AS a female driver, it can be infuriating having your car serviced only to discover a male friend had his car repaired for a lot less.
Nobody likes to be taken for a ride and, unfortunately, because some of us have little interest in the mechanics of how our car works, this can happen all too easily.
Female Friendly is an organisation providing accreditation to businesses that go above and beyond for their female customers.
Founder Kylie Jacobs says the company aims to direct women to honest and trustworthy businesses. “For a business to receive female-friendly accreditation they must provide us with client testimonials, give female customers written quotes, explain the job in layman’s terms and maintain clean facilities with consideration for prams and children,” she says.
According to Ms Jacobs, there are about 15 mechanics in Melbourne’s western suburbs with female-friendly accreditation. If you want to go one step further and speak with a woman in the automotive industry, they’re rarer then a pink diamond but can be found with an internet search or by asking around.
Enrolling in a basic course about cars can be useful in understanding how they work and really help when your mechanic is explaining things in technical jargon. Being informed is the best defence against shonky mechanics who show little respect for women as customers.
More details: femalefriendly.com.au
