didn't read the whole thread but all i can say is that you can't get any good help anywhere these days, anyone can walk into these 'specialty' shops and get a job...whether you know shit about a car or not. Most the people that work there are only there to push buttons on the cash register. however, having said that, not all of them are dumb.
Ive learned that if you want a job done properly, you do it yourself. enough said.