Get multiple calls from spoofed numbers all day long they leave the same voicemail telling me to call this number. Saying I have a legal matter, stuff being filed with the courts, going to be sued if I don't call them back right now. This is a SCAM. I have no debt or pending legal matters, this is a scam plain and simple.
I live in a very car-centric city, and unfortunately, you need a car to get around most places. Growing up, we always had POS hoopties that would break down on my mom, and then we'd be screwed until her taxes came in and she'd buy another beater. I remember buying my first ever car 20 years ago from a relative, and it needed new rotors and brake pads. I remember taking my car to a place that advertised brakes, and they quoted me over $700 twenty years ago for brake pads and rotors. My heart sank, and I eventually bought a set of rotors and pads from AutoZone and had my friendly neighborhood methhead install them for me for $100.
Then another tale of trying to take my kids to a drive-in movie when the car I bought from my dad overheated. I ended up taking it to a mechanic shop off the freeway, and he said he would help me out because he helps single moms in need all the time. He basically replaced the radiator cap on my vehicle and charged me $400. It's been on and off like this for the last 18 years, with a million other stories just like this. But all this changed two years ago when my family had to move into my MIL's place because of insane rent increases, financial difficulties, and both my husband and I losing our jobs. After a few weeks living at my MIL's, my husband's car experienced catastrophic engine failure, and we sold it off to one of those "we buy junk cars" places. A week later, my MIL's car wouldn't go into any gear. That was basically my fucking breaking point. I told my husband no more, no more shitty mechanics or spending money that we don't have. My MIL said the issue happened before and thought it was fixed. I basically Googled and researched until I knew exactly what was wrong with it. It was a $5 shift linkage bushing, and after researching further, I figured out the mechanic who took it didn't install the C-clip to keep the bushing in place. After that, I was on a mission and have been ever since. I'm going to junkyards and pick-and-pulls to get parts, and I'm getting cheap but decent parts from Amazon. Plus, I have an Amazon Vine account that lets me get "free" car parts (they are considered income on your taxes). I'm learning everything I can from YouTube and online repair manuals to fix my MIL's car and our family car, which my son and I bought recently.
I now handle all maintenance and vehicle repairs on our cars (oil changes, spark plugs, ignition coils, filter changes, fluid changes, gaskets, sensors, solenoids, and catalytic converter replacements). Just recently, I replaced all four brake pads, rotors, and calipers, and did a full brake flush on both of our vehicles. My mother was a welder and taught me a bit when she was still here in Texas. I recently took up welding with a cheap flux welder and welded in a catalytic converter under my son's (and mine) car. In the beginning, I borrowed a lot of tools from neighbors and, over time, have built a decent set of automotive tools from Harbor Freight.
I'm currently back in school, and loans have helped pay for some parts and tools, which I know isn't possible for everyone. But the point of this post is to inspire others to complete their own vehicle repairs. You'll save hundreds, if not thousands, and it will prevent you from being scammed by some crappy mechanic. I'm a chubby 40yr old chick and still find a way to shimmy under cars and wrench off stuck bolts. Also, feel free to reach out if you wanna talk cars or if you're a hobby mechanic because I'm always willing to learn and grow my knowledge base.
Also, I know not all mechanics are trying to scam, and there are plenty of good mechanics; I'm just not willing to pay for labor and part premiums.