In answer to your first question, yes he is working you. What are you going to do with the car? You should do fine with stock type pads, but you will notice a significant improvement in stopping distances with upgraded pads. I have been happy with mine, but Hawk and AEM have fans too. You will pay more for hi perf pads, and they will make more brake dust, both of which were things I can live with. I did mine myself, it is straightforward and simple job, just tkaes a little time to get the rotors off