Both scenarios make no sense, so I don't really know what to say.
Should I be done with this shop?
- Thread starter TmanP
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Well now you know who they are.
They may have seen you for several low profit oil changes and the first time you ask for something to be checked they decided to try and cash in.
I've used a local tire/mechanic shop for 20 years and have bought 5 sets of tires, wheel bearing and alternator on a company vehicle all in the last 12 months. I've picked up 2 flats recently and both were repaired at no charge. In fact my flat last week in the transit connect was terrible. Truck in front of me kicked up something and sent it my way punctured right rear tire and when trying to change out the spare ( on the interstate in the rain) I discover my tire iron is missing. I have been the only person to ever get this equipment out of my van and have no idea where it could have went. Anyway called my son to stop by the tire shop and they loaned him a tire iron and I dropped it back off as I was having the tire patched. He absolutely refused to take any money, even as a tip. I sent 2 dozen doughnuts to them the next morning.
Good shops like this are hard to find.
They may have seen you for several low profit oil changes and the first time you ask for something to be checked they decided to try and cash in.
I've used a local tire/mechanic shop for 20 years and have bought 5 sets of tires, wheel bearing and alternator on a company vehicle all in the last 12 months. I've picked up 2 flats recently and both were repaired at no charge. In fact my flat last week in the transit connect was terrible. Truck in front of me kicked up something and sent it my way punctured right rear tire and when trying to change out the spare ( on the interstate in the rain) I discover my tire iron is missing. I have been the only person to ever get this equipment out of my van and have no idea where it could have went. Anyway called my son to stop by the tire shop and they loaned him a tire iron and I dropped it back off as I was having the tire patched. He absolutely refused to take any money, even as a tip. I sent 2 dozen doughnuts to them the next morning.
Good shops like this are hard to find.
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Originally Posted by maxdustington
I've never heard of a Toyota specialist shop, but a Toyota focused indie....
Seems unnecessary nowadays with how common Toyotas are (a shop I used to go to reminded me that my Honda Accord is just as common a Chevys and Fords) but there is an independent shop here that only works on Hondas and Acuras. He apparently stays busy enough doing it too.
Probably a ex-dealership tech owner or techs working there. Seems like they left the dealership behind but brought the upselling with them.
Originally Posted by maxdustington
I've never heard of a Toyota specialist shop, but a Toyota focused indie....
Seems unnecessary nowadays with how common Toyotas are (a shop I used to go to reminded me that my Honda Accord is just as common a Chevys and Fords) but there is an independent shop here that only works on Hondas and Acuras. He apparently stays busy enough doing it too.
Probably a ex-dealership tech owner or techs working there. Seems like they left the dealership behind but brought the upselling with them.
Originally Posted by das_peikko
You paid them $30 for the inspection and they didn't even take the wheels off ?
And then they run up an estimate of $900 ?
I'd have my CC company reverse those charges. That was not an inspection. Unsafe actually.
You paid them $30 for the inspection and they didn't even take the wheels off ?
And then they run up an estimate of $900 ?
I'd have my CC company reverse those charges. That was not an inspection. Unsafe actually.
Turning your back on the first shop and going to the second shop was a good decision you should stick with. I'll take honesty and competence any day.
Originally Posted by maxdustington
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Originally Posted by maxdustington
I've never heard of a Toyota specialist shop, but a Toyota focused indie....
Seems unnecessary nowadays with how common Toyotas are (a shop I used to go to reminded me that my Honda Accord is just as common a Chevys and Fords) but there is an independent shop here that only works on Hondas and Acuras. He apparently stays busy enough doing it too.
Probably a ex-dealership tech owner or techs working there. Seems like they left the dealership behind but brought the upselling with them.
+1
Dump shop #1, leave a review if you want, and give shop #2 your business. Doesn't matter if shop #2 is "polished" or not. Dealerships are usually squeaky clean, and we all know how they can be.
Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Originally Posted by maxdustington
I've never heard of a Toyota specialist shop, but a Toyota focused indie....
