Sometimes, you can get away with paying a visit to a repair shop rather than going to a dealership. Not only can you save money on the cost of the repair itself, but you can also avoid having to pay for the dealership’s fees. At the end of the day, you may end up with the same result, so why not choose the route that will save you money?
When you buy a new vehicle, you have two options when it comes to repairing it.
It’s a question we get all the time: should you pay a dealership or go to a local shop for repairs? The answer is it depends on your area. If you live in California, Texas or Florida, there are likely several independent shops in your area that are licensed to do repairs. If you live somewhere else, you may not have many options. You may have to go to a dealership.
You can roll up your sleeves and do it yourself or you can take it to a repair shop.
You can save money by going to a local shop to have your car repaired. Insurance companies are more likely to negotiate with independent shops, which may offer discounted rates. Also, some shops offer free or discounted services for customers who own or lease a vehicle from them. If you are repairing your car yourself, you can compare prices and shop around for the best deal.
If you have a little mechanical know-how, you can do many repairs on your own.
If you need repairs for your car, you have two options: You can visit your local repair shop to have it fixed or take it to a dealership. While the cost of having your car repaired at a shop might seem cheaper, it all depends on the dealership’s pricing.
Many people are comfortable doing minor repairs on their own, like changing tires.
While dealerships often offer warranties and convenience, they also often charge extra for work that should be covered by the manufacturer. This leads to people trying to fix these issues on their own. Not only is this a waste of time and money, it can also be dangerous and lead to more extensive damage to your car.
But you may not be comfortable doing major repairs, like replacing an engine.
While you may not be able to find a used car in good condition at a local repair shop, you can shop around for the best prices on new and used parts. If you are comfortable doing major repairs, you may find it more cost-effective to have your repairs done at a local shop.
If you choose to do repairs yourself, you may need to spend more time and money than you would if you went with a dealership to do the repairs.
Some local shops may offer lower rates, but it's usually only because they don't have the overhead of a dealership. But they may not have the expertise or parts that you need to do the repairs properly, and they could also try to charge you for extra parts or labor that you don't need.
If you choose to take your vehicle to a dealership to have repairs done, it’s possible the cost will be lower than repairing the vehicle yourself.
You might be surprised at how much less it can cost to have your vehicle repaired at an independent shop rather than a dealership. However, it’s important to consider what’s included with each option. Reputable, established shops that are certified to do repairs will have certified technicians who have gone through extensive training. They’ll have necessary tools to do the job right the first time. And they’ll be backed by a warranty that protects their technicians and your vehicle.
Conclusion
The short answer is yes. While dealerships are often certified repair shops, they are not set up or run the same way as a small shop. Most repair shops have a small staff, and many are single-owner operations. The owner is the one who repairs the vehicles, and he or she has gone through training to be certified to do so. While this training is important, it’s not the same thing as years of experience working on vehicles and repairing them.
Related Links
Is AC common in California?How much is a new air conditioning unit for a 2000 square foot house?