Car Service Woes

[Kitsune]

People wonder why I drive thirty miles out of my way to another town to get my vehicle serviced. Here's why:

70,000 mile service + timing belt. All the work listed below is exactly the same.

Shop #1 quote: $56 for service + $593.72 for the timing belt. ($649.72)
Shop #2 quote: $351.75 for service + $562.37 for the timing belt. ($914.12)
Shop #3 quote: $462, total, for all work.

"Can I have this done on Saturday?"

Shop #1: No.
Shop #2: No.
Shop #3: Of course -- would you like me to schedule you for this coming Saturday?

"Will you give me a loaner car?"

Shop #1: No -- we only do that if we have to keep it overnight.
Shop #2: No.
Shop #3: Yep, and you can keep it overnight and pick your car up in the morning if its more convient for you. Oh, here's a voucher for breakfast across the street since you came in so early for us this morning and the coffee in the breakroom isn't so great.

Three shops, all attached to dealerships, all "certified" by the manufacturer. They should all have the same or very similar prices. Shop #3 also has the interesting policy of taking all of the old parts and placing them in a plastic bag that they dump onto the passenger seat floor so you get proof of work when you get the car back. I'm really frustrated that I didn't find shop #3 until three years of owning my car, so to all of you out there that know a friendly shop that you trust: you are extremely fortunate. Moving away from my old, friendly shop was total heartbreak.

"And don't drive like my brother!"