Red Flags in the Automotive Industry

We are all familiar with retail stores offering large discounts on a certain item. This sales strategy has proven to be a great tactic to get customers in the door. 

The automotive industry has also tried to adapt this strategy, but instead of great sales it has created a negative reputation of dishonesty. Offering something for free to get someone in our door does not work for the service industry. It forces “upselling”  to make up for the lost cost of free inspections and diagnosing.

Dishonesty is soon to result when a shop attracts you with the enticing words of “free brake inspection” or “free diagnostics” Have you ever asked yourself how these shops make money when they do a free inspection and don’t sell you anything? 

Or… has that never happened? 

When free inspections of anything are given, a shop is forced to “find” a problem with your vehicle so they can actually make money.  By charging for an inspection, the shop doesn't lose money which means they can recommend only what is needed on the vehicle; “upselling” is not even a thought. 

For example, say you go into a shop with the concern of your brakes making noise. The technician inspects your brakes and finds that they are actually in good condition; they just need to be serviced. The shop that charges properly for inspections can sell you the brake service and the inspection for around $300.00. Making the money they need to, while still being fair to you. You drive away spending only what was needed and receive honest service.  

With the same scenario, if a shop that does not charge for inspections would only sell you the brake service and give the inspection for free, they would either need to charge you extra for the brake service or “upsell” you a more expensive repair to make up the money they lost. The only reason free inspections are offered is the strategy of getting you in the door. Once your vehicle is in their shop, they have the opportunity to sell you a full brake job, whether it is needed or not. This way you could end up spending $1000 or more for new brakes when you might have only needed a brake service.   

This strategy of offering you something free or cheap to get you in the door seems unfair & dishonest.

The same applies when you have a warning light on your dash and want it diagnosed. Customers are sometimes frustrated when they are charged for that diagnosis. Once again, if a shop does not charge for the time their technician spends diagnosing a light on your dash, they are forced to make a decision; either they lose money, charge extra for the repair or find a more expensive repair to cover the money lost. When a shop does not charge for their diagnosing time, they are sooner to be dishonest and try to sell you a more expensive repair than what is actually needed.

    The most important thing is to find a shop that you trust. If you are being offered something cheap or free to get you in the door, be cautious.

Rest assured, there are so many great shops in our community that have the best intentions for you. Maintaining and repairing your vehicle can be made stress free if you choose the right business.