Comments on: I-Team: Undercover Decoys Used in Las Vegas Mechanic Sting http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/ Your Source of What\'s Happening Now Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:03:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Vasco Nunez http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-3234 Vasco Nunez Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:54:44 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-3234 David Getz is the owner, and is hiding so his law practice will not be ruined by his deceptive practice in Nevada. His partner treasure is Gary Kornfeld, a CPA in San Diego. Look at the web site http://www.brake--team.com David Getz is the owner, and is hiding so his law practice will not be ruined by his deceptive practice in Nevada. His partner treasure is Gary Kornfeld, a CPA in San Diego.

Look at the web site http://www.brake–team.com

]]> By: michael http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2991 michael Fri, 30 May 2008 18:09:09 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2991 As a former employee of brake team i am very unhappy they let me go for what they said were performance issues they say they don't want rip people off but they do it everyday they want $300+ per car the attorney general should investigate reno and the other markets they may be following the rules in vegas but i'll bet they are still up to there old tricks everywhere else gauranteed i could fill a hundred pages but i'll stop here you get the picture As a former employee of brake team i am very unhappy they let me go for what they said were performance issues they say they don’t want rip people off but they do it everyday they want $300+ per car the attorney general should investigate reno and the other markets they may be following the rules in vegas but i’ll bet they are still up to there old tricks everywhere else gauranteed i could fill a hundred pages but i’ll stop here you get the picture

]]> By: FORMER BRAKE TEAM MANAGER http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2903 FORMER BRAKE TEAM MANAGER Thu, 22 May 2008 00:39:07 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2903 I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ITS ABOUT TIME!!!! WHAT A SIGH OF RELIEF,FINALLY BRAKE TEAM HAS BEEN EXPOSED FOR WHAT THE ARE A BUNCH OF MONEY HUNGRY INCOMPETENT PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THEIR MARKET SHARE .DON'T LET THEM FOOL YOU !AS AN EX EMPLOYEE, I WAS AT THE MEETINGS THAT YOU WERE TOLD TO "UP-SELL EVERY CUSTOMER,PREMIUM PADS, HARDWARE,ROTORS CALIPERS, &COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH" (WHICH BY THE WAY IS JUST SUCKING THE FLUID OUT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER)IF YOU DON'T AVG $240SALES TICKET AVG YOUR BOOTED OR MORE THAN LIKELY TRANSFERRED TO A STORE VERY FAR FROM WHERE YOU LIVE SO YOU WILL LIKELY QUIT(SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY UNEMPLOYMENT) THREE TIMES A DAY YOU WILL GET CALLS FROM CORP WANTING TO KNOW YOUR TOTALS UP-SELLS,CALIPERS,PADS ,ROTORS HARDWARE,FLUSHES ETC, AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH THEY RIDE YOUR ASS, AS FOR THE TECHNICIANS ,THEY WILL HIRE ANYONE WILLING TO LEARN, FOR 7 TO 8 DOLLARS AN HR ,WHEELS FALL OFF, CALIPERS GET INSTALLED BACKWARDS ETC, THEY REFUSE TO PAY OVER TIME THE LIST GOES ON!!!! THIS COMPANY MAKES TONS OF MONEY UP SELLING,YOU CANT DO A DECENT BRAKE JOB FOR LESS THAN ABOUT $240 . SO BUYER BEWARE NO GREEN CARD NECESSARY! AND ED "KIRK" KIRKPATRICK IS A JOKE ,HE COULDNT TRAIN HIS WAY OUT OF A WET PAPER BAG, OH AND DONT FORGET ABOUT THE KICKBACK CHECKS THAT ED ,DAVE BRIAN AND GARY GET EVERY MONTH! I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ITS ABOUT TIME!!!! WHAT A SIGH OF RELIEF,FINALLY BRAKE TEAM HAS BEEN EXPOSED FOR WHAT THE ARE A BUNCH OF MONEY HUNGRY INCOMPETENT PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THEIR MARKET SHARE .DON’T LET THEM FOOL YOU !AS AN EX EMPLOYEE, I WAS AT THE MEETINGS THAT YOU WERE TOLD TO “UP-SELL EVERY CUSTOMER,PREMIUM PADS, HARDWARE,ROTORS CALIPERS, &COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH” (WHICH BY THE WAY IS JUST SUCKING THE FLUID OUT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER)IF YOU DON’T AVG $240SALES TICKET AVG YOUR BOOTED OR MORE THAN LIKELY TRANSFERRED TO A STORE VERY FAR FROM WHERE YOU LIVE SO YOU WILL LIKELY QUIT(SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO PAY UNEMPLOYMENT) THREE TIMES A DAY YOU WILL GET CALLS FROM CORP WANTING TO KNOW YOUR TOTALS UP-SELLS,CALIPERS,PADS ,ROTORS HARDWARE,FLUSHES ETC, AND IF YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH THEY RIDE YOUR ASS, AS FOR THE TECHNICIANS ,THEY WILL HIRE ANYONE WILLING TO LEARN, FOR 7 TO 8 DOLLARS AN HR ,WHEELS FALL OFF, CALIPERS GET INSTALLED BACKWARDS ETC, THEY REFUSE TO PAY OVER TIME THE LIST GOES ON!!!!
THIS COMPANY MAKES TONS OF MONEY UP SELLING,YOU CANT DO A DECENT BRAKE JOB FOR LESS THAN ABOUT $240 . SO BUYER BEWARE NO GREEN CARD NECESSARY! AND ED “KIRK” KIRKPATRICK IS A JOKE ,HE COULDNT TRAIN HIS WAY OUT OF A WET PAPER BAG, OH AND DONT FORGET ABOUT THE KICKBACK CHECKS THAT ED ,DAVE BRIAN AND GARY GET EVERY MONTH!

