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Message
Mechanic Scams
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:50 am
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:50 am
I normally get small stuff for my car done at a firestone in New Orleans. Normally just get oil changes there and they’ll rotate my tires for free and I have lifetime alignment (which so far has been worth it). However they’ll of course tell me when I check out that I need all kinds of maintenance. Air filters, belts need changing, etc... normally I do all this myself because of how easy it is with a YouTube video and how cheap some of the individual parts can be so that’s fine.
Well the last time I went in he told me my rear brakes were getting really really thin and this was probably about 4-5 months ago now. So I’m thinking man they’ve got to be fixed. Well as I just found out changing your brakes isn’t THAT hard so I ordered a kit that comes with new rotors and brake pads. I bought the car with about 45k miles and I’m now at 75k and as far as I know the car had never had its brakes changed so I figured it was time. The dealer when I bought it refused to add new brakes as part of our negotiating (so we assumed they hadn’t been changed recently otherwise of course the dealer would have made sure to let us know when we were purchasing).
Well I’ve successfully gotten everything changed out the brake pads but looking at them they’re maybe half worn down. So they definitely could have gone many many more miles before they needed to be changed. Same with the rotors. Now I’m really glad I spent $150 and did it myself vs $800 dollars that firestone wanted to Do it. I’ve also learned how to check the brake pads myself without really disassembling everything so I can make sure to look out for it on my own in the future.
TL:DR/ find a good mechanic you know you can trust because most will just scam you. Also doing your own car maintenance when you can is a very empowering feeling and saves you a lot of money.
Well the last time I went in he told me my rear brakes were getting really really thin and this was probably about 4-5 months ago now. So I’m thinking man they’ve got to be fixed. Well as I just found out changing your brakes isn’t THAT hard so I ordered a kit that comes with new rotors and brake pads. I bought the car with about 45k miles and I’m now at 75k and as far as I know the car had never had its brakes changed so I figured it was time. The dealer when I bought it refused to add new brakes as part of our negotiating (so we assumed they hadn’t been changed recently otherwise of course the dealer would have made sure to let us know when we were purchasing).
Well I’ve successfully gotten everything changed out the brake pads but looking at them they’re maybe half worn down. So they definitely could have gone many many more miles before they needed to be changed. Same with the rotors. Now I’m really glad I spent $150 and did it myself vs $800 dollars that firestone wanted to Do it. I’ve also learned how to check the brake pads myself without really disassembling everything so I can make sure to look out for it on my own in the future.
TL:DR/ find a good mechanic you know you can trust because most will just scam you. Also doing your own car maintenance when you can is a very empowering feeling and saves you a lot of money.
This post was edited on 4/11/20 at 9:00 am
27
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:52 am to jlovel7
One of the most important people in my life is my honest mechanic.
I do most of my work in my garage but when I need a big item done (transmission rebuild,etc) - I call him.
I won’t buy a particular brand unless he can work on it.
I do most of my work in my garage but when I need a big item done (transmission rebuild,etc) - I call him.
I won’t buy a particular brand unless he can work on it.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:52 am to jlovel7
Adding reply. Hit submit too early.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:54 am to BHM
Hit submit too earl
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:54 am to jlovel7
Loading smart arse reply. Hit submit to early.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:56 am to SECdragonmaster
I will spend extra on a mechanic that doesn't bullshite me and does quality work. Used to go to one that people would say I over paid. His work was top notch and he never did more than what needed to be done. Tough to find that.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:56 am to CHEDBALLZ
Crap! Hit submit too early
Posted on 4/11/20 at 8:56 am to jlovel7
Editing to say: That isn't a mechanic scam... You're just retarded.
You just swapped functional OEM parts for shitty aftermarket parts.
You just swapped functional OEM parts for shitty aftermarket parts.
