I wanted to add a bit to this blog, just to clarify my own opinions on a few things...

First, my shop doesn't allow the techs to work on their own stuff, or I certainly would.  Doing the work in the driveway is not an option for me...weekends are just TOO busy as it is.  So, I took it to a local shop I knew and had confidence in.  Or so I thought...until they tried to ream me.  You see, I knew that price was WAY out of line with our area.  I don't fault them for insisting that the rotors be resurfaced...heck, my shop does the same thing.  And I don't fault them for refusing to do a "pad slap"...well within their rights.  What I do fault them for is how they treated me as a customer.  (They don't know I wrench or write for Motor Age by the way.)

I understand that many shops will compete by price just to get a customer in.  But does that make it right?  Why can't we sell on the quality of what we do?  It has been my personal experience that most customers aren't concerned so much about price as they are VALUE...that is, are they getting more in the service/repair than the money that is being asked for in return?  Those customers that do make their decision strictly on price alone are often the ones we are better off letting go down the road to the "discount" shop.  And you all know the type of customer I'm referring to...

I deal with my customers frankly and honestly.  I believe in the three "IDBIs" of being a mechanic:

I didn't buy it.

I didn't build it.

I didn't break it.

But I can fix it...and do it for a fair price.  As a customer, I would like the same treatment...tell me up front what you need to do the job right and if it's reasonable, I'll let you have the job.  I won't shop around.  I'd rather be confident that the repair will be done properly, safely and by someone who knows what they are doing.

Heck, I didn't even ask for a senior discount!

I guess I don't get it either.  The only time I ever take my car to another shop is to shop them.  I want to see how I'm treated, how much they charge, and the scope of work they find.  If i'm not wanting to work on my own car but already know what it needs and how I want the work performed, then I let them know up front so I don't get this kind of run around.  If the shop really thinks you are a "real" customer, they'll treat you different. 

On the Rodeo.  The only reason I can think they'd give the low quote would be to get you in the door.  Callers are looking solely for price to base their decision on.  They don't really want to know about the scope of the work, the detail, the quality of parts.  They want the cheapest price and the warranty because, they want a quality job and pay as little as possible.  It's up to each shop as to how they want to get customers to come into their facilities.  Once there and an inspection is made then a solid quote can be made.

I understand not wanting to perform brake service without resurfacing the rotors.  It is our shop policy to surface all brake surfaces while performing a brake job.  In this case, where the client is telling me how perform the service, I would explain the reasons why I do it the way I do.  If they are still adamant they want to pad slap it, I would strongly recommend OE pads and completely absolve myself of all warranties.  Then when it comes back because it's noisey I would then perform the job it really should've had and charge the client the original money.  Many times saving money is alot more expensive than spending a little more up front.

I can only assume the first shop didn't have an on the car brake lathe.  If they did not, then remvoval of the rotors is an labor intensive function, requiring a much higher price.

As far as the Taurus, since the vehicle is 14 years old, mileage unknown, been sitting a long time, then put back into service, and now has a transmission operation issue on a known weak transmission, I too would've probably attacked it a different way.  I would've made a clear determination that the transmission issue is internal.  If it is, then I would've jumped to reman or rebuild as I wouldn't want to perform a ($500) repair then have to stand behind it when it bellies up completely.  Furthermore, I don't understand what repair can be made on the front pump in the vehicle.  Reseal, rebuild, or replacement, all require transmission removal as far as I know.

That being said, there are national franchise chains whose business model is remove the transmission, split the case so there are a 1,000 parts all over the bench then call the client and sell them what they should've been sold up front in the first place.  These shops should be closed down, i still don't understand why every attorney general doesn't file claims against them.

Lastly, I may shop my competitors (including dealers), but I would always bring the vehicle to the shop I work for because it's just good business.  The only reason I can think of having repairs performed elsewhere is to see the quality of parts and labor provided.

I just don't get it.