I recently noticed that my Caravans brakes were making noise. Since I purchased the Van, I've not done any work to the brakes and figured that they needed new pads.
In the mail I received an advertisement from Value Brakes discussing their "$98.00 4 wheel Brake special". I was thrilled. When my brakes first began the noise, I had stopped in to this same location and was informed that new pads for my front brakes would cost over $125.00. I called and made an appointment.
When I entered the location I wondered if I had make the right decesion. I informed the man behind the counter that I had an appointment. He told me that I was not in the computer and that my call went to Jacksonville, FL and that those people didn't have a clue. So, I was made to wait. When I told him what the car was doing, he made the "you're screwed" face. He made the noise coming from my brakes sound like I was going to have a wreck at any time.
After 45 minutes I was told that I would need over $550.00 worth of work. Mind you that while I was being told this my van was still up on the rack and dismembered. I was stunned. They told me that I needed new calapers and rotors on the front. According to them the pads were only at 50% wear, but the calapers pistons were frozen in the extended position. I was told that the sound was because the calapers were engaged all the time. My brakes only made noise when I am stopping, not all the time. I would be more likely to buy this story if the noice was all the time.
I live paycheck to paycheck and don't have $500 in the bank to pay for brakes and told the man that. I was then informed that my situation was very serious. I told them I would have to discuss the situation with my husband and would bring the car back. They wanted me to call my husband at work. Talk about high pressure... Keep in mind that my van is still disassembled. I was firm and told them that I "really did not that kind of money" so they finally put my car back together. I was amazed that on my way out the price changed. I was told that they could do a "just to get me by" job for $225.
Wow, another sale... From $550 to $225. I have chosen to take my van elsewhere and so should anyone reading this report. It will NEVER be just $98.00, NEVER.
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