Is there anything I should watch out for in an auto-repair place?

if they have good security, looking at them working on other cars to they provide quality service, if they keep their place clean, if they use their tools right and most importantly.... their prices!

Be watchful of them trying to sell you everything on the shelf. Depending upon the work you need done, don't fall for a $50 fuel injector cleaning (which consists of a $3 can of petroleum distillates). The problem is you are at the mercy of the mechanic's knowledge (or lack of knowledge).

Brake shops like to sell you a complete brake overhaul before they warranty the job. I can do my own brakes for about 1/3 the cost of a brake shop. Mechanics charge about 2x - 3x the retail price for parts you can buy yourself at retail at NAPA. I don't buy expensive parts (AC compressors, alternators, starters, PS pumps, brake parts, etc) at the discount warehouses.

I had a car that would not pass emissions. The mechanic said I needed a carburetor. I asked, "Will you guarantee that a carb will fix the problem?" He said, "No." I did not get the carb installed. I wanted a guarantee before I blow $180.

I had a Suburban that failed emissions one year. Emission repair station said I needed an EGR valve and a catalytic converter. I decided to get a second opinion. Found a disconnected vacuum line. Reconnected and passed emissions and saved $860.

I have similar issues with all repair occupations like AC techs, appliance repair techs - they just don't really know their jobs. I try to do most myself, although not 100% successful, I still save money.

Pride in ownership is a big thing. How clean they keep it, the signage and paint on the outside of the shop, how many cars are sitting on the side lot. The devil is in the details, if they ignore those details what other ones will they overlook on your car.

If you see alot of bandaids or bloody knuckles on the workers it can generaly tell you they havnt been doing it all that long. Also make sure to find out what the hourly rate is before any work is done, and ask if they will return the parts they replaced.