LIFETIME GUARANTEE*    *...Until you read the small print

     As time passes, your car will need brake repairs and that's when you may notice a chain store advertisement for a "lifetime guaranteed" brake job.  The price is good and the idea of never again having to pay for a brake job makes you happy.   You suspect shops make offers like this because they expect people to sell their cars or lose the guarantee slip, but not you.  "They are going to lose money on this customer," you say to yourself as you drive up.  Confidently you sign the work order...without reading the fine print.

     A little more than a year later you learn that your brake pads are getting thin and should be replaced.  "No problem, I have a Lifetime Guarantee!"  So you go back to get your FREE brake job.  But when presented with a repair estimate, it amounts to more than the original brake job.  "Two Hundred dollars!   But what about my lifetime guarantee?"  Here's the catch.  The service advisor points to the fine print that says:  "Additional labor and parts not included if necessary to bring the brakes up to safe standards of operation."  In simple terms this means every time you go for a brake job, only those cheap pads are free.  You still pay for the labor necessary to turn the rotors, repack the bearings, rebuild the calipers, bleed the system, plus parts.  The parts can include caliper rebuilding kits, shims, bearing grease, and seals.

     By the time they're finished, it would have been a better idea to have your regular mechanic install high-quality brake pads in the first place.  The car would have gone farther before needing pads and the total bill would have been lower.

     The same holds true for lifetime guaranteed mufflers.  Their connecting pipes - not covered by the warranty - are thin, cheap metal.  The muffler will easily out-last the pies, and profit is made on the labor.  Lifetime front end alignments are a good way for the shop to generate unnecessary work.   You will be told the front end can't be aligned without first replacing parts - which aren't covered by the guarantee.

CONSUMER TIP:  Always read the fine print.  What is expected of you to keep the guarantee active?  There may be other necessary costly services that are not included.  Be careful!  Don't get ripped off.  Find a good shop you can trust and stick with them.