Yesterday we discussed taking your car to a dealership that concentrates specifically on your vehicle’s brand. Today we are offering four tips for taking your vehicle to a repair facility that may not be affiliated with a dealership, but these are also important guidelines to keep in mind even with a dealership’s service center.

1. Ask for a written estimate
This is one of the most important parts of getting your vehicle repaired at a garage. Getting an estimate lets you know about how much the repairs are going to cost. If it looks like you’re being overcharged, you can simply take your vehicle to another service center and get a second opinion. Many times, another place will give a lower estimate in the hopes of getting your business. Also, many states require that repair costs stay within 10 percent of the written estimate. Check your local laws before trying to enforce this, though.

2. Scrutinize the bill
Instead of simply paying the bill, look over it to make sure you weren’t overcharged. Some centers will add a small percentage onto a bill and label it “miscellaneous charges” or something like that. Ask what that means. You can also ask to have that charge waived. If you’re adamant about it, many service centers will forego that extra fee.

3. Practice negotiation skills
You can’t usually negotiate on basic services like oil changes and tire rotations. But on big repairs, like transmissions and engines, you can try to “talk them down” on their prices. Many service centers will offer a lower price just to keep you from taking your business elsewhere.

4. Make an appointment
If the service center is expecting you, they can spend more time with you. This is ideal, because you have more time to explain the problem and even take one of the repair technicians for a ride to demonstrate the problem.

You can forego many of these problems by investing in a certified Ford. With its strict standards and extended warranty, repair problems are a thing of the past. Test one out today and enjoy the peace of mind and comfort that it provides.

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