Complaint Review: Brakemasters - Brake Masters - Ventura California

Personally, we've only had good experiences with Brakemasters. They're smart and their work has been excellent for my wife and me. I hope they are willing to resolve all problems, misunderstandings, etc. My CRV will need new brakes soon, and I'm considering Brakemasters for a few reasons, including the history I've had with them. I hope they don't leave me as frustrated as Dee! I will check Sears first, then Brakemasters...both have been good to me over the years. Thanks for the heads up; I hope it was just a one-time thing, and Dee I hope you reach a resolution so they restore your faith in them.

If the battery terminal wasn't making a proper connection, whether due to dirt or breakage, then any of the symptoms you describe may have been present at any given time. Also, those alternator testers used at Auto Supply stores can be notoriously unreliable, and they want to sell parts. I see a lot of shops that will AUTOMATICALLY change both the alternator and battery, so in a way you got off easy, especially as they were rushing it for you. BTW, that is one expensive alternator! Was it for a diesel?

If the battery terminal wasn't making a proper connection, whether due to dirt or breakage, then any of the symptoms you describe may have been present at any given time. Also, those alternator testers used at Auto Supply stores can be notoriously unreliable, and they want to sell parts. I see a lot of shops that will AUTOMATICALLY change both the alternator and battery, so in a way you got off easy, especially as they were rushing it for you. BTW, that is one expensive alternator! Was it for a diesel?

If the battery terminal wasn't making a proper connection, whether due to dirt or breakage, then any of the symptoms you describe may have been present at any given time. Also, those alternator testers used at Auto Supply stores can be notoriously unreliable, and they want to sell parts. I see a lot of shops that will AUTOMATICALLY change both the alternator and battery, so in a way you got off easy, especially as they were rushing it for you. BTW, that is one expensive alternator! Was it for a diesel?

After reading Dee's experience with Brakemasters I believe she may be partially at fault first she states the car broke down four hours later. I wonder what the alternator light on the dash board was indicating?. If as she states the alternator was to blame there most certainly would have been a light on. Secondly when you put a fresh battery on an alternator that may be marginal it is considered a good thing. If she had had the alt replaced with a bad battery it would have self destructed quickly. My guess is the parts house she went too probably cleaned a corroded terminal which was still good.and replaced the bad alternator. Her feelings of excessive charges were probably diagnostic time and labor which are not generally included in the price of any item sold by an automotive repair shop. I believe she didn't understand the nature of auto repair period.Labor is where the profit is made.

This explanation you wrote is All untrue. You say you tested my alternator...WRONG..because had you tested it, you would of found out it was the problem.I broke down the next day, same way as before, after it ran down the battery! You say you replaced my battery for a new one @ $79.99, then how come I paid $180.05? My battery cable IS STILL UNREPLACED,(same as it was that day) as all I had replaced was my alternator, and I have not had a problem since.(by people who KNEW what they were doing, I might add). As far as talking to your Manager when HE HAD CALLED ME, HE IS THE ONE WHO DID THE YELLING! and never offered anything, except his opinion, while telling me I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! By the way, I see your banner saying, 'NEW MANAGER' outside the shop, so that explains more than you are saying. I am sorry, but you are not honest like you state, at least not on that day, your company wasn't, or they do not know what they are doing.And you state 'out in one hour'...HA!!
I was the first person there @ 7:45 a.m. before the workers arrived! I watched customers come and go for 4 hours, and not so much as even an apology! Thanks, ......for ripping me off......

As the owner of the above-referenced Brake Masters of Ventura, I would like to respond to the allegations of improper business practices.

When my mechanics tested the alternator, our equipment showed that it was operating properly. The battery, however, needed to be replaced, as well as the terminal ends of the cables. We spent a couple of hours trying to locate the correct terminal cable ends, but we were unsuccessful. The customer then purchased a battery for $79.99 and left our shop.

It is our opinion that she was subsequently sold an alternator that she probably did NOT need; however, the shop that sold her the alternator replaced the batter cable terminal ends at the time they sold her the alternator.

When the customer called our shop, she yelled at our manager and never gave him a chance to respond to her complaints or even to offer to refund the cost of the battery.

We are not in the habit of recommending parts or services unless we are sure that they are necessary.