A mechanic quoted a Texas woman $7,500 for an auto part; her dad called back and was told $2,500. How to hit the brakes on scams and get a fair repair

Ashlee grew up around cars. Her father, she recalled, owned car dealerships and she spent her childhood working around vehicles, including helping rebuild the engine of a 1973 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray when she was 12.

The price seemed unusually high, so she consulted her father. He called the dealership and spoke with a different service advisor. He was quoted $2,500 for the same part.

When she confronted the dealership, it honored the lower price. She said she later spoke with the general manager about the huge difference in the quotes and was told, “Sweetie, why don’t you call your daddy, and he can explain to you how cars work.”

The Land Rover dealership told Moneywise it was reviewing the matter.

Ashlee said Land Rover’s corporate parent provided her with a $1,000 dealership credit following the incident.

From bad to worse

Things got worse when she used that credit in 2024 for a new set of tires at the same dealership, she said.

Recently, her SUV began to shake violently while she was driving, so she took it to a tire shop for inspection.

Technicians there allegedly told her two of the tires were unsafe. One tire’s markings also showed it was four years old. Ashlee said she believes the dealership sold her aged or defective tires.

Both of her claims against the dealership remain unverified. The broader issue of some car dealerships taking advantage of women customers, however, is well documented.

The ‘pink tax’

The phenomenon is known as the “pink tax,” and studies suggest it remains a problem. A 2025 study from Jerry.ai found women pay up to $7,800 more than men over the lifetime of owning a vehicle, including an average of $117.12 more when buying new cars and $22.94 more each time they get repairs.

The disparity is fueled by the stereotype that women know less about cars than men. There are ways women can protect themselves, including:

• Look for female staff at a dealership. Studies suggest female employees may be less likely to overcharge women customers.
• Research quoted costs. If a price seems high, use resources like RepairPal or Kelley Blue Book to compare estimates and make sure the quote is reasonable.
• Get written estimates. Never authorize major work only on a verbal agreement. Ask for an itemized list of repairs, parts and labor.
• Get a second opinion. If it’s a big repair, taking it to another shop can save you hundreds.
• Verify the work. Ask to see the replaced parts or before and after photos to ensure the work was completed before paying.