(March 16, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Finding an honest auto body shop can be a scary experience for consumers who don't know the difference between a fender and a bumper. Edmunds.com seeks to save drivers some angst — and even some hard-earned money — with "Five Tips for Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop."

Edmunds.com's Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed spoke with a body shop owner in Long Beach, Calif., who offered these five tips for choosing the right shop to work on your car:

    • Listen to recommendations from friends, family and other acquaintances. It shows that the shop has proven that it can satisfy customers.
    • Consider the shop's location and overhead. Shops in some towns and counties are more expensive than others in the surrounding areas. Also, shops with a lot of front-office workers need to pad estimates to help pay for the extra staff.
    • Get several estimates. It's the best way to avoid overcharges and some shops may even match the lowest quote. But don't always jump on an extraordinarily lower estimate, since it might omit work that really should be done to the car.
    • Ask the right questions. Does the shop provide a written warranty? Does it carry fire and theft insurance? Does the shop use new, used or aftermarket parts?
    • Follow your intuition. If a shop isn't busy, there might be a good reason for that. A dirty and disorganized garage might also reflect the quality of care that may be put into your car.