Every body has heard of MIDAS mufflers and brakes. Their ads are every where guarunteeing the quality. Recently my front brakes particularly left one was grabbing and made it difficult to drive. I took it to Midas and they came up with close to $1300 estimate. Shocked I asked what is wrong. The mechanic told me there is contamination in the brake fluid (petroleum product) which is swelling the rubber components and it is just a matter of time all four wheel brakes will cease up on me. When I asked them to change the fluid they said we can't do it its not the right way to fix it. You have to get the whole job done he said. I was very hesitant so here comes the manager. After lots of persuasion (pressure) I still wanted to go for a second opinion. Well, now the negotiations start. For a starter manager told me if I give them this job right now he will cut down on labor (about $350) a hundred dollars or so. But I noticed the parts hoses, calipers and cylinders were quoted unreastically high like a small hose for $75. So I suggested I will buy the parts and they can put them on, I will pay the labor in full. No they said. I was desperate and probably tired by now, agreed agreed on $900 for the job (about 3 hours work). Later that evening I checked the parts they were quoting over $900 for were available for less than $300. Triple the market value not to mention all the shops get at least 35% discount on the parts.
Well even if their diagnosis was right the $450 job (later quoted by another mechanic) costed me $900.
Here is the interesting part I requested and never got the report from the BBB on them.
Andy Mittal
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