Before You Hire An Auto Mechanic
An auto mechanic may charge you for his or her labor by using "clock hours," the actual number of hours worked on your vehicle, or by using a "flat-rate," the number of hours cited in a flat-rate manual as being standard for specific types of repairs.
MAKE SURE you know how you will be billed before repairs are commenced.
LOOK FOR the labor charge sign in the repair shop which must tell you how the mechanic’s labor may be charged.
YOU CAN REQUEST a written estimate for your repair. MAKE SURE that it indicates the hourly rate charge and that it specifies whether the labor charge will be computed by clock hours or by a flat-rate.
REMEMBER that the repair shop can charge you for the estimate.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE OF THE NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT (800) 771-7755.