In 1998, the California Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Automotive Repair(BAR) conducted an undercover investigation of the business practices of company owned Brake Depot repair shops. This was not spurred by customer complaints, but consisted of sending 20 cars into Brake Depot shops for an advertised $99.88 friction reline service. The Cars were all older models that had been retrofitted with new but "aged" parts and artificially ground down on a grinder brake pads. Using acid washed parts to trick the mechanics, in an unreal situation, entrapping the company unfairly. According to BAR allegations, the undercover "customers" were routinely sold unnecessary parts and services at additional cost. All allegations were dismissed.

On July 21, 1999, BAR filed a civil legal action to seek license revocations for all 17 company owned stores in California. Concurrently, the San Diego City Attorney, Casey Gwinn and District Attorney, Paul Pfingst, filed a criminal legal action against Brake Depot and it's owners based on the BAR's misrepresentation.

Brake Depot entered a plea of "Not Guilty" on all charges. But according to the San Diego Daily Transcript, "Even if the case is settled or Brake Depot Proves they did nothing wrong, Ken Wardlow, of the BAR said they will continue his personal vendetta to revoke Brake Depot's registration.

Bureau of Aumotive Repair Allegations

" luring unsuspecting consumers with an advertisement ..with the intention of selling a more expensive service
" routinely charging customers for pars an service never needed
" as well as for parts never installed and service never performed

Brake Depot's history and results demonstrate the truth.
10 years in business.
500,000 brake jobs completed.
Customer satisfaction rate of 99.5 %.
Less than 10 written BAR complaints over three years.
Winner of 1998 Retailer of the Year The San Diego Business Journal
Winner of Best Brake Shop

Patrick Walby, Philip Walby and it's family of employees is deeply concerned by these allegations, and has cooperated with the investigation of those allegations. Brake Depot stands by its exceptionally high standards of practice. Brake Depot was very disturbed by the BAR's personal attacks and using a government agency in a wrongful way.

Brake Depot challenged the validity of the BAR's investigative methods. As an example, undercover operations involve brand new parts that have been 'Aged'. The BAR investigators have been caught tampering with new parts soaking them in acid to make them look like something they are not. This is not a real world situation. Bar investigators artificially aged the parts to entrap the Brake Depot mechanics. The parts were acid washed to fool the mechanics into thinking that the parts were old, when they were not.

Advertising by Brake Depot $99.88 special, is a low priced service to communicate value to prospective customers. Always upon request, Brake Depot provides that service. As a safety consideration, Brake Depot also provides an inspection of all of the brake parts and recommended service if needed. Brakes are an important safety feature of the vehicle and should be kept in proper working order. Brake Depot's advertising complies with MAP regulations.

We educate the customer to allow them to choose what is appropriate, while addressing safety, performance, and budget. ' We fix the brake problem that brought the customer to the store, in accordance with their approval. We never begin any work with out the expressed written approval of the customer,' said Patrick Walby one of the Brake Brothers.

We fully explain and document what is required for safety and what is suggested for optimum performance, as per the manufacturer of the vehicle.