I recently had all four tires replaced on my car at Tires Plus. While waiting for the job to be completed an employee approached me and said that my K&N air filter was dirty. I had just cleaned it a couple of months prior and knew that it could not be in such a state in so short of time. I informed him of this.
He returned a few minutes later to tell me that the person who had driven my car into the stall had noticed that it was running "pretty rough". Now, knowing that the "Plus" in the company name means: 'plus anything we can get you for besides tires', I fully expected attempts to be shook down for additional charges but became slightly irritated that they would try to capitalize on such a blatant falsehood.
Although I am not a certified mechanic, I do know my way around under a hood pretty well and do all preventive maintenance and minor to intermediate repair work myself. After I stated that the car ran perfectly when I brought it in, especially since I had replaced the spark plugs and fuel filter just a few weeks prior, he made a half-hearted attempt to scrutinize my choice of parts and then withdrew to the garage area. The feeling that I had just been measured up was distinct.
I submit this as a cautionary tale. Had I not exhibited a knowledge of my car I'm sure the final bill would have been much larger. While completely understandable and reasonable that not everyone has mechanical inclinations, it pays to know something about your vehicle. You're investing the monthly payments and placing the safety of yourself and family inside it everyday. Why would you choose to remain ignorant of its workings?
The above scenario could have happened at any garage. The tires and work completed on my vehicle were satisfactory, I left a happy customer. There were no ripoffs. But had I not displayed an interest in the vehicle besides driving it, the chance of paying for work not needed, or completed, would have been 100%.
0 comments