After researching maintenance shops online I selected “Import Specialty Auto”, located at 2348 East Boulder Street, Colorado Springs, CO.
I needed new brake pads for my 2004 Audi A8. OEM Pads are difficult to find for that car so I ordered them online from Amazon. I called “Import Specialty Auto” on Boulder Street and asked them how much to install my OEM pads. Todd told me the price and added,”We will only install your pads, if you purchase our rotors, otherwise we can't honor the warranty.”
Okay I thought, so I brought them the sealed EBC “Red Stuff” brake pads, and left my $74,000 car at their shop.
Upon picking up the car, the squeal was VERY noticable from the rear brake pads. Having driven high performance cars before I know that for the first 200 miles or so there will be some squealing as the pads set.
But 3000 miles later the squealing is MUCH worse. Like a herd of banshees having an orgasm anytime I come to a stop at street light.
I felt that maybe it was time I brought my high-end performance vehicle back to the company I entrusted my life and the life of my family members in....
I brought the car in at 8:12 am 6/4/2015. 1 hour later, they presented me with a bill for $57.97
I asked the customer service manager, what is this? They told me I had brought them crappy pads, and that it was an excessive build up of paint that was causing the squealing. I thought huh, The top brake pads in the world and they fail after installation? He said yeah, and the technicians even went out of their way to spray some lube to stop the squeaking. I said why should I have to pay for something that is under warranty. He corrected me, saying he can't warranty something he did not order. I asked him then why have me buy new rotors when the old ones were fine. He smugly stared at me and said,”Miscommunication”.
I couldn't believe it! I needed more information from the manufacturer on how $200 brake pads could fail so quickly after installation.
I drove back home and pulled out the EBC brake pad product box from December looking for manufacturer contact information. Having opened the package I noticed instructions for installation. I read the instructions. It said the technician should install these particular shims included with the kit. Looking under the instructions, at the bottom of the box - were the shims. Still unopened, in their clear little baggie.
So they did not bother with reading the directions provided from the manufacturer, and as a result destroyed the brake pads they installed.
I brought the EBC Brake Pad box with the unopened shims back to Import Specialty Auto. I waited for ten minutes while the “owner” Kevin spoke to his underlings.
They seemed to be in a daze when they came out of his little office. I explained to him what I had discovered. He said it was installed properly. I asked him to read the small 70 word paragraph. I then pulled the unused shims out of the box and asked him,”Then why were the instructions not followed?”
He stopped for a moment, and then told me that,”We install all kinds of brake pads.” I told him does that abstain him from the responsibility of doing work right, the first time.” “You took my money. Because you did not do the work correctly I want my labor money ($173.91) back for the rear brake pads that Import Specialty Auto installed in December and the ($57.97) charge for your service “technicians” spraying stop-squeak to the improperly installed pads. He told me he will replace the brake pads …
... for $230 + tax, of course.
I asked him flatly, “Why did you not do it correctly the first time?” He hesitated, then started with,”Manufacturers make all kinds of shims.....”
I stopped him … and thanked him for his time.
Seeing that Kevin (The owner) from Import Specialty Auto was of no more use in solving the damage done to my $74,000 Audi A8 I left his shop to pursue MY families safety through alternate routes. (I will take it to Phil Long Audi, where the technicians HAVE to take and pass Volkswagon-Audi Engineering and Technical classes.)
There is nothing wrong with making a mistake. But denying you did it and not taking measures to make sure my vehicle is safe (AFTER I PAID YOU!!!) to operate among other drivers who value their safety is CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE. Import Specialty Auto's solution was - spraying “stop-squeak” universal lubricant, and bull-puckey – with a well placed smile.
Maybe time will forget the peril “Import Specialty Auto” of 2348 East Boulder Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado puts their customers in, EVERYDAY, but I won't. Especially after I am going to have to spend another $600 at the Audi Dealership to ensure my continued safety and the safety of others on the road every time I come to a stop.
