after a couple adjustments (and a new brake cable) the brakes were workings smoothly again.
i have sworn never to take it back to that same shop. trying to sell me an entire new set without even checking it out is pretty ****ty. also, when i was there the first time they were talking to this little kid about bikes, or rather the kid was talking to them. he couldnt have been more than 12-13 years old and obviously very excited to be interacting with mechanics in a shop. after the kid left they started saying a bunch of **** about how they do not have the time to talk to annoying kids about bicycles. i completely lost all respect for them.
thank you again for all the answers.