The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Customers are walking away more knowledgeable this summer from their auto repair shop thanks to new regulations. As of July 1, 2013 garages are now required to give written invoices and estimates to customers before work can be done on a vehicle. Proper authorization must also be given before work can start. The new regulations are to protect the customers. 'It is designed to protect Manitobans from surprise bills and repairs that cost more than what was estimated,' reported CBC News in June. Shops are now required to hand out the written invoices and estimates to ensure customers are aware of what needs to be done. CBC further reported that mechanics are required to obtain proper authorization from customers as well as provide a 90-day warranty on all their work. The three-month term wasn't music to everyone's ears as Liz Peters of CAA Manitoba says she would prefer to see the term stretched to one year. '...but she still supports the new legislation,' read the CBC article. Peters went on to explain that customers sometimes wonder if the information they are provided with is accurate to the cost and work being done.
