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Avoiding The Cowboys

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Watching the mechanic suck on histeeth before telling you 'it ain't going to be cheap', can leave you feelinghelpless. How do you know he's telling the truth, and is not just takingadvantage of your ignorance to squeeze as much money out of you as he can?Well, there are a few things you can do.

Firstly, shop around. Tell themechanic you just want a quote in the first instance. This way, not only do youget to compare a variety of prices, but the mechanic is less likely to risklosing the job by unnecessarily overcharging you.

You should also check to see if thegarage is a member of a trade association, such as the Motor Vehicle RepairersAssociation (MVRA) or the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA),which have strict codes of practice. Unscrupulous garages are unlikely to bemembers.

Another good thing to do is to askfriends and family if they can recommend a good garage, or at least warn youoff a disreputable one.

Make sure that the garage offers youclear information on repair and servicing options along with its quote. Do nottake your car to a garage and simply ask the mechanic to 'fix it'. To adisreputable garage this could be the green light to repair every single minorfault, which could add up to a costly final bill. Another good idea would be toget breakdown cover for your car.

If the garage finds additional workthat it thinks needs looking at, make sure it gets your permission before itdoes anything beyond what was originally agreed. Leave your contact details sothey can call you if any problems develop.

If the garage says it can't give youa fixed-price quotation because of the nature of the job, at the very leastagree a maximum amount that they can spend on a repair without consulting youfurther.

You should also make sure you willreceive an itemised invoice that lists all the materials, the parts used andtheir costs, and the amount charged for labour. This will make it easier tospot and dispute any unreasonable charges, such as parts costing double themarket value.

Check beforehand if the garage willoffer a guarantee or warranty on its work and materials, and consider using agarage that has a recognised complaints procedure.

The garage may offer you a courtesycar while your own car is being fixed. Before gleefully driving off in itsbrand new Mercedes, however, make sure you check the terms and conditionsattached to the supply of the courtesy car, and what the costs are, if any.

A reputable garage should have noproblem with any of these safeguards, and so if you find a garage hostile toyour requests, or you are unhappy with the suggested repairs or the projectedcost, don't be afraid to turn around and take your car somewhere else.

And if you do find a garage thatseems fair and reasonable and does a good job, stick with it. And recommend itto friends, to avoid them falling into the hands of someone less scrupulous.

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