My wife took our 2 year old Neon in to a local Monroe muffler for a $15 state inspection. I always take them in - but the car was only 2 years old so I figured it'd be no problem. Well, the "tech" looks at it and comes back with the HARD sell. "Well, you failed inspection, one of your brake pads seperated - thats VERY dangerous, you need it fixed immediately. Heres the work order ticket to let us do the work", cost estimate of 560 dollars!!!! Well, she's smart enough to just walk out even though the guy told her she could lose control of the car. I looked at the estimate and they were going to replace pads, new rotors and new calipers. On a car that was 2 years old?!?!? I pull the front pads to verify they weren't seperated, and the next morning "talk" with the manager. Considering they could've lost there inspection liscense, he was very apologetic. Next morning we got our inspection sticker, a personal apology from the tech and 10 coupons for free oil changes (that we gave away to our friends).
So, yes a lot of people may try and take advantage of a woman (or a man for that matter), best thing to do is always be willing to walk out and get a second opinion, and if you feel they were dishonest report them to your apllicable state agency, attorney general or BBB.
