Spectra’s Auto Repair Blog

How can you get an accurate estimate over the phone? The answer is… you can’t! There are too many variables involved in the repair of a vehicle for any shop to be able to give you an accurate estimate without first inspecting the vehicle. For example, you may call a repair shop and ask how much it costs for a front brake job. A front brake job may consist of anything from simply replacing the front brake pads to replacing the front brake pads, resurfacing the brake rotors, replacing the brake rotors, replacing the brake calipers, replacing the brake hoses, and replacing the brake hardware. Also, you may have seized or broken mounting hardware, damaged brake lines, dirty brake fluid or other related problems. The difference in cost can be substantial.

Maybe you will call and ask for a “ballpark” price. That question poses the same problems. There are too many variables involved in the repair of a vehicle for any shop to be able to give you a “ballpark” estimate without first inspecting the vehicle. In the above example, do you want a ballpark price for replacing only the brake pads or for replacing the brake pads, brake rotors, brake calipers, brake hoses, brake hardware and a brake fluid flush. Again, the difference can be substantial.

Another problem with calling a shop and asking for a price over the phone can arise if you happen to call a shop that is less than honest. Let’s face it. There are dishonest people out there. This is true not only in the automotive repair industry, but in just about every other industry or service there is. Fortunately, the majority of people are honest so this might not be a problem. But if you do happen to call a dishonest shop, they may give you a price that is low just to get you in the door. Once your car is in their shop, they may call and tell you that now that they have looked at the car, the repairs will cost more than they originally thought. They are banking on the fact that you will let them do the work because the car is already there. If you let the shop inspect the vehicle first, they won’t be able to pull this “bait and switch” on you.

Some people call and ask what is the most it will cost for a repair. How is this going to help you? There is really no way a shop can tell you the most it will cost without seeing the vehicle. There is no way for them to know the extent of the repairs that are needed. If they do give you an estimate for the most it will cost it might be more than you are willing or able to pay at the time and you may decide not to have the problem repaired. In reality, your car may need a much smaller repair. If you don’t have it repaired because the price for “the most it will cost” was too much, then your problem may actually turn into a problem that will cost that much, and maybe even more. The best thing to do is to bring your car into the shop and have them inspect it and then give you an accurate estimate on the repairs. At that time, you can make an informed decision as to whether you are willing and/or able to pay for the repairs as well as finding out the potential consequences of not having the repair done.

Another reason for calling a repair shop and asking for a price over the phone may be that you have the car at one shop and feel that their price is too high. First of all, if you don’t trust the shop you are at or you feel like they are overcharging you, you probably shouldn’t take your vehicle to them for repairs. Second, it is unfair to ask a repair shop to give you an estimate in comparison to another shop when they haven’t had the chance to look at the vehicle and see what it needs. The shop who has seen the vehicle knows exactly what parts are needed and what labor is needed to make the repairs. The shop that hasn’t seen the vehicle would have to guess at what parts and labor are needed. Back to the brake example, does it need just brake pads or brake pads and brake rotors; is the other shop estimating the top of the line parts or an economy line of parts; does it need any fluids, hardware, or other related parts; are there any seized up bolts or other related problems? Not knowing the answer to any of these questions, the shop may give you an estimate that is too low. If you then take your car to them for the repairs, they will have to call you back and give you the actual, higher cost of the repair after they have inspected the vehicle. The bad part for you is that the actual cost from shop #2 may be higher than shop #1. Even if it is the same, you have still wasted your time moving your car from one shop to the other. This can get really out of hand if there are diagnostic fees, towing fees or other costs involved.

Another time you might call a repair shop and ask for a price over the phone is when your friend or neighborhood “mechanic” tells you what you need. Is that friend or neighbor a certified, trained technician using the latest diagnostic tools and information? Unless they are, you may be getting a price on something totally unrelated to what you actually need. Let the qualified technicians do the diagnostics so you can be given an accurate estimate.

If you have a problem with your car, bring it in and let us do a diagnostic on it and find out what really needs to be repaired or replaced. That way we can give you an accurate estimate on the necessary repairs. There may be a small fee for performing the diagnostic but it’s a small price to pay for accurately knowing the right price to repair your vehicle.

You do not have to go to the dealer for maintenance. I repeat, you do not have to go to the dealer for maintenance.

Many dealers will imply or tell you directly that you must bring your new vehicle to the dealer for maintenance or your factory warranty will be void. This is simply not true and the reason is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. SS 2301-2312 (1982) and the general principles of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the federal law that governs consumer product warranties. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. SS 2301-1312 (1982), and general principles of the Federal Trade Commission Act, a manufacturer may not require the use of any brand of product (or any other article) unless the manufacturer provides the item free of charge under the terms of the warranty. So, if the dealer tells you that you have to bring your vehicle to them for service or the warranty will be void, ask them to put it in writing. Then ask them to give you all of the parts for free.

“No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name….”(15 U.S.C. 2302(c).

You have the Right to use high-quality aftermarket parts and know that your new car warranty claims will be honored. In fact, your vehicle dealer may not reject a warranty claim simply because an aftermarket product is present. A warranty denial under such circumstances may be proper only if an aftermarket part caused the failure being claimed.

You have the Right to patronize independent retail stores and shops for vehicle parts and service. In fact, you could even do all of the maintenance yourself (if you are so inclined) and the warranty would not be void.

You do need to keep records and receipts for all maintenance that is done to the vehicle, especially during the warranty period. In the event of a warranty claim, this will provide proof that you have done all maintenance in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and requirements.

At Spectra Auto Services, we use high quality original equipment parts or high quality aftermarket parts that are equal to or better than original equipment parts. We also keep all of your vehicles maintenance and repair records in our database in case you should ever need a copy of an invoice. All of our technicians are trained in the latest maintenance and repair technology and are ASE Certified in multiple areas of automobile repair and maintenance.

Next time your new car or truck is due for maintenance, bring it to Spectra Auto Services, your dealership alternative.