So I'm down in Tampa and my brakes starting squeaking a little bit. I called a couple places around here and one guy was like, "Do you want a premium brake job or just a...um...cheap one?" I said, "Well, I guess...just a cheap one..." He said, "Well, then go to Just Brakes. They're cheap." I was like, "Um...okay." Now I have heard some shitty things about Just Brakes, but I called them anyway to see what their quote was.
"It's a great day at Just Brakes! This is Patrick speaking, who is calling please?"
(I found it strange that he needed to know my name when I just had a simple question.)
"This is Addie.."
"HIIIII Addie! What can I help you with?"
I told him my problem and he proceeded to making me feel like an idiot by asking stupid questions, questions I later found out are part of the corporate "script", so they're really not listening to you in the first place.
Regardless, the rate was pretty reasonable, so I went up there.
"Uh...are you Patrick?"
"YESSSS I AMMMM!!!!" He chirped. He had a high-pitched voice and breasts, but a male name and hairy arms. Confusing.
So I told him about my car.
"OK, if you'll give us 20 minutes, we're going to take it back and look at it to confirm the services with you that you want done."
Patrick took my keys and handed them to a guy in the back. Then he plopped down in the chair next to me and asked me a MILLION annoying questions about myself.
"So...do you like Tampa so far?"
"I'm actually just down here for business."
"Ohhh...what do you do?" (The question EVERYONE feels like they need to ask me. I want to say PORN PORN I DO PORN!!!! I do "weird" crazy fetishes and mess around with people for money! But instead, I make something up.)
"I'm in marketing."
"Ohhh...cooooool! What company?" (God, SHUT up!)
"Oh, you've probably never heard of it."
"Try me! I'm sure I have!"
"Truman Enterprises." I made up. "Have you heard of it?"
"No. So do you like Tampa?"
"It's okay." I pretend to see something AWESOME out the window.
"Why aren't you at work now?"
"I'm getting my brakes fixed." (You dumb shit)
"Riiight...so you drove down here?"
"Yup..."
He then asked me everything from what size shoe I wore to what my father does for a living.
Finally, I said, "You ask alot of questions."
"OH...wow...I'm sorry! It's just part of my job."
"Part of your job..." I smirked.
"Yes, to get to know the customers."
"You'll probably never see me again. I live in Atlanta." I reminded him.
He then stopped talking to me.
Around 20 minutes later, the mechanic brought me back to explain the fatal illnesses of which my poor car had been suffering (NOT!).
"How long have you had the car?" He asked, with a VERY serious look on his face.
"About a year.."
"Well, SOMEBODY replaced the front right brakes, but not the front left." He said, accusingly. "Were you aware of this?"
"Um...no."
"Well, your calipers have holes in them. Your left front rotor is worn down and needs to be replaced. Your brake pads are fine except for the one on the left front side and-"
"Wait, but doesn't the rate package come with all 4 of the pads and rotors being replaced?"
He laughed, as if I were a child and I had just told him that babies come from storks. "No, no, only the pads and shoes, we just ADJUST the rotors."
"Well, just replace what needs to be replaced. Don't bother with the pads that are fine."
He looked at me as if he had broken all four limbs and that I told him he only needed a cast for one. "We can't do that. We replace all of them as a service to you."
"A service? An unnecessary service that I'm paying for!"
Patrick caught wind of the conversation and marched over to us, his bubble butt, swinging back and forth. "Do you understand everything the technician has told you?"
"Yup, I understand. How much?"
"Well, the total comes to $790."
I laughed. "Yeah...right."
Patrick feigned confusion. He proceeded to explain things again, however, I cut him off. "I don't want the calipers replaced. They look fine to me. I just want the brake pads, I guess all 4 since they come together, and the left front rotor."
Patrick's sunshine smile disappeared and his face darkened. "But why?! You need everything!"
"Because I want to take it to my mechanic in Atlanta. I want to see what he thinks. I just want to get the pads and shoes so I can make it home."
"What about the rotors and calipers? I think that is a very unwise decision. You have holes in your calipers."
"I don't see any holes. The left rotor, you can replace. But leave the other ones."
"We can't do that. We can only replace all of them. And that's not what's important. The calipers NEED to be rebuilt!!!" He was almost shouting at me.
I smiled. "If the rotors aren't important then I will just take the pads and shoes that I came in for."
"But it is!!" He whined. "Everything's important!!!!"
"Are you saying I won't make it home unless I replace the calipers?"
"Now you don't have to be like that with me. I'm just telling you what's wrong."
"I'm not being like anything. I'm just telling you what I want and you're trying to push me in another direction. I don't appreciate that."
"Fine." Patrick slammed the clipboard down and walked away. (Fantastic customer service.)
I told my mom what happened and she said that she wouldn't be surprised if they were to steal my parts or fuck something up so my car doesn't drive as well. (Of course, my mom didn't say "fuck". :) )
What a bunch of scam artist assholes. I bet when I take my car up to my mechanic he will say that my calipers and rotors are fine. Fuckin' dickheads.
AT JUST BRAKES WE REALLY DON'T CARE!!! :)
