Dealer quoted $180 for front brake pad replacement

[Acidmeld]

I wish i could give multiple likes that post. I couldnt agree more.

 

[toybox]

If you succeed in selling something to someone they dont need or dont want then by definition that makes you a good sales man. I believe a good salesmen should be able to sell an umbrella to a tree.

Now if your a dumb enough customer to purchase said unwanted service and or unneeded service then you by darwin's theory Darwin's Theory Of Evolution are the weakest link. only the strong survive m

I can't completely go along with this. How many women are not knowlegable about cars and are essentially intimidated and bullied into getting service done? Happens all the time. If you use scare tactics or prey on peoples ignorance than that is wrong in my book.

And what about mortgages and complex financial agreements. Are you saying everyone should have a finance degree so that they can figure out if they are getting ripped off?

 

[boondoggle]

It's not just cars people tend to be ignorant about (I try not to lump the average person in with the people I've met in life).

People have this amazing thing called the internet but they often can't be hassled to even try to figure out the simplest things. I've seen folks baffled by an iPod. It's got one button and a wheel. But whatever.

Life is an open google test.

A month ago our washing machine started making a weird thumping noise. I put the model # in google, saw a take apart diagram, spent a couple of minutes figuring out how the thing worked, made an assessment of what was the matter, reattached a suspension rod (didn't know washing machines had those, but it makes sense) and voila. Problem solved. I, in the 21st century have access to more information about appliances than an appliance repairman did in the 1980s. I'd never fixed a washing machine before.

Fixed my non-defrosting fridge a few months before that with a 20 part and a phillips screwdriver.

Now, of course, a lot of people simply don't care how things work or just don't want to take the time to try. And that's fine, but when they're the first to complain about something breaking and/or how much it costs to fix, well, to me it's a personal accountability thing.

The book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance sorta gets into the two types of people. The classics and the romantics. Those that give a ****, and those that don't. Interesting philosophies in that book.

Oh, and yeah. $180 is fair for pads and a rotor turn. I just spent $150 for new pads and rotors (to replace on my wife's Ford) but then I spent a couple of hours replacing them on my own. Sometimes I pay a guy $25 to mow my lawn, sometimes I don't. Time is money…

 

[dwm2112]

$180 Sounds like a good price from a dealer standpoint.

I believe our pads are manufactuered by StopTec (At least I know for sure the TRD ones are). Normally I get paid 2hrs per axle for brake jobs, including pads, turning rotors, and such, so $180 sounds good from a dealer.

As for the other 2 pages of comments, I'll state the following;

Americans on average do not know how to care for their cars, people don't take responsibility for their vehicle like they did barely 30 or 40 years ago. People stare at their spare tires expecting them to swap themselves and they can't be bothered to check their tire pressures even when their fancy 7" navigation/information screen is telling them exactly what the pressures are and why it sets the TPMS light. (I have many customers who come in going, "I don't know why the Tire Light is on, and right on the screen when you start up the car is a big message telling you why.) People don't read the owner's manual, they don't bother to take the responsibility for owning their vehicle; i.e. knowing how to check fluids, belts, tire pressure.

As our nation has slipped into this lack of personal responsibility (I am only focusing on car ownership right now, way too big a topic to tackle in one post otherwise) Others are smart enough (and have low enough morals) to take advantage of their ignorance. After all, if in this poor economy you can get away with charging an additional few hundred dollars to guy and he won't even know you're fleecing him, a lot of people wouldn't blink.

Thus, the wonderful cycle of paranoia and distrust between car owner and mechanic (dealership, chain store, it doesn't matter who) starts spinning at full speed. Those who are smart enough to know what's going on err on the natural side of generalism and lump groups of shops and mechanics together. Are they wrong in doing so? Yes and No, our society has let customer service become horrid and toothless. We as a society have humbly let the corporations and companies dictate to us what quality is and not even bother to challenge it. Many of these chain shops are cutting corners because its what the company makes them do, not that they are bad people. Dealerships are an example, as are lube stations that need the extra profit from bonus sales.

