Your car is making a funny noise or perhaps the dreaded Check Engine light is on. You’ve been talking to your neighbor, your father, your friends, and doing some research online and you’ve decided to get a phone estimate from your local mechanic.
You are shocked when they refuse. Why would they do that? Several phone calls later, you discover that you can’t get anyone but Bubba’s Auto Repair to give you an estimate. Why is that?
You probably shouldn’t take your car to Bubba’s and there is a good reason why you can’t get an estimate over the phone.
Why You Can’t Get a Phone Estimate
Of course, we aren’t talking about asking the price of an oil change or maintenance service. All mechanic shops will be happy to give you those estimates. Those are set price items that only increase with inflation, generally speaking.
However, your Check Engine light or noise is another story. If you are lucky, you will only get the shop’s hourly rate, and some shops won’t even tell you that.
In the past, it used to be that auto repair locations were not willing to give phone estimates because they wanted your car up on the hoist, torn apart. It’s really difficult to pay to have someone put the car back together and tell them you want to get an estimate elsewhere. There is no saving money this way.
Cars are Very, Very Different Pieces of Machinery Today
However, cars today are vastly different beasts from what they were even 10 years ago. A customer once wanted to know the price of a set of spark plug wires for their 2006 Nissan. When we tried to explain that the car didn’t use spark plugs, the potential client said that we were trying to rip them off and hung up.
Most people don’t really know what’s under the hood on their car and that’s fine, but it does beg to answer, how can you get an estimate then?
Today’s Phone Estimates
While it is true that many vehicles today have highly sophisticated computers, these computers aren’t as simple as using Google, typing in a question, and getting an answer.
You’ve probably heard of codes. Yes, we can use a handheld computer that pulls codes from a vehicle, but those codes only give us a general idea of where the problem might lie.
For example, one code may tell you that the problem lies in the exhaust system. There’s a whole lot going on in today’s exhaust system. Is it an oxygen sensor or is it the catalytic converter and if it is the cat, which one? (Many vehicles have 4 catalytic converters).
This is one reason why you can’t call and say “The guys at the auto parts store pulled code 12345 out of my vehicle. How much to fix it?”
With more than 30,000 different car models on the market, telling a client a price for a part is extremely difficult for mechanics. There are original equipment parts (OEM), remanufactured OEM, new and remanufactured aftermarket parts, even used parts.
In some instances, there is no suitable aftermarket part, and the more expensive OEM part is necessary. Other times, the OEM part has been discontinued, and you have no choice but to use a different manufacturer. Looking for the correct part takes time, and while time is money, there is one more thing to consider. Keep reading the next section.
What You Think Your Car Needs VS What it Actually Needs
In some instances, what people think is wrong with their car, is not always the actual problem.
For example, you need to jump-start your car. You call and ask how much to replace the battery. Let’s say it’s $100. You leave your car at the shop and get a call an hour later telling you that you need both a battery and an alternator for $300. You’re mad because you expected a $100, 1-hour job. The alternator must be ordered and now it’s a $300 3-day job.
Time is Money
As we mentioned before, time is money. Some shops can’t afford to hire someone just to answer phones and give estimates that may not even be correct (the battery problem or the engine code, for example). Rather than spend time (which is money) trying to guess what a job will cost, it is better for everyone to have you bring in the vehicle.
The Bubba Issue
While no one wants to spend more than they have to, when it comes to your car, trusting the lowest possible price or someone who will give you what appears to be an incredible price over the phone, is not always the best idea.
“Bubba” might give you an exceptionally low estimate just to get you in the shop. If you ask to replace those spark plug wires on your 2006 Nissan, he might oblige! (even though you have no spark plug wires to replace). When those “new” spark plug wires don’t fix the problem, Bubba will tell you that it’s your spark plugs. Next, it will be your distributor rotor. You might end up paying far more for Bubba’s guessing than what it would have cost to actually fix your vehicle right the first time.
Certified AC Repairs
My Mechanic now has the certification, equipment, and training necessary to service Vehicle Air Conditioning systems that contain the new R-1234yf Refrigerant found in newer cars starting in 2017. This new refrigerant is eco-friendly and will soon replace the R-134A refrigerant used since the early 1990s. Call us if you have any questions or would like more information. We are kicking off the Spring/Summer season with Free Inspections of your A/C System. Please call for details.
Got a Problem? My Mechanic Can Help
While we won’t give you a phone estimate for those spark plug wires or the Check Engine light code, we do promise to give your car the proper attention and inspection you deserve.
At My Mechanic, we will inspect your vehicle, explain what the problem is, how we can repair it, and what it costs. Whenever possible, we will gladly explain the differences between OEM and aftermarket parts, or remanufactured parts (if applicable) so you can make a more informed decision.
You can rely on the experts at My Mechanic to give you a fair and reasonable estimate, so you never have to deal with Bubba, as long as you don’t tell us what Google said about your Check Engine light.
