anybody patronize their local location, now or in the past?

I thought they were decent enough; took my car there to get oil changes/basic maintenance stuff over the past year, yet every time I get their safety inspection, there'* been one serious (ie: pricey) thing that needs to be taken care of, and 2 suggested maintenance items (less pricey).

When I get the one serious thing taken care of, I let the others slide, and next time around, there are two new things...

Long story short, they're telling me I need a rack & pinion unit, that my steering fluid is leaking, though I've noticed no leaks in my parking space and no performance issues.

Anybody had any experience with them upselling or being dishonest?

That'* how they make their money, not on oil changes. Do your own work, learn your car, and save more money then you can imagine.

I've heard good and bad. It seems to depend on the individual location. But then, every such shop is looking for another buck to be made. Some look diligently, others just BS. I'd monitor your power steering fluid a bit yourself, and if it is leaking, look for it yourself. Dont assume just because there'* a leak, its the rack and pinion unit.

My Dad used to work for Firestone as a General Manager. I wouldn't recommend it because even though he didn't do stuff like that most the other techs did. Shops do it to make more money and the techs get more work when they tell you additional stuff needs done, thus earning them more money too. Kinda shady all the way round. With the help of fellow members most maintenance and minor repairs can be done fairly easily by yourself.