Message-ID: <MkK5Fsa00YUpAAL1gl@andrew.cmu.edu>
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 12:12:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Harold S. Lessure" <hl0t+@andrew.cmu.edu>
To: Harry.Bovik@cs.cmu.edu
Subject: Lifetime Auto Repair: Bad Experience
Cc: 


This concerns the bad experience I had regarding Lifetime Auto
at the corner of Murray and Forward in Squirrel Hill. Let me say
first that I have had some experience myself with cars and trucks
having helped rebuild a pickup and jeep in high school and then
for the most part maintaining my own cars when I had access to a
garage.

My brakes started to go out on me a couple months ago at a bad
time when I also had come down with the flu so I decided to take
my car in and try Lifetime due to convenient location and I did
not expect this to be a very expensive or difficult job.

I went in and asked them to have a look and they correctly identified
the problem (bad master cylinder) but what they proposed to fix it was
outrageous. Their estimate was in the range of $300 for the master
cylinder PLUS they wanted to do a complete brake pad replacement at
exhorbitant prices. When I told them that this was ridiculous and
that I had replaced all the brake pads recently they said they
just felt like they ought to be redone - maybe the front pads were
replaced but was I sure the rear were also...I was sure that the rear
had been done. 

This had taken about 15 minutes so far. Finally, I told them that I
didn't want them to do any work - please just take my car off the 
lift so I could leave. Then they pointed out a sign in their office
which is not visible until you turn to leave that says all estimates
cost $25. Well, I don't mind paying some money for their time but I
was NOT told about this up front. I paid the $25 and got the hell
out of there - all the while one of their mechanics was telling me that
I shouldn't be driving the car in that condition - that they wouldn't
be responsible - mostly trying to scare me I guess. I left to work on
it on my own when I felt better. I drove carefully home.

The next weekend I replaced the master cylinder myself:

rebuilt master cylinder - $55
can of brake fluid      - $3
time for me to do it    - 20 minutes

I was outraged at their exhorbitant prices, dishonesty about their charge
for diagnosis, padding the bill with unnecessary work and attempt at scare
tactics. Avoid Them.

In the past I have had good experiences with Bruno's Garage on Mellon
St. in East Liberty and I've had at least one reasonable estimate at
Homer's Garage at the corner of Lilac and Murray near the Greenfield
Giant Eagle. You might try them instead. Bruno's is a little farther
from campus but is a little less expensive and have done excellent work
for me previously.