Wrong Question, Wrong Answer

When there is a problem with a vehicle, the first question many people have, is how much will it cost? Certainly this is understandable, as funds must be allocated. Unfortunately, it is also the leading cause of problems many people have with having their vehicle repaired.

It starts like this, “My brakes are bad, how much to replace them?” The problem is, neither the client or the shop has any idea what is wrong with the vehicle at this point. An honest shop, will quote a rate per hour for checking the vehicle. In this manner the actual problem can be learned and the exact price quoted before repair is done.

First, nothing identifies a person with no knowledge of vehicles faster. To a dishonest shop, “How much is . . .” is an open invitation. Secondly, many quality shops will not participate in the practice. They will simply try to explain why quoting prices is impossible. To a person with no knowledge, the bigger the charlatan the better they may sound and the most honest person sounds the least plausible.

Any choice made by such a criteria will almost inevitable be wrong. In reality, a shop’s refusal to quote prices, without seeing the vehicle is a very positive indicator of their intentions. A far better practice is to check the reputation of the shop, with whom you wish to deal. When dealing with an honest person, the price will reflect what is honestly wrong with the vehicle. With a charlatan, the price may be the most he can extract.

Our point is, it is imperative to have an honest and competent shop diagnose the vehicle. Many shops will merely quote a price, designed to get the client “in the door”. We consider this a predatory practice, and it is well known within the profession that this is not the price they will end up charging. I feel that selection by price it is a very poor way to locate an honest and competent shop and the cause of many of the problems people experience getting a vehicle repaired.

Atlantic Motorcar realizes better methods produce superior results, whether it’s repairing the vehicle or looking for someone to repair it. Fixed right the first time, delivered on time and at the price quoted. Atlantic Motorcar…Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Cars.