did i get screwed by a mechanic?

[evol s10]

had my 99 accord ex in for inspection recently. a little over 100,000 mls on it. it passed the state inspection fine, but all brake calipers and rotors were "worn" and should be replaced. also the front and rear struts. we noticed the handling was a little better with the new struts, but is it true that ALL the brakes needed replaced at this mileage? note: it's primarily used in stopand go city traffic. also note: all this work including $80 inspection and $60 alignment (which it may or may not have needed) ran $1,960.

[HONDA_99]

shocks can be worn out by 100K ml, but calipers don't go bad because mileage. caliper can go bad because rubber boot protecting piston on caliper got hole in it and water got in and caused rust on piston.

$1,820 (1960-80-60) seems too high.
can you show itemized list which would show price for all parts and labor charges

[ProMan]

It's a totally rip off !!!

I remember about 7 years ago when I brought my vehicle into a shop (Mxdxs) to replace brake pads (under warranty), the mechanic tried hard to persuade me to replace 2 calipers and rotors, and all 4 sturts. He told me that I should replace the struts every 2 years since it's the life cycle of most struts (Wow, what a news! Can you believe that?). And he pretended that my calipers were stuck and can't be pushed in by hands (Dude, where is your tool?). He tried to charge me $1200 for the job. I ended up with telling the mechanic to pull my car out of the garage without doing anything since he is too greedy. I bought a set of brake pads at a local auto parts store for $15 and replaced the pads by myself. I measured the thinkness of the rotors, they are still well within the spec.

My 92 Accord is over 180K now. Brakes are still sharp. Struts are still in great condition, I won't hear any noise going over a speed bump. That mechanic just wanted my money for un-necessary jobs.

I have similar experience with a toyota dealer. I was in for an engine noise on my 2000 Sienna (under warranty). The "consultant" called me later and told me that my vehicle is "due" a major maintenance which costs $550 ("due"? Do I owe my car or owe the dealership?), my brake pads are almost gone and have to be replaced for $450, need a set of tires for $560, and so on so forth...... I insisted that they fix the noise first since that's what I brought my vehicle in for and I will worry about the other stuff they mentioned (they replaced the alternator and, of course, didn't fix the noise). The original pads on my 92 Accord lasted 7 years for almost 100K. I don't believe the Sienna will need a set of new pads in 3 years. Later I checked the brake pads with my friend. The pads are in so good condition that my friend said the dealer must had replaced the them and forgot to charge me.....

[phoenixitc]

I'd say yes and without the benefit of a lubricant! As already requested by Honda99, show the itemized list.

[evol s10]

thanks for the responses. this is really starting to shed some light on the subject.

here is the itemized list:

pa inspection 24.95
pa emissions inspec. 54.95
lube,oil, filter 26.95
free fliud top off ohhhh, big deal.
replace rear pads 33.91
labor 106.08
replace rear rotors (qty.2) 119.12
labor 36.00
replace replace rear brake calipers (qty.2) 326.00 (!!!!!!??)
labor 136.00
replace front brake pads 64.38
labor 75.61
replace ft. brake rotors 119.92
labor 36.00
replace front struts 216.00
replace rear stuts 216.00
four wheel alignment 59.99
discount -15.00 (gee, thanks
labor (for what i don't know) 86.40
labor (again, for WHAT?) 108.00
-----------
TOTAL with tax: 1,960.00

well, i really feel like a complete idiot. i'm thinking i might have a bone (or 2) to pick with this shop. that is also the last time my wife deals with this kind of stuff. i heard from her what they had convinced her; and coming from her it seemed . . . "trusting". damn, i'm dumb.

how should i proceed with this situation?

[HONDA_99]

You got screwed on rear brake job; they over charge you for labor. $312 for what should be 1.5hr of work that is more then $200 per hour.

Did they show you what was wrong with you rear caliper or may be they told you?
I’m very suspicious about two calipers be bad.

[phoenixitc]

Are you saying your wife took the car in? Man... I hate it when a shop takes advantage of women!!
Ok... a few items here that upped the cost...
Front pads look a little expensive on cost of pads, $75 for labor to pop in the pads!
4-wheel alignment not bad.
I can get all four struts replaced for $199-240 labor in Austin, TX. You show front/rear...is that struts and labor?
Also, were the parts all Honda OEM?
Hindsight... always ask for old parts, bring a box lined with a large garbage bag. A good shop will either offer or willingly give old parts to you. This is especially important if you start modifying and in the future want to sell the car and go back to original or new owner doesn't want modified.

[ngc604]

i would take the bill to the honda dealer, get a reply from them that says the bill is bullsh*t and things like 2 calipers going bad is wrong and then notify the better business beureu(sorry if spelling is wrong) the are ment to deal with crap like this. even though you wont get anything for doing this you can help prevent them from doing this to other people.

[evol s10]

i asked my local mechanic down the street if it was probable that the calipers needed replaced, and why only the REARS and not the fronts. he did not hesitate to say yes. the reason he gave was that since the rears aren't used as much, they rust out a little faster (said he had a buick regal that he prob. replaced the rear calipers 10 times over the life of the car). i don't think he was bullsh!+ing me- he had nothing to gain.
as far as the prices on the invioce, this is in philadelphia, so the overhead, insurance, etc. in the metro area is higher. thus, higher end cost for the customer.
the other part to this is that any other work/parts from this shop seemed fair and the work was performed well.
so, i'm still wondering if i really got screwed or if this is just the way it is.