Import Specialty Auto Reviews
After researching maintenance shops online I selected “Import Specialty Auto”, located at 2348 East Boulder Street, Colorado Springs, CO.
I needed new brake pads for my 2004 Audi A8. OEM Pads are difficult to find for that car so I ordered them online from Amazon. I called “Import Specialty Auto” on Boulder Street and asked them how much to install my OEM pads. Todd told me the price and added,”We will only install your pads, if you purchase our rotors, otherwise we can't honor the warranty.”
Okay I thought, so I brought them the sealed EBC “Red Stuff” brake pads, and left my $74,000 car at their shop.
Upon picking up the car, the squeal was VERY noticable from the rear brake pads. Having driven high performance cars before I know that for the first 200 miles or so there will be some squealing as the pads set.
But 3000 miles later the squealing is MUCH worse. Like a herd of banshees having an orgasm anytime I come to a stop at street light.
I felt that maybe it was time I brought my high-end performance vehicle back to the company I entrusted my life and the life of my family members in....
I brought the car in at 8:12 am 6/4/2015. 1 hour later, they presented me with a bill for $57.97
I asked the customer service manager, what is this? They told me I had brought them crappy pads, and that it was an excessive build up of paint that was causing the squealing. I thought huh, The top brake pads in the world and they fail after installation? He said yeah, and the technicians even went out of their way to spray some lube to stop the squeaking. I said why should I have to pay for something that is under warranty. He corrected me, saying he can't warranty something he did not order. I asked him then why have me buy new rotors when the old ones were fine. He smugly stared at me and said,”Miscommunication”.
I couldn't believe it! I needed more information from the manufacturer on how $200 brake pads could fail so quickly after installation.
I drove back home and pulled out the EBC brake pad product box from December looking for manufacturer contact information. Having opened the package I noticed instructions for installation. I read the instructions. It said the technician should install these particular shims included with the kit. Looking under the instructions, at the bottom of the box - were the shims. Still unopened, in their clear little baggie.
So they did not bother with reading the directions provided from the manufacturer, and as a result destroyed the brake pads they installed.
I brought the EBC Brake Pad box with the unopened shims back to Import Specialty Auto. I waited for ten minutes while the “owner” Kevin spoke to his underlings.
They seemed to be in a daze when they came out of his little office. I explained to him what I had discovered. He said it was installed properly. I asked him to read the small 70 word paragraph. I then pulled the unused shims out of the box and asked him,”Then why were the instructions not followed?”
He stopped for a moment, and then told me that,”We install all kinds of brake pads.” I told him does that abstain him from the responsibility of doing work right, the first time.” “You took my money. Because you did not do the work correctly I want my labor money ($173.91) back for the rear brake pads that Import Specialty Auto installed in December and the ($57.97) charge for your service “technicians” spraying stop-squeak to the improperly installed pads. He told me he will replace the brake pads …
... for $230 + tax, of course.
I asked him flatly, “Why did you not do it correctly the first time?” He hesitated, then started with,”Manufacturers make all kinds of shims.....”
I stopped him … and thanked him for his time.
Seeing that Kevin (The owner) from Import Specialty Auto was of no more use in solving the damage done to my $74,000 Audi A8 I left his shop to pursue MY families safety through alternate routes. (I will take it to Phil Long Audi, where the technicians HAVE to take and pass Volkswagon-Audi Engineering and Technical classes.)
There is nothing wrong with making a mistake. But denying you did it and not taking measures to make sure my vehicle is safe (AFTER I PAID YOU!!!) to operate among other drivers who value their safety is CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE. Import Specialty Auto's solution was - spraying “stop-squeak” universal lubricant, and bull-puckey – with a well placed smile.
Maybe time will forget the peril “Import Specialty Auto” of 2348 East Boulder Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado puts their customers in, EVERYDAY, but I won't. Especially after I am going to have to spend another $600 at the Audi Dealership to ensure my continued safety and the safety of others on the road every time I come to a stop.