Declining a repair estimate
 

The Honda dealership on RT 23 in NJ quoted me $291 to repair my brakes. After doing some work they decided they needed to replace essentially the entire brake system on my Civic SI with 15,000 miles and estimated $3,600. They claimed the wrong fluid was in the system. I declined and went to pull my car. They wanted $413 for work done to date. I'd like to know if most shops would charge for the incomplete (and ineffective) work in a situation where a revised estimate is declined.

RE: Declining a repair estimate
 

Did they make you sign anything that said you would pay x amount for repairs to be done?

RE: Declining a repair estimate
 

THATS CRAZY!!!! You tell them to lick your A$$! And how do a brake system fails at 15,000 miles..... You don't need to put brake fluid in during a 15,000 miles. My question is did you put any in, and How did they determine that it was the wrong brake fluid in?

RE: Declining a repair estimate
 

average price for front pads and rotors is about 3-400 bucks at a stealership.

you will have to pay for the repairs you athorized to begin with, but not the stuff they are recommending on the revised list, unless you ok'd them.

what year is your civic? is it still under warrenty?

pads easily last to 30,000 miles so i don't understand what kind of problems your car has with only 15,000 on it

RE: Declining a repair estimate
 

Alright my question is u said ur civic have 15,000 mile right tht mean tht should still be under warrenty. isnt it 3 year 36,000 miles. and than u said the wwrong fluid was in the system . now how in the world is tht ur fault tht should be the manufacture or dealship fault. i would try to file an appeal or some kind of complaint.

RE: Declining a repair estimate
 

I say that you're only on-hook for the original $291, if anything - considering they haven't exactly 'fixed' anything yet. Did they give you a verbal, or written quote? Usually, they only give verbal quotes, but if you got lucky, then that's to your advantage.

Get the Better Business Bureau involved - they'll change their tune in a hurry.

I'd say, learn how to do brakes yourself. The top quality ceramic brake pads are only $69-ish at your favorite chain auto parts store, and most of them offer a rotor-turning service (if you even need it) for $10 per rotor. A decent set of jack-stands is less than $30. And the feeling of successfully doing it yourself and not getting hosed by the hack mechanics or stealerships: Priceless.

Good luck.

RE: Declining a repair estimate
 

Thanks for your comments.

I signed something that indicated a min $47 diagnostic fee. I agreed to $291 over the phone.

I did not put any fluid in nor did my local mechanic he says. I think they concluded wrong fluid from a warped rubber seal and particles in the fluid.

It's 2003 - just out of warrantee I believe.

It's not that the brakes were warn out - it's that they drag at times and sometimes even fully lock up so I can't move the car - usually it goes away after a few minutes. Seems like clogged hydraulics or something - though I don't know much about this. They tried flushing the system twice and then concluded they need to replace everything.

RE: Declining a repair estimate
 

first mistake.