]]> By: megan http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2825 megan Wed, 14 May 2008 15:03:05 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2825 now as we all know your auto is a scam made up with kal(fahild) and shafqui hiriji, but do we know which stores they control and which purrfect autos are run by honest owners? well las vegas bld and lamb... stay away from, eastern, flamingo,las vegas and tropicana,also bad news . now at the last managers meeting shafiq demanded 250.00 a car no matter what they had to do with 10% osp. now thats where i want to take my car!! not!!! go to the locations where the owners are on site so they take full accontability for their staff. there are some great stores just see if they pressure you if they do walk no run. now as we all know your auto is a scam made up with kal(fahild) and shafqui hiriji, but do we know which stores they control and which purrfect autos are run by honest owners? well las vegas bld and lamb… stay away from, eastern, flamingo,las vegas and tropicana,also bad news . now at the last managers meeting shafiq demanded 250.00 a car no matter what they had to do with 10% osp. now thats where i want to take my car!! not!!! go to the locations where the owners are on site so they take full accontability for their staff. there are some great stores just see if they pressure you if they do walk no run.

]]> By: Bret http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2751 Bret Wed, 07 May 2008 22:03:00 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2751 I was a repeat customer at the W. Sahara BREAK TEAM because they treated me so well a few years ago when I had a mini-van. So I took a friends sedan there and was told she needed her brake fluid bled and refilled along with some kind of retainer clip on her pads replaced and other stuff that added up to $288.00 which could have been more had I not refuse certain other options that I was capable of performing myself. To top it off they only did the front brakes because the back ones had "plenty of wear still left on them" and was told I could return with the receipt to have the job finished. I don't believe myself to be stupid, gullible or even nieve; but after seeing your news report I am beginning to believe that I may have been duped. thanks for the heads up, Bret I was a repeat customer at the W. Sahara BREAK TEAM because they treated me so well a few years ago when I had a mini-van. So I took a friends sedan there and was told she needed her brake fluid bled and refilled along with some kind of retainer clip on her pads replaced and other stuff that added up to $288.00 which could have been more had I not refuse certain other options that I was capable of performing myself. To top it off they only did the front brakes because the back ones had “plenty of wear still left on them” and was told I could return with the receipt to have the job finished.

