Many male mechanics assume that women don't know anything about their cars, and so they think they can get away with charging whatever they like. That's why it's best to come with a friend, or family member, someone who knows something about cars, to challenge prices, and to go to more than one place to get work done, to make sure that you are not getting ripped off. After you find one place that you trust, you can just go to that place afterwards. Good luck and stand up for yourself!