We took our vehicle to Pro-Automotive for (1) an oil change, (2) brake, tire rotation & safety insprection, (3) check & top-off fluid levels, and (4) a cooling system power flush. Within a couple of hours of dropping off the vehicle, I think it was Garry from Pro who called me and said they had finished with the requested services, however, when doing the brake, tire rotation & safety inspection, they discovered cracks down the center of the rear brake shoes. He mentioned that it appears someone had "driven 50 miles with the emergency brake on which will result in cracks suchs as this". I told him I would have to consult with my husband and call back (I thought we had paid for extensive brake work recently at another shop.)
My husband confirmed that we had thorough brake inspection and extensive work done on the brakes within the last year and so, if we do need the brake shoes (and more - recommended by Pro), we would return to the other shop.
This morning, my husband took the vehicle to Les Schwabb (up and across the street from Pro-Automotive & Tire) for a Battery & Brake Inspection. He did not mention the recommendation by pro-automotive. He told the person working at the counter that we were thinking of taking a long road trip and wanted to confirm that the battery, tires and brakes were okay for such a trip.
Following the inspection, my husband was informed that "everything was fine". When he asked specifically about the condition of the brakes, he was assured that we needed no work done - everything was fine.
Previously, Pro has recommended work that was not warranted for another one of our vehicles (after they had already replaced belts and hoses on a previous visit, they recommended doing so again, claiming "they didn't appear to have been replaced before"). When told that THEY had replaced them all on the last visit, Pro staff responded that "they should still be under warranty then", but of course, we didn't need anything done and nothing was done.
After happening once, we were leery but returned again anyway. Now, we are certain we won't be returning to Pro-Automotive, and we will not let our friends and family return there either - without sharing our story with them.
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