I don’t believe myself to be stupid, gullible or even nieve; but after seeing your news report I am beginning to believe that I may have been duped.

thanks for the heads up,
Bret

]]> By: Nancy http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2748 Nancy Wed, 07 May 2008 03:41:39 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2748 I just saw the I Team report on Brake Team. I'm shocked by your story and honestly find it difficult to believe that your investigation speaks for the entire company's operation. I've twice taken my car into Brake Team's Buffalo Store. The first time I had gone to Midas First. Midas recommended service quoting a price over $400. I was skeptical of the recommendation and price and so I took my car to Brake Team for their free inspection. Not only did they recommend the same service, but they did it for $150 less, with a better warranty. I have to think Brake Team treated me honestly, otherwise Midas too was being dishonest. The 2nd time I brought my husband's car in for an expection since I thought I heard the brake's squelling. Anyway, it turned out all the car needed was a simply adjustment. There was no charge and they had me out of there in less then an hour. My husband was thrilled! To me this is probably an isolated incident and clearly doesn't speak to the running of the entire company. I for one will stick by Brake Team. No worries, I will continue to be a loyal customer. Nancy D I just saw the I Team report on Brake Team. I’m shocked by your story and honestly find it difficult to believe that your investigation speaks for the entire company’s operation. I’ve twice taken my car into Brake Team’s Buffalo Store. The first time I had gone to Midas First. Midas recommended service quoting a price over $400. I was skeptical of the recommendation and price and so I took my car to Brake Team for their free inspection. Not only did they recommend the same service, but they did it for $150 less, with a better warranty. I have to think Brake Team treated me honestly, otherwise Midas too was being dishonest.

The 2nd time I brought my husband’s car in for an expection since I thought I heard the brake’s squelling. Anyway, it turned out all the car needed was a simply adjustment. There was no charge and they had me out of there in less then an hour. My husband was thrilled!

To me this is probably an isolated incident and clearly doesn’t speak to the running of the entire company. I for one will stick by Brake Team. No worries, I will continue to be a loyal customer.

Nancy D

]]> By: Harvey Helmandollar http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2745 Harvey Helmandollar Tue, 06 May 2008 23:41:51 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2745 We went to have our breaks fix at the break team on Ft. Appache. They charged us $700. to get them fixed. That was just over a year ago. Two months ago we were having some problems with the breaks again, so we went back the the same place. Now they want to charge us another $650 for some more work that should have been fixed the first time. I just think that there should be some way to get the money they basicly stole from every one back. They are thieves and should be treated as such. We went to have our breaks fix at the break team on Ft. Appache. They charged us $700. to get them fixed. That was just over a year ago. Two months ago we were having some problems with the breaks again, so we went back the the same place. Now they want to charge us another $650 for some more work that should have been fixed the first time. I just think that there should be some way to get the money they basicly stole from every one back. They are thieves and should be treated as such.

]]> By: Brian C. http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2720 Brian C. Thu, 01 May 2008 22:11:55 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2720 If you own a car, know how it works. As a former employee of Brake Team, it was AMAZING to me, that customers would ALWAYS have $2500 to replace the engine,or $1500 for a paint job, but would complain about the $300 to make the car stop!!!! The State should have required vehicle inspections and get the UNSAFE cars off the road, instead of targeting an honorable man's business practices. Dave Getz took over a crooked business(Brake Depot)and made it as honest as he possibly could. Some store managers would get greedy for their own pockets. When he found out(he always did) they were terminated. Then I was called on to "make things right" with the customer, at any cost. How many business owners go that far? I did plenty of $99 specials, and guess what. When that customer needed major brake system repairs, he came back to me. So, you ALL can bash Brake Team over this story and complain that "you got taken" however, I will remain PROUD that I was an employee for Dave Getz and Brake Team. If you own a car, know how it works. As a former employee of Brake Team, it was AMAZING to me, that customers would ALWAYS have $2500 to replace the engine,or $1500 for a paint job, but would complain about the $300 to make the car stop!!!! The State should have required vehicle inspections and get the UNSAFE cars off the road, instead of targeting an honorable man’s business practices. Dave Getz took over a crooked business(Brake Depot)and made it as honest as he possibly could. Some store managers would get greedy for their own pockets. When he found out(he always did) they were terminated. Then I was called on to “make things right” with the customer, at any cost. How many business owners go that far? I did plenty of $99 specials, and guess what. When that customer needed major brake system repairs, he came back to me. So, you ALL can bash Brake Team over this story and complain that “you got taken” however, I will remain PROUD that I was an employee for Dave Getz and Brake Team.

