A few months ago, I took my car to Meineke to have the front brakes done as they were beginning to wear out. I was taken in by the "lifetime guarantee."
I was convinced by the worker there that in addition to the brake pads (the only thing which was "guaranteed, at a grand total of $38.00") I would also have to pay for labor (of course) and that I would also need brake shoes. Although I told them that I did not think it was necessary, they changed it all.
This turned out to be a $350.00 job, which I thought must have been justified.
Just a few weeks ago, my brakes starting to show signs of wear again. This time it was the rear brakes.
I went to a mechanic who told me that I just need the back brake pads replaced, which would cost approximately $100.00. I took it back to the Meineke man for their "free inspection." The man looked it over (or so he said) and told me that I need both the front and rear brakes done, pads and shoes, and it would cost around $500.00.
I told him no thank you, and went back to the other mechanic to have the job done.
I called later to speak to the manager, who turned out to be the man that looked over my car (unless he just told me that so as not to put me through to the manager.
When I confronted him on the issue, he told me that he still stands by his assertion that the back brakes needed all the work that he had said, and maybe the front brakes did not.
I asked him, "Why did you want to charge me $250.00 to do work which was unnecessary (I had also explained him that the car was a lease which was going back in 6 months)?" He answered that since the brakes would only be good for another 6 or 7 months, he felt I would be smart to have them done.
I now realize that the first job was the same type of rip-off, preying on innocent people.
How can they get away with this?
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