Bait and Switch Repair Scams

Many auto scams begin with a super-low price on a specific repair job. The shop reels in a customer with an advertised special on brakes then finds ways to pad the work order with several other repairs. For instance, imagine you might see an advertisement for a great deal on a tune-up. So you take your car to the repair shop to take advantage of the special. Once there you’re told, “You need this, this and this.” This is very similar to a bait and switch scam. The only difference here is that you’ll probably receive the great deal on the tune-up. You could also pay $500 for repairs you hadn’t anticipated or thought you needed.
A $699 car repair job can mushroom to almost $3,000 so fast it isn’t funny. Your mechanic will find so many things wromg with your vehicle that you’d think it’s beyond repair. This would be a great time to get a second opinion before authorizing repairs.
Some repair shops charge customers for parts that don’t end up in your car. Other shops make the repair but do such a poor job that the customer has to bring the car back three or four times. To add to the insult you’ll be asked to pay each time you bring your car back due to the repair shop’s negiligence.
If you think you’ve been a victim of an auto repair scam, report the shop to your state attorney general’s office and local consumer protection agency. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Don’t let it go.
Gather up all paperwork, receipts, work orders, written estimates and warranty information from the repair shop. The more documentation you have, the better.