regardding auto repair shops

we have been very lucky (blessed) because my hubby works for an auto repair shop (and has done for about 5 years) so we get our stuff at cost with no labour. however, before that we went to his cousin which always cost more but he was honest so we have been fortunate.

I have been having trouble getting warranty work doen on my hyundai. The dealerships are finding creative ways to make sure that they do not have to do the work on my transmission. The first one claimed that since my name was not first, I was therefore not the primary owner and was not going to do the work unless my father in law who cosigned was there to sign papers. My father in law lives 2000 miles away. this dealership then proceeded to lock my keys in my car and didn't even call and tell me this. i was lucky that i had my extra set on me and could get into my car. This new dealership is now saying that since some of my services were done through a different type of car dealership, not a specific hyundai dealership that I have voided the warranty. I have read the warranty word for word and as long as I have reciepts showing that scheduled maintenance was done when it was scheduled based on mileage it is covered. So far, I have complained to hyundai about their dealerships and I have been very vocal about not using either of the dealerships that I have been having such a hard time with. I have actually convinced a lady who is buying a new car not to use even look at cars for the place that managed to lock my keys in the car.

I've been very lucky and never had problems. I've seen some awful things on documentaries with mechanics breaking stuff deliberately for extra cash and so on. My dad was quite mechanical and, even though I'm not, I picked up enough that I generally know what the problem is before asking to get it fixed: that saves a lot of trouble. I also always choose a garage on word-of-mouth recommendation and the fact that it's not a great big shiny place, but is manned by people who are laid back, friendly and open (and more often than not, small and grubby - the garage, not the people!).