Lately my van (a 2006 grand caravan with 97000 miles) has been costing us a lot of money. Not as much as a car payment, but it seems like everything is going bad. We found a local garage that we like and trust. I’ve taken my car there and they’ve told me what’s wrong, how much it will be to fix, if it’s a must or a when I have time/money. They’ve even told me that there’s nothing wrong (when the check engine light randomly comes on) and not charged me.
Most recently, I needed new tires and choose to go to a different garage (a chain store tire shop). They had the best deal on tires and I didn’t give it a second thought. When they were almost done, one of the guys came in to the waiting room and told me there was a problem; could I come out and they’d show me. So, I followed him to the garage with my two boys in tow (they were fascinated with the van up on the lift). He showed me how the front tire wiggled even though he had just tightened it. He said I needed new outer tie rod ends. I asked if that was why my tires had worn funny. He said yes. Hmmm…OK. I had been told that it was because they had been under-inflated for some time, but I’m not a car person. He quoted me a price and said it would take about an hour – they could do it right now. I told him not today – I had the boys with me and they would NOT be happy for another hour. I was also unsure of what they were talking about and wanted to at least get a quote from my normal garage.
When I got home, I called my trusted garage and asked for a quote. She gave me a quote, but added that she would want to look at it to make sure that it really needed new outer tie rod ends. So, the other day I took it over. It took them less than five minutes to determine that I do not need new tie rod ends. What a relief! They also told me that this isn’t the first time they’ve heard that story – get new tires at the other place and be told that the tie rod ends need replacing. Makes me mad that they were willing to take advantage of me! I’m so glad I hesitated! I “saved” almost $300.
Have you ever had a garage try to sell you something you don’t need?
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