Health care is the worst for that - and you have no leverage and it's practically impossible to get quotes up front. Everyone's answer is "depends"... I'd better not get started on this!
I've had pretty good luck lately getting referrals from my neighborhood "Nextdoor" social media group. It's a place where people can communicate with their local association, community, etc. to share info, ask questions, get referrals, etc. (You decide what to read and how wide an area you want to reach for posts.)
I found my current mechanic there after several different people referred this place as fair, honest and competent. So hard to find! I trust dealerships even less, though I did take my car there while it was still under warranty. Their hourly rates and mark-ups tend to be higher - but it doesn't save anything going elsewhere unless you can find a place that treats you fairly. (I also recently found a great new hairdresser on Nextdoor.)
Worth a try, at least. |