I’ve been New Yorker… it wasn’t pretty.

Man, that’s what gets me. So many peolle probably just say yes to repairs instead of calling out their shady practices.

Probably more than the money it’s the time and energy of wasted taking time off from work or making repairs that were never really necessary.

Good to have input from someone in the industry! I’ll find a shop like yours someday.

Ah, yeah a leased car would be nice. Wish I had the budget for it, but I know the additional cost of a lease has perks like this. I tend to buy and hold the car as long as possible, which is becoming IMPOSSIBLE when dealing with state requirements and a shops motivations .

I agree with your last suggestion. And to be clear, I believe an inspection is fine, but as I mentioned in another comment, perhaps have the state run the inspection sites where finding something to repair isn’t an incentive.

Out of spite, I admittedly gone way overdue. However, my wife hates driving around with the anxiety of old sticker. She’s been pulled over 2 times just for the sticker and she’s over that as well, especially when she’s had 2 toddlers in the car.

Thank you so much for the recommendation. I’ll try Dona’s next time.

Not too bad of a drive, and I’d go farther to find a solid shop! Love the Hardwick area too.

Great suggestion! Added.

I’m trying! 2nd shop in barre-Montpelier area, and another in Waterbury. Definitely open to hearing suggestions.

I get where you are coming from and sure does feel like extortion? Or robbery…

If almost like to see the state run inspection sites where there is not a financial incentive to fail cars a quick buck.

I appreciate hearing about your experience. As you mention, all I want is honesty, that’s all I’m asking.

My family had one of these mechanics that was the absolute model for integrity in the business. We had an older Audi, which as you can imagine needed a lot over time, but it never felt like we were being ripped off. Simple things like the owner saying “you could replace this now, but you’ll be fine for X miles or X time” helped us as a customer prioritize and tackle what was important.