Daedalus Automotive Repair
11509 S Strang Line Rd Suite D
Olathe, KS 66062
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Tuesday, January 17, 2012
3 Simple Steps to Save Money on Auto Repairs
Posted: Jul 21, 2010 02:26 p.m.
If you’re like most drivers, then you look forward to the repair shop like you look forward to a bad cold. And who can blame you? Visits are often expensive and, unless you understand the repair process, it can feel like you’re being taken advantage of. Still, at some point or another you’ll need to have your car serviced.
There are ways you can avoid dishing out big bucks on an auto repair or, even worse, getting ripped off. All that’s required is that you take a proactive role in maintaining your car’s health and do a little homework. Sure, the process can be time consuming, but it’s a lot better than dishing out $25 to have your headlight fluid changed.
Below are three simple steps to save money on auto repairs.
1. Make Repairs Sooner Rather than Later
Because car repairs are expensive, it's tempting to let them slide. But putting off or skipping certain repairs can be a costly and even dangerous game. In the long run, routine maintenance is cheaper than ignoring a problem and simply waiting for things to go wrong.
Your owner’s manual should outline routine services your car needs, as well as when they should be done. Beware of mechanics who recommend services long before your owner's manual says your car needs them. Keep on top of maintenance now and you'll avoid costly repairs -- and dealing with shady mechanics -- later.
2. Choose a Qualified and Trustworthy Repair Shop
Ideally, you’ll have established good relations with a local auto repair shop long before your car gets towed in. That, however, isn’t always the case.
While it can be frustrating trying to identify a qualified and trustworthy auto repair specialist on short notice, you need to properly vet your choices. One of the costliest mistakes you can make is taking your vehicle to a repair shop that you’re unfamiliar with. It can leave you susceptible to price rip offs, an incomplete fix or -- even worse -- more damage.
An easy first step to take in identifying a qualified professional is asking family, friends and coworkers for recommendations. Most folks will happily steer you towards a trustworthy and qualified repair specialist. Even if they don't have a shop they like, you'll at least get some information on which to avoid.
Speaking of qualifications, verifying them should be your second step in identifying the right repair shop. Make sure that the technicians who will be working on your car are certified by a credible organization like the Automotive Service Councils (ASC). It’s also a good sign if the shop is approved by AAA or has partnerships with high-quality manufacturers such as Bosch. If the shop is involved in the community or sits on advisory boards, that’s even better.
Also, don’t underestimate the usefulness of reviews. Plenty of websites, like Yelp.com, provide thousands of customer reviews that can help you determine whether a repair shop is good or bad.
Lastly, visit the repair shop and ask lots of questions -- just as you would a doctor’s or dentist’s office. Pay attention to such details as the cleanliness of the shop and the demeanor of customer service representatives. If a shop can't be bothered to be professional up front, who knows how professional they’ll be in the repair bay?
3. Compare Prices
In the past, waiting for a repair estimate was nerve-racking. When it came to repair costs, most consumers were flying blind. Thankfully, times have changed.
RepairPal.com is an online tool that generates a free and independent estimate of what a repair should cost in the area in which you live. All you do is enter your zip code, as well as your vehicle’s year, make, model and problem. With RepairPal.com’s estimate in hand, you’ll know whether a shop you’re considering is on the up and up or taking you for a ride.
Don’t, however, choose the first qualified shop to quote you a cheap-to-fair price. By comparing multiple estimates, you can be sure to get the most for your money. After all, not all shops are out to rip you off. Some charge more than others simply because they use higher quality parts and offer longer service warranties. Since there are so many different variables, make sure that you’re comparing experience and parts costs in an apples-to-apples way.
- For Quality, Low Cost Auto Repair in Overland Park go to Daedalus Automotive Repair
Friday, January 13, 2012
"May 25, 2010 10:23 AM
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Auto Repair: Save $300 by Avoiding Dealers
By
Jerry Edgerton
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(MoneyWatch) Sooner or later, all car buyers face the big question: Should I go to the dealer or an independent repair shop to get work done? By avoiding dealerships in favor of independents when you have work not covered by the warranty, you can save an average of $300 a year, according to a new study by AutoMD.com.
