Are Auto-Mechanics all Dishonest Scum?

[PRC]

The automobile, valued conveyance that it is, is a money-pit of epic proportions.  What, I need to pay $1,325.00 to make this thing operate just as well as it did yesterday!?

Recently i've heard stories of Canadian Tire mechanics being useless charlattans who cause more problems than they ever fix.  Another auto-shop in the region has recently given me the feeling that they consider me an easy mark and are actively engaged in outright price gouging. 

What is the take on Languish?  Are Auto-Mechanics all dishonest scum holding their intelligence of the internal combustion engine as a secret knowlege that gives them the right to demand exorbitant payment for their services?  ...or are Auto-Mechanics simply misunderstood tradesmen, the price for their services is naturally high and they only want to help?

[Eddie Teach]

Mixed bag.

[Mr.Penguin]

PEDAL POWER!!!...

[Richard Hakluyt]

There is a car repair place a few hundred yards from my house. The overwhelming majority of their business is from the local area, an area where people actually know and talk to each other. We trust them implicitly, our repair and maintenance bills are half what they were down south. If they ever stopped being reliable word would spread quickly, as it is they are always busy and make a decent living.......which is as it should be.

[Pedrito]

Other: ALL artisans (mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, fixers, etc) are dishonest, but you have to bear with them.

L.

[Liep]

PEDAL POWER!!!...

[Brazen]

When my car was new I had to take it to the dealers for servicing and that was a complete rip-off. Now I go to a place recommended by my dad which is therefore pensioner-friendly. I can say "It's due a service but I'm broke" or "What's the cheapest way to get it through the MOT". Of course keeping it on the road at all is touch-and-go at the moment, but I figure it's cheaper than trying to start again next time I need a car.

[garbon]

No. My uncle owns his own shop and he is honest...often to his detriment.

[grumbler]

Other: ALL artisans (mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, fixers, etc) are dishonest, but you have to bear with them.

  Grallon, your nihilism never gets old... or wise.

[derspiess]

No. My uncle owns his own shop and his honest...often to his detriment.

Ditto. Though I'd say a majority of mechanics do prey on the ignorant. 

It amazes me how sometimes the amount of work/parts required to fix the problem goes way down when I start asking questions or tell them I'm going to take it somewhere else for a second opinion.

I also like when I'm getting an oil change and they try to sell me an air filter for 3 or 4 times what I'd pay for it in a store.  I usually thank them for reminding me it was time to replace it & tell them I'll replace it myself. 

[garbon]

I also like when I'm getting an oil change and they try to sell me an air filter for 3 or 4 times what I'd pay for it in a store.  I usually thank them for reminding me it was time to replace it & tell them I'll replace it myself. 

I always tell them that I don't care.

[Grey Fox]

Other: ALL artisans (mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, fixers, etc) are dishonest, but you have to bear with them.

  Grallon, your nihilism never gets old... or wise.

Pedrito is Italian, mate.

[DGuller]

There were about three references in that one grumbler sentence that I didn't get. 

[garbon]

Other: ALL artisans (mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, fixers, etc) are dishonest, but you have to bear with them.

  Grallon, your nihilism never gets old... or wise.

Pedrito is Italian, mate.

He didn't actually think Pedrito was Grallon.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Other: ALL artisans (mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, fixers, etc) are dishonest, but you have to bear with them.

  Grallon, your nihilism never gets old... or wise.

Pedrito is Italian, mate.

He didn't actually think Pedrito was Grallon.

Yes, but since it is Italy pedrito may be being realistic rather than cynical