Ya know, I have been working on my own vehicles for ~40 years and I always mention that I do all of my own repairs(especially brakes and such) but, one time about 18-19 years ago, I needed some front brakes for one of my daily drivers(DD). It was February and very cold outside so, I went to a local muffler/brake shop for one of their $59 brake specials(front or rear).
Well, I had a frozen caliper and it ruined on of my rotors so, needless to say, I also needed one rotor. Because the caliper was frozen and they did not want to try to free up the sliders and piston as I would have tried(I don't know what they would have charged for that labor), they said that I needed at least 1 caliper and 1 rotor along with the $59 brake special. The other rotors was able to be turned at $35...Wooowaaa! Wait a minute!
I needed the car so that day and the next day so, I asked them..."how much for 2 new rotors and 1 caliper". They replied with..."Well sir, we have this *Loaded Caliper* set that comes with everything"(front pads, 2 rotors/2 calipers) installed, tax and everything for............~$400.00 installed, IIRC! Shame on me
Guess what?
I went for it and never let anyone touch my brakes or car(s) again unless absolutely nessessary(winter time or the inevitable) and something unavoidable happens. I always try to make sure that by October, everything with all of our vehicles is Tip-Top!
In case anyone is interested in what 1 reman caliper, 1 new rotor, 1 rotor turned and $59 brakes would have cost as compared to the ~$400 "loaded caliper set"? Here's the break down as I remember it...
1 reman caliper-$150 installed
1 new rotor-$120 installed
1 rotor turned-$35
front pad special-$59
Total-$364 as compared to the $400 "loaded calipe" kit(2 of everything and front pads). Not even good pads!
This is how shops make comparisons with their customers. They tell the customers that they can spend X amount of $$$'s and get just a few items or, they can spend a little more money and get everything. Well, they got me! Never again!