Family News

Big Savings on Auto Maintenance Courtesy of the Net

By Rover
Posted 06/11/2007 Updated 06/11/2007
Viewed 24318 times

I recently went to a local shop that specializes in German imports to have an air pump on an old BMW replaced. The quote was for $750. The breakdown was for $370 for the part, and the rest for labor. The dealer service facility wanted even more.

After spending a half hour on the Net, I found a dozen places that had the part, each seemingly cheaper than the next. I ended up paying $205 for the part--delivered-- the same OEM part used by BMW, and $85 to have it installed by another local service station. Total cost: $290. Total savings: $460. Hourly rate I paid myself: $920. Not bad.

Many auto service shops get you over and over. They mark up the parts they use; they charge a high hourly rate; they use shop times for repairs that show more time than it actually takes them; they charge environmental disposal fees and shop supply fees not mandated by any authority. My favorite was a visit to Autothority in VA. I waited for my car for 4 hours one morning and got a bill for 12 hours of "shop time."

As they say, "it's easier to save money than to earn it." If you can pay yourself even a quarter of what I did on this repair, that's pretty good money for most people--tax free! Find the part online and compare it to the part price your being charged. If it's less, buy it. Find a good, honest local shop that will install parts you bring. Find one that charges the by actual time, not "shop time." Don't be afraid to say that you don't want something fixed when you're given a high price. Just say thank you and that you'll be by to pick the car up. Then find a place that will do right by you.

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