Seems unnecessary nowadays with how common Toyotas are (a shop I used to go to reminded me that my Honda Accord is just as common a Chevys and Fords) but there is an independent shop here that only works on Hondas and Acuras. He apparently stays busy enough doing it too.
Probably a ex-dealership tech owner or techs working there. Seems like they left the dealership behind but brought the upselling with them.
+1
Dump shop #1, leave a review if you want, and give shop #2 your business. Doesn't matter if shop #2 is "polished" or not. Dealerships are usually squeaky clean, and we all know how they can be.
The shop may be invaluable for other repairs. Brakes are really basic and any shop can do that work. This shop may know a short cut or have specialize/tools/experience you may need for something complex.
You get what you pay for!
(I've lived my life running from this advice, but I couldn't help myself.)
(I've lived my life running from this advice, but I couldn't help myself.)
Was that $900 for just 3 calipers being replaced or did this include new rotors and pads all the way around?
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Did shop 2 diagnose sticking calipers, or did they take your diagnosis and lube the pins?
Sounds like you got a pebble or something on the brakes that made the squeaking sound and both of the shops might have attempted or actually overcharged you.
Sounds like you got a pebble or something on the brakes that made the squeaking sound and both of the shops might have attempted or actually overcharged you.
Any type of online review system is rigged. Amazon reviews, Yelp, and google have all been ruined by fake marketing review services that make crap up. Finding a good shop can be hard and once you find one you hope they stay in business forever.
Originally Posted by Eddie
I wouldn't dump them yet. However; I would let them know how the competition charged and fixed the solution. Maybe the guy you had was new and the shop owner will correct things quickly. You did say you were pleased with them previous times. Ed
I'm with Eddie. When you feel you have been wronged (and I must admit the evidence appears to be [censored]) you should go and address it with the person you feel did you wrong. Give them a chance to explain themselves before you charge them.
If they can't explain what happened to your satisfaction, walk away, give them a bad review and forgive them ( I didn't say "forget").
Seems to me you had sticky slid pins that had been neglected. Ask me how I know. The only weird thing is it appeared to happen to more than one caliper at once. That is sorta odd....
I wouldn't dump them yet. However; I would let them know how the competition charged and fixed the solution. Maybe the guy you had was new and the shop owner will correct things quickly. You did say you were pleased with them previous times. Ed
I'm with Eddie. When you feel you have been wronged (and I must admit the evidence appears to be [censored]) you should go and address it with the person you feel did you wrong. Give them a chance to explain themselves before you charge them.
If they can't explain what happened to your satisfaction, walk away, give them a bad review and forgive them ( I didn't say "forget").
Seems to me you had sticky slid pins that had been neglected. Ask me how I know. The only weird thing is it appeared to happen to more than one caliper at once. That is sorta odd....
I look at it this way - if you have no clue about cars - pay for two inspections if you think you have to do somewhat expensive repair - its not very likely both to come with same bogus suggestion.
Ignorance is kind of luxury and effectively it costs you money. Having two inspections is the cheapest way to pay for it.
Ignorance is kind of luxury and effectively it costs you money. Having two inspections is the cheapest way to pay for it.
I think you should have trusted the shop that has already earned your business. Calipers do wear out and yours will eventually need replaced. They were probably being cautious as if the lubrication of the slides and pins did not provide a permanent fix you would have been dissatisfied, and to this point you don't know yet if the problem is fixed in the long term. There is cheap and good you don't get to pick both.
Originally Posted by das_peikko
You paid them $30 for the inspection and they didn't even take the wheels off ?
And then they run up an estimate of $900 ?
I would RUN, not walk away from shop 1.
They were trying to soak you, and in a very overt way. NEVER set foot in there again, and make sure to leave your reviews on the web.
I've had shop OWNERS complicit in such nonsense as well.
Shop 2 deserves your return business.
However I've always believed that any truly good/honest shop has to constantly work for the customer's trust, each time you visit they need to earn that.
