RANT on car repairs

I have come to the conclusion that several auto repair shops in the area are being dishonest with their service practices.

I have long suspected auto repair shops are cashing in on exorbitant prices for parts. Possibly folks are considering the expense of car repairs on the hourly mechanic rate. That may not tell the whole story. My guess is a lot of these shops are cashing in on hide jacked up-fees for parts.

Example, I recently had one of my cars in for inspection. I was told I need new brakes all around. The estimate was $1,300!! This is an 1994 get around town car. I asked for an itemized list of the cost.

$300 for labor, and $1,000 on shop fees and parts. Total parts, mostly refurbished came to $900. I just went out and purchased these parts independently for $256.00. Which included $90 refund for return of the used calipers. That is one heck of a difference.

I purchased my parts at list and I KNOW auto shops get volume discounts for parts, most of the time in the area of 30%.

Make sure to check what your estimates include and take a close look at how much is being charged for parts.

 

Which auto repair shop did you go to so I'll know to avoid the place.

 

It has happened to me several times now. As for the current issue, it's a place I've been using for over 20 years, and followed them through two move. Still good folks, but this really disappointed me. They've lost the benefit of the doubt.

I'd rather not name who they are. They're not the only ones doing this. If you really want to know IM me and I'll tell you.

 

I've been using a mechanic that makes house calls for cash. His "side job" rates are extremely reasonable considering he makes house calls. He used to work for an Acura dealership in Fairfax but recently changed employers. His current employer also allows him to bring in vehicles to work on before/after he clocks in.

To date he's replaced an alternator for me, replaced a hood release cable, and replaced battery cables, all in my driveway. In the next week, he'll be bringing my vehicle to his shop to replace the exhaust.

I get all my parts from rockauto.com, great prices. By comparison, Gemini in Ashburn quoted me $190 in parts plus $200 in labor to replace front brake pads and rotors. I bought the parts for $100 and my labor is $75. Gemini also quoted my $165 parts/$135 labor to replace an exhaust. I bought a new exhaust, with tailpipe, for $115 and the labor is $75.

PM me for his contact info.

 

Rock on HTG. That's what I am talkin about.

 

I'd rather have a good mechanic that I can trust and take my chances with picking an OB/GYN. And that's from a pregnant girl. I'm just sayin'.

 

Since we moved back to the area we've been going to G&C Tire and Auto Service in Chantilly and have been very pleased with them. They're not the closest, but we've been impressed with their work and their honesty (they're just as likely to tell you what doesn't need to be done as much as what needs to be done). They're a pretty large shop and can work on just about anything as far as I know. The prices are fair as well. I know I sound like a commercial, but good businesses deserve to be recognized

 

I always feel like when it comes to car repair places I'm likely to be ripped off even more because I'm a woman.

Fallon Automotive used to get high marks from people on this message board. Is the positive assessment still true?

 

heh, nice T8rgirl =) It makes sense though... a lot harder to find a good mechanic!

 

Villager - I have used them several times for a "classic" car that I have and they've been pretty straight with me even given the opportunity to fail me on inspections for technical points just to drive repair revenue. And I'll echo a comment made before about Rockauto. If you get a detailed estimate, you can always go to www.rockauto.com and use their interactive website to check the cost of parts. This may require that you know brands and quality levels depending on the type of part (like brake pads, for example, which come in several grades) but it can be a good sanity check.

And if any folks out there have a Nissan, I can recommend the Brown's in Sterling. Talk to James Tipton. He's very good, very fair, and has gone out of his way to help me on a few occasions. I even quoted them a Rockauto price on a part and they more or less matched it. They've also worked hard to get things covered by warranty where there might be a question.

 

Really? That stinks. Let me know what services so I can keep an eye out. I've been pretty happy with them in general, but I try to be wary of that sort of thing. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Ouch...okay. I'll keep my eye out. Thanks for the info...

 

I went to merchants a few weeks ago and had my breaks looked at and they gave me an honest assessment of the work that needed to be done but I felt the price they quoted was way too high. They quoted me $1300 for new pads all around, break cylinders in the back, rotors in the front, and the serpentine belt needed replacing; my father and I did the work in 5 hours for less than $250 in parts.

I have noticed since moving here two years ago every local business is high priced. Grocery stores in the neighborhood malls are the worst example. I lived in Alexandria city before moving to Ashburn and the local Shoppers, Giant, and Safeway were all much cheaper there than in Ashburn. However I see it as a problem with high rents from the property owner trickling down to us consumers. Basically the businesses pay so much more to the property owners for the privilege to be close to well of customers that it affects us with higher prices. Wegman’s kicks all the local stores in the rear on prices; I understand they arrange special deals for themselves with the property owners when they pick a location that keeps their rent cheap and thus prices.

Do we have any power other than where we spend our dollar to get the mall owners to bring rents in line with surrounding areas?

What it boils down to is having to pick supporting a local business over one within a reasonable distance away with better prices thanks to the local mall owners. It might be for those who still care about their budget that they will have to pick mechanics in Chantilly, Manassas, or Leesburg over an Ashburn mechanic to make sure they pay a fair price. It is simple capitalism; land owners feel they can charge more rent do to the wealth in the area driving up our consumer price; we consume in a nearby area at a lower more appropriate price. It drives out local businesses under but forces the landlords to reevaluate their rental fees and the second wave of businesses can charge less.

 

How is Ashburn Service & Tire Center/Elite Car Care Center in Ashburn Village? I need someone to look at my air conditioner. It's not blowing cold air. I went there once for an oil change..the service was good because they fit me in even without an appt but thought their price was high.



Thanks.

 

We LOVE Ashburn Service Center. Very honest and sometimes they won't take money for services (a plugged tire, replacing some valve stems). They refused to work on an old Explorer I had because they told me the problem was covered under a recall the dealer was denying. They printed out the recall notice for me to take to the dealer and, sure enough, car fixed for free at dealer. We have always had great experiences there and they don't try to sell you a line of BS or try to get you to pay for unnecessary services.

 

Prices are high around this area in general. But these guys are honest. They told me up front that I had other cheaper options on one repair even though they didn't make a dime off of their suggestion.