Auto repairs are the second most common consumer complaint filed against a business, says the Better Business Bureau. Second only to your home your car is the most valuable purchase that baby boomers make. Your car will Inevitably need repair and some preventative maintenance from time to time. You need to keep your car tuned-up to prevent lousy gas mileage and help extend engine life.

Why are Baby Boomer women the target of so many auto scams? Do you remember, when ask “Why do you rob banks — thats where the money is.”

So how do you prevent yourself from being taken for a ride when your car needs repairs, and insure that you are getting the best customer service? Research is the best way to avoid auto scams and rip-offs. Finding yourself a good Mechanic, one that you can talk to and learn from, is an excellent way to begin

Here are some suggestions on how to find a good Mechanic! Please note before we start: Many will say that you could possibly be the best person to fix your car. All that you will need is a book that will show you how to do the repairs and a place to buy the parts needed. That sounds good, but if any of the following applies to you then you will need a mechanic.

If you cannot boil water without scorching it, you need a Mechanic.

If you make minor repairs around the house and have extra parts left from the repair kit, you need a Mechanic.

If you think that a hammer is the answer to all you mechanical problems, you Really need an auto Mechanic.

- Dealership are excellent Any work under warranty should go straight to the dealer. Best trained mechanics for complicated jobs such as electric, chassis, fuel injection and engine work. But you may find that many of the Baby Boomer Womens car are from 5 to 9 years old. Dealers charge more for premium factory parts and can charge anywhere from $10 to $20 an hour more for labor.

- Independent local mechanics can be an excellent way to go. A good mechanic is like a good Heart Surgeon he can save the life of you vehicle. You will want to keep a good mechanic on hand to help you maximize the life of your car. And remember that he is worth every penny. Independent shops may or may not know how to do more complicated operations. Vehicles have become more sophisticated and computerized within the last few years. If your car is a foreign make check out the specialty mechanics that focus on only one or two foreign types. Mechanics that run these shops have often times worked for the dealerships. These outfits are often as well or better trained than those at the dealership and usually charge quite a bit less.

How do I find a good mechanic?

– Ask for recommendation from friends, family, and other Baby Boomer women that have had work done on their car. And really listen to what they do not say.

– Check your local angie’s list – A membership service that compiles consumer rating of local businesses

– Check you craigslist – This can be a very valuable resource for the local area.

– Your Local AAA Club is an excellent source. They will often have people of Boomer age answering the phones.

– Talk with the local stores that sale auto parts.–Auto Zone — Advanced Auto Parts — CarQuest — O’Reilly Auto Parts. These are the individuals that know which shops that use various auto parts, and often know the quality of the service.

– Your Auto Insurance Man or Woman. Best resource when it comes to knowing who performs the best engine and body repairs.

– Use the phone book to find a Vocation Technical School located in your area. You are looking for the Mechanical Repair Classes.

Special note: If you Baby Boomer Woman want to know about how much your auto repairs will be do the following: Find out just what items are needed to be replaced on your car. Make a list of needed item and go to Auto Zone and ask them to price the various of the same. Make sure that it is the best quality for you vehicle. Then add 33% for labor, not to include taxes, and that should give you a good ball park figure to work from. Then ask yourself is this car worth that much to you. Not the Kelly Blue Book value, but your value.

Know the car you drive, keep a history of just what has been done to your car. Keep a Journal on your cars repairs. If you not into journals, then take a Magic Marker and write on the inside of the hood when certain repairs were made, and by whom. There are a number of books published on how to fix your car, buy one and read it and know the basics if nothing else. Take a girl friend with you when you go to a repair shop, and compare note when leave the shop. Man friends are nice but you are here to learn not to be impressed by his knowledge.