repost from LIF- got in fight with mechanic- need advice

kdelace Posted: Jun 27, 2005 11:03 AM

repost from LIF- got in fight with mechanic- need advice

have a 2003 Pathfinder- got it in july 2003
i have 30,000 miles on it and was dropping it off to check brakes. Now i knwo alittle about cars etc. I needed front brake pads the most..

This guy was trying to say that i needed front pads but he would have to cut the rotors (whihc i know you do) and that it would take 3 hours and would cost around $375!!!! now i am not an expert but I flipped out- i thought that was too high for a front brake pads only.
even the guy waiting next to me shook his head and said that was ridiculous!!

I knew this place was a rip off but its walking distance and so convenient!!! Well needless to say I told him no way and that I would pick up my car- then he started to tell me well if you dont want the rotors cut I wont?? WTH!!!!!

I stormed in there.. I was LIVID!!! just b/c i am a woman doesnt mean you can take advantage. I have had more cars and know more about problems on a car/truck!!!!

do you think the $$ was a little much???

DCSAAB06 Posted: Jun 27, 2005 11:06 AM

Re: repost from LIF- got in fight with mechanic- need advice

I do!!

My dad is a mechanic and FH is good w/cars so I dont have to worry about paying for that type of work on my car but, GEESH sounds like a lot to me!

Watch out for mechanics....they are always out for more than the job is worth. I once went for an oil change and the guy try to hit me up for $100 more of work he claimed needed to be done to my car. Lucky for me and my little knowledge of cars, I said..Thanks for the 411..See you soon! NOT!

ETA: If the rotors need to be cut...u can actually get brakes done w/out them being cut.
An option.

MCDO15 Posted: Jun 27, 2005 11:08 AM

Re: repost from LIF- got in fight with mechanic- need advice

indeed
did you catch your brakes were going early or late? if late, then rotors need to be cut. early means you just change the pads cause nothing happen to the rotors

all mechanics try to take advantage of everyone. i learned my listen the first time and refuse any additonal service until a trusted person looks at it, my dad

i would refuse and ask somebody you know. thats why too much money!!

marymoon Posted: Jun 27, 2005 11:19 AM

Re: repost from LIF- got in fight with mechanic- need advice

I'm definitely not an expery, but I think it's too much. I had my front and rear brakes done awhile ago and I don't remeber exactly but it was less than $300

StepherG Posted: Jun 27, 2005 11:31 AM

Re: repost from LIF- got in fight with mechanic- need advice

Where did you go? Just curious because my BIL is a service advisor at a Nissan place...maybe you could go there?

Thumballina Posted: Jun 27, 2005 11:32 AM

Re: repost from LIF- got in fight with mechanic- need advice

I worked for a mechanic while in college years ago...if it was just brake pads you needed...then YES that is WAY too much...even with the labor included you're looking somwhere in the vincity of $100 (deoending what they charge per hour for labor rate)...if you did need you rotors cut...$200 is RIDICULOUS...you 'd be better off changing your rotors at that point...like I said depending on the shops labor rate but $300 for pads and cutting rotors...no way

kdelace Posted: Jun 27, 2005 11:56 AM

Re: repost from LIF- got in fight with mechanic- need advice

i honestly dont think i needed the rotors cut. I was just taking it in to get checked. They are not grinding or anything, maybe a little squeak.. I just figured id get them checked this week while im off...And i only needed the front brake pads... he was ripping me off plain and simple- i took it to a service center in Long Beach- its th eonly one in th eWest End thats why they were probably ripping me off b.c they are the only ones around.. WRONG!!!