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Depends. I've dated pretty detailed oriented women who can notice the most minute detail with her car.
Do shops charge women more for car repairs?
- Thread starter The motor guy
- Start date
Patman
Staff member
Up here in Canada we have a lot of Canadian Tire locations which have excellent prices on oil but they also have one of the most shady service departments out there. It’s not just one location, I have personally experienced this type of thing at many locations since the late 80s. Every once in a while due to them being convenient I would give a different location another chance but the results were the same, they would try to upsell needless things to me.
First example happened back in 1988 when I took my brand new 1988 Dodge Shadow ES turbo to them for an alignment, as I noticed that the front tires were wearing out unevenly. Canadian Tire told me that the car needed new shocks! I told them to just do the alignment only. I drove that car for 80,000 km on those shocks and sold the car to my sister and she drove it past 200,000 km. Same shocks, no issues
The most recent experience was when I went there with my ex wife’s BMW because she had a nail in her tire. They said that they couldn’t repair it and they recommended replacing all 4 tires!! I said no, went to Kal Tire and they had no problem fixing the tire. Canadian Tire had said that the nail was too close to the sidewall, which I knew it wasn’t and Kal Tire agreed (and told me that they get many people coming to them because of bad experiences with the CT service department).
In their case it doesn’t matter who is coming into their service center, they try to rip everyone off equally
First example happened back in 1988 when I took my brand new 1988 Dodge Shadow ES turbo to them for an alignment, as I noticed that the front tires were wearing out unevenly. Canadian Tire told me that the car needed new shocks! I told them to just do the alignment only. I drove that car for 80,000 km on those shocks and sold the car to my sister and she drove it past 200,000 km. Same shocks, no issues
The most recent experience was when I went there with my ex wife’s BMW because she had a nail in her tire. They said that they couldn’t repair it and they recommended replacing all 4 tires!! I said no, went to Kal Tire and they had no problem fixing the tire. Canadian Tire had said that the nail was too close to the sidewall, which I knew it wasn’t and Kal Tire agreed (and told me that they get many people coming to them because of bad experiences with the CT service department).
In their case it doesn’t matter who is coming into their service center, they try to rip everyone off equally
I wonder if the female to male ripoff is evening out. There are older guys, maybe too old to do their own work anymore, that know when its a padded estimate.
But how many guys in the 20-40 year old range that don't do their own work, know now much about cars?
But how many guys in the 20-40 year old range that don't do their own work, know now much about cars?
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
I could never do that to someone based on them being a woman. That’s wrong and very unfortunate that some places have and do. The way I see things is women are people too and probably just trying to make it in the world like everyone else. And no matter who it is if you quote them outrageous they are more likely to say no so quote the most appropriate price where you still make a profit but you’re not screwing them over. And you never know someone’s financial situation that high price that they might approve because they feel like they have to maybe the difference in them feeding their family tonight or starving. I believe in thinking of the customer and providing trustworthy service which also leads to them recommending you and giving you more business.
Why is the first image in my head Adrienne Barbeau in a Lamorghini Countach saying "I'll take care of this one". Cannonball Run Lamborghini
I don’t know but we have a shop that is woman owned and only hires women and price wise it seems to be more expensive.
Well my daughters friend got a estimate for a cabin and engine air filter for a 2023 toyota cross installed for $160 during her oil chang at the Toyota dealer.
This is outrageous good hing she's aid no.
She bought a cabin fiter for $10, install time less then 5 min. for her to do it, Not done the air filter yet.
Wounder wat the professional install time is for each from a toyota tech
This is outrageous good hing she's aid no.
She bought a cabin fiter for $10, install time less then 5 min. for her to do it, Not done the air filter yet.
Wounder wat the professional install time is for each from a toyota tech
Sadly, the Honda dealer has coupons for that at almost $160 for just the cabin filter. Engine air filter is more. Jeep dealer was charging even more than that for Renegade but since you need to remove 10 screws, bolts with different sizes it is a PITA. Still not paying that much. I have tools and some time.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
At the Toyota dealership I work at it pays me 2/10ths of an hour to remove and install a cabin filter which equates to 12 minutes and ~$17.00 labor charge and cost of filter. An engine air filter is 1/10th of an hour so 6 minutes and $9ish labor charge and price of the filter.
I gave up on blinker fluid. I use my arm out the window.
Patman
Staff member
I’m interested to see how much labor the Chevrolet dealership is going to charge me next week when they change the air filter and cabin filter on my Corvette. I know that both of those jobs are a bit tricky on mine so I’m expecting a half hour labor for each task.
I recall a good friend of mine taking her town and country to the local Chrysler-dodge dealer for some work. She called me suspicious from the service center asking if $1800 for “rotor fluid” was legit. I told her it was absolutely bogus, and to call her husband because he’d know better too. When he called, they said they told her no such thing.
I dont because I am not a dishonest POS and I like to be able to sleep at night. I treat every customer how I would like my mother to be treated and fix every car like my mother will be driving it.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Now that’s highway robbery right there.
I recently bought an approved used VW Golf with the deal including 3 "free" services. I can guarantee that they will try it it on at every service. When you take the car to the dealer for it's service, they like you use a self check in touch screen device which invites you to pre-approve a certain level of expenditure over and above the standard service in case they find other work that needs doing - be serious ! that's like writing a blank check but no doubt many will fall for it.
Some folks that have no $ worries, like to brag about how high the cost is to change the oil in their Bentley.
This shady stuff can’t be rare. I infrequently visit dealer service departments given that they are generally a rip-off for all these reasons and many others. Have many stories despite the infrequent visits. The following story is true and relevant to the thread topic:
Went to local Volvo dealer for airbag recall. Standing near the service reception desk with my wife (who is quite knowledgable of vehicle mechanicals and repairs) awaiting our turn to speak with the service advisor. The woman in front of us was getting her Volvo repaired for repeated electrical problems. The service advisor stated that her Volvo’s problems are often a result of “those synthetic battery fluids they use these days”. My wife looks at me and rolls her eyes!
Went to local Volvo dealer for airbag recall. Standing near the service reception desk with my wife (who is quite knowledgable of vehicle mechanicals and repairs) awaiting our turn to speak with the service advisor. The woman in front of us was getting her Volvo repaired for repeated electrical problems. The service advisor stated that her Volvo’s problems are often a result of “those synthetic battery fluids they use these days”. My wife looks at me and rolls her eyes!
