Theodore P. Olson (Ted) holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, GM, and ASE. He is the author of eight books and numerous articles on the automotive service industry.
Auto Estimate Repair Solutions
Everybody hates car salesman. They talk too fast, use too many clichés, and are generally exasperating. There's nothing worse than being verbally romanced only to find out you were ripped-off—or is there?
How about getting ripped-off repeatedly? How about getting ripped-off repeatedly for years? How about never even knowing you were ripped-off, repeatedly, and for years?
Welcome to service! When it comes to swindling, automotive service representatives are the real experts. They have more experience, and way more opportunity to rip you off.
A car salesman has only a few chances to rip you off provided you even engage in negotiations. There's the price of the car, financing, leasing, accessories/options, extended warranties, your trade-in, and the general bull that wafts from the salesmen's mouth.
You should also watch out for the finance manager. Today's finance folks aren't just number crunchers, they're salesmen in disguise. This is where you'll be encouraged to buy the extended warranty and a host of other accessories that can all be packaged up nicely into your financing.
Car sales rip-off attempts are easily thwarted. Number one, you can just walk away! Also, there are numerous resources on how to buy a car without losing your shirt. If you're interested, visit the RepairTrust resource link @ www.repairtrust.com and you'll find several sites that will tell you everything you want to know about buying, trading, leasing, financing, new, used...etc.
It's quite different in the world of car repair. Your car needs service. You HAVE to deal with a service representative, like it or not.
The folks in the dim underworld of automotive service are well-trained in the art of ripping people off. They're not the feeding-frenzied, thrashing sharks of sales that are easy to spot.
No, service representatives are the Great Whites. They primarily hunt alone, hiding in the murky waters of service, striking without warning.
What's really scary is that the service industry is infested with Great Whites. Traditional tips and suggestions to avoid their attacks don't work. This is evidenced by the fact that service customers are scammed "tens of billions of dollars every year."
Information is the key to STOP a Great White. If one knows who, what, when, where, why, and how it hunts, one can take control.
Importantly, "Sharks are not mindless eating machines." The Great Whites of the service industry are experienced and smart. There are so many attacks from so many different directions, and new technologies provide fresh chum daily.
With auto repair, technology creates confusion. Technology creates ripples and waves, making it difficult to see below the surface of even simple auto repairs.
The Great White can sense the anxiety of a service customer, like it can a struggling swimmer. In the midst of this confusion, the waters of service get even murkier, and SPLASH—it's cost you an arm and a leg.
In today's service environment, the service customer needs protection, and needs to be empowered with accurate information and powerful tools before even entering the waters. There's no need to lose any limbs, ever!
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Pricing your Software
- Comparing the Best Social Network Software
- How to Choose the Best Photo Editing Software
- Why Should You Compare CRM Software Systems?
- Microsoft Oem Software, a Usual Victim of Scams
- Microsoft Oem Software-victim of Scams!
- How To Choose Audio Recording Software
- Selecting Small Business Accounting Software




Toyota Prius Battery, How To Save $5,000 On A Toyota Prius Battery
By: Peter Built | 02/12/2009Toyota Prius Battery, How To Save $5,000 On A Toyota Prius Battery. It is much cheaper to rebuild your own battery then it is to buy a rebuilt battery. Also, rebuilding your own battery only takes a little extra time, and you will be so much money ahead it is very much the alternative to save you the most money.
Toyota Prius Battery Life, How 5 Steps Can Save You $5,000k
By: Peter Built | 02/12/2009Five steps that can save you $5,000 on your new Toyota prius battery. Did you just find out that your new Prius battery is going to cost you a boat load!? Well, when I heard that I did what I do best. I found a way to do it for $400 instead.
Car Hire Reviews - Importance of Car Hire Reviews in Choosing the Best Rental Company
By: David Patullo | 02/12/2009Car hire reviews are essential in helping travelers choose the best deal, especially if you are planning to plan and book your reservation online. Aside from looking for the current rates, the type of vehicles being offered, and current promotions and discounts, looking for reviews, feedbacks, and recommendations pertaining to...
Car Hire Nice Airport - Best Car Hire From Nice Airport
By: David Patullo | 02/12/2009When traveling to other countries, we must look for the best service for car hire. Nice Airport is one of the busiest places in the world. Nice is home to major landmarks and tourist attractions in France such as the Picasso Museum and the Palace of Justice. It is also...
Car Hire Companies - There Are Many to Choose From
By: David Patullo | 02/12/2009Car hire companies around the world are doing whatever it takes to get your business by putting you in a vehicle that meets all your needs and demands. The business along has grown to be the most popular way of providing mass transportation for those who are looking to travel...
Repo Car Auctions May Burn You
By: Rinah Olson | 02/12/2009If you are concerned about the price tag and you are looking to buy a car, cheap car sales should be considered. Cars so cheap are very possible to find that are for sale, but you should be cautious as any will require an investment.
Repo Car Auctions Are Held By The Government
By: Rinah Olson | 02/12/2009Government repo cars for sale can be found now in lot of places. Auctions are opened by various state or government groups offering some of the best models and types. The car you have always dreamed may be included in the cast array of repossessed vehicles available.
How You Are Lucky At Repo Car Auctions
By: Rinah Olson | 02/12/2009Cars that have been repossessed by the government or police for different sorts of reasons are showcase by a repo car auction. They could be legal repossessions where people have not been able to afford the car so have therefore the government for example had it repossessed or they could be illegal such as failure to license, tax fraud, etc.
Car Maintenance: Will it Really Help Gas Mileage?
By: Theodore Olson | 07/08/2008 | CarsAs gas prices continue to rise, the auto industry is touting the benefits of car maintenance. While maintaining one’s car is indeed important, does it really save gas?
Auto Repair Costs - Should I Change My Oil Every 3,000 Miles?
By: Theodore Olson | 01/02/2008 | AutomotiveFor decades mechanics have been telling us to change our oil every 3,000 miles. Interestingly, no automotive manufacturer agrees with this maintenance schedule - not in the last 20 years any way. So why are we being told to change our oil every 3,000 miles if it's unnecessary? First, let's look...
Auto Repair Estimates And Car Repair Prices - The Real Information To Avoid Car Repair Scams
By: Theodore Olson | 13/06/2007 | AutomotiveWorrying whether or not you were overcharged for your car repair is an awful feeling. There's tons of advice on how to avoid getting ripped-off, but few discuss the actual car repair prices. We really need to look at the charges on a car repair estimate or auto repair invoice...
Nada Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, And Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices - Whose Prices Are Right?
By: Theodore Olson | 13/06/2007 | AutomotiveThe Internet has been touted as the greatest resource for the used car buyer. Prospective buyers can find trade-in, private party, and retail values in a heartbeat. The question to consider, however, is what Internet source is right? The three major sites: NADA, Edmunds, and Kelly Blue Book are clamoring...
Ask A Mechanic: Wading Through The Mess Of Car Repair Prices And Auto Repair Estimates
By: Theodore Olson | 22/04/2007 | AutomotiveIf you were handed an estimate to replace a water pump on your car, would you know if the price was fair? Could you trust the price? How about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporative emissions sensor? Most of us don't know what these...
Used Car Pricing: The Insanity Of Used Car Prices!
By: Theodore Olson | 20/01/2007 | AutomotiveUsed car prices are elusive, despite numerous attempts to harness them. We've all heard of Retail, Private Party and Trade-in values. But do these "help" in determining a vehicle's real value? When we turn to the web for prices, it gets even more elusive. One web site places a retail...
Used Car Prices: Myths And Facts About Web-Based Used Car Values
By: Theodore Olson | 09/01/2007 | AutomotiveEighty percent of car buyers are using the Internet to research cars and used car prices. For vehicle research, the Internet's great! For vehicle prices, the Internet sucks! It sucks because the prices do not reflect reality for the buyer or the seller. Web sites that place values on vehicles...
Car Repair Prices: There Are No Honest Mechanics!
By: Theodore Olson | 09/11/2006 | AutomotiveI enjoy reading the tips and suggestions on finding an honest or good mechanic. These can be found on various government and consumer websites, and in a variety of auto repair articles.