In 1938 you could get a complete four wheel brake reline (job) for less than $30! Today the job costs around $600.

This cartoon was written to promote pulling the brake drum and performing an inspection for safety and for a more accurate estimate.

Just like today, many shops quoted brake jobs off a menu before performing a complete inspection. $13.20 was the bottom line price for relining the shoes, no extra parts or machining of the drum. I tempted many drivers.

The customer of the 1930s was not unlike the customer of today. These drivers were bombarded with hand-painted signs  instead of emails, tv commercials and internet ads promising  low-priced brake jobs. Also, mail order catalogs like Sears & Roebuck sold cheap brake linings just like the retail parts stores today sell $9.99 pad sets do today.

Somethings never change…

Even after 75 years, shops that can return a vehicle to “like new” braking performance and safety do better than shops that just sell on price.

While the shoes have turned into pads and cylinders into calipers, customer safety equals customer satisfaction no matter the price.