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A few years ago I wrote an article about a major company that sells tires and does mechanical work. I went to them for tires and a front end brake job. They were advertising a special and said they would treat me right. That $99.00 brake job wound up costing me $700.00. So I decided to investigate if these practices still exist. What do you think?
Since I needed front brakes and had a tight budget I had to be extra wise about what I was spending. I lso do some homework and knew exactly what was required to get the job done. I just needed to verify that and shop around for that "deal". So I cut out my trusty $99.00 brake job special coupon and off to this major chain auto repair tire store to get the job done.
What did I get for $99.00, well the usual, inspect, clean,new pads and turn rotors if required. I already knew the rotor issue might be questionable so I priced out a set of pads and rotors before going. Now there I was with another person there for the same reason. So upon arrival the usual "sure we will take the car in and check it out an let you know just what is needed." [No mention of the coupon yet.]
We both proceed to the waiting room to discuss just what they will find and how much it will cost. Sure enough about 20 minutes or so later the proverbial "can I see you a moment." Off we go. The front brakes show that you need new pads, also rotors and I seriously recommend new calipers. The calipers work do they not? Yes but it is just good practice to change everything. Do I have a safety issue, well not really I just recommend you change them. Ok, I accept that but you are not concerned with them, right? No I'm not they should be ok. Can't you turn the rotors? No they don't make them that way any longer. It doesn't say tthat on your coupon. Oh ther manger stops and looks at the coupon. "Oh, this is only if you need just pads. Really, pads are a nothing to put on for a mechanic, the rotors a little longer but not much and you need to do something with the rotors if you put new pads on. Can't do he reiterates., not enough room to turn them down. Really, the brakes have never been done before and they are the original rotors and no mjor groving? Are they damaged? Well no, just not enough room left and we can't by law do that. Ok, so what else do I need, a little sarcastic in the question. Ok, your back brakes are still good. I would not change them, you have about 45% wear but they are ok for now. You do need a new battery though, it is testing low and your tires are worn.
Now that all from a simple brake inspection. Yes they go over the car from a to z. Ok the tires I purchased from you about 17,000 miles ago. They are 40,000 miles tires. Well you have a balance alignment issue. You really have to have them rotated regulary. I have, you did the job and the last oil change 500 miles ago. Really, can it be the tires [nade in China] are crap, can it? Oh and by the way the battery has corrosion on the terminals from the winter. Did you clean them, check the fluid and then check again? No, the answer.
So how much for the brake job, a new battery, and two tires for the front? Well lets see, the brake job with new pads, new rotors, bleed them, install and test $279.00. They even charge to bleed the brakes. The two new tires, 40,000 mile rated, store brand, out the door $159.00 tax, tag mounting and balanced but we won't sell you two new tires because the car needs and alignment and we really can't send you out the door without it. The alignment is $79.95. It just wouldn't be right. Ok, what about the battery? The battery is $139.00, their brand, installed.
A total of $656.00 for the lot. So I and by the way the other person who got a similar estimate said, see ya and we left. So I went up the block to a local garage. If I buy the parts they will install them. They checked and said I need pads and rotors. Calipers ok. Hey I new that. A quick stop at the auto parts store I came back with tupgraded and better rotors and pads [this is the same store the big chain were getting the rotors from] The total bill for parts $130.00 TTT. $70.00 to install at the local garage. Does he gaurentee his work, certainly. They can't send a car out fo the shop wrong. They could lose their license. This came out to be an overall cost of $200.00 and an overall savings of $79.00 on just the brakes. Now a trip to Ford showed I could get a battery for under $100.00 out the door price $109.00 installed on a better battery to boot. This was an additional savings of $39.00. Bottom line I saved $118.00 on two items.
Now a quick check with another local tire dealer showed I could get a similar rated tire for about $20.00 less on the pair and their alignment also less. What am I getting at. Well that $99.00 brake job isn't cracked up to what they advertise it as. Yes and instead of two sales they lost them both. Now that sounds like good business doesn't it?
Now if you have it to throw away go to them. Yet if your trying to make ends meet, be patient, be prepared and check before you leap. There are enough fools out there who think that friendly smile is really a friend. When it comes to money remember, trust no man, check before you leap.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2009 Copyright © 2009 Robert Melaccio Sr.
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