This post was edited on 4/11/20 at 10:21 am
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:01 am to jlovel7
check the pads before you order the rotors and pads. chances are, you certainly didn't need to order rotors for sure.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:09 am to jlovel7
Had the same thing happen to me at the Goodyear place in Metairie (Division st). Simple oil change and free tire rotation. The guy told me I need about $1600.00 of maintenance. They said they check the brake fluid and it had copper in it.. The brake reservoir was covered in dust and there was no finger prints on the reservoir. They told me they did the tire rotation and they didn't. I confronted the guy and he lied to my face. What can you do..I just left a shitty review on yelp...
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:12 am to jlovel7
Growing up poor made me a good mechanic. A few weeks ago I paid just under 300 bucks for a rear brake job because I did not feel like doing it myself. I hated myself for the next few days.
Most repairs are not hard. The hard part is years of experience and learning things the hard way. Doing a brake job is easy until you break a stuck caliper bolt. This is where the inexperienced home mechanic will struggle.
So my message to you young people out there is dont be afraid to tackle small jobs and gain some experience. Even if you dont want to do your own repairs, it will prevent you from getting scammed into paying 800 bucks for a brake job.
Most repairs are not hard. The hard part is years of experience and learning things the hard way. Doing a brake job is easy until you break a stuck caliper bolt. This is where the inexperienced home mechanic will struggle.
So my message to you young people out there is dont be afraid to tackle small jobs and gain some experience. Even if you dont want to do your own repairs, it will prevent you from getting scammed into paying 800 bucks for a brake job.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:14 am to jlovel7
Proud of you. frick dem
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:17 am to Athis
quote:
Had the same thing happen to me at the Goodyear place in Metairie (Division st). Simple oil change and free tire rotation. The guy told me I need about $1600.00 of maintenance. They said they check the brake fluid and it had copper in it.. The brake reservoir was covered in dust and there was no finger prints on the reservoir. They told me they did the tire rotation and they didn't. I confronted the guy and he lied to my face. What can you do..I just left a shitty review on yelp...
I have marks on my tires to make sure they rotate them.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:18 am to tigerdup07
quote:
check the pads before you order the rotors and pads. chances are, you certainly didn't need to order rotors for sure.
Yup. I have now learned how to do that myself. I actually did have some pulsating when I brake and that’s gone now as far as I can tell (will really see when I get on the interstate Sunday). Good life lesson but I’m thankful it only cost me $150 and I’ve learned all of this vs paying $800 blindly and being none the wiser.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:24 am to jlovel7
YouTube and Rock Auto has saved me thousands of dollars in repairs.
Edit - even if you don’t want to fix it yourself - knowing what’s wrong when you take it in an save a bunch of money.
Edit - even if you don’t want to fix it yourself - knowing what’s wrong when you take it in an save a bunch of money.
This post was edited on 4/11/20 at 9:26 am
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:29 am to jlovel7
Just to clarify, OP:
You knew how to change belts on your car, but not brakes?
You knew how to change belts on your car, but not brakes?
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:32 am to BHM
quote:
Growing up poor made me a good mechanic
Upvote for this sentence alone.
I just bought my son a 20 year old truck for his first vehicle and we’ve been doing little routine maintenance to help him learn a little about working on things. We’ve changed O2 sensors, brake pads, ignition coils, belt, etc.
I haven’t done much vehicle maintenance in the last 20 years or so, but it’s fun teaching him.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:36 am to REB BEER
quote:
I haven’t done much vehicle maintenance in the last 20 years or so, but it’s fun teaching him.
Good for you Dad. I am doing the same for mine.
I grew up low low middle class and had to fix my car with my Dad’s help. Those are the memories I hold on to now that my dad is almost 80.
Posted on 4/11/20 at 9:40 am to Pvt Hudson
quote:
YouTube
I've posted this before but worth repeating. YouTube has some good videos on car repair and can save you money and time, but be forewarned, some are just plain wrong and unsafe. Always read the comments posted below the video before you take out your tools and get started.
This post was edited on 4/11/20 at 9:54 am
Posted on 4/11/20 at 10:03 am to jlovel7
I wouldn't let the Firestone or Goodyear places check the air in my tires, or do anything else. Their complete business model is to up sell.
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