AutoMD, which covers all car-repair topics, collected its data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Federal Highway Administration and the Aftermarket Industry Association (the trade group for parts makers and repair shops). Car owners who go to dealers for repairs spend an average of $1,209 a year vs. $903 for those who use independent shops, the study concluded. (For the cost difference on brake jobs, transmission repairs and three other common repairs, see below.)
The biggest cost differentials are often on both the simplest and most complicated jobs. "Routine maintenance, like oil changes, will be much cheaper at independents or chain shops unless the dealer is running a promotional special," says AutoMD president Shane Evangelist. Since all cars need oil changes, dealers use them as a profit center.
Additionally, much of the cost differential is due to higher labor rates at the dealers' service departments. So the longer the job takes--as in the transmission repair below-- the bigger the cost advantage at an independent, says Evangelist. The study points out that, contrary to popular belief, having maintenance or repairs done at a place other than the dealer doesn't affect your warranty coverage.
Dealers do give you price breaks in some situations, though. When a repair is clearly covered by a warranty or the subject of a recall, it will be free at the dealership. And for cars less than three years old, when you need a diagnosis of a problem, only the dealership may have the tools. Manufacturers, with a vested interest in the dealerships, sell to them exclusively the equipment and computer codes to diagnose the newest cars.
As a car ages, independents are able to get more of the necessary equipment and codes. Proposed legislation called the Right to Repair Act would force manufacturers to give independent shops the computer codes and other tools for such new-car diagnosis, but so far it has not moved in Congress.
To avoid overpaying for repairs and maintenance-or being scammed into repairs you don't need-take these steps:
Find a reliable repair shop. One of the most stringent certification programs for independent shops is run by the American Automobile Association (AAA). To get on the AAA-approved list, says Mike Calkins, manager of the program, a shop must pass AAA on-site inspections and demonstrate financial soundness and necessary insurance. In addition, AAA wants to see that individual mechanics have certification in their specialties from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. AAA also conducts a consumer satisfaction survey of shops under consideration and requires a 90% positive rating before putting them on the approved list. The AAA site will let you find certified shops in your zip code.
Have some idea of your problem. You're less likely to pay for unneeded repairs if you are fairly certain what's wrong before you bring your car in. The AutoMD site has a list of symptoms to check and then possible reasons for them. A competing service, CarMD.com sells a $99 device that reads the computers in your car and diagnoses any problems. (MoneyWatch will soon test the device; stay tuned.)
Get an idea of repair cost. The AutoMD and CarMD sites will give you an estimate. While it's only an estimate, having the number may help you negotiate with an independent shop over the cost of the repair. Dealerships usually are inflexible on their prices unless the manufacturer is paying, such as in warranty and recall situations.
Here is a list of five jobs with the AutoMD estimates of the average independent shop cost, dealer cost, and savings
Replace an alternator: Independent $297; Dealer $371; Savings: $74
Front disc brakes (pad and rotors): Independent $264; Dealer $330; Savings: $66
Transmission repair: Independent $3,230; Dealer $4,037; Savings: $807
Replace window motor: Independent $161; Dealer $201; Savings: $40
Replace cabin air filter: Independent $90; Dealer $112; Savings: $22
Photo courtesy of mlangsam24"
Check Daedalus Automotive Repair first for all your auto repair needs
Text
Auto Repair: Save $300 by Avoiding Dealers
By
Jerry Edgerton
Add Comment Have Your Say
Email StorySend to a Friend
Share ThisTell Your Friends
Tweet ThisTweet This
MoreShare It
.
Del.icio.us
Stumbleupon
Newsvine
Yahoo bookmarks
Mixx
Digg
Google Bookmarks
(MoneyWatch) Sooner or later, all car buyers face the big question: Should I go to the dealer or an independent repair shop to get work done? By avoiding dealerships in favor of independents when you have work not covered by the warranty, you can save an average of $300 a year, according to a new study by AutoMD.com.
