In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, you could get all four brakes relined for $19.99 (springs and hardware extra). If you calculate what that means in 2012 dollars, it would cost $282 according to the Consumer Price Index. So why are shops performing $99 brake jobs?

Brakes should not be a loss leader for shops. Also, brake pad sales should not be a low margin item in order to compete. It is not a service like an oil change or filter replacement that is used to bring vehicles in for service so you can spot other worn or broken parts that need to be repaired. It is a safety service and the consumer should be charged accordingly.

So what does it take to get car shops to get out of the $99 pad swap doldrums? Just like in the 1930s, the shops that will survive are able to put a value on brake service for the consumer and are able to charge more than $99. There is no way to measure a rotor for thickness and runout efficiently and profitably on a $99 brake job. Between setup and making the measurements, it takes at least 10 minutes. But, this must be performed even if you are just slapping in new pads. Shops that do not do this often have higher than normal warranty returns.

Know what to look for
Inferior brake pads will start to fade and pedal travel will be almost to the floor. Also, inferior pads will start to smell worse than the average burnt clutch. Some inferior brake pads may have a very acrid or pungent aroma due to the use of cheap glues and fillers. Also, the smell can be attributed to coatings and paints that may be burning. Some inferior brake pad manufacturers use only a handful of friction material formulations across an entire product catalog. This means that the same friction material may be used on a SUV and compact, the only thing they change is the backing plate.