Dealer quoted $180 for front brake pad replacement

[superman3043]

meh... I'm not really seeing the relavence in the "JC Penny" strategy story. Seems to me that they just changed their business model to something similar to a Carmax or what Toyota does with the Scion lineup, by taking all of the smoke and mirrors and BS out of buying and cutting right to the bottom line. Because todays consumers don't care to haggle like the way our dad's used to love to when buying cars.

Call it "consumer stupidity" if you want (nah, you're not cynical). I think it's a just a culture shift in that some people find value in convenience and are willing to pay for somebody else' time to have theirs. I'll evaluate whether it's worth my money to pay somebody to do the work on a case by case basis. It's not that I don't have the technical know-how to perform these tasks, it's whether or not I see value in paying somebody else to do it. Yeah I can change my oil or timing belt, but for what I can pay somebody else to do it, is it really worth it?

I'll agree in that people may not be as willing or able to do the work now-a-days, but your view towards economics is skewed if not flat out wrong. If these companies totally suck at what they do and nobody found value in doing business with them, then they'd have to shut the doors. THAT is simple economics. Companies (like Toyota even) are brought up in lawsuits every day, we as Americans live in litigious society and so many people are quick to lawyer up in hopes of getting "that big pay day". That is a different problem all together. It's the reason why our health care system is so jacked up.... Rant over.

Look buddy, I'm not here trying to flame you. That's not how I roll. I'm just respectfully expressing an opinion that may differ from from yours. Cheers.

 

[MikeInNH]

If these companies totally suck at what they do and nobody found value in doing business with them, then they'd have to shut the doors. THAT is simple economics.

That's NOT what I said...and you know it. Please argue against something I actually said.

When you bring your car to Sears or other chains for service...I NEVER EVER said they didn't perform that service...Nor did I say they screwed it up. Please show me where I said that.

What I said was these chains have been PROVEN IN COURT to offer unnecessary work that the un-tech savvy customer will agree to. Go ask 1000 customers who had a fuel injection cleaning if it was needed. 99.% will say it was because their mechanic told them so.

Unnecessary Car Maintenance Procedures

Don't Waste Money on Unnecessary Auto Maintenance Services!

Need Car Repair? 4 Ways to Avoid Mechanic Rip-Offs - SmartMoney.com

I'll agree in that people may not be as willing or able to do the work now-a-days, but your view towards economics is skewed if not flat out wrong.

I suggest you actually take a college level class in economics before you pass judgment. I was a duel major in college...computer science and Economics.

 

[superman3043]

That's NOT what I said...and you know it. Please argue against something I actually said.

When you bring your car to Sears or other chains for service...I NEVER EVER said they didn't perform that service...Nor did I say they screwed it up. Please show me where I said that.

What I said was these chains have been PROVEN IN COURT to offer unnecessary work that the un-tech savvy customer will agree to. Go ask 1000 customers who had a fuel injection cleaning if it was needed. 99.% will say it was because their mechanic told them so.

Unnecessary Car Maintenance Procedures

Don't Waste Money on Unnecessary Auto Maintenance Services!

Need Car Repair? 4 Ways to Avoid Mechanic Rip-Offs - SmartMoney.com



I suggest you actually take a college level class in economics before you pass judgment. I was a duel major in college...computer science and Economics.

Haha... look bud, I didn't say that you said they didn't perform a service. You said these companies are crooked. If everyone felt they're crooks, everyone would stop going and they'd be out of business. Understand?

Didn't read the links... Don't care.

I'm pretty sure when I was earning my engineering degree way back when, after I was done serving my country as a US Marine, they may have thrown an economics class in there somewhere. I'm glad you were a double major in such and such and have daughters that go to Harvard and MIT... Really cool stories... Again, don't care.

Like I told you in the Seafoam thread way back... Don't like it, don't go. They may have a rep for ripping folks off in your eyes, but they haven't ripped this guy off and have not done anything to represent themselves as crooked either. There are suckers out there that get taken advantage of and if that's what a chain sees when you walk through their doors, they may try milk a little cash from ya... I ain't hatin'

 

[aha2988]

That's NOT what I said...and you know it. Please argue against something I actually said.

When you bring your car to Sears or other chains for service...I NEVER EVER said they didn't perform that service...Nor did I say they screwed it up. Please show me where I said that.

What I said was these chains have been PROVEN IN COURT to offer unnecessary work that the un-tech savvy customer will agree to. Go ask 1000 customers who had a fuel injection cleaning if it was needed. 99.% will say it was because their mechanic told them so.

