Now comes the shady part of brake services. As I mentioned in the intro, brakes have become a commodity – everyone does them. Every Val-Pack or Advo that comes to my house has coupons in it for brake services. They are advertised everywhere and it is always deceptive. Call a few auto repair shops and ask about brake prices and you will never get an apples to apples comparison. Most people don’t even know how to compare or what questions to ask. Many shops, knowing that people are calling around to get the best deal, will never quote a price over the phone but encourage you to come in for the free brake inspection.So, let me give you a few examples of brake specials and what you get for it. There is a national chain that advertises brakes for $89.99, pads and labor. If you read the small print and can read between the lines, this price is for what is commonly referred to in the industry as a “pad slap.” A quick mechanic can “slap” pads on the front wheels and have you driving out in about 20 minutes. First of all, a quality brake pad is going to cost the shop between $29 to $45. When you add wages and other overhead, some shops will actually lose money on this job. Therefore, a much cheaper pad is used. In fact, the fine print says that the price is for organic or NAO (non-asbestos organic) pads. Two problems here. First of all, most vehicles do not call for organic pads. When you come in for your brake job you will be told that this price does not apply to you because the manufacturer calls for semi-metallic, or even ceramic pads. Second, if you are adamant about using the organic pads, they will wear down your rotors like crazy. Besides, these pads are almost guaranteed to make noise, its just part of their nature. They also create a lot of brake dust – not nice for pretty rims.Moving on, this brake service normally does not include resurfacing the rotors or drums. Some say that resurfacing is not necessary if the rotor or drum is smooth. However, that rotor is married to the surface of the pad. There are fine imperfections created between the two that must be removed. Our belief is that a rotor or drum should be resurfaced every time pads or shoes are replaced to improve contact. Not doing so will result in faster and more uneven pad wear.Additionally, this quick pad slap may result in the mechanic not lubricating or adjusting any of the hardware. This is more likely than not, due to the nature of the service being offered, and we see it all the time in our shop with stuck caliper pins.Also, this service does not include a fluid flush to remove contaminants from the brake system.Lastly, the disclaimer: “applies to most vehicles.” This is important. This service will not apply to a 4×4 vehicle or trucks with dual wheels in the rear. There are certain Accords and Civics, for example, that have a “trapped rotor” requiring extensive labor to remove the rotor. The offer probably will not apply to luxury vehicles, especially German cars on which it is difficult to find aftermarket brake pads. Be prepared for the worst when responding to these coupons. The service advisor may begin with a high estimate to give him room to come down substantially in price and still get your business. It is a terrible way to do business, I think.Therefore, I normally call this type of service a “bait and switch.” You are lured by the cheap brake job (and it is cheap) and will normally be upsold and offered an estimate two to three times the coupon amount. If you are calling around, use the information you have learned in the previous posts and ask the right questions to make sure you are making a good comparison. Even better, find a shop that you trust so that you never have to worry about a diagnosis or an estimate.When you ask for a phone estimate, make sure the advisor knows the year, make, and model of your vehicle, and if it is 4×4 as well. Be wary of any shop giving you phone estimates without asking you this critical information.Good questions to ask when getting an estimate:Is the price per axle, or all four wheels? What brand and line of brake pads are you using? Does the price include resurfacing rotors/drums? Does the price include a fluid flush? What kind of warranty do you offer on parts and labor? News source: Fix My Car