See? Joe - you illustrate my point. Your mechanic took excellent care of your automotive needs for 20 years. On the face of it this is benign - and you could even say a benign dictatorship as you say you did whatever he told you to do.

BUT - had you had to choose between various reccomendations, or multiple mechanics you would most likely be in a more informed and advantageous position *NOW*.

Thus your mechanics excellence is not "benign" in the long run - but rather detrimental.