Unnecessary Car Maintenance Procedures

Don't Waste Money on Unnecessary Auto Maintenance Services!

Need Car Repair? 4 Ways to Avoid Mechanic Rip-Offs - SmartMoney.com



I suggest you actually take a college level class in economics before you pass judgment. I was a duel major in college...computer science and Economics.

I wasted the time in reading the links thanks for the Car care for dummies links thats great info.

um here are the best 4 ways to avoid mechanic rip offs.
A.) do the work yourself and help rid the world of americas lazy perception
B.) educate your common sense above your book smarts. (dont let people you dont know make decisions for you or work on your car!)
C.) Get multiple opinions, estimates, & sources before finalizing a decision.
D.) repeat the first three steps if you still have problems and as always be vigilant when doing business. Is it fair for an automotive shop to take advantage of an unknowledgable people, no and thats life nothings fair or free and nothing good comes easy. you want something you work for it, cant accomplish something on your own source a trustworthy person to assist with there services. Can't afford it DO WITH OUT IT, its not an auto-repair shops responsibility to hold your hand and baby your car that car is your responsibilty. There responsibility is to fix the problems you request as well as suggest sales they can make to improve there companies profit.

What kind of company would you have if they told you things they sold are unnecessary... A closed company. upselling is just good business. unfortunately the education provided by harvard and MIT doesnt teach you street smarts only books...

 

[Sungod]

The problem is they PUSH for unneeded repairs. When you have a mechanic who can get a 30-40% increase in their pay just by getting the customer to pay for some bogus service.

Show me the national chain that DOESN'T push things like Fuel Injector servicing or other such bogus services.

Here's one of my examples from NTB (National Tire and Battery - 40% owned by Sears).

Just for reference Sears sold NTB to Tire Kingdom.

 

[STAYGOLD]

unfortunately the education provided by harvard and MIT doesnt teach you street smarts only books...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS. x10000. Too many people these days don't know the difference. Book taught does not equal applicable intellectual ability.

 

[MikeInNH]

Haha... look bud, I didn't say that you said they didn't perform a service. You said these companies are crooked. If everyone felt they're crooks, everyone would stop going and they'd be out of business. Understand?

Look dweeb....Try to read SLOWER so you can actually comprehend what I'm saying. I know this may be way over your head...but try anyways.

If you sell UNWANTED service...then that by definition makes you a crook....What is so hard to understand??? If you've never experienced that...GREAT...doesn't mean it didn't happen..and by the tens of thousands in the Class-action Lawsuit against Sears...it's obvious it does happen.

 

[superman3043]

Look dweeb....Try to read SLOWER so you can actually comprehend what I'm saying. I know this may be way over your head...but try anyways.

If you sell UNWANTED service...then that by definition makes you a crook....What is so hard to understand??? If you've never experienced that...GREAT...doesn't mean it didn't happen..and by the tens of thousands in the Class-action Lawsuit against Sears...it's obvious it does happen.

Wow really??? Name calling now. Did you learn that from one of your daughters' Yale textbooks? Over my head? You don't want to compare IQ's son... Trust me.

So they've been sued, yet they still continue to operate? Wouldn't multi-million dollar lawsuits cause one to change business practices that are immoral and cost the company money or would you just continue to operate under those same principles? Hmmm....

Keep firing back though sport. It's entertaining to me.

 

[MikeInNH]

um here are the best 4 ways to avoid mechanic rip offs.
A.) do the work yourself and help rid the world of americas lazy perception
B.) educate your common sense above your book smarts. (dont let people you dont know make decisions for you or work on your car!)
C.) Get multiple opinions, estimates, & sources before finalizing a decision.

Gee...I DO...

I rarely take any of my vehicles anyplace for service. Only for things I don't have time to do or the equipment (like wheel alignments). Thankfully I haven't had anything major break on any of our vehicles since I got rid of my 85 GMC. But when I do I don't have time to make multiple trips to several different places to get estimates and HOPEFULLY the one I choose will be the right person. I know of 3 good honest mechanics who do excellent work..and have been in the business for over 30 years each. They don't need to sell any unwanted services like Sears, Jiffy Lube or the other national chains. They have all the service they need.

 

[STAYGOLD]

I rarely take any of my vehicles anyplace for service. Only for things I don't have time to do or the equipment (like wheel alignments). Thankfully I haven't had anything major break on any of our vehicles since I got rid of my 85 GMC. But when I do I don't have time to make multiple trips to several different places to get estimates and HOPEFULLY the one I choose will be the right person. I know of 3 good honest mechanics who do excellent work..and have been in the business for over 30 years each. They don't need to sell any unwanted services like Sears, Jiffy Lube or the other national chains. They have all the service they need.

