本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Car Repairs

Tape 198

This tape gives legal information only, not legal advice. If you have a legal problem or need legal advice, you should speak to a lawyer.

Cars are complex, expensive machines. You can avoid or minimize many problems with car repairs if you follow the steps below.

Before the repair
1. Shop around for a reliable mechanic and compare price estimates from various repair shops. Ask friends for names of reliable mechanics.

2. Let the mechanic figure out what to repair. Describe the problem as clearly as possible but don’t try to guess what’s wrong. If you do, you may end up getting something you didn’t need. Go for a road test with the mechanic to demonstrate the problem.

3. Ask for a written estimate of the repair cost. Tell the mechanic not to proceed if the repair is going to cost more than the estimate, until the repair shop calls you and you approve the higher cost.

4. Allow enough time for the repair – if you rush the mechanic, the repair may not be done well.

5. Remove all valuables from your car and leave only the ignition key with the mechanic. You don’t know who works at the repair shop and you should protect yourself against theft and against keys being lost or copied.

6. Give the mechanic a phone number to reach you in case of problems or questions.

7. Ask the mechanic to return all replaced parts to you. You may need them in court if there’s a problem with the repair.

After the repair
8. Report unsolved or new problems to the mechanic right away. For example, if you got a tune-up but the car still doesn’t run well, tell the mechanic immediately.

9. If you have a problem with the work, or the cost of it, talk to the mechanic or the owner of the repair shop and try to solve it.

10. If you can't solve the problem, pay for the work because if you don't, the repair shop can register a lien (claim) against the car and eventually seize it and sell it.

11. You can contact the Consumer Services Division of the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/consumers). This Division enforces the Trade Practices Act, which may cover cases where a repair shop:

a. says you gave it approval to proceed with the repair while you say you didn’t

b. says the vehicle needed a certain part or repair that was actually not required

c. estimates the repair cost much higher than the actual cost and then still demands you pay the estimated cost

d. takes advantage of a consumer's physical or mental infirmity, ignorance, illiteracy, age or inability to understand the language

e. charges a price for the repair that grossly exceeds the price other repair shops charge for similar parts or services

12. The BC Automobile Association (BCAA) (www.bcaa.com) has an Approved Auto Repair Services program for its members to ensure they get quality service at a fair price. BCAA inspects repair shops in the program to verify the quality of their equipment and service. If you're a BCAA member and you use a mechanic approved by BCAA, you can ask BCAA for help if you have a problem. Otherwise, mechanics in BC don’t have to pass any kind of certifying examination.

13. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org); they may be able to help even if the repair shop is not a member.

14. As a last resort, you may end up consulting a lawyer, or taking the case yourself to Small Claims Court.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net