]]> By: mike http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2718 mike Thu, 01 May 2008 16:07:19 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2718 Being in the car repair industry in various positions for most of my life. I am 50, by the way. I have found that people in general don't know that cars and light trucks are designed to wear out. There are many parts that no one knows are related to each other. They are systemic. They fail at the weakest link. For example; If a bearing fails in a wheel and is driven to long it will cause the spindle and hub to be damaged sometimes causing major damage to other parts,even to the point of entire wheels coming off or fires causing fatalities. I am extremely disappointed in the way that vehicle was inspected to begin with. You don't just take the wheels off and shine a light up there to make sure "everything is alright it just needs rear pads". I am not sticking up for Brake Team in any way because they do use bait and switch and improper diagnostic techniques. This is illegal and immoral, but is practiced in every industry including lawyers, doctors,retail outlets and yes, even car dealership repair centers. Refering to the above comment that they feel thay are above reproach. The big losers here are the people on the highway with other people that won't repair dangerous conditions on their vehicles now because they won't listen and belive what they see when a real problem exists. Stick to the facts and get a real expert next time you do a piece on something you know nothing about. By the way you don't take tires off with an air drill it is called an impact air wrench. Please do better more informative reporting next time. Being in the car repair industry in various positions for most of my life. I am 50, by the way. I have found that people in general don’t know that cars and light trucks are designed to wear out. There are many parts that no one knows are related to each other. They are systemic. They fail at the weakest link. For example; If a bearing fails in a wheel and is driven to long it will cause the spindle and hub to be damaged sometimes causing major damage to other parts,even to the point of entire wheels coming off or fires causing fatalities. I am extremely disappointed in the way that vehicle was inspected to begin with. You don’t just take the wheels off and shine a light up there to make sure “everything is alright it just needs rear pads”. I am not sticking up for Brake Team in any way because they do use bait and switch and improper diagnostic techniques. This is illegal and immoral, but is practiced in every industry including lawyers, doctors,retail outlets and yes, even car dealership repair centers. Refering to the above comment that they feel thay are above reproach. The big losers here are the people on the highway with other people that won’t repair dangerous conditions on their vehicles now because they won’t listen and belive what they see when a real problem exists. Stick to the facts and get a real expert next time you do a piece on something you know nothing about. By the way you don’t take tires off with an air drill it is called an impact air wrench. Please do better more informative reporting next time.

]]> By: Emily http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2715 Emily Thu, 01 May 2008 06:20:53 +0000 http://blogs.lasvegasnow.com/blog/2008/04/28/i-team-undercover-decoys-used-in-las-vegas-mechanic-sting/#comment-2715 I had a very important trip I had to take and needed my brakes checked (they were squeeking) so I took my car into Just Breaks located at Craig Rd/Losee across from the Cannery. I prayed before I entered the store that they would not try to take advantage of me being a woman, well they seen me coming,First estimate I got was $200 car was still on the ground,they then lifted the car up turned the wheels then they came back and quoted me $480, they pulled the wheels off and came back a third time and quoted me $780. My bell went "DING" I was furious I demanded they show me the parts that needed repaired and I wanted to know what all need to be done to complete the job.I instructed them to put my car back on the ground and put all my tires back on I was leaving.The manager seen how upset I was and stated he would work out a deal and he came back with a price of $670.I needed to get out of town the next day and paid. Boy did I feel stupid. I was not able to enjoy my trip feeling I had just been had.I am glad this investigation happen andI hope all the repair shops that laughed at us going out their door after paying their bogus charge are hit with HEFTY fine. YOU ROCK I-TEAM..... I had a very important trip I had to take and needed my brakes checked (they were squeeking) so I took my car into Just Breaks located at Craig Rd/Losee across from the Cannery. I prayed before I entered the store that they would not try to take advantage of me being a woman, well they seen me coming,First estimate I got was $200 car was still on the ground,they then lifted the car up turned the wheels then they came back and quoted me $480, they pulled the wheels off and came back a third time and quoted me $780. My bell went “DING” I was furious I demanded they show me the parts that needed repaired and I wanted to know what all need to be done to complete the job.I instructed them to put my car back on the ground and put all my tires back on I was leaving.The manager seen how upset I was and stated he would work out a deal and he came back with a price of $670.I needed to get out of town the next day and paid. Boy did I feel stupid. I was not able to enjoy my trip feeling I had just been had.I am glad this investigation happen andI hope all the repair shops that laughed at us going out their door after paying their bogus charge are hit with HEFTY fine. YOU ROCK I-TEAM…..

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