With inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages, the price of most everything seems to be going up. One area hit particularly hard is the auto industry, and unfortunately experts say there is no end in sight.
The owner of Valet Auto Body in Draper, Trace Coccimiglio, said they have had to adjust.
“The biggest challenge for us has been getting parts,” said Coccimiglio.
Because of that, he said they are doing more repairs, which takes time, labor, and is more expensive.
"Now versus two years ago, it's probably 30 or 40 percent more. I mean it's substantial," he said.
To cope more people are trying to do repairs on their own.
"I looked it up, what it would be for me to pay somebody to do it and it was going to be well over a thousand dollars. And I did it by myself for like $250,” said Utahn Gordan Mabey.
Coccimiglio said he feels that pressure on pricing, but they are having a hard enough time finding people to do the work.
"We have to pay more to try to get people in here and that has an impact on our cost, that trickles all the way down."
Despite the rising prices, most shops in the valley are busy, backlogged at this point. Because repairs are still cheaper than buying a new or even used car right now. Coccimiglio said even insurance companies are now paying to fix cars, they once would have totaled.
"Because the value is so high, they realize if they total it, they're going to be writing a big check to the customer, versus a smaller check to us to repair the car."
For now, economist Phil Dean, said if you can wait to buy or repair your car, wait. But it could be a while.
"I don’t know that car prices are going to necessarily drop a ton. I think that’s going to happen gradually as those supply chain issues start working their way through the system,” said Dean.
And even if you aren’t shopping for a new car, or repairing one, you’ve probably felt the price increase at the gas pump.
"We have an RV. Oh my gosh did we spend a lot of money on diesel,” said local resident Elise Lazar.
Because of all these rising costs more people are looking for alternatives.
"In terms of cars, I think I'm moving toward an electric bike once I graduate and don't have so many commitments,” said University of Utah student, Gracie Katnik.
Coccimiglio said he's not worried about that; in fact, he thinks that's what we need.
"That's ok. We have plenty of work, and it's better for us in general to have less accidents, less injuries."
His biggest piece of advice to drivers is to not text and drive. Distracted driving is what lands most people in his shop with large bills that can be harder than ever to afford.
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November 12, 2021 at 01:03PM
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Increased vehicle prices push drivers to auto shops, where costs also on rise - KJZZ
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