In early January of 07 I answered a Just Brakes radio ad offering new pads and shoes, rotors turned, wheels rotated, and bearings repacked for $99.00. The only disclaimer in the ad (which still airs today) was that it is limited to standard sized vehicles. Since I am a novice mechanic myself and know a good deal when I hear it, I took my half ton truck down and asked for the special as advertised. I was called within an hour of leaving the vehicle by the manager (Michael) who said that the mechanic discovered extra problems that would cost me an additional $1,100.00 to repair. I instructed him to ignore the other problems and to go ahead and simply install the parts as advertised. He said they could not guarantee the work if they did that. I said that was OK with me and that I figured the parts and labor in the deal was worth $100 to me without a guarantee. And, if it needed all those other things, I'd do it myself. The manager then put a rude mechanic on the phone who said he would not do the work because they could be liable for anything that might happen to me or the truck after they let it leave inproperly repaired. I said I would be happy to leave them with a waiver of liability but to go ahead and do the service as advertised. He said it was against company policy and I reminded him that the ad did not give any disclaimer concerning refusing the work because other things might be wrong. He then asked me to fetch my vehicle. While there, I asked the mechanic if putting the parts on and doing the work as advertised, would it make the vehicle any less safe than it was in its present condition. He said it would not. I then asked it it would make it any safer. He refused to answer and demanded that I leave. Without looking at the condition of the brakes, I drove directly to Auto Zone and bought every part Just Brakes claimed were needed for repair.in addition I purchased new rotors rather than having the old ones turned. The total cost was $210.00. This meant Just Brakes was planning on charging me about $900 in labor alone. To complete this obvious scam, I took my truck home and installed all the parts except the front brake lines (that weren't needed). It took me approximately 2 hours and I am an licensed electrician, not a professional mechanic. I later got my $24 back from Auto Zone. I filed a complaint with the BBB. It turned out Just Brakes is a member so BBB was hesitant to take up the issue with them. They answered me back that mine was not an issue that could be resolved. I cannot find my complaint posted anywhere in their system for others to read. I also filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's office for fraudulent advertising. It is still pending their investigation. I want to make sure that other consumers are not stupid enough to pay such enormous labor for such little work. If I charged those hugh labor costs as an electrician, I'd be run out of town on a rail. Just Brakes scammed me into wasting my time by refusing to do a job they advertised to do. A clear "bait and switch" scheme.
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