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Share a real repair story and help shape a practical consumer-protection guide for women navigating estimates, diagnostics, upsells, second opinions, warranties, invoices, and repair disputes.
Share a real repair story and help shape a practical consumer-protection guide for women navigating estimates, diagnostics, upsells, second opinions, warranties, invoices, and repair disputes.
Participation Incentive
Everyone who completes the survey will receive access to the free guide, Before You Approve The Repair: Questions To Ask At The Shop.
After survey responses are reviewed, selected participants may be invited to complete a follow-up interview of approximately 25 minutes. Follow-up interview participants may receive a $25 gift card as a thank-you for their time.
Completing the survey does not guarantee selection for a follow-up interview or receipt of a gift card. Gift cards are offered only for selected follow-up interviews, not for a particular type of story or for inclusion in the book.
Who Can Share
Who Can Share
Adults 18 and older with an auto repair experience. Stories about estimates, diagnostics, pressure, respectful service, second opinions, warranty issues, and unexpected charges are welcome.
Adults 18 and older with an auto repair experience. Stories about estimates, diagnostics, pressure, respectful service, second opinions, warranty issues, and unexpected charges are welcome.
Time To Complete
Time To Complete
Please set aside about 15 to 25 minutes. Plain-language answers are welcome. You do not need to be a car expert.
Please set aside about 15 to 25 minutes. Plain-language answers are welcome. You do not need to be a car expert.
Thank-You Guide
After submitting the survey, participants receive Before You Approve The Repair: Questions To Ask At The Shop.
Why This Project Is Personal
This project comes from my own experience. Limited resources and a jaded view of auto repair services pushed me to learn how to handle some vehicle repairs myself. I did not start learning about repairs because cars were a hobby. I learned because I needed to protect my budget, make informed decisions, and feel less powerless when something went wrong with my vehicle.
In one case, my mechanic warned me that my vehicle would not pass emissions inspection when it came due. To confirm the issue, I went to a local parts store and asked them to use their device to check the service codes. The codes confirmed the mechanic's findings. I researched what was needed to fix the emissions problem, bought the parts, and changed out a hose under the hood. The repair required moving or detaching several parts to reach the hose, but I was able to do it myself. My vehicle passed the emissions inspection. That repair saved me hundreds of dollars and gave me peace of mind.
That experience stayed with me. I know there are honest, skilled repair professionals out there. I also know that consumers need tools, questions, paperwork, confidence, and sometimes a second opinion. I am collecting stories because my experience is only one perspective, and I want this book to reflect what other women have actually lived through.
This project comes from my own experience. Limited resources and a jaded view of auto repair services pushed me to learn how to handle some vehicle repairs myself. I did not start learning about repairs because cars were a hobby. I learned because I needed to protect my budget, make informed decisions, and feel less powerless when something went wrong with my vehicle.
In one case, my mechanic warned me that my vehicle would not pass emissions inspection when it came due. To confirm the issue, I went to a local parts store and asked them to use their device to check the service codes. The codes confirmed the mechanic's findings. I researched what was needed to fix the emissions problem, bought the parts, and changed out a hose under the hood. The repair required moving or detaching several parts to reach the hose, but I was able to do it myself. My vehicle passed the emissions inspection. That repair saved me hundreds of dollars and gave me peace of mind.
That experience stayed with me. I know there are honest, skilled repair professionals out there. I also know that consumers need tools, questions, paperwork, confidence, and sometimes a second opinion. I am collecting stories because my experience is only one perspective, and I want this book to reflect what other women have actually lived through.
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