Originally Posted by Donald
I also think there is a good chance when you provide Akebono pads to a indy shop to have brakes done that they know you care about the vehicle and will do a better jobs than if you are just looking for the basic brake job. (Thats my theory).
Doubtful, they're probably more irritated that they can't make a buck off selling you the pads too, though if they're not cutting you a price break for supplying your own, over their actual cost for what they'd use, they'll be happy to make a little more margin.
Ultimately if you think the quality of their work varies due to something like this, or whether your car is clean, or whatever, if there is any chance of a cause for not doing that "better" (complete) job, you should never let that shop TOUCH your brakes.