SPEEDY PIT STOP


Guidelines
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You are invited to choose us for your vehicle maintenance and repair needs. We strive to provide you with an exceptional experience and want to ensure that our payment expectations meet with yours.

And please, always remember that delivering quality work with integrity extends beyond financial considerations. What sets us apart is the quality of our work, with the extra care and attention your vehicle deserves.


Guidelines:


1. Diagnostic Procedures and Fees

1.1 Tests and Procedures

Before we can repair a modern vehicle, we must first diagnose the issue. Gone are the days when a technician could quickly identify the problem by simply inspecting and listening to a vehicle. Today's networked, computer-based vehicles are far more complex and require advanced diagnostic methods to pinpoint issues.

Prior to proceeding with services, repairs or part replacements, it is often necessary to perform diagnostic tests and procedures to accurately identify and confirm a vehicle’s malfunctions. A thorough diagnostic is an essential part of the repair process, designed to save you money by avoiding unnecessary part replacements. Additional charges may apply based on the complexity of the diagnostic, but this process forms the foundation for creating an accurate estimate of the total repair cost and serves as an integral part of the repair itself. Because diagnostics may require some disassembly, parts of the repair could already be underway. By approving the repair, the final cost will remain consistent, while the risk of replacing incorrect parts—potentially leading to higher expenses—is minimized.

In short, we don’t guess the problem—we prove it, then we repair.

1.2 Diagnostic, testing & Inspection Fees

While some minor repairs—such as those involving visible or obvious issues—may not require diagnostic work, a diagnostic fee for each issue is required for more complex problems to ensure accurate identification and confirmation. This fee must be prepaid in full before we examine a vehicle and does not guarantee that the issue will be identified. Any increase in diagnostic fees will be communicated to you for approval prior to proceeding. This charge excludes final repair costs, but does include reassembly if the repairs are not approved.

While diagnostic time may be factored into the total cost of repairs and parts, we prefer to be completely transparent, giving you, the vehicle owner, the information needed to make informed decisions. This approach allows you to decide whether to proceed with repairs, especially if costs are higher than anticipated, before further work is undertaken.

If you choose not to pay a diagnostic fee, work can begin without it, and the total should remain about the same; however, the exact cost may not be determined in advance. Refer to Section 2 below for additional information.

1.3 Diagnostic Levels and Pricing

At Speedy Pit Stop, we categorize our diagnostic services into three levels to reflect the complexity and precision required to address various vehicle issues. Each level builds on the previous, offering a structured approach to identifying and resolving problems effectively. Pricing is aligned with our hourly rate, ensuring transparency and value.

In addition, our Basic Pre-Diagnostic Scan is a quick, budget-friendly service to assess your vehicle’s health. It involves connecting a scan tool to your vehicle’s onboard computer system to retrieve stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). This scan provides a preliminary overview of potential issues by identifying error codes that can point to specific faults.

However, this scan does not include the analysis of live data, electrical system checks, or a detailed inspection of the vehicle’s systems. It’s ideal for a general overview but won’t provide a comprehensive diagnosis of complex issues, mechanical failures (e.g., low compression, valve timing problems) or failures in systems not monitored by the vehicle's computer.

Price Range: Please contact us for current rates.

Note that we cannot prepare a full repair estimate based solely on this scan. Refer to the Diagnostic Trouble Codes document for more information.

Level 1: Enhanced Diagnostics
Price Range: Please contact us for current rates.
Success Rate: ~60%
Enhanced Diagnostics (Level 1) goes beyond the basic scan by incorporating a visual inspection of the vehicle and more comprehensive tests to identify common issues like sensor failures, wiring problems, and other easily detectable malfunctions. We will utilize basic OBD scan tools and other tools to assess the condition of the most commonly failed parts.

If the issue is found during this process, we may proceed with repairs immediately. If we need further tests or disassembly to diagnose, we may recommend advancing to Level 2 diagnostics.

Level 2: Advanced Diagnostics
Price Range: Please contact us for current rates.
Success Rate: ~85%
Advanced Diagnostics (Level 2) builds on Level 1 by incorporating additional testing methods and diagnostic tools. This level involves the use of live data monitoring, electrical system testing, and sometimes partial disassembly to examine components in more detail. It’s designed to find issues that are not immediately apparent through a standard OBD scan or visual inspection.

If your vehicle is experiencing intermittent electrical failures, poor performance, or warning lights without clear codes, Level 2 diagnostics will explore deeper system interactions and provide more insight into what’s causing the issue. This diagnostic level boasts an 85% success rate, resolving more complicated issues and offering a clearer path to repair.