In short, our country is filled with uneducated and irresponsible members of society who as a whole have given up their collective free will to better the quality of products and services to the corporations and government out of sheer laziness. So be thankful you're smart enough to know you need to care for your vehicle and intelligent enough to realize how poorly we as consumers are treated and how we have collectivelly rolled over for the faceless money hounds.

Continue with your day. :hatsoff:

Spot on! I couldn't agree with you any more.

 

[superman3043]

Well said Blackworks! You eloquently illustrated all sides of the issue, which WAS what I was trying to do. As our resident Yota Tech, we can always count on knowledgeable individuals like you and ASR to shed some insight onto our queries.

To the OP, I apologize for letting this thread get derailed. I hope you found the answer that you were looking for (I think you did). I just didn't want one arrogant, opinionated individual to narrow your options based on things they've heard or read on the internet. But we all know the type. I've dealt with them my whole life, those that love to argue, take everything personally, always think they're right and know more than everybody about everything... You're a big boy and can make decisions for yourself. If I believed everything I read on the internet, well.... Use you judgement, take the good with the bad, and make an educated decision.

I'm never the one to get involved in internet flame wars, because it's pointless, but some people just ask for it. Sometime the ole' Sarge sneaks back out. I had my entertainment and laughs for the day, so I'm done.

Good luck man!

 

[aha2988]

I can't completely go along with this. How many women are not knowlegable about cars and are essentially intimidated and bullied into getting service done? Happens all the time. If you use scare tactics or prey on peoples ignorance than that is wrong in my book.

And what about mortgages and complex financial agreements. Are you saying everyone should have a finance degree so that they can figure out if they are getting ripped off?

I'm not saying its right to prey on unknowledgable citizens to gain money. However everyone has the right and ability to educate themselfs on a subject before making a journey towards there endeavors. yes i know there are under privilege people in the world that dont have the same opportunities as others; however, life is survival of the strongest.

We as people do have a choice to help our brothers and sisters out or take the world on by our selves and say every man for themself. Personally I will always to my best to bend over backwards for another person and i would never take advantage of someones ignorance, even givin the opportunity. in the past i've always strived to do the right thing over ripping someone off. Probably why im not a good salesman because i would probably give all my profits away lol.

Also I wasnt saying a good salesman uses scare tactics to make a sale i said " A good salesman can sell an unbrella to a tree" Not that, that salesman is going to scare a tree into buying an umbrella but advertising and upsell there product to the point that they can get anyone to want it. I mean who has watched one of those sham wow commercials and not imediatly wanted to buy one (impulse); however, when we stop and think before we pick up that phone we can make the decision for ourselfs that maybe thats just a waste of money.

and the financial situation is a whole nother can of worms. I wouldn't say everyone should have a finance degree; however, anyone who ventures to purchase a home should do as much research into mortgage loans as posible. If you dont know what an adjustable rate mortgage is, dont sign into one. It would not be wise to purchase a home without knowing you can afford your monthly payments. Its even less wise to sign a loan in which your uncertain of the loan terms. Yes the financial institutions are money pigs and should do more to inform future home owners as to what there getting into. Also there are certain loan officiers that will add interest to a loan just to put commision money back in there pocket. Equally important, just because your approved for a 200,000 dollar loan doesnt mean you can afford the payments of such loan. The bank can only lay out your options, and how they can assist. Its up to as well as in the best interest of the individual in every situation to do whats best for themselves.

If you waste your money on service, products, or anything else of that nature and find yourself feeling ripped off. Its not the salesmans fault. Its not the retailers policies fault. It's not anyones fault but the individuals who made the choice to make that purchase. If i go buy a TV at the first store i walk into and pay 1500 bucks because they say there the best priced in town, then pass by another store offering the same TV for 800. Its not the retailers fault i payed to much, its mine for not shopping around and sourcing the same product for less money as well as taking the word of a salesman. We have to make decisions for ourselfs as well as take the responsibility and consequences of said decisions. what doesnt kill you makes you stronger, and in this case knowledge is always powerfull.