Cool story.

 

[MikeInNH]

Wow really??? Name calling now.

NAME CALLING...Look at YOUR POSTS...You must be a Conservative...You START by calling me names..then accuse me of calling you names...Typical...extremely childish.

Wouldn't multi-million dollar lawsuits cause one to change business practices that are immoral and cost the company money or would you just continue to operate under those same principles? Hmmm....

HMMM...And you mean to tell me that companies are always going to change their policies....WOW...Naive too. If they did..then why did Sears get sued multiple time?? Gee wonder how that could possibly happen in your utopia world. Keep trying..you're looking dumber and dumber.

 

[aha2988]

Look dweeb....Try to read SLOWER so you can actually comprehend what I'm saying. I know this may be way over your head...but try anyways.

If you sell UNWANTED service...then that by definition makes you a crook....What is so hard to understand??? If you've never experienced that...GREAT...doesn't mean it didn't happen..and by the tens of thousands in the Class-action Lawsuit against Sears...it's obvious it does happen.

hey ******** its not nice to call people names lol America's about difference of opinion

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 man


thought i'd gift you with some useless knowledge link since you like to pass them around as well.

 

[aha2988]

NAME CALLING...Look at YOUR POSTS...You must be a Conservative...You START by calling me names..then accuse me of calling you names...Typical...extremely childish.
.

Only thing i saw him call you was bud or buddy, sorry for the southern tounge mix up, but where we come from that means friend! not anything like calling someone a dweeb that is more childish Typical...extremely childish. disrespectful and above all extreme unhelpful to the OP who simply wanted some simple info. your robing this thread of its value with your insignifigant pride

 

[superman3043]

NAME CALLING...Look at YOUR POSTS...You must be a Conservative...You START by calling me names..then accuse me of calling you names...Typical...extremely childish.



HMMM...And you mean to tell me that companies are always going to change their policies....WOW...Naive too. If they did..then why did Sears get sued multiple time?? Gee wonder how that could possibly happen in your utopia world. Keep trying..you're looking dumber and dumber.

I called you something? Care to elaborate buddy cause it escapes me. Not that I'm above calling you something, but you're just too funny to me. I wouldn't want to hurt your feelings now. A conservative? Yeah, I don't think so. You can keep your politics, next subject.

Multiple lawsuits can occur against a single business with multiple stores simply from 2 separate customers feeling butt-hurt. Doesn't mean "every chain store" should not be trusted. Come on man. Keep em coming though... Yeah, I'm looking soooo dumb and naive right now. How do I ever even function without Ivy league children? Boohoo.

 

[MikeInNH]

Too many people these days don't know the difference. Book taught does not equal applicable intellectual ability.

And just because you DON'T have an education doesn't mean you automatically have intellectual ability. You're trying to prove a false negative aren't you???

 

[aha2988]

And just because you DON'T have an education doesn't mean you automatically have intellectual ability. You're trying to prove a false negative aren't you???

he's saying just because you get a degree in said field from said college doesnt mean you actually have the intellectual experience to do the job of said field

 

[Sungod]

as the wise myrtyr once said 'Can we all just get along?'

 

[MikeInNH]

Multiple lawsuits can occur against a single business with multiple stores simply from 2 separate customers feeling butt-hurt. Doesn't mean "every chain store" should not be trusted.

Again..UM WRONG...

The class action suit was brought against Sears because it was Sears POLICY...not individual stores policy. And that's the problem with the chains. It was Sears policy to push services.

Good try though...If you keep this going...MAYBE you'll actually learn something.

 

[superman3043]

Again..UM WRONG...

The class action suit was brought against Sears because it was Sears POLICY...not individual stores policy. And that's the problem with the chains. It was Sears policy to push services.

Good try though...If you keep this going...MAYBE you'll actually learn something.

From you? Meh, probably not. The only value you bring to this forum is negative opinions on everything.

The only thing I've learned from you is your name is Mike, you live in New Hampshire (probably the only person in that state... Is it even a state?). You had a pathfinder that you put a crap ton of miles on (yay). You know how to do brakes (congrats). You like politics, maybe? Thanks for all of the insight oh brilliant one. Next time I want to know about people suing Sears, I'll know who to come to.

Just do us a favor... and kill yourself BUDDY.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

$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: