Is 6mm on brake pads considered "near end of life"?

In reality all wearable parts are 'nearing end of life', especially brake pads. Depending on the material used, 6mm may last 10k, 20k or 5k. The shop did give you plenty of information to make a reasonable determination YOURSELF, they didn't push hard on selling you parts and in my opinion based on what you stated were accurate. Not sure what you're looking for, maybe justification for being upset with them. To be safe replace them with ceramics when you feel they need replacement and keep an eye on them. They should last at least 40-50k on the low end baring any other issues such as warped rotors or week rear braking.

3mm is considered time to replace, by 2mm you risk pads breaking apart. They weren't out of order, just selling a service, which is what they or any business does. You seem to be overreacting.

One of those "pain in the butt" customers that shops hate? Maybe.

Sierra_Mountain, thank you for your reply. It was very helpful. My primary concern, and the reason I asked for a refund, was because they told me that the pads needed to be replaced within the next 2k miles or it could become a safety issue. An honest inspection report would have simply stated what you did and left it at that. Instead they added what I believe to be some very manipulative wording and recommendations, to lead me to believe that the repair needed to be done very soon. This, in my opinion, was highly unethical, as I do not believe any car expert on here would recommend to a friend that they replace their brake pads at 6mm. They crossed the line from doing the service I paid them for, to unethically trying to pressure me into unnecessary repairs. I understand that for a car expert it would have been a straight forward call, but I did not know anything about brake pads at the time and would have stupidly paid them to make the repairs if a friend of mine who knew more had not intervened. Anyway....thank you!

Saying they crossed the line is a bit much. If You sound like you're wound way too tight and should probably try and relax instead of acting like a judgemental prick. If it was my shop, I'd tell you to kick rocks and your business wasn't welcome.

Yup, Customers like that we charge double and can't get to it for another couple weeks. LOL