Study Finds San Francisco Women Paying Nearly 70% More For Car Repairs
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) – While San Francisco has a progressive reputation, a new study finds many women are being taken for a ride, trying to get their cars fixed.
A national study by website RepairPal finds mechanics and auto repair shops charge women more than men.
"Overall, women are charged about 8 percent more," said Jill Trotta of RepairPal.
In San Francisco, that number is much worse. The study said on average, women in the City by the Bay are getting charged 69 percent more.
Women told KPIX 5 that they were not surprised about sexism in repair pricing.
"That's why I take my husband to get our car repaired," Natalie Bonds said. "I think they assume that women don't know anything about cars and just take advantage of it."
Trotta, an ASC-certified mechanic with 25 years of experience, said in order to shift gears on unscrupulous mechanics, women must walk in armed with knowledge.
"Get to know your owner's manual of your vehicle" Trotta said. "When you go into a shop, ask them questions…if your check engine light is on, it's good to know what your check engine light means."
As a mother of four daughters, Bonds said it's not only knowledge but confidence that will send chauvinistic pricing the way of the Model T.
"Even if they don't know how to do it, they need to come across as they appear that they know how to do it, so fake it 'til you make it, I guess," Bonds said.