Pay ONLY What's Fair for Car Repair

by Victoria Stonegate

Do you feel a moment of panic when your car’s Check Engine light comes on, knowing you’ll have to take it to a dealership to have that problem evaluated? Have you ever been shocked by an estimate for car repair, thinking it sounded way too expensive? Do you feel like your car is being held hostage because you don’t know enough about cars to evaluate the problem yourself? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this book is for you. Pay ONLY What’s Fair for Car Repair gives you a specific and easy-to-follow game plan for every time you take your car in for maintenance, diagnosis, or repair. Your knowledge plus this book will be a powerful combination against scams. The first time the author tried her own plan, she saved $500. Even if you’re knowledgeable about cars, and you’ve done your own repairs for years, you see what is happening in the auto repair world. Every year the onboard computer controls more and more of your car’s functions. In some cars, even the gas pedal is no longer connected directly to the engine. The position of the pedal is read by a computer, which in turn increases or decreases fuel into the engine. Not only that, but putting more and more control wires and tubes into smaller engine compartments has resulted in less space in which to work. Special tools are often required to perform even maintenance as simple as spark plug removal. This isn’t about whether or not you are knowledgeable enough to fix your car. There are repairs that are best done by a repair facility, and this book will be invaluable when you hit those repairs.

70 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2014

Reviews

[Lori]

I was a first reads good reads winner of "Pay Only What's Fair for Car Repair. Victoria wrote a helpful book on finding the right repair shop when a person's car needs repair. This is not a very long book. the reading part is only 42 pages. with many pages in the back for the car owner to write down information such as the dealership, location, quotes from the repair place. I know for me I dread taking my car in. especially hoping i am dealing with an honest person who is not going to try and scare me into a service I may not need. the author suggests asking questions, taking pictures, price compare etc. there is some pretty helpful suggestions for getting a fair price when an owners vehicle is in need of repair. A very quick read with some good tips.

[Trisa (Absolute Bookishness)]

I received a free copy of Pay ONLY What's Fair for Car Repair from Goodreads First Reads.

Stonegate offers a quick read, and simple and practical advice for anyone hoping to get fair pricing for car repair service. Her book contains a basic "game plan" to help you prepare to get the best deal possible for your car repairs. (Why didn't I think to do the mechanic-camera inspection before? I really should ask more questions...and I will. >:D)

It's short (less than 60 pages), sweet, and to the point. I could really relate to the anecdotes too. Let's just say that I have a "Zeke" of my own. -_- (He was looking very worried the last time I saw him after I decided to take my car elsewhere. Probably because he was afraid that one of his dealership's regular customers might never come back again...and he might be right.)

I appreciate the note-taking templates she provides for navigating your next car repair experiences. I intend to use them and her plan for my next auto headache. After reading about the author's experiences, I'll be sure to check my credit card statements more regularly--especially after each repair--and request email quotes whenever possible.

[Tom Donaghey]

PAY ONLY WHAT’S FAIR FOR CAR REPAIR is a nice little magazine article disguised as a small book. The actual details of getting the best price for car repair takes up the first 40 pages while there are another 20 pages dedicated to forms you will need to complete the strategy outlined in the first section.
If you feel that you are routinely ripped off by your car dealership or repair place when it comes to the cost of and the necessity for repairs to your car (and honestly, who doesn’t usually feel this way) then this little gem is for you. Author Stonegate details her own car repair nightmares and her plan to not only combat those forces working against her happiness, but also conquer them.
This book is total honesty in marketing with the contents living up to the title.
I won this book through Goodreads.

[Andrew]

Some sections of Pay Only What's Fair for Car Repair were a bit condescending. It is possible that the book's target reader is an old, vulnerable person who does not have the common sense or confidence to compare prices, do research, and ask questions. With that being said, there were a few good, practical pieces of advice for the average person dealing with repair salespeople.

***I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaways.***

[Stephen Adams]

I really like this book after reading just a couple of pages. It is the perfect explanation and guideline on how to not get ripped off at a car repair shop. I am also a shop owner at www.buckheadautosport.com, equip with the expertise to keep your vehicle on tip top maintenance, it is against our policy to fabricate the problems of your vehicle and try to get another dollar out of our customers.

[Misty]

I won this book in the Goodreads giveaways. This book was a common sense manual on car repair options. Must people know that the dealerships always charge more than a smaller business. Perhaps this book would benefit a first time car owner that has never had repair work done before.

[Daniel Bateman]

I recommend this book to everyone. Great money saving tips. Haven't found a book quite like this one before This is a must have book for anyone who has had to deal with car repairs.