 

[nevada]

Also, unless you have some warping of the rotors, you don't need to turn it. Honestly. Drive on those pads for about a week and they will mate perfectly with the rotors. You really want to turn your rotors if you notice odd wear on the pads, or odd braking behavior. If your braking is fine, smooth and it is just the pads that need replaced.... I wouldn't worry about it.

that is terrible advice.
do not do this. its just asking for trouble.

unless you know you're getting the EXACT same pads, theres a good chacne for pulsation. with different pad materials, you'll get uneven build-up on the rotor.
we see this just about every time, on vehicles that someone has just "slapped pads" on.

unless you're very pinched for cash, this is a bad idea.
and, its almost impossible to get the same recipe of pad, since they usually last years, and you have no way of knowing if the manufacture changed it...

 

[earthrealm]

It's not just cars people tend to be ignorant about (I try not to lump the average person in with the people I've met in life).

People have this amazing thing called the internet but they often can't be hassled to even try to figure out the simplest things. I've seen folks baffled by an iPod. It's got one button and a wheel. But whatever.

Life is an open google test.

A month ago our washing machine started making a weird thumping noise. I put the model # in google, saw a take apart diagram, spent a couple of minutes figuring out how the thing worked, made an assessment of what was the matter, reattached a suspension rod (didn't know washing machines had those, but it makes sense) and voila. Problem solved. I, in the 21st century have access to more information about appliances than an appliance repairman did in the 1980s. I'd never fixed a washing machine before.

Fixed my non-defrosting fridge a few months before that with a 20 part and a phillips screwdriver.

Now, of course, a lot of people simply don't care how things work or just don't want to take the time to try. And that's fine, but when they're the first to complain about something breaking and/or how much it costs to fix, well, to me it's a personal accountability thing.

The book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance sorta gets into the two types of people. The classics and the romantics. Those that give a ****, and those that don't. Interesting philosophies in that book.

Oh, and yeah. $180 is fair for pads and a rotor turn. I just spent $150 for new pads and rotors (to replace on my wife's Ford) but then I spent a couple of hours replacing them on my own. Sometimes I pay a guy $25 to mow my lawn, sometimes I don't. Time is money…

spot on pal!....

 

[freeflight]

Just had mine front brake done at Longo Toyota..$120

I know your got this nine months ago. I happened to call Longo today for a quote: $270 for front brake pads, $230 for rear brake pads.

 

[Atlanta_man]

...
The book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance sorta gets into the two types of people. The classics and the romantics. Those that give a ****, and those that don't. Interesting philosophies in that book.
…

Reading about the author of that book is every bit as interesting as the book.
Some folks have amazing mental powers and great talent, even surviving electric-shock treatments.

 

[AE1M]

My dealer told me the other day, when getting an oil change, that my front pads(with 68,000 miles)would soon need replacing.
They quoted me $180 to replace with OEM pads and turn the rotors.
Does that seem reasonable?
Thanks!

What has worked for me is establishing a relationship with a full-service chain, here in the Boston area I use Sullivan Tire. They know me and always do good work and sand behind their work. At times when I want special parts, I can bring them in and they will use them. Example, they normally install Bendix rotors but I wanted a particular drilled/slotted and I brought them in, no problem

At times when I had an emergency, they got me right in. One time we were about to leave for vacation and my brakes failed on a Tahoe. I was able to limp it across town with the truck packed and they fixed it.

Again, a good relationship is KEY. Perhaps you may spend a few extra bucks as opposed to other options, but you have several cars and a place that can service them all and KNOWS you is a great time saver and piece of mind.

JMHO.

Bob