Level 3: Expert Diagnostics
Price Range: Please contact us for current rates.
Success Rate: ~95%
Expert Diagnostics (Level 3) involves the use of highly specialized tools and techniques to address the most complex and hard-to-diagnose vehicle issues. This level may include reprogramming, advanced software diagnostics, or collaboration with third-party specialists to uncover problems that require an expert’s attention.

This level is best suited for rare or intricate problems, such as hybrid system failures, ADAS malfunctions, or deep electrical or system issues. It guarantees the highest likelihood of resolution for even the most difficult cases.

1.4 Online Technical Resources

There may be additional varying charges for accessing online technical resources, which are necessary for obtaining shop manuals, schematics, troubleshooting information, repair procedures, and electrical diagrams. These fees will be assessed based on the complexity of the repair and the specific resources required to complete the service effectively.


2. Estimates and Pricing

We do not provide fixed-price quotes due to the numerous variables involved with modern vehicles. Offering a fixed price would require quoting either high enough to cover all possible scenarios or too low to complete the repair effectively. Instead, we may provide informed estimates or estimated ranges based on our expertise, experience, and industry standards, while emphasizing that the diagnostic approach described above is typically the most effective for all parties.

For repairs exceeding $150.00, the law requires that customers be offered the option of a detailed written estimate. You have three options to choose from:

  • Option 1: Request a detailed written estimate.
    This option typically includes both a diagnostic fee and an estimate preparation fee.

  • Option 2: Waive the detailed estimate if costs stay within 10% of an agreed amount.
    In this case, Speedy Pit Stop provides a written estimate, which may be less comprehensive or exact, and typically only includes a diagnostic fee without an estimate preparation fee.

  • Option 3: Proceed without a written estimate.
    This option avoids both diagnostic and estimate preparation fees, but the exact service cost may not be determined in advance.

Any updates to an estimate or adjustments to pricing will be communicated according to your preference.

Our pricing aligns with industry standards, ensuring fairness and transparency. Please contact us if you'd like to inquire about our hourly rates and other fees.


3. Service Payment Structure

For all services totaling less than $750.00 (as estimated, plus applicable sales tax, excluding parts), prepayment is required. For repairs or services exceeding this amount, a prepayment of $750.00 (plus applicable sales tax) must be made before work commences.


4. Final Payment

The remaining balance (plus applicable sales tax) is due upon completion of the work if it is finished the same day or at the end of each day if the work spans multiple days. Full payment must be made before the vehicle can be released, in accordance with Florida's Mechanic's Lien Statute Sections §559.905 and §713.58, which grant a lien to secure payment for labor, services, and materials provided.


5. Parts and Supplies

All necessary parts and supplies (plus applicable sales tax) must be prepaid before work on your vehicle begins. For liability and warranty reasons, we cannot install customer-supplied parts. A Parts Research fee may apply for locating hard-to-find or specialty parts, regardless of whether the parts are ultimately found or procured.

In some cases, appropriate replacement parts may not be immediately available, and the existing part cannot be repaired. When this occurs, the vehicle may remain disassembled until a suitable part is located, or it may be reassembled with the defective part if no alternative is found, resulting in no effective repair. In such situations, all service and supply charges remain fully payable, as they would if a replacement part were available.

In the instances that we agree to install customer-supplied parts (such as with tires, batteries and audio equipment), our standard hourly rate will increase by a minimum of 25%, and no warranty will be provided for either the parts or the associated repairs, upgrades or services.


6. Estimates and Adjustments

If you received an estimate, please review it carefully. Changes may occur during the repair process, and we will notify you of any adjustments before proceeding.


7. Other Fees Please contact us if you'd like to inquire about our rates and fees.


8. Overdue Fee for Unpaid Balances

If your vehicle is released before full payment is made, and an unpaid balance remains after three days of notification, a daily fee on the cumulative unpaid balance will be applied.


9. Consultation Time

We value open communication regarding your vehicle. However, after one hour of discussion, additional time will be billed at our shop rate as "Consultation" time.


10. Accepted Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Zelle
  • Visa & MasterCard debit or credit cards (upon pre-approval* + processing fee)
  • PayPal (upon pre-approval* + processing fee)
  • Check (upon pre-approval)

*Please refer to the Paypal, Credit & Debit Card Agreement for important information about paying with PayPal, or a debit/credit card.

*You can contact us directly if you'd like specific information about our various rates and fees.


We hope this document clarifies our payment expectations and contributes to a smooth transaction. Refer to it often as our prices may change from time to time. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

Sincerely,


Speedy Pit Stop


Acknowledgment of Receipt

I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I have received and read this Guidelines document. I understand the payment terms and agree to adhere to them.

Customer Name: Vehicle (year/brand/model):
____________________________ ___________________________
Date: Customer Signature:
____________________________ ____________________________


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