The other day I noticed my brakes were making a squeeking noise. I knew I needed new brake pads but the number 1 rule of brakes or any car repair is never to go into a repair shop and tell them what you think is wrong with your car, because they will always find a bunch of more things wrong with your car and before you know it, you're taking out a 2nd on your home just to pay for all the repairs.
I went to "Discount Tires" to get my brakes looked at but when I saw their "Prices" on the Car Menu I couldn't resist.
The sign said, "Tire Rotation $4.95 per tire." I said to the guy behind the counter, "I'd like to rotate 1 tire for $4.95." He gave me a totally confused look. He then tried, unsucessfully, to describe why he couldn't rotate just 1 tire. I replied, "Well, if you can't rotate just 1 tire why do you charge per tire?" I asked, "Don't most people get all their tires rotated...why charge by the tire?"
Here's where it gets interesting...A little further down the price list they had "Brake Inspection - Free." In order for them to do a "Brake Inspection" they had to remove all the tires...so why couldn't they just shuffle the tires after the free brake inspection. I don't know...it doesn't matter.
Just as I suspected, by the time they were done with the "Free Brake Inspection" they found about $200 worth of "work I absolutely needed." I took their paper work and said, "Thanks but no thanks!"
I went and bought brake pads at the car parts store and Scott, Molly's finance, helped me install my new brakes and I saved a bundle and learned a valuable lesson. Be careful when people tell you about free "fill in the blanks"
13 comments:
I know exactly what you mean Tim. Auto mechanic places are a joke. Once, way back when I drove my Toyota pickup, the engine was making this horrible clanking noise. I took it to the mechanic and he gave me a list of things that "needed" to be done just to fix the problem. In fact, if I remember right the cost of the repairs was almost as much as what I paid for the truck itself. I ended up taking it to the BC auto class and some student there just tightened a few bolts and it was good as new. I never had any more problems after that. And it was free! That's awesome that Scott did that for you. He's a great guy.
TIT(this is tom)I'll give you a FREE* alarm system
Pretty funny. I didn't know you were handy with cars. Good job to you and Scoott. I am impressed. I'm counting down the time will we see you guys again! Less than 2 weeks!
Trust me I had very little to do with the brakes being fixed other than buying the brakes and handing Scott a tool or two while he did most of the work. It's gonna be nice having a handyman as part of our family!!!
Yes my man is very handy! I'm with Amanda on the countdown! I can't wait!
I used to have my dad fix my cars, but I can't handle watching him do it anymore. He is just a cute little old man.
Mechanics are for suckas.
The best thing to do is go into the shop with 4 kids and let them loose. All of a sudden you will magically no longer need a 100 things fixed, plus for some strange reason they move your vehicle to the front of the line...I don't get it, but it works every time.
I would have insisted that they rotate just the one tire. I also like to take my kids to the car shop. They ALWAYS give me a FREE rental.
Ditto on Scott, he's a great guy.
Being handy with auto repairs is can safe you $ and head aches.
Good for you to take the do it yourself approach.
I once took my car in just wanting the air rotated in my tires and they tried to tell me I needed a whole new engine. (How they got that from the air in my tires I have no idea) They thought me for a dumby but I didn't fall it.
"They thought me for a dumby but I didn't fall it."
You're a genius, and don't let them make you think otherwise. A dummy, maybe, but never a dumby.
Way to go Scott!!
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