Is it rude to question a car repair estimate?

Question

When a car repair shop calls and gives me an estimate to fix my car, is it rude to question the charges, e.g. "Gee, you want HOW MUCH for that part?, I can get it for much less at the local auto parts store".

Does that just piss them off, and affect the quality of work?

Answer 1

Yes, you can almost always get a part from the local parts store than I'll charge you for it, but... Ask yourself this. What exactly is the warranty that the parts store will give me, and will they pay for the labor to replace it if it's defective? When I give my customers a 15 month/15,000 mile no hassle warranty on all parts and labor it means just that, parts and labor. Something else you need to keep in mind is that time is money, and it takes time to locate and procure parts. Some take a lot of time.

I'll be happy to install your parts that you carry in, but if they crap before you get out the parking lot, well, I hope saving a few dollars on the parts will be enough to pay for me (or someone else) to remove the defective item so you can go get your warranty at the parts store. Oh yeah, and don't forget about re-installing it too.


Allow me to give you a couple of examples. In the recent past I had a customer that needed a repair based around a difficult to find, used main wiring harness. He though my price of $250 for the part was outrageous because he found it online for only $175. To save $75 he drove 200+ miles round trip. If he was getting paid minimum wage for his time, that was worth $30 so now he's only saved $45. Now subtract the price of gas and his savings is down to about $20. Now when he pulls into my shop and he has the wrong part that is non-returnable, how much has he saved? You know the answer and so did he. This time he let me supply the harness.

I also in the last year or so replaced a water pump and timing belt on an ’05 Amanti. It’s a fairly involved job. The customer told me her husband could get a water pump cheaper than I wanted. He saved about $20 (on a several hundred dollar job) by having me install his remanufactured pump as opposed to my new pump. A few days after picking up her car, she walked out to drive home and there was a huge puddle of coolant under it. The remanufactured pump was leaking. It cost them an additional 4.5 hours labor to save $20. Good job.


I know this isn’t the answer you want to hear, but these two occasions illustrate my point, and I hope it helps you to see the error of your ways. Most independent repair shops are already selling you parts and labor as cheaply as they can and still stay in business. Most of us just want to do you a professional job at a price that still lets us feed our family.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. Have a nice day.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear you have had such poor treatment from this garage. I work in a garage and would never want one of my customers to be treated like you. Unfortunately when it comes to a head gasket or engine damage there is no way of telling how bad it is until you strip the vehicle down. Its not something that can be found by diagnostics unfortunately. However the garage should have been more informative in telling you this in the first place. If I were you and you didn't want to incur any more costs with the car, I would ask the garage to cease work, pay them for the head gasket and then take the car and part ex it elsewhere. You could have a new car for the same price as it would cost ultimately to fix the old one. Or if you did want to fix it why not try another garage? We are not all bad I promise! Check to see if the garage is part of the motor industry code of practise and if they are make a complaint against them. Good luck and hope that helps!

Answer 3

No. Well, it depends on HOW you ask.

If, I were a shop owner, and someone said to me "Gee, you want HOW MUCH for that part?, I can get it for much less at the local auto parts store"
That would irritate me a Little.

If, however someone said simply "That seems kind of pricey."
I would take the time to explain the difference in the quality, and workmanship in the parts I'm providing compared to the cheap China or Korea made aftermarket parts that are available at a lesser price, and that there is an old saying ""You get what you pay for". and I can guaranty my parts.


It's not wrong to question anything. Just do it with some couth.

Answer 4

Asking the question is not rude, but the tone you ask it in can make it rude. When you get a written estimate, it is natural that you will want to talk it over with your mechanic so that you have a better understanding of what is to be done and what each charge is for. Don't question weather they are trying to rip you off, just politely ask about the prices, what they are for, what each price gets you and so on. It is important that people know and understand the work they are having done and what all the charges are.

Remember, some parts are expensive, and alot of times, the parts you can pick up at AutoZone are not the correct part, they may fit, but they won't work right. Yes, there are mechanics out there who will rip you off if you don't know what you are asking about, but that is the minority, not the majority. Most mechanics do the best they can, granted some just don't know what they are talking about, which is worse then ripping you off, but for the most part, they are just trying to make a living, but not trying to rip anyone off.

So I encourage you to talk over your estimate with your mechanic, it is important that you understand what you are paying for and what you are getting. Don't be rude, just ask him about it, they will be happy to tell you what each charge is and what you will be getting in return for each charge.

Answer 5

Actually no. That is a good way to let them know that you may be checking on the prices of parts to ensure that you are not being taken advantage of.

Some shops complain when you show up with your own parts that you purchased, but are unable to put them on your vehicle.

I never complained about my customers questioning the cost of parts or showing up with parts they purchased. Sometimes they would be of inferior quality, but I would never complain about it. I understand, because heck I own a car or two also, and am looking for the best deal on parts myself!

Besides, I made my money on the labor anyway. Parts never makes the shop money, unless its a dealership. But then again that is where I work.

Just understand, most of the private shops charge about 10% over their cost for the parts. In the end they are only making maybe a buck or two on the part.

I hope that answers your question.

Answer 6

Get 3 estimates on the repairs and if they are different in prices, then inquire why the difference. If it is an accident repair that is covered by insurance, let them worry about it. If it is a mechanical repair or body repair that you are paying for yourself, then ask all the questions that you want. You will be the one signing the check, so you have the right to know. In a manner, you are their boss, you are the one hiring them to do a job, you have the right to say or know what is going on with the repair.

good luck.

Answer 7

Some may consider it rude, but sometimes you must get rude to get what you want. If you think the estimate is high, call them on it. If you are not satisified with the result, take your business elsewhere. A reputable shop will have no problem explaining the estimate to you.

Answer 8

It's not rude it's your right!
You can get the part cheaper, most likely but then you'll have to do the work, or get someone else to do it, Your also going to have to pay them for the diagnostic, or troubleshooting most likely. They do usually pass on an increase of the part (called mark up) because they have to pay for delivery or someone to go pick it up. It shouldn't be to much if it is this is a good question to ask.
as one answerer said, tell them nicely you usually like to get 2 estimates.

Answer 9

its not rude, its your car. they have heard it before. after you find out what part it needs, call a parts store and compare. they do charge more for a part than what you can go in and buy off the shelf but that is part of the labor. as long as its not way over the amount

Answer 10

I think that you can not rude to anyone beside you.Because it will effect with the person beside you ,even though their mood. And you must be kind with the repair company before you car has repaired completely,that they will do better for you car, the stimate such as you get a tips.