Three for Thursday 04.23.2020
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
One of the privileges of running a consumer research and referral site is that I have a portal to view hundreds of varied services and how they have adjusted their practices in the age of Covid 19. It is amazing to watch our community continue to contact and hire these professionals and then take the time to send a thank you or rate TrustDALE and our partners on review sites. I am gratified that you take the time to do that and that you continue to give the TrustDALE team an opportunity to serve. THANK YOU!
Watch this Investigation
Today's investigation: Faulty Filter part 2. An oil change accidentally caused damage to a car. It took TrustDALE to get this engine restarted. Watch, because This Could Happen to You!
Ask Dale
From Ruby: Ticketmaster seems to have changed its refund policy and I cannot get my money back for summer concerts. What can I do?
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson on hiring a mechanic:
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Never pay money in advance for auto repairs.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true. A person charging less than fair market value for a repair is likely unqualified to make the repair. You can pay for the right repair now or pay a qualified person after you've lost your money to the amateur.
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. Make certain "mobile" mechanics have a business license and a findable home address. An authentic mobile mechanic will be happy to share that information.
Define - Your deal by comparing Products, Offers and Prices. The internet has made if far easier to discover the normal price range for all kinds of repairs. Search the web for mechanic shops that will provide a free or fixed price for a diagnostic.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract and an Effective Guarantee. Don't verbally authorize repairs to your car. Make certain your written agreement specifies the work to be done and that the work will solve the problem. It's also a good idea to get a commitment in writing as to how long the repair will take. Read your guarantee prior to signing the agreement and seek a nation-wide warranty if you travel or plan to travel from state to state.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. This is perhaps the most important step in finding a mechanic. Research reviews to look for common problems such as not repairing a car in a reasonable time frame or performing unauthorized repairs.
Legitimize - Your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. A reputable mechanic should have a business license. Small claims court is a great resource to check in advance before you leave your vehicle in the control of a mechanic or mechanic shop.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS