As a little bit of background on myself. When my wife and I were just married, we were quoted by a shop $400 to swap an engine in a car for us, we supply the engine. I found the engine, checked with the shop to make sure it would fit and when push came to shove, the bill was $750! "We had to swap some things over." When I approached the shop owner (me, of 21 years old and 120lbs. soaking wet) to be confronted by a couple of older more "beefy" gentlemen than I was, I paid the bill after a couple of weeks of saving up. I wish I'd have known at the time but had I gotten an estimate in writing, I might have got my ass kicked but I'd have at least had a legal leg to stand on. So, when I share some knowledge, it's from your point of view as the car owner, not as a mechanic or a shop owner.
I just wanted to post a few of my views regarding repair facilities, dealers and privately owned. I've worked in a few of both. Some I wouldn't take my car to for an oil change, others I literally had tears in my eyes when I left for another opportunity.
Find a shop that you're comfortable with. Either dealer or independent. If you feel like you're getting the hard sell about things (the $2000 oil change gas station, yes I worked there) and pressure to buy and you're not in an emergency "I need my car fixed now, that's why it's here" kind of situation, run. Get a second or third opinion. Get your estimate in writing, be cordial if you decline the work and avoid confrontation. Garage owners who are confrontational are generally threatened by anyone who a: either knows what they're actually talking about, or b: questions them beyond their honesty or knowledge or both.
If you're not broke down and at the mercy of where your vehicle is, don't be pushed into getting hundreds of dollars worth of work done. If you are at this shop and have to get back on the road at their mercy, ask to see all the parts they charged you for. Tell 'em your dad or your uncle's a mechanic and they're helping you pay for it and want to see them if they give you any crap. Either way, here in Michigan it's the law that you are entitled to all parts except those that are required for a deposit, kind of like a pop bottle. The shop pays the deposit up front for your part but they get their money back once they turn the old one back in. Minus the state tax of course. But, you still have a right to see those parts, BEFORE they are returned.
And always question, question question. If you don't understand what's being explained to you or whomever your talking to can't or won't explain it, ask to speak to someone else or on your behalf bring someone else into the conversation. Sometimes personalities just don't click, and when I'm on one end of the phone trying to explain why it's going to cost you $1800 to fix your car, it's not a pleasant deal, been there done that.
Getting your car fixed shouldn't be nerve wracking, other than it does cost money.
But I worked in a shop that when people came in for repairs, they inevitably ended up playing some Euchre or having grilled ribs while they were waiting! Now the family would fight and argue (family owned business) like cats and dogs but were honest as the day was long. I guess that's why they've been on the same corner for over 40 years.
It is Michigan State Law that you are to be provided with a written estimate. Now times have changed since that law was written and phone conversations (with proper documentation) e-mails, texts, are all considered by shop owners as viable forms of consent to spend your money. The law has not necessarily kept up with the technology, so don't be surprised if you're asked for your last 4 SS digits or something like that so that the shop owner can prove he/she got your authorization to spend money.
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