Carquest Premium Gold Rear Brake Pads: Ceramic, With Hardware, Long Life, Quiet, and Low Dust - Rear

I am not reviewing the brake pads specifically but two of the set I wish to replace have material defects causing them to fade and scuff the rotor surface. The other two pads are fine and I have these pads on all 5 of my vehicles. They usually work great and last several years. The present set has only been in use 9 months before I heard and noticed the problem. What I am reviewing is CUSTOMER SERVICE AND KNOWLEDGE. I went to 2 stores that I usually deal with depending on inventory. My info is in the computer system but I now find that stores are not connected through the internet and each have their own files. SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS BECAUSE THE SOFTWARE HAS LIMITED CAPABILITIES. Neither of the two stores can locate my purchase amongst the 100's I have in their system. Then, one clerk looks at the defective pad and says it looks fine to him and that the car has other issues and would not replace it under warrantee. He told me to try the other store I use. I traveled the 15 miles to the other store and tried there. Again, a young clerk helped me out. He opened my file and saw dozens of purchases and asked for my receipt. DUH? I purchased these in June, 2015 but he could not find the record. He then explained that the LIFETIME WARRANTEE only covers the lifetime of the pad, not the lifetime that I own the car. He looked at all 4 pads and said he saw enough material to stop the car and had no comment on the fact that two looked great and the other two were a mess. I contacted the main office and have a print out that the lifetime warrantee is the time I own the vehicle which makes more sense. I'm searching for the original receipt so I can return to those stores and teach the young guys about TELLING EXPERIENCED OLDER MECHANICS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. I'm also going to deal with the store manager rather than having to teach new hires how to do their job. Yes, I do recommend these pads BUT SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS.

I attempted to replace the pad abutment clips as recommended in the box. i could not get them to fit. I removed the old ones and reinstalled them fine - no problem. When I tried to install the new ones - no go. I compared the new and the old and the width of the sheet metal bends was wider on these than the OEM ones and that prevented me from inserting them. I had to put the old ones back on. Otherwise, the pads themselves fit fine.