Midas

First the good: They were fast, polite, and they eventually fixed the problem, and didn’t charge me for the extra labor and parts it took to fix it. The issue? They shouldn’t have needed extra labor and parts in the first place.
I went in for new pads and rotors. After the install, we heard a loud knocking noise every time we hit the brakes. Keep in mind, this noise only started after the new brakes were installed.
We took it back, and they told us the following:
1. It’s the hubcap (not true)
2. It’s the back wheel (not true)
3. Brakes have a breaking in period, so drive it for a few days to see if the noise goes away (absolutely not true)
4. It’s fixed, but let us know if the noise comes back.
The noise started as we left the parking lot.
I’m about as mechanical as a potato, which is why I rely on the opinions of several friends and family members who are current or former mechanics themselves. They all tell me that I’m being lied to, that I’m being scammed, that I should get my money back if I can, and if not, that I should make them put a new rotor on the front driver side, because it was likely the problem.
So we take it back to Midas and tell them we’d like a new rotor. We even bring them donuts. This time they tell us:
1. Are you sure it’s not the hubcap? (Yes.)
2. It’s the CV joint, nothing to do with the brakes (Which is why the noise started when you serviced the brakes?)
3. It’s these aftermarket wheels. We thought they were 15 inch wheels (even though the wheels are noticeably larger, and clearly state on the side that they are 18 inch wheels.)
4. When we looked at it the second time, I noticed the rotor had a bit of slop to it, but didn’t say anything. (helpful).
5. It’s the CV joint, but we’ll put another rotor on it if you insist. Just don’t be surprised if you find I’m right and you’re wrong. (rude).
They did grease the CV joint, and then installed a new rotor, and finally the knocking has stopped. The guys were all nice, and patient with me when I brought the car back twice, which is why I’m giving them two stars. They recognized something was wrong, and worked to fix it without charging me more than I already paid.
But Christian Brothers offered to inspect the car and give me a second opinion prior to the third visit (for free), they offered to inspect it after Midas fixed it, just to be sure it was done right (also for free), and when I asked them what pads and rotors would’ve cost me if I had gone to them in the first place, it was only $ 50 higher than what I paid at Midas. Christian Brothers earned themselves a new customer, and I never would’ve known about them, had Midas done their job in the first place.

These guys were honest enough to fix only the parts of my truck that needed to be fixed. The other guys quoted me all these extra things that didn’t need to get done. I picked these guys because I’ve had good luck at Midas in other parts of the country. They saw me right away, I waited on the spot, and they completed in decent time for a fair price. They don’t have the world’s best waiting area, but I wasn’t there for cushy seats and hot coffee either. They described exactly what was wrong and how they could fix it; there was nothing vague about what was happening to my truck.