Smart Shopping for Auto RepairsYou can help avoid trouble with an unreliable or dishonest repair shop by following these tips : Deal only with a registered shop. Make sure there's a green and white " Registered State of New York Motor Vehicle Repair Shop " sign outside the shop and a valid New York State Department of Motor Vehicles DMV registration certificate inside. Use the " Find a DMV - regulated Business " service to find a registered repair shop in your area. Ask your family, friends and co - workers for advice on reliable repair shops in your area, as well as those you should avoid. Keep all records, including estimates, invoices, work orders, receipts, guarantees and warranties. Besides their importance in case you file a repair complaint , these papers serve as your record of service, and could increase your vehicle's resale value. If you authorize repair work by phone , write down the date and time, the name of the person you spoke with, any estimated price quoted, and other pertinent details. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Management of a shop should take the time to explain required repairs and prices, discuss problems, and tell you about the training and experience of employees. 

The "Consumer's Bill Of Rights" 
Under the Repair Shop Act , you have the following rights when dealing with a repair shop : Written Estimate If you request it , the repair shop must give you a written estimate of the parts and labor necessary for each specific repair. The shop may charge a reasonable fee for developing a written estimate , but the labor charge for an estimate may not exceed the shop's usual hourly labor charge . The estimate must list each part and its cost, and show what parts, if any, are either used or not of original quality. It must show the labor charges for each repair and by what method they are calculated. The shop may not charge more than the estimated price without your permission. Authorizing Work A shop may not perform any services unless you

user: I have a problem with the repairs made on my vehicle at the auto repair shop.

assistant: I can help you with that. The first thing to do is attempt to resolve the issue with the management of the business. Be sure to keep a written record of all contacts with management and the details about your repair.

assistant: If you have already tried resolving the conflict to no avail, you can file a complaint. Would you like to do so electronically?

user: No, I'll try to resolve it with the business first.

user: If I do need to file a complaint later on, what happens then?

assistant: A DMV customer service rep will try to resolve the issue by discussing it with you and the repair shop. If the problem is not resolved, the complaint would then be referred to a DMV regional office for investigation.

assistant: What if DMV finds out that there were violations made by the repair shop?

user: Yes, I would like to know about what happens if violations are found.

assistant: If violations are found, DMV will take action against the auto repair shop. This could include suspending or revoking their registration and/or imposing fines. The administrative law judge presiding at the hearing could offer the shop the option of paying you restitution in exchange for a shorter suspension period or lower fine. 

user: What is the Repair Shop Act?

assistant: The act helps consumers get back thousands of dollars every year through mediation and restitution.