Budgeting Essentials
How to Save over $500 on Auto Repairs
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Today, I am going to share with you how just recently
I saved over $500 on auto repairs.
Spoiler alert: Yes, it took some time and effort,
but do you like to be reimbursed for your time and effort?
Do your homework
I took my 10-year-old pickup into the shop for repairs.
I was told when I dropped the truck off that it would take up to a week
to get my spot on the infamous diagnostic machine
that will tell them what is wrong with my vehicle.
Next, came the estimate.
The service guy called me to let me know that there were two options.
Option number one was the items that Must-Get-Fixed.
Option number two added the repairs that Should-Be-Done.
Either way, the costs were quite significant.
The service guy told me to call him back to
let him know which option I wanted to go with.
On the home front, we discussed the value of our truck,
versus the cost of getting a newer used vehicle,
or a brand-new ride.
We quickly eliminated the brand-new ride -
due to cost and insurance rates.
To us, it seemed more cost effective to
repair our current truck.
Since we chose to keep the pickup,
we decided to get everything fixed.
So, I called the service guy back to let him know.
In the verbal conversation,
he told me that since we were getting everything fixed,
he was going to provide two of the services listed for no charge.
The charge for these two services came to just over $500.
All further conversations between me and the service repair guy were via text.
Next, came the problems........
Parts ordered not coming in timely.
Technician was working slow due to physical issues in his back.
Our technician only had two bays.
The rust on the truck slowed the process down
because the old parts (still on the truck) needed
to be sprayed in order to get them to come off.
Over the next 5 weeks,
we were promised multiple times,
that the job would be done within a couple more days.
Long story short, that turned into 5 weeks.
When we got the final bill,
those two “no-charge” services showed up on the final bill.
Although this may not be your story today,
I want to give you a heads up in case
this ever becomes your story.
It is always easier to learn from the life events
that others have experienced.
When I saw the bill,
I immediately recognized the overcharge.
So, in stead of getting angry, I took the time to do my homework:
I took a screenshot of each text between myself
and the service guy,
and sent them to my email.
There was a total of 33 texts over the 5 weeks.
Then I copied the text pictures into a
Word doc on my desktop computer.
Next, I did a PDF print of this Word doc,
so I could send these text copies as an attachment on
the email I would send to the service guy.
Finally, I also attached a copy of their repair bill
with those two no-charge items highlighted.
The email was worded carefully.
I said that I wanted them to reduce my bill
by the dollar amount of the two services that the service guy told me
he would do for no charge.
I went on to explain in gentle language,
that the repair shop had my vehicle for 5 weeks.
I mentioned that they told me several times
that the vehicle was going to be ready
the next day (which could be viewed in the copies of the texts).
I mentioned nicely,
that this event had been a great inconvenience
for my family since we had to share vehicles
while they were working on my truck.
I asked them to please send me a copy
of the reduced updated bill
when it was ready so we can come get our truck.
The result?
The service manager honored
what the service guy had told me over the phone.
He authorized the removal of the two verbal
no-charge services from the revised final bill.
Although I did not expect to hear from the service guy
until the next business day, he called me back the same evening.
He was apologetic for the time it took to repair my truck
and we both agreed that in the future,
all discussions of services would be done via text. That way it is in writing.
Here are the some of the things to remember
when a service does not go as expected:
Do all communications over text, so everything is in writing.
Always speak respectfully with all parties
you are dealing with, no matter how angry you may feel.
Deny those feelings for a good result.
Be understanding of the pain of others.
Be kind, and do your homework – it can pay off handsomely.
Pro Tip:
If the service shop or dealership offers a 10% discount
on their services, find out immediately what
the cap on that offer is.
For instance, they may cap the discount at $150.
If that is the case, it could be a good financial decision
to get a portion of the work you want done over several appointments.
This way, you could get that discount on each visit.
Choosing this option may also save time
due to less parts ordered on each repair visit.
Go ahead. Persevere, and remember that
your how you come across to others,
may well be tied to the result you get.
Remember the Goal:
Be kind and do your homework to obtain the best results!
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