Originally Posted by Cometstorm
Originally Posted by Dcuda69
Not sure i follow. You took a vehicle to a shop that was new to you/this car. You requested an emissions test and mentioned a brake concern.They road tested and inspected the vehicle(as a good shop/tech should). Then they made some recommendations(as a good shop/tech should do)They suggested:

1) Oil change likely based on time(they have no idea about the vehicle usage or the oil used at last service)Based on your knowledge of the vehicle and usage...you decline

2) Brake fluid flush(most manufactures recommend this as maintenance)Based on your knowledge and past experience...you decline

3) Brake inspection(for a fee) due to the concern you expressed as well as the tech test drive. Based on your discussion with them and your past experience...you decline

From here it sounds like the shop attempted to address every one of your concerns and performed a thorough examination of the vehicle and in the end only performed the service you authorized. Sounds like a shop that has the customer in mind.


$70 for a brake “inspection?”

No, all in all this was an up-sell,

And they were visibly disturbed between drop off and pickup that I didn’t buy.

Drove car home, and thumping noise was gone.

Must’ve wore off already.. .


Like Gus said....your car will occupy a hoist and a tech to inspect brakes and write an estimate. Wheels have to come off, calipers get inspected.rotors get measured and a list is created. That list goes to a manager/writer who then spends time locating/pricing parts and calculating labor. Then he contacts the customer with an exact estimate of work to be done,the cost of the work and the time required to complete the work.Many shops will waive inspection fees if work is authorized.If work is declined the shop has to be able to cover the time involved in creating an accurate estimate for required repairs.

There's a LOT involved in a running a successful/profitable repair center in today's world.It's not cheap to run these businesses.....equipment is expensive,qualified techs don't come cheap,disposing of stuff(tires/chemicals)isn't cheap,etc,etc,etc.