Mechanics see a woman coming and BAM!!!

[happylabs]

Not everything is related to gender, race, or other categories.

Opposed to the current President's policies? You must be a racist.

Someone screwing off on the job and gets caught but nothing happens? Must be because they're a Union worker.


There are unscrupulous people in every field, and they'll take advantage of anyone who doesn't know what's going on.

Seriously, people, this racist/misogynist/fill in your category here victim crap needs to end.

It probably will once we all live in a perfect world.

[Karen]

It probably will once we all live in a perfect world.

It will end as soon as we each stop doing it! You can change the world, as long as you start with yourself!

(Not directed at happylabs personally, but at each and every person. It would be more correct to use "one" instead of "you, but then it sounds stilted.)

[Lady's Human]

There is SO much information out there now about car repair no one should be a "victim" of an unscrupulous mechanic.

I don't care whether you have a Geo Metro or a Corvette, there's a forum out there somewhere on the internet dealing with your particular car.


CEL (or service engine soon) light on? Limp it to autozone, get the codes pulled, and search. (DO NOT!!!! buy the part that autozone tries to sell you, it may or may not fix the issue, and your mechanic isn't going to appreciate not making the markup on the parts. Damned crooks need to put food on the table too)

Someone has had that problem before, and someone can help you diagnose it. Even if you don't turn wrenches yourself, you can at least get an idea of what the repair is going to be before driving to those thieving mechanics.

Odd noise? Go online, find a forum relating to your particular car, and search. Someone has had that problem before.

All it takes is a little research and you can avoid getting taken advantage of.

As with anything else, forewarned is forearmed.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

There is SO much information out there now about car repair no one should be a "victim" of an unscrupulous mechanic.

I don't care whether you have a Geo Metro or a Corvette, there's a forum out there somewhere on the internet dealing with your particular car.

Very true!! I've fixed a lot of things on our cars before by googling the cars' issues. It's mainly been stuff that easy to access- I haven't done anything under the car, for example- but even that has probably saved several hundred dollars over the years.

There are plenty of repairs anyone can do, and even if you can't, it helps to diagnose the issue before it goes to a mechanic.

[Freckles]

Thank goodness for Prius Chat, or I'd have been done for!

And thank you for the information Prius Chat. Me, and my eight year old Prius thank you.

[mrspunkysmom]

Well, there are unscrupulous mechanics and many do treat women badly. I kept my Ford Escort running and in excellent condition for 12 years. I downloaded the maintenance requirements from Ford online and kept to it.

An incident comes to mind. I took my car in for its oil change. The mechanic insisted that it needed a fuel filter and a system flush. I said no, it had already been done. (I was new to this town.) The mistake I made was staying there. I should have retrieved my car. I said "oil change" only. He still did the other stuff and to get my car back I had to pay $400 or so. I complained at their main office but to no avail.

They didn't stay in business very long at this location.

I just won't go back and I refuse to buy Fords in this area since I would have to deal with this group.

Another mechanic shop I visited twice treated women who brought their "men" with them better and gave faster service than women who came alone. And he was a young guy.

Both of these happened in this big city. To tell the truth I've received better service in Southern small towns than in Southern big cities.

Good luck with your car.

[Karen]

My point is they will also treat men badly if they come across as not car-knowledgeable. And I am sure the unscrupulous take advantage if anyone with an accent - anyone they think they can bamboozle, they will. We just need to arm ourselves with as much information as possible.

I would have taken that guy to small claims court when he did more than you wanted then tried to charge you for it.

[Lady's Human]

I wouldn't have complained a the main office. I would have called the police and told them that the mechanic performed unwanted service on the car and was falsely detaining you. They're supposed to give you a form to sign authorizing the service. if you didn't authorize it, it's not supposed to be done.

Had to call the police once from a service center in........name redacted to protect the guilty........ It took me 9-1- and I never got to the second 1 before the manager was speaking with me.

If you're milquetoast, you're going to get burned.

[mrspunkysmom]

If you're milquetoast, you're going to get burned.

Really? It's a shame. What's really a shame is that a nice person is called a milquetoast.

I normally don't get burned. I've developed a reputation as someone who speaks her mind.

At the place that discriminated against single women, I complained so loud my oil change and servicing were free. That's why I went back. Service was still bad, so I just didn't go back.

I did find a good mechanic that I used until I got the XB.

I never really thought about calling the police. Hope I never have to do that, but I'll consider it the next time. I do fell vindicated somewhat that they went out of business at that location. And I accept every opportunity to disparage their name.

It's is apparently a problem they have. I think they are the only car dealer in the area that runs TV ADs stating how honorable they are.

A mea culpa: I don't know why I didn't think about the agreement. I had to sign one every time at Firestone. Long day at school?

But none of that excuses theft.

[wombat2u2004]

Sometimes there are additional costs that women's vehicles incur

[pomtzu]

Sometimes there are additional costs that women's vehicles incur

Oh puh-leeze!!!!!!!!!! Men are by far, the worst drivers!!! My ex and both my sons have had more accidents than you can shake a stick at. One son totaled 2 different cars in the course of about 12 hours, tho only one was his fault. Me - one fender bender and not my fault!

[moosmom]

Took it in for a second opinion.

Not only does my car not NEED a motor mount (which was scheduled to be put in tomorrow), it also doesn't need front hub bearings!!!

This place raked me over the coals. I got a refund for the double charge on the left front axle. They never even diagnosed a critical safety issue with my tie rods in the rear right.

When I called the "other guys" and told them what the second opinion showed, he argued with me saying my guy was lying. If he was lying, he would've said yes, it did need all the things the other place said and offered to fix it for cheaper. I will NEVER set foot in D'Addario's Auto Service in East Hartford, CT again!!!

I am definitely filing a complaint with the BBB. Word to the wise...get a second opinion.

Lady's Human,

I rest my case!!!! I didn't say ALL mechanics. THIS mechanic saw me coming!

[happylabs]

Took it in for a second opinion.

Not only does my car not NEED a motor mount (which was scheduled to be put in tomorrow), it also doesn't need front hub bearings!!!

This place raked me over the coals. I got a refund for the double charge on the left front axle. They never even diagnosed a critical safety issue with my tie rods in the rear right.

When I called the "other guys" and told them what the second opinion showed, he argued with me saying my guy was lying. If he was lying, he would've said yes, it did need all the things the other place said and offered to fix it for cheaper. I will NEVER set foot in D'Addario's Auto Service in East Hartford, CT again!!!

I am definitely filing a complaint with the BBB. Word to the wise...get a second opinion.

Lady's Human,

I rest my case!!!! I didn't say ALL mechanics. THIS mechanic saw me coming!

Amen! Get 'em!

[blue]

They never even diagnosed a critical safety issue with my tie rods in the rear right.

Learned something new. I didnt know cars had rear tie rods, I always thought tie rods where a steering component.

[Karen]

Learned something new. I didnt know cars had rear tie rods, I always thought tie rods where a steering component.

She may have 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.