Things You'll Need:
- Computer with Internet access
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Step 1
Before you give the permission for the mechanic to start working on your vehicle, find out what the repairs are that the mechanic wants to do first. Go home and do a search for this on the Internet. This will give you a lot of very good information such as parts, time needed to complete the repair and tools needed.
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Step 2
Once you know the parts needed, do another search on the parts' names with a local repair service such as PepBoys or AutoZone for the prices for your vehicle. Keep track of these as well as prices for the tools needed for the job, and the time needed to complete them.
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Step 3
Go back to your mechanic and ask them the total price that you would have to pay for your repairs. If this exceeds the amount you have figured for labor, parts and tools, ask them what the markup is on the work. Generally they will tell you, and you can opt to go somewhere else, as you have not allowed them to do any work that you would owe for.
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Step 4
If their price does not exceed your estimated cost, ask to see a work order for all parts, labor and taxes before committing to a bill. This will give you a chance to see a detailed bill for all that will be completed on your vehicle. If you notice there is not a charge for a certain part, bring it up to them. No one is beyond making a mistake.
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Step 5
Prices are never set in stone, so haggle until you are satisfied with your price. If you cannot get this mechanic to drop a price, tell him you will go to a competitor, and make sure before you threaten it that you know that competitor is not a good friend of this company. Many times this is how mechanics get their prices, by calling local competitors and asking what they charge for certain services. Hopefully, you can haggle a price you are happy with, and do not feel like you are getting ripped off.
