Best Auto Buys Summer Edition

THE GLEANER, FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | B4 R OGERWHITE was in traffic with his wife Sue when a woman pulled up next to him and told him that his tail light was out. Concerned that the police might ticket them for it, they headed to what Roger later called a “franchise fix-it shop” (assumedly referring to one of these companies) and left the car there for the fix. When the couple returned to the mechanic to get the car, the clerk brought up their bill, and the amount was 25 per cent more than the estimate they had originally been given. When they glanced at a copy of the bill, they found the culprit: a rather costly ‘service fee’. Sue immediately and loudly questioned what this itemwas doing on the bill – seeming to draw the eyes of everyone in the room. The man behind the counter quickly looked at the bill, acted puzzled, and said he would remove it. The Whites were shocked, realising how often people must have paid that item (which had nothing to do with the actual services performed) without questioning it. When they got home, Roger started looking for answers. Here is some advice from him, and others, on how to avoid mechanic rip-offs: #1 – GET TO KNOW THE SHOP Talk to your family, friends, and colleagues to see where they go for repair work. Get to know the philosophy of the shop, if possible; and consider reading a few reviews or testimonials. Finally, don’t be afraid to stop in and check it out before making your decision. Is the staff friendly and professional? Is the environment organised and clean? #2 – DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE Andrew Tarantola of Gizmodo agrees with Roger White that independent mechanics are the way to go. Tarantola notes that it is harder for a local shop to get away with systematic overcharging “because the business model dictates they build long-term relationships with their customers”. While you may not be thinking in terms of a long relationship, there is another advantage beyond trust: documentation. When one central location has all your service history, it is easier to keep track of when routine maintenance of fluids and parts (belts, tyres, etc) should occur. #3 –TAKE A CRASH COURSE No, you don’t actually have to go to a car repair class. However, if you want to protect yourself from the slimiest of auto repair shops, skimming through your owner’s manual can’t hurt. By understanding typical service intervals, you PLEASE SEE RIPPED, B11 SUMMER AUTO BEST BUYS FEATURE