Editorial: Relief for those with car repairs

Monday, Oct. 4, 1999 | 9:23 a.m.

Over the years many Southern Nevadans have been frustrated when they get their vehicles repaired, claiming that they're getting ripped off by unscrupulous mechanics. In a bid to address these concerns, the 1999 Legislature passed a new law that should give these consumers more rights when they have a complaint. The law, which went into effect Friday, will guarantee that customers receive written estimates and, if necessary, can seek mediation to resolve any complaints.

As the Sun's Jerry Fink reported Friday, the new protections include a requirement that a second estimate be given to the customer if the cost of the repairs will exceed the original estimate by 20 percent or $100, whichever is less. In addition, any part that is replaced must be returned to the customer if he wants it. Another provision of the law transfers dispute resolution to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which will offer binding arbitration. So instead of having to go to court over a dispute involving several hundred dollars -- sometimes more -- customers hopefully will get a speedier and less costly resolution.

Garage and auto mechanic representatives say that they've cleaned up their act, making some of the new law's protections unnecessary. The numbers would seem to bear this out, since consumer complaints about auto mechanics to the state Consumer Affairs Division have fallen in recent years. While complaints are dropping, the reality is these figures don't adequately reflect the actual number of people who have been victimized by a disreputable mechanic. After all, most customers don't have the knowledge required of today's sophisticated automobiles to even know if the repair suggested by the mechanic is unneeded and, therefore, worthy of submitting a complaint to the state. Plus, people usually are so dependent on their cars to earn a living that often they don't have the time -- or money -- to find mechanics at other garages to look under the hood. All too often, customers are left at the mercy of a mechanic, which makes it important to have these new consumer protections.