Wooding's Garage

First, let me say that no one walks into a shop and wants to hear an estimate of >$1056 for a same-day repair. I don't hold that against the shop because that's how they stay in business. However, their parts markups are heavy and I don't think they're entirely honest about their labor time (they over-billed labor for a nested job on CV axles and control arms that would've taken me an extra 30 minutes and not 2.5 hours--otherwise they'd never finish the car same-day). Despite the Tibetan Peace Flags and the "Tricycle" Buddhist magazines in the shop, that mentality does not extend to the customer... After a minor haggle about the price of axles (Steve went from $180 per axle to $120 after I told him I can get new complete axles for $62), I signed off for the repair and also had them replace the upper control arms on their diagnosis. They were very quick with the repair work but I have no idea if the control arms really required replacement because they didn't show me and I hate being the annoying customer who requests to see. A minor digression: I worked for a mechanic all throughout high school and have a very good knowledge of cars, I replaced my share of front drive axles and CV joints, and what I learned is that the best mechanics are generally not the best businessmen (e.g., the best mechanics show their customers the disable parts). After I paid the bill I forgot to use a 15% off coupon, so I went back in and Steve initially stated he could not apply the discount because he already "swiped my card"--that turned my stomach, especially after the Buddhist decorations (empty symbols apparently) and spending over $1100 for a same-day repair. He then applied the discount with a demeanor that again left me feeling he'd rather I just went away. They also billed $13.93 in gear oil plus $25.50 in labor to top off the gear box. I just don't like that business style--I could go to a VW dealer for that kind of billing, without the peace flags. I sometimes wonder if going to a new shop is like going to a new bar and getting the schlep treatment until you tip the bartender enough to gain "preferred customer status". I don't like that because it's a lot of money to spend to get someone to treat you with decency so you don't imagine how much you overpaid or if you'll go back because of the whole experience. I've been down the road to MacKenzie Motors with my Nissan P/U and was completely satisfied but went to Wooding's with my Passat because I wanted to try some VW guys. I'm not sold, so I will give MacKenzie Motors a shot with my VW and I would recommend to other VW owners that they don't need to be fixed on a VW/Audi shop. Good mechanics are good mechanics.