My wife and I also use B.C., and we can attest to the good service and honest treatment. Bruce is good people. We have had the rather unique experience of having him refuse to do work that I wanted to pay him to do because it wasn't necessary. Specifically, my front rotors needed to be turned -- there was a shimmy when I braked -- but Bruce made me wait until the pads wore out, which took nearly a year, to do the job. The only downside is the location -- Buford isn't exactly convenient for most of us. But it's worth the drive as far as we are concerned.

My father used to tell me that a good mechanic has two of three virtues: honest, competent, and cheap. Bruce is honest and highly competent. I respect him a great deal and encourage people to use him. However, don't look for anything cheaper than the dealer, just more honest and competent.

You're right -- Bruce is not cheap (nor particularly expensive). But I'm not sure I'd stick with a mechanic that was honest and cheap but not competent, or competent and cheap but not honest. I can foresee ugly consequences from either of those combinations. Give me honest and competent, and I'll pay.

Having searched through many mechanics (even self-professing Christian ones) before finding Bruce, I believe his prices are very reasonable, even on the low side. Even his oil changes (rotate tires, top off fluids, check systems, etc.) are competitive with those horrible quick-lube places. Maybe he just likes me better.

I have heard Bruce mention that he makes no money on the routine oil/rotation maintenance. As a result, he said he doesn't take new customers who only want this. I don't know how to get "in" with him other than (1) bringing a larger job to him or (2) calling him and asking him about it.

I used to do all my own auto maintenance, even some really big jobs. As my time became more valuable, I sought out mechanics. After years of searching, I tried Bruce on a non-routine job. It obviously worked out very well, so I tried him again on slightly smaller jobs. Over time, I found him to be completely trustworthy and have since handed him all my auto maintenance.

Being somewhat knowledgeable about auto maintenance, I am still quite in tune with my car's noises and indications of potential problems. I have often discovered a tiny symptom and taken it Bruce for diagnosis; he has trusted my perception and judgment and has diligently stuck with any investigation into such presently small symptoms, often finding what may have led to large problems. He's done this with incredible generosity and efficiency (not to mention competence). There have even been times he's done small jobs for us (e.g., replacing a brake light) for free.

Over time, he earned our complete loyalty, and in turn, we've earned his. Perhaps this may be why we have not seen him as costing us more than the average mechanic. Knowing of our loyalty, he always knows there will be more business from us. Of course, it may also be our better-than-average care of our vehicle. We faithfully maintain it every 3000 miles. We don't have little problems growing into larger, more expensive problems, having taken care of them early.

Bruce has fallen on hard times since the tech bust. People have had less money, and auto maintenance is one of those things people tend to drop at such times (stupidly, if you ask me). This is partly why his shop is now on his personal property--less expensive than a separate rent. Nevertheless, he's endured, and for that we're thankful.

I hope your experiences with B.C.Automotive are as positive as ours always have been.