You know the feeling.  Something about your vehicles broken so you have to take it into the dealership for repairs.  And call up to the garage feel that sinking feeling.  That feeling is fear.  You know that something is wrong with your car, and you know you're going to have to pay for the repair bills.  You just don't want to get taken advantage of.

What to Look For in a Mechanic:

1. Be prepared - the first thing you want to do is to call around to a few repair shops or dealerships and ask for their labor rate.  You would be surprised at the difference one dealership charges over another for their mechanics Labor rates. Next, look the dealership up on yelp. You're looking for reviews that stand out.  For instance, if the dealership has several reviews that state the customers were taking advantage of in the repair shop, then you have a red flag as that is a dealership to avoid.  If you have a dealership that you are dead set on going to, But there are other dealerships with a lower labor rate then ask your dealership if they can match that Labor rate.

2.  don't self diagnose your vehicle - tell the service advisor what the symptoms are but don't tell them what you think is wrong. If you say you think it is the alternator, then that gives them the opportunity to charge you for a new alternator even though nothing is wrong with it.

3.  if it is a major repair with a major price tag then don't be afraid to get a second opinion.  We have seen thousands of dollars shaved off a repair bill simply by taking it to another repair facility to get a second opinion.  
4.  always get your repair estimate in writing for you agree for them to perform the work.  When you have the repair estimate in writing you're able to do research on the cost of the parts. This knowledge gives you a leg up if you need to negotiate.  It also provides you with the document that proves you only approved the work on the estimate.  Sometimes repair facilities Will give you an estimate over the phone charge you for the price on the estimate but don't always perform all of the work.  In these cases and estimate that is written protects you.

5. test drive the vehicle before you pay.  In our research only 5% of people test that drive their vehicle after the repair is performed.  You have a lot more leverage with the repair center if the vehicle isn't prepared to your satisfaction when you test drive the vehicle before you pay.