OT: Shady PA vehicle inspection places?, Did I just get bent over? Options

[Dr Evil]

So my vehicle inspection is due for my 4Runner (which I HATE as it bleeds me when it can) and I decide to take it down to the Meiniki (SP) shop that is right down the street and that I have taken the new VUE to before with no problem. I get a call a few hours later telling me that the 4Runner needs ~$750 worth of work; Both front lower ball joints, alignment after ball joint install, new exhaust pie and muffler because both have holes in them (I believe this part), and a front sway drop link because one of them is "broken or missing" according to the shop foreman. No freakin way I can afford $750 right now, and I know how to change a ball joint and drop link so I pay them $340 for the inspection, oil change, and all the exhaust work.
Here is where it gets weird. I get home, look under the front end and to my surprise I find BOTH drop links are there and neither is broken. I knew the Rt one was good as I just replaced it last year, but how the hell can they say that the drop link is broken? Its kind of like a pregnant lady, she either is or is not pregnant. Ball joints are a bit harder to diagnose, but I wasnt about to pay them $75ea when I can get both for that price or less. I need to give them a call and find out what the deal is with the front.

What do you all think?

[Cap'n Krusty]

I'll skip most of my chain store rant, and simply tell you that the managers of most of the national chain store branches, or the franchisees, are likely to be on a first name basis with their state attorney general, and it's NOT because they're golfing buddies.

Opportunities and temptations are there when the techs and service writers get a piece of the parts net, not to mention labor commissions. It's sad, but true, and it's a LOT more common in that type of shop than in an independent facility where reputation means more than advertising.

The Cap'n