If you’ve lived in the United States during the last century, you’ve heard a consistent message: “Cars are a guys’ thing.” We’ve seen it countless times in movies and in our own lives. Thankfully, we’re seeing more women enter the auto repair field, and take their car’s maintenance into their own hands.
However, there is a harmful stereotype about getting your vehicle serviced as a woman. Many women worry they will be tricked into paying too much or pushed into services they don’t need. Like most stereotypes, there is some truth to it. But the last thing we want is for women to not service their vehicles because of that worry.
In this blog, we’ll share some experiences that might sound pretty familiar to the women reading. But more importantly, we’ll point out some red flags and provide tips on how to get a fair quote and excellent work the next time you service.
Trust Comes First
There’s a lot to be said for the final product exceeding expectations. It’s what we strive for at Schmidt Auto Care. But what’s most important is our guests’ comfort and confidence. A good mechanic will put in the effort to build trust and explain exactly why you should hire them.
Is this what I need?
Many of the complaints we hear from women boil down to not having this most basic question answered. Even after the repair, they were left uncertain if it was truly fixed. Or, whether they’d “fixed” parts that didn’t need it.
And we should be clear, this doesn’t just happen to women. There are tons of stories online from men who have had unnecessary services pushed on them. But for an unscrupulous shop owner, a woman walking in by herself could seem like more of an opportunity for gouging.
So what can I do?
A lot of the advice online revolves around reading the owner’s manual, checking the shop’s parts lists, and other technical items. But in our opinion, it’s not your job to google oil filter SKUs or brake pad brands.
The first thing you’ll want to do if you’re feeling uncertain is to slow things down. Ask your mechanic to explain things in plain language. Do they go through the quote with you? Leave you feeling more confident in your understanding? If not, it might be time for a second opinion.
Part of slowing things down is not agreeing to service right away. A diagnosis is just that, a diagnosis. It can be easy to feel obligated to go with that shop, they did the inspection after all, but you can go elsewhere.
That’s why we focus so much on communicating with our guests. The more you know, the better. If you feel like the shop you’re visiting is rushing you through things, don’t move forward until you’re confident. As a female owner in the automotive industry here at Schmidt Auto Care, I take pride in my personal approach to treating our clients equally and respectfully, and we pride ourselves on making your vehicle's needs clear with several options that will work for you and your budget, should something need to be fixed.
It’s Not Just Business
Rest assured that when you come to Schmidt Auto Care, you are taken care of and can relax. We've got you covered! Contact us today to find out more. We love our community! Check out the latest articles on the Schmidt Auto Care Mom’s Cruise in 2022! Click HERE for more information on the event.
Website: https://www.schmidtautocare.com/
Phone: (937) 514-7860
Location: 285a Hiawatha Trail, Springboro, OH 45066
If you’ve lived in the United States during the last century, you’ve heard a consistent message: “Cars are a guys’ thing.” We’ve seen it countless times in movies and in our own lives. Thankfully, we’re seeing more women enter the auto repair field, and take their car’s maintenance into their own hands.
However, there is a harmful stereotype about getting your vehicle serviced as a woman. Many women worry they will be tricked into paying too much or pushed into services they don’t need. Like most stereotypes, there is some truth to it. But the last thing we want is for women to not service their vehicles because of that worry.
In this blog, we’ll share some experiences that might sound pretty familiar to the women reading. But more importantly, we’ll point out some red flags and provide tips on how to get a fair quote and excellent work the next time you service.
Trust Comes First
There’s a lot to be said for the final product exceeding expectations. It’s what we strive for at Schmidt Auto Care. But what’s most important is our guests’ comfort and confidence. A good mechanic will put in the effort to build trust and explain exactly why you should hire them.
Is this what I need?
Many of the complaints we hear from women boil down to not having this most basic question answered. Even after the repair, they were left uncertain if it was truly fixed. Or, whether they’d “fixed” parts that didn’t need it.
And we should be clear, this doesn’t just happen to women. There are tons of stories online from men who have had unnecessary services pushed on them. But for an unscrupulous shop owner, a woman walking in by herself could seem like more of an opportunity for gouging.
So what can I do?
A lot of the advice online revolves around reading the owner’s manual, checking the shop’s parts lists, and other technical items. But in our opinion, it’s not your job to google oil filter SKUs or brake pad brands.
The first thing you’ll want to do if you’re feeling uncertain is to slow things down. Ask your mechanic to explain things in plain language. Do they go through the quote with you? Leave you feeling more confident in your understanding? If not, it might be time for a second opinion.
Part of slowing things down is not agreeing to service right away. A diagnosis is just that, a diagnosis. It can be easy to feel obligated to go with that shop, they did the inspection after all, but you can go elsewhere.
That’s why we focus so much on communicating with our guests. The more you know, the better. If you feel like the shop you’re visiting is rushing you through things, don’t move forward until you’re confident. As a female owner in the automotive industry here at Schmidt Auto Care, I take pride in my personal approach to treating our clients equally and respectfully, and we pride ourselves on making your vehicle's needs clear with several options that will work for you and your budget, should something need to be fixed.
It’s Not Just Business
Rest assured that when you come to Schmidt Auto Care, you are taken care of and can relax. We've got you covered! Contact us today to find out more. We love our community! Check out the latest articles on the Schmidt Auto Care Mom’s Cruise in 2022! Click HERE for more information on the event.
Website: https://www.schmidtautocare.com/
Phone: (937) 514-7860
Location: 285a Hiawatha Trail, Springboro, OH 45066
