Do You Need to Repair Your Semi?

Your semi is more than what you drive for work. It’s an investment in your livelihood and safety on the road. The last thing you need is to spend hard-earned cash on unnecessary repairs.

Repairs are needed, but sometimes services recommended by garages aren’t necessary. Continue reading to learn how to spot semi repair scams.

Tractor Trailer Repair Shop Red Flags

Finding a trustworthy garage for semi-trucks can be difficult. If possible, try out new shops with a minor repair or maintenance task to get a feel for them. 

When you’re not sure who to trust, keep an eye out for the following:

• Bad Airbags: If you’re new to a garage or have concerns, verify that you had a new airbag installed to replace your deployed one. Sometimes sketchy shops will install flawed or deployed airbags and charge your insurance for a new one.
• Pay the Deductible: If your repair shop offers to inflate your estimated repair cost to your insurance agency, you’ll find yourself in a heap of trouble. This is insurance fraud. 
• Kickback Arrangements: If you’re referred to a shop by someone who gets a little kickback for it, go elsewhere. This shop owner is already unscrupulous and will likely take advantage of you.
• Avoid Chop Shops: It can be challenging to tell if your garage is part of a chop shop, but they’re out there. Chop shops use parts from stolen trucks and cars for repairs. You’ll be charged for new parts without any warranties, while the stolen, used ones will be used in your vehicle.

Finding a Shop for Semi Truck Repairs

When you need to find a reputable shop, there are ways to weed out dishonest ones. Make sure you:

• Ask how many years of experience they have.
• Check out if the shop is clean and has a comfortable waiting area.
• See if they offer warranties on their work.
• Check online customer experience resources like the Better Business Bureau or Attorney General’s office.
• See how the employees are compensated and avoid commissioned workers.
• Look around for any credentials that validate the shop’s reliability and reputation.

Scams Outside the Garage

If there’s money to be made scamming people, there will be situations you’ll want to avoid. Not all scams are listed here, but they should give an idea of what to take note of if you find yourself in one of these situations. 

Bogus Tow Claims

Stay calm and confident if you get a call demanding payment for a tow of your semi that you’re sure never happened. Even if you did have a tow recently, get as much information about the tow service as possible. 

The scammer on the other end will likely become angrier and demand that you pay them immediately. Never provide payment over the phone. If you get information from the scam caller, note it and offer it to the police.

Use Your Tow Service

If you’re involved in a collision or breakdown and need a tow truck, secure your own. It’s possible to have a tow truck show up that wasn’t contacted by you or law enforcement. They’re trying to overcharge you for a tow and take your truck to a garage that will continue trying to scam you.

While it might seem easier to just use the scam tow service, it could cost a lot of money in the long run. The tow truck and garage work this scam together to get as much out of you as possible. This includes charging you for repairs that weren’t necessary in the first place. 

Fake Loads and Repairs

If you receive any call demanding that you send money via MoneyCode, it’s probably a scam. Repair shops and businesses wanting to have loads hauled are two types of common scams semi-truck drivers report frequently. 

Ensure you get as much verification information from the caller as possible. Never provide them with information on your end. If you suspect it’s a scam, it probably is one.

Protect Yourself Against Scammers

When you find yourself dealing with a potential scam, here are a few tips to help you get through the situation unscathed:

• Don’t lose your temper. You can be 100% sure that the person you’re dealing with is trying to scam you, but keeping your cool can get you to the other side without incident.
• Record any conversations you have with someone who might be a scammer. This is easy if you use your cell phone.
• Make sure to have your semi looked at by a trusted repair garage if it’s been involved in an accident. If you’ve suffered an injury, seek treatment immediately, even if you think it’s minor. Documentation can help prove that you aren’t at fault in a scam situation. 
• Invest in a dash camera if you’re concerned about scams on the road. Having the incident on video can save you from becoming involved in a scam.

When You Need a Trustworthy Shop 

Few things are more stressful than needing repairs on a vehicle you use for your livelihood. When you need to get those repairs done in Wytheville, VA, Complete Truck Service, Inc is the best choice. 

Not only will you be getting exemplary service, but you’ll also have experienced pros working to keep your truck running smoothly. Call them at 276-637-4271 or send them a message using their online form here. 

Categorised in: Truck and Trailer Repair

This post was written by admin