WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY BRAKES?

If you assume you're going to be ripped off, that's how you're going to feel no matter what you're told or sold. You need to start with a standard brake inspection that any shop can do. Often they will give you multiple choices for repairs. Some shops just do the minimum that is required to make the vehicle safe, and no more because they want to save you money. That might sound good at first if you like to be penny-wise and dollar-foolish. Some shops go well beyond the minimum because they're looking out for you long-term. Those shops usually have a reputation for costing a little more but doing better work.

Because of the nature of cars and their owners, mechanics and customers speak different languages. A lot gets lost in translation, especially when there's a service writer in the middle who doesn't really understand cars much better than the owners. This miscommunication is very often the cause of perceived fraud. Mechanics are no different than doctors, accountants, and sales clerks. There's good ones and bad ones, but mechanics are the only people we automatically assume are going to rip us off.