A DRIVER was left shocked after he was quoted an eye-popping $7,000 to have his vehicle repaired.
Realtor Jonathan Morsinkhoff, from Dallas, says he rushed to a dealership after suffering a red airbag light in his Honda Odyssey.
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He claims in a story posted to his TikTok account that he was told the procedure would set him back $7,000.
Experts concluded the glitch was the result of a fault in the passenger seat’s airbag system wiring harness.
Fixing the issue required a mechanic to remove a large portion of the vehicle’s interior, the mechanics claimed.
Morsinkhoff said raced to get a second opinion from another local mechanic.
After troubleshooting the issue, the realtor was told the problem was caused by a loose connector under the driver’s seat and would only cost him $125 by the second mechanic.
“This is why I don’t trust anybody else with my cars,” he quipped.
EXPERT WEIGHS IN
Ryan Ratkowski, an experienced mechanic and owner of Motorcycle Maestros, says people look to dealerships for reliable and cost-effective places to get repairs done.
However, in his experience, dealerships tend to upcharge on parts and labor to maximize their profits.
Doing so costs the customer hundreds of dollars for simple fixes which Ratkowski says can be done at other service centers for much cheaper.
The first repairs he said should be done elsewhere are tire rotations and replacements.
“You can get your tires rotated or replaced at many other service stations or tire shops often for less money and with quicker service,” Ratkowski told GoBankingRates.
“Many tire shops will throw in rotations for free if you buy your tires from them. These services are often available at better rates at tire specialty shops, where the staff are highly focused and experienced in tire care.”
Bodywork or aftermarket installations are better done by a specialist, according to CFR Classic owner Joe Giranda.
“Another service often bypassed at dealerships is aftermarket installations, such as audio systems or vehicle wraps,” he said.
“Specialty shops not only provide a wider range of options but also possess the specific expertise that dealerships might lack, ensuring a higher quality and customization level.”
Instead, wraps, paint jobs, and dent repairs should be done at a licensed body shop to ensure fair pricing and a quality product.
Replacing wiper blades, Ratkowski said, can be done at home, as installation instructions are posted to the wiper blade’s box.
It may seem daunting, but you’d learn a new skill and save nearly hundreds for a simple repair.
“Dealerships might use this as an opportunity to tack on extra service fees,” he said.
“Grab some from an auto parts store and change them in your parking lot.”
How to avoid being scammed at the repair shop
Motorautocar and the AARP have east-to-follow tips to avoid being scammed by a repair shop.
- Motorautocar suggests asking to see parts that have been replaced or to see old fluids after they were swapped. If the shop says that’s impossible or refuses, it could be a sign it wasn’t done.
- Ask for a walkaround of the repairs that were done. Most mechanics are happy to show you what was done in the shop. While being walked around, look for evidence of repairs like the area being cleaned off, shiny new parts, tool marks on the bolts, tools being out or nearby, etc.
- Before taking your car in, look at other customer reviews on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Many customers only review a company if they have negative reviews, so keep an eye out.
- For costly repairs, consider getting multiple opinions. If two to three shops suggest identical repairs, it’s likely to be true.
- Test a new shop with minor issues you’re aware of to see if they add anything to the repair bill.
- If applicable, bring someone to the shop who knows about cars to have them double-check or read a repair bill.
- Get everything on paper. Not only is it important for your repair records, but it can help protect you if legal measures are necessary.
Source: Motorautocar, AARP
