Frequently Asked Questions.

Honestautoestimates.com recieves many questions about a wide range of subjects. We can provide answers to some of these questions, such as the questions listed below.

Question: "How safe is the information that I have provided to you?"
Answer: Honestautoestimates.com does not ask sensitive questions, such your address or credit card number. We need only a way to communicate with like email or telephone number. We use PayPal for payment, so we do not have your credit card number in our database. We do not provide any other companies with your email address, so you do not have to worry about spam created by honestautoestimates.com.
Question: " I have taken my car to 2 different shops and got 2 different estimates, why?"
Answer: Due to the complexity of today’s automobiles, diagnosing problems can sometimes be an inexact science. It is like going to the doctor and asking why your chest hurts. There are many different reasons and even with many test you still have to rely on instinct sometimes. For this reason we suggest that you seek out the most experienced technicians for your particular vehicle make.
Question: "My check engine light comes on even after I have had repairs, is the shop just taking my money?"
Answer: The "check engine light" in cars is a warning system designed to let you know if the cars Electronic Control Module (ECM) has detected something wrong. Many times the ECM has detected a minor problem, but the manufacturer suggests that you have the problem analyzed. Today’s cars are very sensitive, in that, they require very narrow operating parameters to achieve the fuel mileage and performance that the public demands. This means that the shop can "fix" one problem only to find another in a system (system –a group of parts that perform a task together for a specific outcome). The short answer to the question is, just because you repair one thing, does not a perfect car make. You can guard against the feeling of not knowing if you are spending money needlessly, by finding a shop that has certified technicians that are versed in your type of vehicle.
Question: "How do I know if the shop is telling me the truth about what is wrong with my car"
Answer: Make sure they have a warranty of at least 12 months or 12,000 miles. Also ask them if the repair they are suggesting will "solve the problem". If they answer, "this is a start", make sure that you set limits with the shop on the amount that you are willing to pay. Also, have the shop give you a written estimate for before any work is done.
Question: "Are all repair shops required to have certified technicians?"
Answer: Some states require certified technicians be on staff before the shop can be licensed. Even if the shop has certified technician, the shop may not require that all technicians are certified. The only way to be sure is to ask the individual shop what their requirements are and inquire if the technician that diagnosed your car is certified. You also have the right to ask what kind of training the technicians have that relates to your problem.
Question: "Should I be skeptical of all repair shop?"
Answer: There are many reputable auto repair shops in this country, but it only takes one to leave you with a bad opinion. The bottom line is doing your homework before you take your car in for any repairs or service! Let the shop know that you have inquired about their credentials, this way they will know you are not taking this problem lightly. It also would not hurt to let them know that you use Honestautoestimates.com.
Question: "What should I do if the repair shop will not give me a written estimate?"
Answer: Most shops will provide you with an estimate in writing if you ask. Most states require some documentation from the shop to you about needed repairs. If you ask for a written estimate and the shop refuses to provide you with one, tell the shop to stop any work or diagnoses immediately. Then take the car to another shop.
Question: "should I have to pay for diagnosing my car?"
Answer: Most repair shops charge for diagnoses because they have expenses in their shops operation due to the time taken for diagnosing problems. Today’s cars are far more complicated and take much more time to diagnose. This means the shop must compensate the technician for their time to find out what is wrong with your car. Shops also have to guard against becoming the "do it yourselfers" diagnoses center. This means some people will bring their car in only to have a problem diagnosed and then attempt the repair themselves. The diagnoses charge, if fair, is a standard practice for most shops.
Question: "How do I know if I have been overcharged?"
Answer: This is an easy question to answer. Just go to Honestautoestimates.com . You will receive an honest estimate and information about a shop that will honor that estimate for that repair.
Question: "What if I take my car in and get an estimate, then go to your website for an estimate and the estimate is higher from Honestautoestimates.com?"
Answer: The truth is that, while not perfect, our mission is to find the truth about how much your car repair should cost. Sometimes shops will give discounts, run specials and sometimes just give you a great deal. We would advise however; sometimes things that seem " to good to be true", are just that. We have found that in most cases we save people a lot of money on car repairs. We do not do this by negotiating with shops for a better price, we save people money by telling them what the fair repair cost should be. We do this by utilizing national labor guides accepted by auto repair shops and then finding the best part at the best price. Our mission is not to put any repair shop out of business; it is simply to level the playing field for the consumer. We will not change our methods for any reason, to benefit any one that would not be honest !