Did I just get ripped off?
 

I have been dealing with our local service station for years. They do a decent job but it always seems that their prices are just a tad high.

Well, when I got my inspection in the fall, the Ford dealership told me that I would need new brakes sometime this year on my 2003 Ford Focus ZTW wagon.

Sure, enough yesterday my brakes started making a grinding noise.

I took it to the service station, not the dealership, because the dealership had told me that their parts department charges $100 for rotors.

The service station called me and told me that it would be $450 for front and back with new rotors.

The dealership price for front and back with one set of new rotors was $480. An additional $60 if the rear rotors had to be machined.

I picked up the car and immediately returned it because the brakes are soft, so they have it for another day. Looking at the bill, they charged for machining the front and back rotors, not replacing them.

Here are the charges.

Labor Disc brake pads (front?) - 65.00
Labor Machine rotors front 42.70
Labor Disc brake pads (rear?) - 97.50
Labor Machine rotors rear 42.50

The front and rear with question marks are because the charges do not specify front or rear for the replacement, only for the machining.

Parts Disc Brake pads 96.89
Parts Disc Brake pads 66.99

Totals - Labor 247.90 Parts - 163.88\

SHOP charge 12.35 (What the heck is this?)

Subtotal 424.13 + tax 25.45

The mechanic told me new rotors, which is why I thought $450 was ok.

Are these charges out of line? This is near Chadds Ford, about 30 miles outside of Philadelphia.

At first I thought it was high but if I divide each figure by 2 thats $32.50 per front at say $75/hour is 25 mins/brake which is about right. The rear wheel has the parking brake so is more complicated. The parts look a bit high but that's because they are "factory" parts. You could check your local Schuk's or equivalent autoparts store next time your out but remember the workshop will mark them up. As it's a Ford Dealer they will have published times for all jobs so ask what the Ford approved time is for the work. Ask what their labour rates are and ...... Shop charge not sure, could be for all the misc. pins, washers etc the used when they replaced the pads or grease for the parking brake. Whatever. 12.35/4 is only $3 a wheel!

Overaul I thinks it's par for the course.

Thanks, but this was the local gas station and not the dealer. That's why I thought the parts were high.

This from the "Bikes" thread.

and you think YOU got ripped off.

To me it's high, but I have always done my on brake work. Just take rotors, drums somewhere and have turned. Guess I'll faint if have to go to shop.

Me again again.

Does your Focus have the 2.3l Duratec or whatever engine? Check out www.cosworth.com and sales and performance parts.

UT these don't fit GTI's

I just need new A/C. Taking it in next week I think.

Small independant specialist shop. Preferable recommended by a friend. Get 3 quotes, consider a rebuilt compressor if you need one.

450' s not bad for turning all 4 and replacing the pads. you're well over 600 for all new rotors and pads. i dont like cutting them cuz they get thin and warp easier, but it is cheaper

lj, so would it be better to just buy aftermarket rotors with new pads? j/c.......

edit: doing the labor myself.....

I do my own brake work....always.

pads - $25/set
rotors - $18 ea
"shop charge" - $5

satisfaction index knowing the job was done right and the car WILL stop when called upon - Priceless.

The shop charge is a miscellaneous charge meant to cover consumables such as degreaser, fresh grease, rags etc. Things that are used up, but cannot be put on the bill because you don't get it all. This can really add up sometimes.

I admit that my cost for parts is less than your cost for parts because I get the shop discount. Eat your heart out! It is still cheaper to do it yourself as you save the labor charge but eat the time it takes.

Brian

Are brakes that easy? Do the rotors and pads just bolt on, or what? Is it just a matter of jacking the car up, taking the wheels off, and... ?

Rich, the price sounds about right to me. When I had brakes/rotors put on Rho's Geo Metro 3 years ago, it cost almost $500 at Midas.

I was wondering the same thing. Here's what I found. With these instructions and a repair manual for my car, I might actually try to do this to save a few hundred bucks.

If you do your own brake work, who do you sue for damages when they fail?