Hi Gary......I too spent my lifework in the business and I couldn't agree more. Mind if I go off on a rant here?

I was partners in a beautiful, well equipped, clean, female friendly (had a lovely waiting room BTW), and profitable independent shop. I then saw the workings of literally thousands of others as a Rep and eventually a Divisional Director of Sun Electric, at the time the leading manufacturer of diagnostic equipment (remember those days Gary? When the "Sun Man" was a mechanic first,saleman second.....and we actually KNEW something? Sorry, the company really went to hell.....). I also taught Auto Tech at a Vo-Ed for several years. Enough with the credentials.

Folks, there are some excellent mechanics out there and finding them can be a challenge. I admit the business is full of idiots and a few crooks, but we have always taken a bad hit because of the few. Most wrenches are capable and able enough although the business has generally not drawn the best and the brightest. Some are victims of bad training and the myths that take over to replace fact (powerwashing brakes? Geeziz.....). It is NOT an easy way to make a living and for the best of the mechanics out there, it can also be very frustrating when they are lumped with the crooks and idiots. No one ever compares us with doctors although the human body has only two models and they haven't changed much in a whole lot of years. Your car on the other hand.........Every marque has several models and from Tokyo to Detroit to Stuttgart, they change every year, sometimes twice.

I no longer work in the business and no longer have the monstrous tool box of specialized and general tools required, so I too go looking for a wrench occasionally. If its a decent job, I call an old friend in Columbus, but for small stuff, I generally do it myself (against Karen's wishes--health problems/lifting) or I try to find someone close by. Using the best info available based on experience and background, even I can't call it right sometimes. There is a good guy in a station in Lancaster, but since he was really busy (good ones usually are), we took Karen's Prelude to a different shop last week when the rear discs were riding the squeal clips.

We dropped the car off and I called him back later. This shop has some good word of mouth, decent equipment, ASE certified techs, stays busy.......Generally he met the requirements. When I called him I was expecting to hear that he wanted to turn the rotors, replace pads, and rebuild the calipers. I was then going to suggest that I look at it first and we'd discuss it. However, when I called, I was told the rotors "might make it" but the calipers were frozen and had to be replaced. The total on this was $570. plus tax and an additional $120. if it needed rotors. I said we'd pick it up. Against Karen's wishes (but she was glad later) I took it apart and checked. Bottom line? I fixed it for $20. The important thing I'd add here is that if you add the labor, that is exactly what Denny and I would have charged. It was all it needed, not a "cheap fix."

It takes some serious searching sometimes and there is no foolproof method of finding a good mechanic, but when you do, you can do a few things to KEEP him!!! First, treat him with the respect he deserves. He has a lot invested in tools, equipment, ongoing training and the like and though he has grease under his nails, he IS a professional. Give him the best info you have in describing your problem, but try not to diagnose it yourself and PLEASE.....don't try to fix it yourself first. These cases are known as "Ambulatory Case C's"....the C standing for the Cardboard box that the mess generally arrives in. It seems it is UN-male to not know how to repair your car, but please, swallow your pride early and take it to that guy you had such a hard time finding to begin with.

You may find the best charge more. You'll also find that they stand behind what they do and in general fix it correctly the first time, eliminating repeated trips back. If you're short, tell him. Many times the good guys can "get you by" and at the same time, keep you safe. The thing is, you'll know exactly what was done and how it will affect the car before you get the unpleasant surprise that someone's "cheap job" ended up costing much more. Even if you're driving a beater that needs to have the radiator cap jacked up and a new car slid underneath, he is the best source you have to keeping it on the road with the least expense. We used to work things out with our regulars all the time.

And one other thing.......the best are generally "user friendly" for males and females alike. Denny and I were doing free checks and "How To" clinics almost thirty years ago. It was good business even though teaching someone to do an oil change takes a "bread and butter" job away. Women are an important part of the business and a good wrench knows that!

Sorry if I have no other magic potions to help you discern the best, but once found, don't lose them.......and send your friends to them too.

Spaw