Just get a Toyota or a Honda. I only get services done by the dealership, that way I have leverage if something doesn't go well. We all have to take at least some responsibility for knowing what our cars need. I've never been taken by a mechanic, but last year, I did get a bad service at a dealer in MT while on a long joyride.

They used a standard wrench instead of the Honda-specific wrench to open the oil pan. They stripped it out and it required replacement of the entire pan. I'm not their patsy and ended up having the entire repair done for free at my home dealership.

To me, it's like anything else, I am responsible to know my car and its habits, if something is out of whack, I do something about it by learning as much as I can and talking to the experts. Then, at least, I have some idea of what to expect.