I truly understand the time issue---I do. Just to let you know, I owned three tire stores for 10 years and have done thousands of brake jobs---well, my techs did. It was our gravy-train---my living. I have taken several classes and learned the best way to preform a brake job from washing rotors after turning them to stopping squeal---Squeal is the #1 reason for brake come backs, and I needed it to STOP to maximize profits.

I would not guarantee "no noise" unless the customer bought the up-graded pads that came with shims like VGX or we added them---they work. They do so by holding the pad tightly in place---good hardware is also needed. I also bought cases (as in truck loads) of the same anti-squeal above---that stuff is great. I used it WITH the shimmed pads just as a back up. I ONLY made money on the FIRST brake job. If I had come-backs, not only did I not make money on the come-back, but it took up space and time for a new job that I could make money on---plus the customer was pissed---AND, I was pissed.

The pad material is NOT the problem---not on a $100 pad set---it's the vibration. A bad surface on the rotor, like I said, can make a pad jump, but it still the movement making the noise. You said that the shop was "less than optimistic" about shims ---The vibration was small. Yes it is, high frequencies have SMALL wavelengths thus the high pitch squeal. If they had a long wavelength---a lot of room to move, the sound would be a low bass sound---a groan not a squeal. This is why tweeters are small and woofers are bigger. Shims take-up that small space---they work or the good pads would not use them.

Your shop IS wrong---bottom line. Too many have used this pad. It's not the pad; it's the install. Even if you had a "hard spot" on one pad (defective pad), the noise would only come from one side. I and another have said anti-squeal. Most good pads COME with shims; I have never seen Rotex, but a $100 set is a GOOD pad. Maybe your shop did not install shims, maybe they are built into the pad, but whatever the case it is the install, NOT the pad material---again, too many have used these pads, but not ALL have used this installer. You decide where you think the problem lies!

Going to the other shop is probably a good move---if they are good. Ask them how they do a job. You do not just "slap pads" in the calipers---I wished that it was that easy.

Good luck again, Jimmy