AutoMD, which covers all car-repair topics, collected its data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Federal Highway Administration and the Aftermarket Industry Association (the trade group for parts makers and repair shops). Car owners who go to dealers for repairs spend an average of $1,209 a year vs. $903 for those who use independent shops, the study concluded. (For the cost difference on brake jobs, transmission repairs and three other common repairs, see below.)
The biggest cost differentials are often on both the simplest and most complicated jobs. "Routine maintenance, like oil changes, will be much cheaper at independents or chain shops unless the dealer is running a promotional special," says AutoMD president Shane Evangelist. Since all cars need oil changes, dealers use them as a profit center.
Additionally, much of the cost differential is due to higher labor rates at the dealers' service departments. So the longer the job takes--as in the transmission repair below-- the bigger the cost advantage at an independent, says Evangelist. The study points out that, contrary to popular belief, having maintenance or repairs done at a place other than the dealer doesn't affect your warranty coverage.
Dealers do give you price breaks in some situations, though. When a repair is clearly covered by a warranty or the subject of a recall, it will be free at the dealership. And for cars less than three years old, when you need a diagnosis of a problem, only the dealership may have the tools. Manufacturers, with a vested interest in the dealerships, sell to them exclusively the equipment and computer codes to diagnose the newest cars.
As a car ages, independents are able to get more of the necessary equipment and codes. Proposed legislation called the Right to Repair Act would force manufacturers to give independent shops the computer codes and other tools for such new-car diagnosis, but so far it has not moved in Congress.
To avoid overpaying for repairs and maintenance-or being scammed into repairs you don't need-take these steps:
Find a reliable repair shop. One of the most stringent certification programs for independent shops is run by the American Automobile Association (AAA). To get on the AAA-approved list, says Mike Calkins, manager of the program, a shop must pass AAA on-site inspections and demonstrate financial soundness and necessary insurance. In addition, AAA wants to see that individual mechanics have certification in their specialties from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. AAA also conducts a consumer satisfaction survey of shops under consideration and requires a 90% positive rating before putting them on the approved list. The AAA site will let you find certified shops in your zip code.
Have some idea of your problem. You're less likely to pay for unneeded repairs if you are fairly certain what's wrong before you bring your car in. The AutoMD site has a list of symptoms to check and then possible reasons for them. A competing service, CarMD.com sells a $99 device that reads the computers in your car and diagnoses any problems. (MoneyWatch will soon test the device; stay tuned.)
Get an idea of repair cost. The AutoMD and CarMD sites will give you an estimate. While it's only an estimate, having the number may help you negotiate with an independent shop over the cost of the repair. Dealerships usually are inflexible on their prices unless the manufacturer is paying, such as in warranty and recall situations.
Here is a list of five jobs with the AutoMD estimates of the average independent shop cost, dealer cost, and savings
Replace an alternator: Independent $297; Dealer $371; Savings: $74
Front disc brakes (pad and rotors): Independent $264; Dealer $330; Savings: $66
Transmission repair: Independent $3,230; Dealer $4,037; Savings: $807
Replace window motor: Independent $161; Dealer $201; Savings: $40
Replace cabin air filter: Independent $90; Dealer $112; Savings: $22
Photo courtesy of mlangsam24"
Check Daedalus Automotive Repair first for all your auto repair needs
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Services now available in Overland Park, KS and Kansas City
Daedalus Automotive Repair is now serving the Overland Park and surrounding areas. Offering full service automotive repair at affordable prices.
With a new website and new service area, we are hoping to expand into a shop very soon. You can find us on Google+, Facebook and Twitter. Check our website and blog - Overland Park Auto Repair and Drifting News these pages are updated several times per week. We also now have an rss feed to better help our fans keep up to date with the latest news.
Contact Daedalus Automotive Repair in Overland Park, KS for all your auto repair needs.
With a new website and new service area, we are hoping to expand into a shop very soon. You can find us on Google+, Facebook and Twitter. Check our website and blog - Overland Park Auto Repair and Drifting News these pages are updated several times per week. We also now have an rss feed to better help our fans keep up to date with the latest news.
Contact Daedalus Automotive Repair in Overland Park, KS for all your auto repair needs.
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