The only thing I will add is that I have replaced pads before and not had any squeal as a rule. The only time I had a squeal problem was when a quick fit type shop did the work for me, the problem in that case was not the new pads themselves, but the fact they did not clean the brakes at all, and just fitted new pads. This caused one side to stick and wear out one side on one wheel within a very short peroid of time, i.e about 7000 miles.

We generally expect pads to last around 24000 miles or so, the rotars a lot longer, but it depends on the use of the vehicle.

From what Bait says, it seems the dealerships in the USA are keen to ensure that you do not come back with a complaint about brake squeal, which must happen more commonly over there.