Avoiding The $600 Oil Change

Chances are you or someone you know have had the dreaded auto shop call. You dropped it off for a simple oil change and now your faced with the decision, $600 or ???

The most important thing to do when faced with this dilemma is ask some simple questions. You don’t have to know how to fix a car to decide wether or not a repair is need now or can wait for a second opinion. Just use what you know about your driving experiance, in that vehicle and when and if this vehicle has had regular maintence. I’ll use some examples to try and help you get the idea for diffrent vaciations.

“Hello Mr. Smith this is John at the Garage” ” I’m calling about your van, it needs a Water Pump a Thermostat and a new belt.”

“John, thanks for bringing that to my attension.” “Have you completed the Oil Change i brought it in for? And what is the current total?”

“Yes, Mr. Smith we have and we noticed a fluid leak that brought are attension to the problem.”

STOP……Ask yourself, Have I noticed any puddleing under my Van? Have there been any squeeks or squels coming from my engine, in the morning especially. Has My EngineTempature gauge been running in the normal range latley?

“John does your shop use a mechanical labor guide and which do you use?” These are the books produced to determine proper charges for auto repair. There are four major brand names for this Chilton, Mitchell, Auto Data and, Motor. All are very similar but, due vary slightly. Some shops don’t use these books and just have a Price for what they think it will take. It’s important to ask this because if they don’t understand the question, how did they calculate the cost?

“Yes Mr. Smith we do use a Labor guide we choose to use Chilton and accourding to the book it takes 1.3hrs”

“Ok John What is you Labor Rate?” This is the hourly chage for the shop.

“Mr. Smith our Hourly rate is $85.00 hr.”

Stop…. Shops can use three ways of covering the overhead of the shop. A high labor rate, a high retail mark up and, sometimes Both. Now smaller shops usually have a lower hourly rate one to attract you but, two because there overhead is usually less. Does the shop match the rate?

“John do you have a Parts quote total and what does it include?”

“$489.10 in Parts including a water pump two gallons of antifreeze a Thermostat, gasket and a new Belt. 1.3hrs in Labor at $85.00 Hr is $110.50 totaling $599.60 less Tax for a total. Mr. Smith”

Again Stop… Thats a high parts bill but don’t jump to conclusions just yet. Ask more questions.

“John where do you purchase your parts from? The dealer or an aftermarket such as Napa?”

“Mr. Smith we will be purchasing your parts from The dealer would you perfer aftermarket pricing?

“Yes John can i have both prices before i decide?”

Most likley at this point John would have to call you back while he gets other prices.

While you are waiting go online or call your local auto parts store and price what your getting for an approx of what you might spend yourself. Remember they have a high labor rate mark up should be reasonable. Even if you don’t have all the particulars you should be able to get a round about idea.

When John calls back he will probably be more aware that you are cautious and his prices may refect that. “Mr Smith it John calling again, your new parts total is $255.10 bringing this aftermarket estimate to $365.60″

Now use what you’ve learned in your price check and see if you feel this is now reasonable. ” John this seems much more reasonable.” ”I  Approve” or ” I Deny” this repair.

After this conversation you’ve probably had a feeling of honesty or deciet. Use all thats available to you even if that means calling a friend or another shop for an estimate. Remember its your choice and if you wouldn’t just give your money away it’s best to ask the questions and spend the time to make an informed decision.