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Difference between revisions of "Car Repairs"
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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 | #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 [http://www.bbb.org/ Better Business Bureau] 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 | #Contact the [http://www.bbb.org/ Better Business Bureau]; it may be able to help even if the repair shop is not a member. | ||
#The | #The [http://www.bcaa.com/ BC Automobile Association] (BCAA) 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 | #Contact the [http://www.ara.bc.ca/ Automotive Retailers Association] (604.432.7987). Only some repair shops and dealers belong to this voluntary organization. | ||
#Contact Consumer Protection BC, a not-for-profit organization independent of government ([http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca www.consumerprotectionbc.ca]). It administers the '' | #Contact [http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/ Consumer Protection BC], a not-for-profit organization independent of government ([http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca www.consumerprotectionbc.ca]). It administers the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/04002_00 Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act]''. 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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#*charged a price for the repair that grossly exceeds the price other repair shops charge for similar parts or services | #*charged a price for the repair that grossly exceeds the price other repair shops charge for similar parts or services | ||
#:If one of these cases describes your situation, you may be able to sue the repair shop—item 8 below has more on this. To see if Consumer Protection BC can help, call 604.320.1667 or toll free 1.888.564.9963. | #:If one of these cases describes your situation, you may be able to sue the repair shop—item 8 below has more on this. To see if Consumer Protection BC can help, call 604.320.1667 or toll free 1.888.564.9963. | ||
#Lastly, you can see a lawyer for legal advice | #Lastly, you can see a lawyer for legal advice. Or you can sue in [http://www.smallclaimsbc.ca/ Small Claims Court]—or in [http://www.supremecourtbc.ca/ Supreme Court] if your claim is for more than the $25,000 limit in Small Claims Court. Check scripts [[What is Small Claims Court? (Script 165)|165]] to [[Getting Your Judgment Paid (Script 169)|169]] on Small Claims Court. You should have a lawyer if you choose Supreme Court because the procedures are more complicated. | ||
[updated | [updated May 2016] | ||
'''The above was last reviewed for accuracy by Mira Galperin and Ian Christman, and edited by John Blois.''' | |||
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