I found rotors and pads on partsgeek.com for around 85 bucks (cheapy rotors and semi metalic pads (or i can go ceramic for 10 bucks extra)) plus whatever shipping would be. And that is fine with me becasue I cycle alot and the only thing i use my car for now is commuting 4 miles a night for work. And yes, my local machanic is really relaxed when it comes to quoting, at least with me. It really all depends on how I feel once the parts come in. I might have an extra $100 or so by then and I might just give it to him and know that I can trust him, but like I said, I want to learn.
JR