Women worry about being overcharged at the mechanic. They have good reason. Studies show women are charged more money than men for the same services. That sounds like blatant sexism, but it’s not. I’ll show you why.
Northwestern University did an experiment in 2012. They asked AutoMD agents to call 4,603 repair shops. Every caller obtained a price quote for the same job (radiator replacement for an earlier year Toyota Camry). Three conditions were tested:
- The driver had no clue how much the job would cost.
- The driver thought the job costed more than it really does.
- The driver indicated they already did price research online.
Condition #1 made no difference for men. Whether they knew the price or not, they received an accurate quote. Women weren’t so lucky. They were quoted a higher price.
Condition #2 had a negative impact on both sexes. Men and women received a more expensive quote when they were misled about the repair cost. Are you surprised? I’m not!
Condition #3 improved outcomes for women. They received a better quote when they knew the market price. This didn’t impact men. They received the same quote when condition #1 was met.
Takeaways
Below are two observations based on these findings.
1. Knowledge is power.
Are you aware of the problem? If so, look up the price. Report your findings to the auto shop. You’ll receive a fair rate. Not sure? That’s okay, too. You might have a leak and not be sure of the cause. In that case, explain the situation in detail.
Here’s some more info to provide:
- Did your check engine light display? If so, when did it first occur?
- Did you notice any sounds, smells, or sensations at the same time?
- Did your vehicle handling degrade in any ways? If so, describe them.
People get overcharged when they aren’t clear about their needs. This results in wasted time and unnecessary repairs. If you can show a mechanic you “talk car,” they’ll be less likely to take advantage of you.
2. This isn’t blatant sexism.
For sexism to be present, every woman would have to be treated worse than men, regardless of the circumstances. That isn’t the case. Women received a better quote when they appeared to be informed.
Mechanics aren’t having secret meetings where they conspire against women. Megan Busse, study author, believes the explanation is simple. “Auto shops quote one price to educated drivers and another price to uneducated drivers.”
Unfortunately, there is a gender stereotype about how women don’t know a lot about cars. Before you get mad, remember men get stereotyped, too. Does every man like sports? No, but the media might lead you to believe they do.
The secret is to prove a stereotype wrong. Show the mechanic you are aware. Use the script from #1 for inspiration. If you feel nervous, practice in the car until you feel confident. You’ll get a fair price!
