But as far as brakes go, or almost anything else on a car, repairs and maintenance cannot be priced like a Burger King food menu. Each car has different needs. In the example I cited above, the first shop did everything the way it was supposed to be done. They did a though inspection, and came up with a fair estimate. He was honest and professional right down the line. He didn't lure you in with promises of a complete job for almost no money.
A discount shop may not be so honest about it. You may not need all the work they say you do. Many investigative news shows such as Dateline NBC and 20/20 have done shows exposing some of the dubious and, all too often, dishonest practices of discount and chain shops. I have personal experience with just a place. We had one of those fast oil change places open up down the street from us and just for giggles, I took my 1987 Nissan Van in for their "Grand Opening Special."
I stood outside and watched them do the service and they seemed quick and professional enough. Then the Manager came over to me and said that my air and fuel filter were very dirty and needed replacing. I said "Okay, Fine. Show me." They told me that the fuel filter was under the van and I was not allowed to go into the pit to show me. I said that wouldn't be necessary because the fuel filter wasn't under the van.
All of a sudden he got quite nervous because he knew I caught him and in reality he had no idea where the fuel filter was. He also had no idea where the air filter was either. When I put him on the spot by saying "Show me" he found a reason to go back inside and leave me standing there with no further mention of either. When my van was done, the Assistant Manager did up the bill, and when I asked him about the air and fuel filters, he said they were okay and didn't need replacing.
How was I so sure they didn't check them? On a Nissan Van, the fuel filter is located not under the van or in the engine compartment, but under the passenger seat. There is a metal panel that has to be removed to gain access to it and I saw that no one had opened it to look. The same goes for the air filter.
How can you avoid being ripped off? Be leery, don't accept at face value what they say you need is indeed what you need. Have them show you. Most reputable shops will have a checklist they use to make sure everything is checked and are more than willing to go over it with you. If they say you need new rotors, have them show you. You don't need a degree in automotive technology to see a chewed up rotor or that the pads on one side are like new and the other side is completely worn out. A good shop will take the time to show and explain why something needs to be repaired or replaced. Some will even have cutaway displays to help illustrate the system and help you understand what it is.
The brakes are the most important system on your car. You don't want to take chances with it. There is no sense in making the car go if you can't make it stop.
You put your family in your car, aren't they worth getting your brakes done right?
Copyright © 2003 2001 Vincent T. Ciulla All Rights Reserved
