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?

[Dr Evil]

I HATE working on this damn Toyota! I figure that the ball joints probably do need replacing as this was a neglected vehicle that I had the luck of buying after its abuse. It sucks that my first though is whether or not I am getting screwed, but as Krusty pointed out, there are reasons for such. I found an independent shop in the opposite direction, but still on biking distance so I will try them next (because I have too many damn cars!). I cant wait until the 914 gets inspected, I know every inch of it personally.
Thanks for the tips on inspecting the ball joints, on a tall 4x4 the method described by Bruce is what is recommended. I'll be checking them as I remove them just to make myself feel better (already bought the replacements). I will be saving a bunch doing it myself, but I need to be studying for the USMLE (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) I have some MP3 lectures I can listen to while working on it. Nothing like covering cardiac/renal/GI/and endocrine while whacking the hell out of some ball joints (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)