How to ...
AVOID CROOKED CAR MECHANICS

Many women I know are extremely nervous whenever they go to the auto repair shop. They are never certain if the auto mechanic is telling them the truth about a repair or making up problems to bring more cash into their pockets.

Some things to be aware of:
*Advertised specials that seem too good to be true. You bring your car in for that cheap brake job and suddenly they find a number of other problems that keep escalating in price. It may be legitimate or it may not be and worth a second opinion at another shop.

*A refusal to put anything in writing in terms of an estimate prior to you authorizing the work. This is an open invitation for the final costs to be beyond your worst nightmare.

*A messy shop with unprofessional staff who seem condescending towards their customers (especially women) and not communicative about the steps involved to fix your vehicle.

Good things:
*They provide you with your old parts once they do the replacement, so there's no doubt a part was replaced.

*They are recommended by friends and family as being honest and reliable.

*They are highly rated at Car Talk, a place where people can rate their mechanics.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/find.html

A good plan: Find a garage that specializes in your kind of car, so the mechanic doesn't surprise himself on what it will take to fix your car.

For more information, an auto shop owner gives an insiders view on how to avoid auto repair scams and rip offs in his detailed book about avoiding these crooks.