While on a driving vacation the front right brake on my '94 Villager started to make noise. With two days of travel left I took it in to Just Brakes. After telling the manager that I probably needed front pads, he proceeded to tell me about the 4 wheel brake special. I told him that perhaps we should put the car on the rack to determine what was needed.
No sooner was the van on the racks then he told me it needed brakes on all four wheels and the seals needed to be replaced. My regular brake shop in LA, Dick Cash Wheel Alignment, had showed me what to look for in worn pads and shoes and these shoes had plenty of life. I declined the shoes and seals.
At this point they told me I needed replacement rotors because they couldn't cut they old ones. Again I knew they didn't need cutting (they were smooth and not warped). Upon declining new rotors and requesting only pads be replaced, another mechanic came over and started to explain why I need my right calipar rebuilt. Again I told them I only wanted pads. At this point the second mechanic stormed off swearing and saying I would not get a warranty. I looked at the manager and asked what the heck was wrong with his employee. I told him I was the customer and I determined what services I was willing to pay for. He agreed and assured my I would get a warranty.
In the end I got only the pads installed and a write up on the work order 012169 stating "Brakes will pull, vibrate, wear permaturely due to other suggested or needed repairs declined by customer at this time". No discount given for not cutting rotor, nor packing bearings, and taking abuse. Total cost 96.75
Upon arrival to LA, I took the van to my brake guy, gave them the old pads and showed them the Just Brakes write up. They cleaned and adjusted the rear brakes, straightened the backing plate that was rubbing against the rotor. They told me the rotors, and calipers were fine and that the rear brakes shoes still had 40-50% of their life left. This cost me 27.79 money well spent to learn the truth.
What I want from Just Brakes is an apology, a refund for an incomplete job and customer abuse and reimbursement of what I had to pay to insure the job was done correctly.
I will never do business with Just Brakes and will advise everyone else to do likewise.
Al
Burbank, California
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