Given the value of bikes and the price of services and repairs, it really is becoming a professional... uhm... profession. Shops should really start doing pretty check in inspections like motor dealerships do. A lot of he said she said can then be dispelled with and it adds value or at least perceived value to the experience of having your bike serviced. The sad part of this is the creating of perception regarding a given shop without providing any evidence. I can post photos of damage to my bike and post a tale of how I received it back from Bennie's Bikes and get e thread going very easily. Said shop can counter as hard as they like and prove that they are not at fault. To some degree their reputation would remain tarnished. Knowing the value and emotion we attach our bikes, you can't reasonably offload it at a shop without taking some precaution. It might be a bit extreme but I take photo's of my bike in the shop when I drop it off. Then have proof of the condition it was delivered in. Not to take sides but as a business owner I know how easily consumers can jump on the 'let's nail big business' bandwagon and the damage it causes whether you can prove wrong doing or even dishonesty on the client's part. Take responsibility for your own stuff. This goes to bike owners and shop owners. Just saying.
