities, qualifications, and how the work went and how its holding up.

Hopefully this will give you a few tips and pointers, and always remember never hesitate to turn around and take your business elsewhere if you feel your being taken for a ride.

Answer 2

Hello
I have run into this in the past as well. I have always let them know i have some idea of what they are talking about and to avoid the high labor cost try and find a friend that can help you out with doing some of the work on your car. Tanswer your question as to why it cost so mych in labor, well it is because cars now have computers and it takes tech to know how to fix them instead of a mechanic like years gone by. I have gotten lucky and have a few friends that do some of the minor things like change the oil, filters, and wipers and such things on those lines. I finally got fed up with the computer system in the newer cars that I went back to an old car a 1987 and i don't have to many bills in the repairs.

Answer 3

It cost so much because you are paying the bills for the company. Such as the mechanic's wages, the utilities for the shop plus the company has to make a profit. It does still seem outrageous and the company could probably live with less of a profit but that isn't really the question.

I usually take a guy with me. And let him do most of the talking, The mechanics don't feel that they can manipulate a man near as much as a woman. But also don't be afraid to call them on it. Before you let them do any work ask for an estimate. Ask how much the parts are going to cost you. Then ask what their hourly rate is. When you get your bill make sure these things match.

Answer 4

I used to gripe about the high cost of car maintenance, so I learned to do it myself.

After 23 years of screwing around with cars, I am HAPPY to pay somebody to do it for me when I can, because I have learned how physically demanding, mentally frustrating, and often very specialized the work really IS.

I still like screwing around with my cars, but I am choosing more and more to do the stuff that's fun and rewarding (changing spark plugs or replacing the brake pads on the Alfas, upgrading the intercooler on the WRX, stuff like that) and paying other people to do the stuff I can't stand (anything that involves crawling ALL THE WAY under the car... I HATE that.)

Others have said it here, but the more you learn about cars, the less chance that your mechanics will be able to scam you. If you know what they're talking about, you'll know when they're blowing smoke and when there's really something wrong.

Answer 5

First of all find a mechanic you can trust. As a professional mechanic, I can tell that the cost is expensive because the equipment and tools needed on todays vehicles are expensive and it is hard work. Not all mechanics will rip you off, check with friends and relatives to see who they use. Some mechanics will give their regular customers a discount.

Answer 6

Never ever EVER take your car to a dealership to be repaired. EVER!!!!! If you need to have some work done on your car, ask some people that you trust about reliable family or locally owned car repair shops in your area, and take it to them. They will charge MUCH less for parts AND labor!

Answer 7

get yourself a workshop manual and join a good online owners club (most welcome female members far more openly than the traditional ones), get yourself clued up. even try some simple stuff e.g. oil change. save yourself some cash and some hassle!

on the other hand, you are paying for some considerable experience and some comeback against them should it all go wrong ; which is why i'll happily pay for jobs i wont touch myself, eg brakes, paint spraying etc. wouldnt waste my money and their time on basic maintenance like fluid + filter changing. (would you pay someone to fill your fuel tank or check tyre pressures, still?)

it does also pay to get personai reccomendations or try several garages until you find a fair, friendly and reliable mechanic

Answer 8

car doctors are very expensive too, that's a funny business, they will look at your face, if u r a woman or foreigner, then they will charge u more intentionally. u can complain to B.B.B. ABOUT THIS UNFAIR TACTICS.just go to the mechanic that u trust.

Answer 9

Hints: bring ur b/f with u, or learn more about cars so u can fix it urself

Answer 10

if you beleive yourself as an owner then they behave like the others.
you must increase your selfesteem.
no difference between a man and a woman,