Do shops charge women more for car repairs?

I've worked for dishonest businesses in the past. The root of the problem isn't charging more, it's outright lying about the work that is needed, or inflating book hours. However, I've also seen invoices with a 700% markup on bulk oil.

If someone wants the work done "right now" I attach an appropriate "right now" tax. If someone is unreasonable or I don't think I'll make a profit, I also give them a "go away" quote. Sometimes it works out in my favor.
 
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I agree with DemoFly. The male-dominated automotive repair profession likely finds it easier to lie to the female persuasion based on the idea that they are less likely to be suspect. I don't think they charge a higher rate for identical repairs but I can definitely see them charging for frivolous repairs or un-needed repairs on a higher occasion.
 
I think many shops charge ignorant people more. Or people who don't care.
Agreed. I work with young college age students. Many young men are also clueless about how things work, cars and more, and especially clueless how to educate and self advocate for themselves.

I'm going to guess that decades ago women were targeted more for inflated auto repairs, but today its a more level playing field (both/all genders are prone to being taken advantage of). Unless, of course, there is a phone app. for vehicle maintenance - maybe make it game-like, things explode if you choose the wrong repair.

Old person bias in effect here.
 
If someone wants the work done "right now" I attach an appropriate "right now" tax. If someone is unreasonable or I don't think I'll make a profit, I also give them a "go away" quote. Sometimes it works out in my favor.
This is different IMO. This is not taking advantage of somebody simply because they are weak, vulnerable, or unknowledgeable. This is treating people the way they are treating you which is a 100% legitimate business tactic. It’s like the difference between going to your general practitioners office next week or going to the ER right now. Or charging a premium for overnight shipping versus standard shipping. Up charging for the “I need it right now” person is a legitimate business practice.
 
I had an instance where a road hazard sliced the sidewall of one of my tires on the silverado when the truck was brand new under 5000 miles.

My wife tried to surprise me and wanted to get a new tire put on while I was at work. My truck has the goodyear duratrack LT275/65/18 load range C. They told me wife they don't have any of those tires on hand, but they do have the same tire and size in a load range E. The load range E tires were $100 more expensive than the load C tires and they convinced her it would be fine.

I was pissed at the idea of having 3 load range C tires and one load range E tire on my brand new truck because the load difference, sidewall stiffness, small diameter difference, cost difference, etc. Well it turns out they put the correct tire on my truck and just over-charged my wife by $100 bucks. I went over to the dealership and chewed their butts and got our money back. You can't convince me it was an honest mistake, they were trying to scam my wife.

I do believe many shops and people prey on the ignorant, I know I have surprised some of these guys just by being knowledgeable in the automotive field
 
Agreed. I work with young college age students. Many young men are also clueless about how things work, cars and more, and especially clueless how to educate and self advocate for themselves.

I'm going to guess that decades ago women were targeted more for inflated auto repairs, but today its a more level playing field (both/all genders are prone to being taken advantage of). Unless, of course, there is a phone app. for vehicle maintenance - maybe make it game-like, things explode if you choose the wrong repair.

Old person bias in effect here.
Somewhere along the line, they've been conditioned this way. The opportunities for micro learning are astronomical compared to the pre internet days and many younger folk don't take advantage of it.

On the other topic, my wife is still salty that a kindly old HVAC repairman ripped her off for a new thermostat before she met me.
 
Years ago my daughter 18 yrs old, was going to college in Austin Texas. Her car was a few years old and once she was down there , seemed to break down almost weekly. The place she would take it would give her crazy prices for the smallest repairs. Light burned out tail light bulbs. Her brakes started making noise because it was due for pads, they tried to tell her they wouldn't let her leave with the car, and it would cost almost $1,000. Her car was a dodge omni. I had to get involved, and told her have it towed out of there if they try to stop you from leaving. I really believe shops will take advantage of young kids or women, because most of the time they have no idea about how much any repairs should cost.,,
 
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