It’s sad to say that not everyone out there is an honest folk, and the same goes for businesses, especially ones that prey on those not versed in the terminology and workings of the problem at hand. Dishonest auto body shops are included among these types of business that for years have taken advantage of their customers to illegally squeeze their pockets for a little extra cash. The more you know about these auto body shop scams, the better prepared you will be to avoid them.
Don’t Fall For These Auto Body Shop SCAMS
Burying the Costs
A classic scam that has been around for as long as fraudulent people have, burying the costs involve the repair shop either quoting a low price, then slamming you with the expensive final costs, or being ambiguous and evasive about how much your repairs will entail. An auto body shop can effortlessly complete this scam by charging you for original equipment manufacturer parts, but in reality, will install salvaged, junk parts to make a profit on your ignorance. We here at SUPERIOR would never take advantage of clients. That’s yet another reason we have successfully been in business since the ’70s!
Below the Belt—Airbag Scam
The lowest of the low, an airbag scam can not only put your life at risk but the lives of any passengers riding inside of your vehicle. To cheap out on spending money on a quality airbag, some unethical auto body shops will score salvaged airbags, some of which have been previously deployed, and replace them inside their customer’s vehicle. Having your car repaired at a trusted auto body shop with a sterling reputation is worth any price when your safety is at stake.
The Car Repair Scams Keep Coming…
The Dent “Repair”
A new scam has emerged in the last few years, and while
it doesn’t take place inside an auto body shop, it is worth mentioning. Con men stalk parking lots in search of cars with dents and then wait like vultures, swooping in on the car’s owner to offer a quick repair on site, for cheap. These aren’t certified technicians by any means. The “repairmen” get away with using wax, passing it off as filler, and ask for cash when their job is “completed.” By giving you a stolen business card from an actual auto body shop, you are none the wiser as they zoom off, never to be seen again.
Not Just Routine Maintenance
You went into what you imagined was a reputable auto shop for a standard oil change or lubrication process, but walked out with hundreds of dollars in sudden repairs. This is a basic scam run by fast-talking technicians, who lure you in with enticing, reasonable deals on routine jobs, then hit you hard with inexplicably random repairs that were “discovered” during their inspections.
You don’t have to be a learned car person to smell a scam. Don’t let auto body shop scams ruin your wallet and make your car UNSAFE. In fact, all you need is our trusted auto body shop with hundreds of satisfied customers that can attest to their services, customer care, and pricing. Stay sharp and vigilant when taking your car to an auto shop, and always choose Superior Auto Body in Fresno for all your auto body needs.