TT automotive 980 main st crete IL 60417 708-672-1111  accurate prices, and great customer service

Here are some tips that will help reduce the risk of getting ripped off at a mechanic shop:
1) First and foremost, do your research. Call the local Bureau of Automotive Repair (http://www.autorepair.ca.gov/) and look up the mechanic's license to see if they've ever been written up before and for what. Most people don't know this even exists. Also, ask around at local shops - everyone knows everyone in a locality. You will learn very quickly who has the reputation preceding them.

2) Get multiple estimates. Don't just go to one shop.

3) Ask the shop you go to if they sublet any of their work. The reason you want to ask this is because if the shop youre at sublets transmission work and you need transmission work, you just signed up with the middle man and will pay a mark-up. Go directly to the specialists.

3) Visis this site and read this:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=bpc&group=09001-10000&file=9884-9884.20
If it doesn't come up or this link gets outdated, you want to look for "BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE" that applies to automotive repair in your state. The Bureau of Automotive Repair in your state will provide you the documentation. This is the "Rules of Conduct" that every mechanic must abide by. Anyone who reads this before walking into a mechanic shop will be a step ahead of the game.

4) I cannot stress enough the importance of reading the above laws and regulations but if for some reason you don't, for God's sake get a crystal clear estimate. Estimates are required to have the parts itemized on the left, labor itemized on the right with a total estimate for the work. You also have the right to request that your repair costs not exceed a specific portion of the estimate. Example: Total cost of repairs not to exceed 10% of estimate. This requires that the mechanic call you for approval to proceed further. Your estimate, that little pink piece of paper you walk out with the day you drop the car off is the only proof of contract you have with that mechanic and you will live and die by whats written on it and the invoice in the end.

5) Ask to see a sample estimate or invoice. If they won't show it to you it's because they're hiding something (and they probably know you're too smart for them). I've noticed whenever I ask this, I can immediately assess who's a snake and who's reputable. Those that are honest will gladly show you paperwork, let you tour the shop, tell you how much their markups are and who they sublet to. The shops that refused to show me paperwork for previous jobs turned out in my research to be the places to stay away from.

6) Ask for your old parts back. By law a mechanic is required to return your old parts to you. If they don't, beware they may be hiding something.

7) Don't do too much work at once. This is a common trap. You walk in to get your brakes done and next thing you know you're getting your tranny overhauled and new tires along with some sensor and relay repairs. If you go in for one job, do the one job and get out. Test a mechanic out and see how they do on a small job. If the experience was pleasant, go back and give them some more. DO NOT try to add on jobs to an existing job as it's a trap that is very common for people to fall into and turns a small job into a major project. Remember, the bigger the project the more likely the mechanic will take you for a ride and the stickier the situation will become.

8) No matter how much they tell you should do this or should do that, say NO. Know this....a mechanic will not allow someone to leave their shop if the car is in a condition that will likely harm you or another individual. 90% of the time the mechanic is just trying to make more money by convincing you something else is needed. Tell him you don't have the money so unless the car's going to break down tomorrow or cause you to have a car crash, you appreciate the advice but would like to move on. Usually the amicable way to do this is say...my car is due for service at the dealership in 3-4 months, can it wait until then? If they say yes, you didn't need the job in the first place.

9) Get a date or timeframe for when the job will be done. If they can't tell you this then they themselves don't know their business OR are already planning on robbing you and don't want to commit to a time frame. I once brought a car in for a clutch job and was told 3 weeks because he had to "order parts". Know that in the automotive industry, most modern car parts are delivered next day with the exception of custom parts. For older cars or hot rods, deliver times can be longer if you have hard to find parts but I'll also warn you that if you go to a sop that specializes in hot rods, 9 times out of 10 they know where you can get any part for any car. Unless your getting your engine rebuilt, most any job on a car (no matter how major) should never take more than a full day. Note that the time to fix the car may be extended depending on

I'd say one should at least know the basics, especially if they don't want to pay and arm and a leg for every little thing that may go wrong with their car(s)

Saves money on the basic stuff and help out then dealing with the mechanics at the shops.

Very useful, but I have no clue or knowledge about cars other than how to start it and how to drive it.

Who has not decided to learn more about their vehicle when stuck on a roadside or given an outrageous bill by some garage?

Knowing car basics can save you money and prevent car problems. With services like AAA, you can manage without knowing a whole lot abot cars. There are some things about vehicles you just cant do anything about.

There's not too much you can fix on a vehicle in your garage these days (and I don't count changing the oil as being a mechanic). But I wish I had the same skills for small engines (at least 6 of them around here) as they fail a lot more and the $ add up.

It is definitely convenient. I wish I had this skill. My dad and grandpa have saved us a lot of money because they know this stuff.

This is a vey useful skill to have - My car is now out of warranty, and I do most of the simple stuff myself, ie; brakes, oil change, tune-ups, component replacement and simple electrical stuff. This actually was a factor in purchasing my vehicle, as the GM V6 and W-body platforms are among the easiest to work on.

I used to think it wasn't important until I started to pay my mechanic serious money. . .

You can save yourself some serious dough if you can handle at least some automotive tasks.

Having mechanical skills would be useful. Saves on having to pay $50.00 for an oil change.