Sexism and Auto Body Repair

A recent commercial was lambasted for portraying women as clueless victims who couldn’t handle buying a car. Commenters called it “the most sexist commercial out there,” and even industry publication Adweek accused it of blatantly mocking women.  Unfortunately, women still have to face sexism when it comes to cars.  A paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research demonstrated that when both men and women called asking for an unknown repair price, the women were quoted a higher price. The current situation isn’t fair or right, but here are a few ways that you can make sure you’re being dealt with fairly at an auto body repair shop as a woman. These are also great tips for a daughter or son who is just learning to drive and care of his or her own vehicle.

Use Sites That Arm You With An Estimate Before Calling
The National Bureau of Economic Research also found that individuals who had a fair market rate for their repair would get that rate, instead of being overcharged based on lack of knowledge and gender. RepairPal will give you an estimate based on the service you need for the make and model of your car. It also takes your zip code into account. We particularly appreciate this site since it doesn’t require an email address for you to view the estimate and it’s a local start-up, founded in San Francisco. However, bear in mind with any site that offers you an estimate and then “recommended” shops that those shops have often paid to be featured, and you may want to research shops independently as well.

Know Your Rights As A California Driver
California regulations can work in your favor when it comes to auto body repair. For example, if your car is damaged in an accident, you cannot be forced to take it to a specific shop by your insurance company. You also have the write to a written estimate before any work is done, and you must give consent before additional work not featured on the estimate is performed. This may not be true in all other states, but it’s extremely important and that’s why it’s part of our automotive laws. Check the Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights and the Consumer’s Guide to Automotive Repair before you take your car in.

Ask To See Certifications
There are several certifications an auto body repair shop and technician can have, including continuing education from a technical school, approval from the Automobile Club of America, and certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence . Ask about these certifications. Not only do they indicate a certain level of professionalism, but they also give you professional certification body to lodge a complaint with in the event that something dishonest takes place.

By utilizing these tips, you can ensure that you’re getting a fair deal from an auto body repair shop you can trust.