My boyfriend and I took my 2002 Saturn to the Just Brakes in Sarasota and were originally quoted $99.88 for a basic brake change (which is what they advertise all the time,) but after inspecting or "evaluating" my car they changed the estimate to $713.00 because they claimed they discovered the brake discs, rotors, and calipers needed replaced.
My boyfriend told Just Brakes to hold off on the work and write him a written estimate so we could get a second estimate from my regular mechanic who only deals with Saturns, and therefore can often get us a better deal. My mechanic suggested that we bring the car to him to check it out as he did not believe that all this needed to be replaced - given his knowledge and past experience with the car.
So when my boyfriend called Just Brakes to let them know we were going to come pick up the car, they developed an attitude, argued with him, and attemped to bully him into allowing them to do the work. They were saying things such as "why didn't you just take the car to your mechanic in the first place; why did you bring it here?" He explained that we just wanted another estimate and would be there soon to pick up the car.
When we arrived the car was still on a lift and all four tires were removed. When my boyfriend went inside to let them know we were there to get the car, they smirked and informed him it would take atleast 3-4 hours to put the car back together (the car was not taken apart, the tires were removed, as no work was even done.) He asked why it would take so long now, when before - when they wanted our business, they claimed they'd have all the work done and the car returned within 2 hours? They responded by shrugging their shoulders and saying "we're busy." Meanwhile, the man who described himself as the "shop foreman" sat at a desk with his feet up, making rude comments. He asked why, if they were too busy to put 4 tires on a car, that several employees were sitting around the shop apparently waiting for something to do. Personally, we felt as though they were taking there time to make things difficult for me because they were apparently angry that I was taking my car to get a second opinion.
The man who I am assuming was a manager or receptionist, as he was the only one not in a mechanic's uniform, tried smoothing things over and asked us to give them 45 minutes to put the tires back on. We agreed, despite our opinion that it shouldn't even take that long. However, while sitting in the parking lot waiting, we noticed that during the 45 minute span not one employee so much as bothered to walk over to the car to begin putting the tires back on.
After some more words with the employees, who were acting rude and unprofessional, my boyfriend decided it was time to call the police to have my car returned to us because it was clear they were going to consume our entire day waiting (the employees also laughed when he told them he would call the cops as his next step and taunted him saying, "go ahead.") Infact, it wasn't until the deputy arrived that anyone started working on the vehicle. All the while we watched as the employees stood around and talked and laughed with eachother, most likely about the situation, which was apparently entertaining to them.
From the time someone actually started working on the car to the time it was returned to us, about 12 minutes had passed - proving our initial thought that they were only taking their time to make things difficult for us - which in my opinion is a horrible way to earn loyalty from customers, or to attract any business at all for that matter.
After sitting at Just Brakes and arguing with the employees to get my car back over a span of 3 1/2 hours we were finally able to take my car to my mechanic, who obviously earned my business. I later found out that that most of what Just Brakes claimed needed replaced, did not, and ended up just having my brake pads and the rotors replaced, costing me $220.00. My mechanic also let me know that I am not the first customer he has seen come from Just Brakes with outrageous estimates/bills ranging from $700 - $1500, mostly for services they didn't even need in the first place.
I'm disgusted that Just Brakes not only tried to rip us off, but acted in such an unprofessional manner. We were laughed at, argued with, and given a hard time when all we wanted was to get another estimate somewhere else. Even after calling corporate and talking to a man in the complaint department we have still yet to receieve any kind of apology. The man at the corporate number (whose job is customer service!) argued with me, questioned my statements and defended the actions of the employees at the location.
Do not take your car here unless you feel like getting ripped off and treated disrespectfully. The employees at this location are all lazy, incompetent and act like children. If Just Brakes cares at all about their customers, like they claim they do, I suggest they fire every single one of them before the place goes out of business.
Briana
Sarasota, Florida
U.S.A.
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