Most auto shops have your best interest at heart. Still, there are rotten apples in the bunch. Act like a sucker in front of the wrong person and you might find yourself paying too much money for an auto repair (or, even worse, buying a service you don’t really need!). Here are three things you should NOT say or do at the auto shop. #3 is the worst…

1. Pretend to be car smart.

“Fake it until you make it,” isn’t always bad advice. When you play your cards right, acting confident can cover up a certain amount of incompetence.

In this case, faking it might blow up in your face. Auto mechanics can smell bullshit from a mile away. Use an automotive term in the wrong context and they’ll know you don’t really have a clue what you’re talking about.

You don’t need to be a “car expert” anyway. You just need to be aware of what’s going on with your car. Instead of pretending to understand the intricacies of how your engine operates, describe the symptoms you observed as specifically as possible.

Need a shove in the right direction? Okay! Answer these questions:

  • How fast were you driving?
  • Were you driving on the Interstate, highway, or a residential street?
  • Did you notice any odd sights, smells, sounds, physical sensations, or other symptoms?
  • Did your check engine light turn on? If so, was it before or after you noticed those symptoms?

Being able to provide so much information is good for two reasons.

First, you’re demonstrating the fact that you pay attention. Dishonest mechanics will think twice before taking advantage of you, because you just might notice!

Second, you’re making the auto professional’s job easier. It’s easier to identify the problem (and fix it) when you have an in-depth account of what happened before the breakdown.

2. Make yourself look small.

Imagine you meet a man on a dating website. The guy has an incredible profile. He starts a text chat and speaks boldly about what he hopes to accomplish in life. I love a man with purpose! Don’t you?

You’re enthusiastic about the first date, but it’s not so great. The man who seemed so confident online can’t even sustain eye contact in person. He fidgets, crosses his arms, and sounds like a pipsqueak. Would you go on a second date? Probably not! I prefer truth in advertising, personally…

Most communication occurs on a nonverbal level. It doesn’t matter how intelligent or eloquent you are. If your body language is poor, no one will hear your message. The same fact applies when it comes to auto repair. Letting fear influence your posture will make you look like a walking target.

Don’t stare at the floor! Look into the service adviser (PPA)’s eyes. No fidgeting! Keep your arms by your sides. Posture is all about physicality, but your mental state has a huge impact on how you carry yourself. Listen to an uplifting song that makes you feel good before you walk inside the auto shop. Repeat a mantra – “No one will mess with me today!” – to keep your mind in a positive place.

3. Let them walk all over you.

Don’t be passive about auto repair. You should be an active participant in the process! That doesn’t mean you need to grab a wrench and get to work. However, you should be “in the loop” at all times.

If you have to leave your car at the auto shop, give your phone number to the service adviser (PPA). Expect to receive a notification about price changes, additional repair recommendations, and any other major developments before the job is done.

You go to a five star restaurant and order the most reasonably priced meal you can find on the menu. The server makes a mistake and brings you the filet mignon, which is five times more expensive. Would you be okay with that? No! You’d send it back to the kitchen (unless they offer to cut the price big time).

Doing a repair without a driver’s permission is no different. If that ever happens to you, refuse to pay. Threaten to notify a local consumer protection agency if you run into any problems. Don’t feel guilty. It’s okay to fight back when people take advantage of you. This is your right. Exercise it! If you have a friend who needs to hear this advice, feel free to share on social media. 🙂