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Difference between revisions of "Car Repairs"

From Clicklaw Wikibooks
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==What can you do before a repair?==
==What can you do before a repair?==
#Shop around for a reliable mechanic and compare price estimates from various repair shops. Ask friends for names of reliable mechanics. Check any repair shop you might use with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to see if there have been any complaints against the shop.  
#Shop around for a reliable mechanic and compare price estimates from various repair shops. Ask friends for names of reliable mechanics. Check any repair shop you might use with the Better Business Bureau ([http://www.bbb.org www.bbb.org]) to see if there have been any complaints against the shop.  
#When you decide on a repair shop, let the mechanic figure out what to repair. Describe the problem as clearly as possible, but don’t try to guess what’s wrong. If you do, you may end up getting something you don’t need. Go for a road test with the mechanic to point out the problem.
#When you decide on a repair shop, let the mechanic figure out what to repair. Describe the problem as clearly as possible, but don’t try to guess what’s wrong. If you do, you may end up getting something you don’t need. Go for a road test with the mechanic to point out the problem.
#Ask for a written estimate of the repair cost and the time that repairs will take. Tell the mechanic not to proceed if the repair is going to cost more than the estimate—until the repair shop calls you and only if you then approve the higher cost.
#Ask for a written estimate of the repair cost and the time that repairs will take. Tell the mechanic not to proceed if the repair is going to cost more than the estimate—until the repair shop calls you and only if you then approve the higher cost.
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#If you have a problem with the work, or the cost of it, talk to the mechanic or the owner of the repair shop and try to solve it.
#If you have a problem with the work, or the cost of it, talk to the mechanic or the owner of the repair shop and try to solve it.
#If you can't solve the problem, pay for the work - if you don't, the repair shop can register a lien (claim) against the car and eventually seize and sell it.
#If you can't solve the problem, pay for the work - if you don't, the repair shop can register a lien (claim) against the car and eventually seize and sell it.
#Contact the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org); it may be able to help even if the repair shop is not a member.
#Contact the Better Business Bureau ([http://www.bbb.org www.bbb.org]); it may be able to help even if the repair shop is not a member.
#The BC Automobile Association (BCAA) (www.bcaa.com) has an Approved Auto Repair Services program for its members to ensure they get quality service at a fair price. BCAA inspects repair shops in the program to verify the quality of their equipment and service. If you're a BCAA member and you use a mechanic approved by BCAA, you can ask BCAA for help if you have a problem. Otherwise, you should ask to see a mechanic’s licence—to ensure they passed the exam to a licensed mechanic.
#The BC Automobile Association (BCAA) ([http://www.bcaa.com www.bcaa.com]) has an Approved Auto Repair Services program for its members to ensure they get quality service at a fair price. BCAA inspects repair shops in the program to verify the quality of their equipment and service. If you're a BCAA member and you use a mechanic approved by BCAA, you can ask BCAA for help if you have a problem. Otherwise, you should ask to see a mechanic’s licence—to ensure they passed the exam to a licensed mechanic.
#Contact the Automotive Retailers Association (604.432.7987, www.ara.bc.ca). Only some repair shops and dealers belong to this voluntary organization.  
#Contact the Automotive Retailers Association (604.432.7987, [http://www.ara.bc.ca www.ara.bc.ca]). Only some repair shops and dealers belong to this voluntary organization.  
#Contact Consumer Protection BC, a not-for-profit organization independent of government (www.consumerprotectionbc.ca). It administers the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, available at www.bclaws.ca. This law covers deceptive acts and practices and it may apply if a car repair shop has:
#Contact Consumer Protection BC, a not-for-profit organization independent of government ([http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca www.consumerprotectionbc.ca]). It administers the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, available at www.bclaws.ca. This law covers deceptive acts and practices and it may apply if a car repair shop has:
#*given you an estimate of the repair cost that is much less than the actual repair price - unless you agreed to the higher price before the repairs were done
#*given you an estimate of the repair cost that is much less than the actual repair price - unless you agreed to the higher price before the repairs were done
#*said the vehicle needed a certain part or repair that was actually not required
#*said the vehicle needed a certain part or repair that was actually not required
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[updated July 2014]
[updated July 2014]


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