Q & A Table of Contents
What do I do when I'm stuck with an overpriced car mechanic?
From: Pradeep, India
Question: Can you suggest how can I negotiate with car repair mechanic when I have already agreed to pay him some amount for the job to be done but found out later that it is being done cheaper in the market? I accepted his quote on trust because he was referred and also because he was the nearest to the place where my car had an accident.
Response: Dear Pradeep,
It sounds as if you have found yourself into a very challenging situation; however it is not hopeless.
You should examine the circumstances:
1. Have you used this car mechanic before?
2. Can you communicate to the mechanic that you are looking for
someone you can trust for the long term, to whom you can go for repairs in the future?
3. Can you present a credible case demonstrating that you know many other car owners who would be interested in listening to your
recommendations of automobile mechanics?
4. Is there an association of car mechanics that has an interest in
promoting and/or sustaining the good reputation of car mechanics as a
profession? Can you find one or more mechanics willing to be your advisor about dealing with the mechanic who is working on your car? Perhaps they can help you with questions or other insights that might be significant in your discussions.
5. Do you know of any private organisations or government agencies that exist to protect the consumer from unscrupulous business practices? For example, in the United States, there are organisations called 'Better Business Bureaus' to whom one can turn for advice and advocacy.
6. You say that you went to this mechanic because 'he was referred'. Have you discussed the situation with the person who referred you to him? Does this person have a long-term relationship with the mechanic? Can you ask this person to assist you in your efforts to improve the price?
7. Is this mechanic 'attached' to a particular car dealership or is
he independent? Is he his own boss or does he have to report to someone else?
If there is any sort of existing or possible long-term relationship with
the mechanic, he should be able to see that it is in his interest to treat you properly -- to get your business in the future, to protect his reputation, to keep on good terms with whoever referred you to him . . .
With all these issues as background preparation, you should describe the needed repairs to several other mechanics and ask them for the price they would charge. If possible, you should get those price estimates in writing.
If all the other estimates are far more favourable, you should see whether it is possible to cancel your agreement with the existing mechanic and have it repaired by someone else. I imagine this would be extremely unlikely, but you should investigate the possibility.
Is the repair work covered by automobile insurance? Can you go to your insurance company and ask for their assistance? If you do not have insurance, it might make sense to find someone involved in car insurance who can give you a written estimate of the fair price range for the kind of repairs being performed.
Ultimately, you need to communicate with the mechanic. Approaching him in anger is not likely to yield a favourable outcome. Rather you should approach him looking for information: How serious is the damage? Is this a problem with which you have much experience? What are the factors that were considered when the price was determined? Why is his estimate different (notice I do not suggest you ask why it is higher) from those of other mechanics in the region/neighbourhood?
In my own experience, when my car needs repairs to the bodywork, I take it to a more expensive mechanic. He offers guarantees and does such 'extras' as cleaning the inside and outside of the car when it is finished. Is it possible that you can give your mechanic an opportunity to prove that he is of better quality than his cheaper competition? Perhaps he can offer you a guarantee; perhaps he can wax the car's surface after it has been repaired; maybe he would like to have you write a letter he can post on the wall of his garage saying he did a terrific job, was very courteous, etc. In other words, how can you make him want to have you become someone who will act as a reference in the future.
It is extremely difficult to change a contract once it has been agreed.
Both parties have to want to make that change. What does the mechanic have to gain by changing the price? If he has nothing to gain -- reputation, long-term relationship, favourable publicity, credibility with the person who referred you -- then it is not likely he will want to change the price. Asking questions is more likely to yield a favourable result than confrontation; perhaps you will hear him say something that 'triggers' a creative way for you to convince him to change his mind.
If you cannot get him to change the price, if you cannot 'rescue' your car and get it to another mechanic you should look upon this as a most
unpleasant lesson. Getting the mechanic angry at you could mean the repair job is not done as well as it should be.
There is no magic formula to change a situation once it has been agreed. You did what sounded right at the time. Unfortunately it will cost more money than it sounds like it should. Please let me know how you use any of this advice and whether you find it effective.
Good luck and good negotiating, Steve.
| 
