Paying Too Much for Car Repairs? Here’s Help
March 22, 2009 – 1:42 am
A team of repair experts that boast a vast knowledge of vehicle parts and labor time, provides you with a realistic estimate of repair costs.
By: Natasha Morgan
I’ve always put cars and computers in the same category. You need them and take them for granted but when they don’t work, it really is a problem. Some of my friends have a spouse who is interested in vehicles and doesn’t mind looking after the maintenance of the family cars. I’m not that lucky. It is definitely up to me to keep my car running.
There was a time when cars were fairly simple and I could identify the various components. I learned to check the oil, radiator and various belts. Not any more. Looking under the hood of my car, I see very little that I recognize. That leaves me at the mercy of repair shops which over the years have fairly or unfairly developed an unsavory reputation. Fortunately, we live in the era of the internet where information is widely available to anyone willing to seek it.
I recently ran across a site called Repair Pal. They have a team of repair experts that boast a vast knowledge of vehicle parts and labor time which gives them the ability to provide you with a realistic estimate of repair costs.
If you’ve received a price estimate for a specific job, go to the Repair Pal site and compare it to the RepairPrice Estimate to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. They will show you what to expect and what to look out for when you have the service or repair performed. They will also send a printable version of your RepairPrice Estimate directly to your email.
If you haven’t yet found a reliable repair shop in your area, this site can help you locate one by simply entering your zip code. They offer user ratings and reviews, so you know who has happy customers.
Another interesting feature that’s offered is that you can store your service and repair information for all of your vehicles on a custom My Car page and they will help you keep your service information organized.
If you’re interested, you can learn from their technicians about the most common problems with your car and ask questions and get answers from the RepairPal community. Reliability ratings and reviews of your model are also available as are recalls and technical service bulletins for your car.
Note: www.notjustthekitchen.com has no relationship with Repair Pal or any of its affiliates.
Photo: killbox
6 Responses to “Paying Too Much for Car Repairs? Here’s Help”
Car Maintenance is not a big technical job, and a novice with minimal car-related knowledge can also do it easily
By peliportti.com on Aug 27, 2009
I found this to be a useful site. I’ll try it the next time my car needs servicing.
By rita morgan on Sep 13, 2009
This is a very helpful article. Most people cannot repair their car themselves. You need proper tools, some mechanical skill and time. Finding an honest mechanic is key and not always so easy. Thank for this very useful information.
By Dick Felix on Sep 13, 2009
In the future, cars will become so high tech that you will have to go to a mechanic. Go further into the future, you will have to take your car to a dealership mechanic because the tools will become so expensive that automakers will be the only ones to buy them.
By Ivan L on Sep 29, 2009
Ivan’s prognosis is indeed sad. It means the dealerships will be able to charge whatever they want and we won’t have a choice. Then, there are the independent repair shops that will end up disappearing.
By rita morgan on Sep 30, 2009