2019 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 16 - Trade Practices, Labor and Employment
Chapter 646A - Trade Regulation
Section 646A.486 - Prohibited actions if estimate exceeds $200; revision of estimate; methods to obtain owner authorization.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a vehicle repair shop may not take any of the following actions if an estimate prepared under ORS 646A.482 shows that taking the action will cost the owner or the owner’s designee more than $200:
(a) Evaluate the condition of a motor vehicle.
(b) Disassemble all or a portion of a motor vehicle or remove parts or components of a motor vehicle in order to evaluate the condition of the motor vehicle.
(c) Perform labor or replace or recondition a part in order to:
(A) Repair a motor vehicle; or
(B) Maintain the motor vehicle in or restore the motor vehicle to an operable condition or a condition that conforms with an identified or recognized standard.
(d) Use a work method or procedure, perform a task or labor or replace a part in a manner that differs from the method, procedure, task, labor or part described or identified in the estimate, if the change increases the cost specified in the estimate by more than 10 percent or by more than $200, whichever amount is less.
(2) A vehicle repair shop shall obtain a separate authorization from the owner or the owner’s designee before taking an action described in subsection (1) of this section. After consulting with the owner or owner’s designee, the vehicle repair shop shall:
(a) Cross out, remove from or otherwise indicate on the estimate prepared under ORS 646A.482 the work the vehicle repair shop will not perform on the motor vehicle and recalculate and display on the estimate the cost of work the vehicle repair shop will perform before obtaining authorization or assent from the owner or owner’s designee; or
(b) Prepare a new estimate in accordance with ORS 646A.482 and void the previous estimate before obtaining authorization or assent from the owner or owner’s designee.
(3) The vehicle repair shop may obtain authorization or assent by any of the following means:
(a) Obtaining the signature of the owner or owner’s designee under a statement printed on the estimate that authorizes the action.
(b) Obtaining the oral assent of the owner or owner’s designee by telephone. The vehicle repair shop shall provide the owner or owner’s designee with all material information shown on the estimate and shall note on the estimate the name and telephone number of the person that gives the assent and the date and time of the call.
(c) Receiving by facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic means a written message that authorizes the work. A facsimile message must display the signature of the person that gives the authorization and the date and time of transmission. An electronic mail or other electronic message must show the name of the person that gives the authorization and the date and time of transmission. The vehicle repair shop shall attach the facsimile or a printout of the electronic mail or other electronic message to a copy of the estimate. [2009 c.133 §3]
