Have you seen repairpal.com?

[autoguy]

I just came across this site: http://repairpal.com/

 

"RepairPal gives you independent and unbiased repair estimates, user

ratings and reviews, plus advice you can't get anywhere else."

 

They even have an iPhone app for consumers. Is this good or bad???

[Joe Marconi]

This is interesting. This can hurt us or help us. We can also use this to compare our prices.

 

My fear is that this may start price wars???? Plus, too much cosumer inforamtion without the background of a particular service can be dangerous.

 

And, you cannot always compare apples to apples.

[EASAUTO]

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[autoguy]

I did some comparison shopping on a fuel pump for a Chevy Blazer and they were way off, not sure what fuel pump brand they are quoteing and who's list they are using. They seemed to be in the hunt on labor. Can't see how this would help us as shop owners and I don't think its a real popular site either.

 

Here's a write up on it:

 

"Award-winning RepairPal is the only automotive resource delivering free,

"instant" RepairPrice Estimates via the Web and its popular iPhone mobile

application.RepairPal provides the most accurate auto repair and maintenance

information available anytime, anywhere, with knowledge provided by

ASE-certified mechanics. It also has the most comprehensive user-rated directory

of auto repair shops and dealerships. RepairPal`s patent-pending system provides

over 23 billion unique repair price estimates covering 98% of passenger vehicles

and every zip code in the U.S. Founded in 2007, RepairPal is headquartered in

Emeryville, CA. For more information, please visit www.RepairPal.com"

[xrac]

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[TheTrustedMechanic]

The few times I checked their "Estimates" I was near the top of their independent shop range but I am one of the lowest $$ shops in town on labor. I also suspect they, or an imitator are behind the price shopper phone calls and emails I've been getting lately. Cell-phones from out of area blocks of numbers, anonymous email addresses, and way too knowledgeable about what their car needs and it HASN'T been to another shop.

[Joe Marconi]

The few times I checked their "Estimates" I was near the top of their independent shop range but I am one of the lowest $$ shops in town on labor. I also suspect they, or an imitator are behind the price shopper phone calls and emails I've been getting lately. Cell-phones from out of area blocks of numbers, anonymous email addresses, and way too knowledgeable about what their car needs and it HASN'T been to another shop.

 

I have feared that this day would come. Look at how the Internet has changed the way people buy cars. People go shopping first on the web, get the best price and then beat up their local dealer. It's the same with hotels and plane tickets. Well, we are next. Just one more thing to have to worry about.