# Has ANYONE Ever Gotten Out of Midas With a $79.95 Brake Job? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 4, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594 "2009-10-04T22:01:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RoniaBorkason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9dc877/32.png) [@RoniaBorkason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoniaBorkason)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/21 "2009-10-05T18:23:01Z")
How timely! I took a car to Midas last week for a brake job, and they gave me an estimate of almost $600 - machining rotors, replacing pads, changing fluid. It wasn’t urgent, so I took it to Les Schwab right after, to get their estimate. $330, including new calipers. I like Les Schwab. They’ve always seemed to be one of those good-customer-service companies, like Bel Air (for you Californians). ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/22 "2009-10-05T18:28:16Z")
> [@Gesturing\_Mildly](#): > > re: brake jobs - if you just need pads, try doing it yourself. You’ll save a ton of money. If I did this, it’d be in the papers the next day: Mr. Tacoloco was injured today in a bizarre incident involving brake failure. 😛 I leave all of my car maintenance to the pros. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/23 "2009-10-05T18:30:19Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I’d watch this show (at least once or twice)! It could be called “Car,” starring Hugh Laurie as Greg Car, auto diagnostician, and Tom and Ray Magliozzi as his bumbling sidekicks. My Dad…back in his day…was really something and he wasn’t a mechanic. I still remember someone bringing a car to him once and explained that the car had been worked on by 3 different mechanics…had a bunch of work done on it and still wasn’t solving the problem. They all gave up. He stood there with his knee in the bumper…hood of the car down (not up) with his elbow on the hood and supporting his head and he listened for a couple minutes as the car idled. He then said "I bet it’s the {soandso}. " he went to the part store, replaced it and the car ran fine. I was pretty young at the time but my older brother (who was much more into cars than I would be) said he was a god among men at diagnosing problems. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/24 "2009-10-06T20:19:28Z")
[In case you think it is just you.](http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/06/30/california-accuses-22-midas-shops-in-massive-bait-and-switch-s/) For some reason my wife insisted on taking her car to one when we lived in New Jersey. Pretty much incompetent and a ripoff. And stupid - when her car got damaged she sold it to a mechanic there who thought he could fix it. He couldn’t. 😃 She got a good price for a worthless heap of metal too. Here we go to a local garage who is scrupulously honest. They have screwed up once or twice, but they always make it better for free. And they usually come in under the estimate. ---
**Author:** ![SSgtBaloo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@SSgtBaloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSgtBaloo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/25 "2009-10-06T21:21:35Z")
A lot of places turn your rotors as a matter of course. That isn’t necessary unless your brakes pulse when applied. Anyone who tries to tell you “it’s neccessary any time the pads are changed” is a scam artis or not well-enough informed to be allowed to do a brake job. A local Les Schwab almost ripped my mom off for uneccessarily turning the brakes, but we took the car to a trusted local business and had them do it instead. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/26 "2009-10-10T22:50:22Z")
I hate Les Schwab. My husband took his car in for one tire and an alignment. They told him his brakes were so dangerous they couldn’t possibly allow him to take his own car out of their shop unless they replaced his brakes. His brakes that were making no noise, no grinding, no brake light activated on the dash, no indication at any point that the brakes were even starting to go bad, much less so bad that they had to replace everything. And I mean everything. You know how brakes are, they don’t squeel for weeks before they start grinding or anything so you know when they need replaced or anything. It’s all just a crap shoot because car companies don’t put lights on the dash that tell you when the brakes are going bad or anything. Then of course they could sell him a tire and do an alignment. We ended up with a $1200 service when we expected under $200. My husband is a bit of a push over and fell for it. ☹ This is the same company that told my sister she needed an $800 repair to her power steering. The car was an early Hundai that didn’t have power steering. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/27 "2009-10-13T01:18:03Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Wheel bearings need replacing; wheel bearing seals need replacing; wheel cylinders (braking cylinders) need replacing or rebuilding; drums or rotors need to be turned or replaced; brake lines are frayed, bent, or otherwise damaged; master cylinders need replacement or repair, tires are cupped and therefore need balancing; front end needs alignment: there are always parts that need repair or replacement along with a brake job. A brake shop with a good (slick) service manager/thief is like owning a gold mine. Even an honest brake shop is a good money maker. Don’t forget the blinker fluid. It has to be replaced as well. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/28 "2009-10-14T16:21:58Z")
Back in 1978, I took my car into a Sears Auto shop for a new battery because mine was not holding a charge. They diagnosed it as a bad connection, cleaned the terminals and charged me $1. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/29 "2009-10-14T16:38:27Z")
