Complaint Review: Just Brakes - Spring Texas

Yeah, I talked to him when I was trying to get my problems with Just Brakes solved as well. I had taken in my 2002 Dodge Neon (this was about two years ago)in to a Just Brakes in Phoenix, Arizona. Luckily for me, most of the parts they told me needed to be replaced (calipers, rotors, pads, brake fluid...the usual rip off) were covered by my extended warranty. They still soaked me for $300 but I paid it, happy to just get my car back on the road. About 11 months later (almost to the day!) my roomate was driving our Neon and she brought it back saying there was a horrible grinding noise! I was pised and I took it to a different Just Brakes shop in Tempe, Arizona. They laid it on THICK! They explained to me that every bit of "work" that had been done 11 months before, had to all be done AGAIN. They also told me it was my fault because I wasn't setting my parking brake each time I parked my car! Their "manager" explained that setting the parking brake helps to "reset" the brakes; I can't remember all the rest of the crap and lies they told me...... I called up the local Dodge dealership and spoke with a mechanic there. He basically told me they were full of crap and I had him fax me a page out of THEIR mechaincal book that showed (and explained) how the brake system worked. It never once stated that the parking brake needed to be set each and every time the car was parked to maintain the brakes! I argued and fought, complained abu out a lack of an warranty (were the hell was the "lifetime warranty" they're supposed to offer???) and eventually I said go ahead and do the work. I then wrote on the invoice that I refused to sign it and that I disagreed with the charges; I gave them my credit card and later that day I called them and disputed the charges. I called their "corporate headquarters" and I was ONLY allowed to speak with Jim Shipp. He ran me around in circles, and then I also came at him with the fact that they had OVERCHARGED me on tax and on some of the parts because the MANAGER couldn't ADD!...... He stuttered and stammered and finally conceded that the manager did in fact add the numbers wrong. After months of fighting with this jerk, JIM SHIPP, they finally were able to get my credit card to agree to pay about 3/4's of what they were asking for. I will NEVER, EVER do business with this company ever again!!!!!! Jim Shipp is nothing but a con artist himself and it's CRAP that a customer with a problem can't talk to anyone else but him.

You paid too much for what they did. I will not dispute that. What I will take issue with however, is the idea that calling around and getting prices from the CHEAPEST suppliers of parts is in any way a comparison to what a repair shop will charge. First, all parts stores sell at least 2 lines of parts. The cheap line is what price shoppers want to hear about so Autozone will tell you about their $8 brake pads. They won't tell you about the set that runs $50 because price shoppers want CHEAP. They will even tell you about the "lifetime" warranty on the cheap set. Big deal. Ever see "Tommy Boy"? Repair shops nearly always use the premium line of parts for the repairs. They do it because the parts are better and the shop won't have to deal with as many come-backs. Next, I can go to Winn-Dixie and buy a very good cut of beef for less than $6. If I go to a restaurant, I will pay at least triple that and probably alot more. Prices are marked up at the repair shop for one reason...profit. It is this profit that pays for warranty repairs. Ask Autozone if they will reimburse you for any labor. Nope. I actually install "customer supplied" parts at my shop. They know up front that there is NO WARRANTY at all. Next time, go to the repair shops that the parts stores like. They will give you an idea of who will do right by you.