My sister took her car to a mechanic for some repairs, and the guy quoted her $1,860. The next day, I was talking to some friends, and one said, ‘You should have had a guy go with her to talk to the mechanic. A lot of places overcharge women, knowing they won’t ask too many questions.’
So, my sister asked our uncle, who knows a lot about cars, to go with her. Once he stepped in, the price dropped by $600, and a lot of unnecessary things were removed from the bill.
It got me wondering—how often does this happen with other mechanics? It seems like women get taken advantage of just because they might not know as much about cars.
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Without seeing the original estimate and the final one, there’s no way to know for sure. The mechanic might have been trying to sell things that weren’t needed, or maybe some of those things will be needed soon, and they suggested a staged repair.
@Sky
Even with the estimates, I wouldn’t know the exact condition of the vehicle. Also, where I work, I never meet the customer. I don’t know if it’s Sam, Sally, or anyone else. Everyone gets the same estimate.
Easy there. There are plenty of guys who don’t know much about cars either. Shady mechanics prey on people who don’t research or shop around. It’s not just a problem for women; it happens to anyone.
Marston said:
Easy there. There are plenty of guys who don’t know much about cars either. Shady mechanics prey on people who don’t research or shop around. It’s not just a problem for women; it happens to anyone.
Ex-mechanic here. It’s not dumb or lazy for customers to not know how cars work. It’s how most people are. The same way it’s not dumb or lazy for a mechanic to not know how to treat cancer or build a house.
@Yule
I agree, but in today’s world, with all the information available, it’s a bit lazy to go into a mechanic’s shop without knowing what’s wrong with your car. We’re in a world where a quick Google search can help you avoid getting scammed. I live in NYC, and it’s cutthroat.
@Yule
True, but even if someone says ‘it’s broken, fix it,’ it takes time and skills to figure out what’s wrong. It’s easier to diagnose if they can describe it like, ‘it makes a clunking sound when I hit a bump.’ A little car knowledge can go a long way.
@Yule
As a mechanic, there’s a big difference between ‘I step on the gas pedal to go faster’ and ‘I understand how chemical energy is turned into mechanical energy using reduction gears.’ It all depends on how much knowledge the customer has. But honestly, most people are clueless, and that’s how shady mechanics take advantage.
Marston said:
Easy there. There are plenty of guys who don’t know much about cars either. Shady mechanics prey on people who don’t research or shop around. It’s not just a problem for women; it happens to anyone.
I’m not sure it’s shady to suggest extra services that might have some benefit. Is it shady for a restaurant to offer you dessert? Or for a shop to sell accessories? What about your insurance offering extra coverage?
@Emerson
Yeah, but in the car world, it’s easy for mechanics to confuse customers with terms like fluid change vs flush and other marketing tricks. That’s why it’s important to know a little bit. I’m spending thousands on my car, so I want to make sure I understand how to maintain it.
Marston said:
Easy there. There are plenty of guys who don’t know much about cars either. Shady mechanics prey on people who don’t research or shop around. It’s not just a problem for women; it happens to anyone.
There’s definitely a stereotype that women know less about cars than men. That’s why shady mechanics might take advantage of them more.
Just because your uncle said no to some services doesn’t mean the mechanic was trying to rip her off. The car could have been old and needed maintenance, but it’s important to understand what’s actually necessary. Reading the owner’s manual can help. Mechanics want to help you stay safe and keep your car running. Some are bad, but they’re a small minority and usually get fired or move around.
There are many services mechanics suggest that can actually be done easily by anyone. Air filters take a minute to replace, spark plugs are simple in many cars, and a fuel system cleaning costs $10 at Walmart. Some mechanics charge $900 for what could cost only $100 if you do it yourself.
@Sia
I had a leaky sunroof drain fixed by a detailer for $150. I went to a dealership afterward, and they quoted me $600 to fix it. Two years later, I did it myself for $13 and a few hours of work. I’m mad at the dealership.
It happens to anyone who doesn’t know about cars. Women often get the worst end of it, but that’s not the whole story. Everyone gets taken advantage of when they don’t know what’s going on with their car.
@Florence
Exactly. If you don’t know much about cars, an experienced mechanic can tell pretty quickly. Scammers can’t make much money off someone who knows what they’re talking about. If your uncle saved money by being knowledgeable, it’s because he knew what was necessary.
This happens to both men and women. Women are often less sure of what they want done at the garage, but this doesn’t mean they’re the only ones getting taken advantage of. The more you know about your car, the easier it is to make decisions and ask for specific services.