READ BEFORE GOING TO A SHOP. (very good info)

Since being a mechanic, I want to help you all be better shopers when having installs / repairs done.

Before having any work done, call your local dealership and ask them the hours paid for that job. EVERY manufacture publishes a book with EVERY SINGLE repair in them for every model updated every few years. It has for instance, changing head light, .2 hours, changing a head, 4 hours, changing T.B. .5 hours and so on. This is what the go off for paying the technican. It's called FLAT RATE labor. When they hand me a car to work on, the repair order (R.O.) will have how many hours the job pays. If it says 2 hours, i get paid for 2 hours, if i take 4 hours, im losing money, if I can do it in 1, i get more done that day. Thats how good technicians make such good money. I can sometimes get 5 to six cars out in an 8 hour day, but get paid 20 hours that day.

Once you know how long that repair should take, (dealer will tell you ) call your shop of choice and get a quote. Right now labor rates are $80 to $90 per hour. So if your quote for a repair sounds way high, ask how he is breaking the price down, i.e. Parts=? Labor =? and what not. Since you know what labor rates are and how long it will take you can negotiate a lot better. Knowing is half the better.

Also when the repair is done, ALWAYS look at your invoice. See if they carged too much, or for any parts you didn't need. Also ALWAYS have them save the old parts you have to ask them for this, so you can be sure they were replaced. And look at your car to make sure it is a new one on there.

You'd be suprised at what some shops will do, and what they get away with. Some people have more money than brains and they will take advantage of you. It's all about $$ to them.

I hope this helps you, and you can save money and have better luck, I know I cant afford to waist money i dont need to. Adam