Some businesses will lure you in with honest work and prices and then after a year start screwing you. Boiling the frog so to speak.
You paid them $30 for the inspection and they didn't even take the wheels off ?
And then they run up an estimate of $900 ?
I would RUN, not walk away from shop 1.
They were trying to soak you, and in a very overt way. NEVER set foot in there again, and make sure to leave your reviews on the web.
I've had shop OWNERS complicit in such nonsense as well.
Shop 2 deserves your return business.
However I've always believed that any truly good/honest shop has to constantly work for the customer's trust, each time you visit they need to earn that.
Some businesses will lure you in with honest work and prices and then after a year start screwing you. Boiling the frog so to speak.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted by TmanP
I have used a Toyota-specific shop for the past couple oil changes (I'm away at school). It's super well-reviewed, nearly perfect 5-stars.
I took them the Camry for an inspection after hitting a pothole (for a chirping noise) and the master tech suggested 3/4 new calipers (this, because three of the four wheels were tougher to turn; they didn't take the wheels off). The bill for this was, using aftermarket parts, $900. I, of course, was skeptical and took it to another shop, which showed me that it was simply a sticking brake pad. They cleaned up all four sides, lubed the slide pins and checked the rest for sticking. Less than 2 hours and $180 for a rear brake job (lifetime pad replacement and free labor to boot) and I was on my way. This shop is well-reviewed (4.8 stars as well) but less-polished and less nice. They are a brake specialist but also do oil changes and other work. I'm thinking I should perhaps be done with shop #1, though they seem to be good otherwise... (to be fair, I did ask them to inspect (charging $30 for this), they didn't fish for this during a free inspection)... thoughts?
You didn't say what age or mileage your car is.
I can envision that if rebuilt calipers retail for $50-100, if the car is old so the hoses are over 6 years, etc. it can add up. Three corners are probably 1-1.5hr each. If the brakes are going to be opened up, and the media is less than half, they're probably looking to do pads all around.
I can see how a complete job can easily add to that amount if the vehicle is older and looks like it needs it.
I don't know what the vehicle is, and I don't know just how well they diagnosed. Disc brakes will have some drag. For all we know yours are in pretty bad shape. The second shop may be overlooking things. How do we know? We don't.
Long story short, reviews are useful, sometimes. But go with what makes you most comfortable. IMO cheaper outcomes aren't necessarily a great metric.
I have used a Toyota-specific shop for the past couple oil changes (I'm away at school). It's super well-reviewed, nearly perfect 5-stars.
I took them the Camry for an inspection after hitting a pothole (for a chirping noise) and the master tech suggested 3/4 new calipers (this, because three of the four wheels were tougher to turn; they didn't take the wheels off). The bill for this was, using aftermarket parts, $900. I, of course, was skeptical and took it to another shop, which showed me that it was simply a sticking brake pad. They cleaned up all four sides, lubed the slide pins and checked the rest for sticking. Less than 2 hours and $180 for a rear brake job (lifetime pad replacement and free labor to boot) and I was on my way. This shop is well-reviewed (4.8 stars as well) but less-polished and less nice. They are a brake specialist but also do oil changes and other work. I'm thinking I should perhaps be done with shop #1, though they seem to be good otherwise... (to be fair, I did ask them to inspect (charging $30 for this), they didn't fish for this during a free inspection)... thoughts?
You didn't say what age or mileage your car is.
I can envision that if rebuilt calipers retail for $50-100, if the car is old so the hoses are over 6 years, etc. it can add up. Three corners are probably 1-1.5hr each. If the brakes are going to be opened up, and the media is less than half, they're probably looking to do pads all around.
I can see how a complete job can easily add to that amount if the vehicle is older and looks like it needs it.
I don't know what the vehicle is, and I don't know just how well they diagnosed. Disc brakes will have some drag. For all we know yours are in pretty bad shape. The second shop may be overlooking things. How do we know? We don't.
Long story short, reviews are useful, sometimes. But go with what makes you most comfortable. IMO cheaper outcomes aren't necessarily a great metric.
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