My first (and last) time at Midas was back when I was a young hothead. I had a minor exhaust problem that I wanted fixed (a hanger). The guy came out with a quote for an entire exhaust system. I said no thanks and prepared to leave. The “mechanic” told me that he could not allow me to drive my car out without the work, as it was a danger. I threatened him. He got my car down from the rack and I left. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/30 "2009-10-14T19:08:09Z")
Rotors are so inexpensive now I can’t imagine turning them for $600. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/31 "2009-10-16T04:36:23Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Went to Monkey Wards several years back to get a “$59.95 for most models!” brake job. When I got there, I was told that my rare model didn’t qualify, and that _my_ brake job would cost $109.95. > I owned a 1984 Plymouth Horizon! A Horizon? Them’s rare! ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2009, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/32 "2009-10-16T06:16:41Z")
For those who live in Boston, Chicago, Delaware Valley, Puget Sound, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Twin Cities, or Washington, DC, I recommend a subscription to [Consumers’ Checkbook](http://www.checkbook.org/). Essentially they are the Consumer’s Reports of local businesses. ---
**Author:** ![got\_screwed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e56c9b/32.png) [@got\_screwed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/got_screwed)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/33 "2016-02-19T01:30:26Z")
I should have PAID THE REG. PRICE OF “$89.00” INCLUDES; Comprehensive brake system evaluation, INSTALL Lifetime guaranteed pads or shoes, LUBRICATE calipers sides or backing plates, RECONDITION rotors or drums- rotors/drums machined or sanded to provide a clean, smooth surface!! BUT I HAD DISCOUNT OFFER $49.95 brake service offer and paid $195.00, a nice over charge of $146.00 THANK YOU JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA FOR THE f-----------ING ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/34 "2016-02-19T01:59:47Z")
Yeah, the auto mechanics on the Jax city council are the worst. I always drive mine to Palatka, where the zoning board takes pride in its work and won’t try to upsell you on a coolant flush. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/35 "2016-02-19T02:57:44Z")
I’m sure there are multiple Midas locations in Jacksonville, but I did go to one last year that did tell me that I needed 2 repairs that I didn’t ask for, but those were repairs that I suspected I needed anyway and didn’t even tell the mechanics about beforehand, so I agreed to them because we were obviously on the same wavelength. I’ve gone to a Midas in Palm Bay that told me I didn’t even need new brakes. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/36 "2016-02-19T14:32:01Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Yeah, the auto mechanics on the Jax city council are the worst. I always drive mine to Palatka, where the zoning board takes pride in its work and won’t try to upsell you on a coolant flush. I guess it all depends on where you live. The Kansas City Council won’t touch a brake job for under $400 but our Jackson County Commission will do you right. They even do Zombie oil changes for much less than brains cost. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/37 "2016-02-19T14:48:45Z")
I get my oil changes done in St. Augustine. They always look a bit confused about my horseless carriage but they do good work. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/38 "2016-02-19T14:48:45Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I go to a garage that is locally owned, we have been since we moved to the farm. > > We have never gotten cheated there, and in fact have been treated pretty damned good. Frex, my international Scout. Had taken it in for tires, balance and alignment, Turns out that it also needed some little widget to shim something [perhaps, no idea, this was about 15 years ago] and instead of doing the balance and alignment, and letting it go out of whack in a couple hundred of miles or so, then waiting until we got back in to put the part in and get another fee… they sent us home, ordered the part and put it in and realigned the truck free. > > Of course, over the years, with all of our assorted vehicles, tires, tune ups and whatnot, they have made a good sum of money off us ) I have a local guy as well. If I need a bulb replaced, they do it on the spot and don’t bother to charge me for labor. I’ve gotten out with $7.00 bills for a part. I have an old Pilot for the teenagers with spongy brakes, I took it in to be looked at, they gave it back to me, didn’t charge me, and said stop comparing the breaks on a huge 10 year old SUV with your husbands Mercedes, the brakes are fine. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/39 "2016-02-19T15:41:47Z")
I have to say, the Midas near my house has always treated me fairly. They must be the exception. I used to go to them a lot and it’s very easy to walk home from; recently I started going to a local place (also very respectable) that’s also close but through a nasty neighborhood so I can’t walk home, which is a negative but I wanted to give business to locals. But not every Midas is extortionate. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594/40 "2016-02-19T16:20:23Z")
We also started going to our local independent guy a number of years ago. He had great word-of-mouth from our neighbors, and that’s what got us to go. Bonus? We can walk there (or home again) in under 10 minutes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-gotten-out-of-midas-with-a-79-95-brake-job/512594.md?page=3)