are mechanics con artist or does it just seem that way?

I am an auto mechanic, and own my own business.

In over 40 years as a mechanic I have never "conned" a soul! Any mechanic or shop that does that will not last long. I also do not advertise, and have more work than I can do most of the time.

If you're a woman, you will more likely be conned. It's often assumed that women don't know too much about cars, so they can make up a non-existent part and charge you a hefty fee to replace it.

It still happens to guys as well, but not as often. A young male friend of mine went in for an oil change after he had a new filter put in. The guys in the shop did the oil change and replaced his new filter with an old one and told him he needed a new one. He told them to put his new filter back in and threatened to sue.

No, I'm not a mechanic. If you don't know much about cars, ask a friend who does before you go in. Also check their reviews on the BBN site (Better Business Bureau) for complaints or even on Yelp.

As a crash repair shop owner we get tarnished with the same brush,but as a rule a big part of mechanical is not seen so it has left the door open and of course they use and abuse it,there not ripping u of any more than a clothes store will,retail is a rip 3 400 percent mark up,disc breaks,Nike shoes,no one ever complains to Nike though,I charge $500 to paint a bonnet ppl say its to dear,but they buy a vasace tshirt for $340,a t shirt,just word of mouth is priceless,buyer beware,good luck

It depends on the mechanic.

There are some mechanics who are con-artists, but there are mechanics who are honest.

I believe it is rare to find an absolutely honest mechanic. I have worked on cars for over 55 years and have worked on my friends cars for them and I never accept any payment whatsoever. I feel I am saving them from getting ripped off by shady mechanics.

For instance, my son called me a couple weeks ago and asked me how much brake rotors would cost for his wife's Nissan Altima. I told him about $70.00 at Auto Zone. He immediately became upset because his wife had taken her car to have a nail removed from her tire. The mechanic repaired her tire and told her that she badly needed brake rotors on the front of her car. The mechanic quoted her a price of $200.00 for the rotors and $300.00 for labor.

Needless to say my son had me buy the rotors ($70.00 at $35.00 each) and he brought the car over and I replaced them in about 45 minutes.

In addition to the large market up the mechanic was charging for the rotors, at $300.00 for labor, what was their hourly rate???????? Definitely a rip off.

I ALWAYS tell my friends to NEVER take their car to a mechanic and tell them that something is wrong with their brakes. Brakes are the item that will put a scare in a customer when the mechanic feeds him garbage as to what he needs done.