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I know all too well that it’s extremely frustrating when you have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for a “simple” auto repair. Was this a REAL REPAIR or did you just get taken for a loop because you’re a woman?

Here are some tips:

Determine who you are speaking with. In most establishments, you can explain your problem directly to the mechanic who will be doing the work, or his immediate boss. In other places, like new-car dealerships, you are dealing with a service writer, whose job it is to sell you work, often whether you need it or not.

Describe the symptoms of your car’s problem in detail when dealing with a professional mechanic, letting him make the diagnosis on what is ailing your vehicle. This is key because experienced professionals can often diagnose and solve unusual problems that may baffle the average “grease monkey” or the uninformed service writer.

Clarify that you will be called with a determination and be given a written estimate of all costs before agreeing to the repairs. If possible, also get an estimate of when they expect your car to be finished and ready for pick up.