True, but California has strong consumer protection in their Bureau of Automotive Repair. They respond to complaints, often sending employees out in unmarked cars to validate that repairs are being done honestly and can impose harsh penalties. I suspect that is why the scammy Aamco closed. Back in the 1980's, most states had no checks on shops. Investigative reporters used hidden cameras to show that K-mart and Sears mechanics were just spraying cleaner on rubber timing belts rather than change them. A broken timing belt can ruin some "interference" engines.