I have a non-political question

[KitchenWitch]

Does anyone know of an honest car mechanic/garage in the South/Southwest metro that is progressive?

We currently take our cars to an evangelical freak, he is honest, but he supports all sorts of "causes" I do not agree with.

[whatgives]

1. I've had my share of dishonest

mechanics. It's hard to find an honest one. Until you find another, stay with the one you have. To change because of his beliefs is counter to what we believe in. Freedom of thought, no matter if I agree or not.

[whatgives]

2. I've thought about this some more.

You want to get rid of a person that does a good job just because his beliefs are not in lock step with yours? That's a little scary. Shun one because of their thoughts. I hate to even think what that sounds like.:shrug:

[ISUGRADIA]

4. One has a choice of where to do business

There are plenty of companies I won't shop at because of the fact they are large donors to the Repubs, are bad corporate citizens, etc. Why shouldn't someone take it down to an individual level. Example: If I found out my barber was a big contributor to Operation Rescue I'd stop patronizing him.

[whatgives]

5. Your perogative but I wil not discriminate

because of one's beliefs. If they do a good job and I trust them, that's all that should be needed. Why penalize one who may not agree with you?

[ISUGRADIA]

8. And that's your perogative

but why should I economically support someone who supports ideas with their $$$ I found offensive. Note not views alone but actions (that's a key point). A business owner gives $2000 grand to Michelle Bachmann will not get my business. That's called choice. It obviously works both ways. Should we ignore the money corporations spend to support our enemies? Should we ignore poor labor practices? I usually find that right wing businesses usually have poor labor policies as a given.

Note, there's a big difference between a mom and pop org who may be Republicans and conservatives and don't pop up on donor lists and the $2k contributing crowd. It's my decision.

[whatgives]

6. BTW

Aren't we a country of FREE THOUGHT?

[ISUGRADIA]

9. Yes indeed

but we are also a country of free enterprise. Someone can put a big "I Love W" sign in their store window, but I don't have to shop their if I have an alternative.

[trotsky]

14. Excellent response. n/t

[KitchenWitch]

7. It is not about the beliefs, it is about what this mechanic donates his

money to. I would like to support a mechanic who supports the charities I believe in.

[whatgives]

10. I may be too liberal for this site

after reading your narrow minded comments about other points of view. I mean WTF? I've seen people want to get rid of a fair and honest proprietor just because they don't conform to certain views. I'm dismayed and from what I've heard about DU, this may be my last post. So much for free thought.

[KitchenWitch]

11. I never said I wanted to get rid of the proprieter

I just do not want my money to indirectly go to organizations such as Operation Rescue, Minnesotans Concerned for Life, George W Bush re-election fund, etc.

Let the people that believe in those causes support them, I do not want to, whether directly or indirectly.

[fleabert]

12. I don't think you spent enough time on the posts to understand

what folks are saying.

we have a choice in a free enterprise system to willingly give our money in exchange for goods and services, whatever parameters one places on that choice is the 'freedom' that we celebrate in this country.

I don't choose to donate to the Republican party, if my money flows through a business on it's way to that party and I find out about it, I will choose to not do business with that entity in the future.

www.buyblue.org is a good place to start if you really want to understand this way of thinking. I hope you are really looking to understand this POV, and aren't just going to give up now, since you obviously don't get it yet.

[whatgives]

21. You make a good point

Thanks for your thoughts.:toast:

[katinmn]

3. No, but do you know anyone who is looking for a nice 2br

apartment in St. Paul?

It's nice and priced way under market. Best deal in town. Hardwood floors and the garage and heat are included.

Across the hall from me.

There is a glut of apts now because school's out.

[preciousdove]

13. What Floor?

My aunt uses a walker and we need to have few steps out for safety. Our lease runs until the end of September so we probably can't take it but I need something with a garage this winter.

[katinmn]

16. just sent you a PM

[no name no slogan]

20. I may be looking....

I'll be needing a place within the next month or two. The ex-wife and I are selling our house, and I'll need someplace in town.

I'll also PM you if that's cool. :)

[katinmn]

23. Of course it would be cool to have you as a neighbor!

Were you able to reach my landlord?

[no name no slogan]

25. Going to call today

I'm down in Rochester for the weekend, but I'll be commuting to St. Paul all week next week. I'll call and see if I can get an appointment.

The rent is reasonable, the neighborhoods GREAT.....watch out, you may get a new neighbor! :)

[trotsky]

15. There is a place on 62 just west of 494.

I think it's called Leighton's Garage. I have no idea if they are progressive, but I can tell you that they are the most honest, most straightforward, most fairly priced repair shop that I've ever been to.

Hey, just found the website:
http://www.leightonsgarage.com

[Spike from MN]

17. Sunray BP (formerly Sunray Amoco) in St. Paul.

I don't know their political views but these guys have done all of my mechanic work for the last 12 years or so and they are honest and trustworthy. It's the only place I trust with my car. It's located on the NE corner of 94 and Ruth Street. Not exactly in the location you were looking for but I thought I'd post this anyway just to pass the info along. Honest garages are such a rarity in my experience that when I find one I try to spread the word.

[no name no slogan]

18. Parents Auto in Mineapolis (Lyndale and 36th)

I've been going there for years, and have yet to be steered wrong. Locally owned, good staff, and have never told me to get a repair that I didn't need.

It's not exactly south, but a good mechanic is hard to find these days.

[ISUGRADIA]

22. Hey, I am near them so this reference helps

I had a great garage I used to go to when I lived in Iowa that always did what was needed and did not try to find extra repairs $$$. I miss that place.

[no name no slogan]

24. Been going there for ten years

They're very very good! I tend to drive older cars so I get them repaired frequently. Each time I bring it in, they've told me what I need to get fixed, what would be "nice" to get fixed, and what may need to be fixed in a year or two.

And each time they've been right.

Right now I've got about $1k I need done on my car, but they told me it could wait a few months. Not many mechanics that honest anymore. :)

[cynthia]

27. Parents is my recommendation too

and what do you mean it is not south? If it is south of downtown, then it is south. When the original post said southwest, I thought of Linden Hills! Obviously I don't count the suburbs in any of this thinking as I am a city-dweller through and through!

[loveable liberal]

19. If you have a VW, go to Volkswagon Man on Hennepin and Central

He is the most righteous and cool mechanic I have ever seen. I wont trust my VW to anyone else.

[Zookeeper]

26. Foreign Service in Roseville advertises on Air America

I've been taking my cars to them for over ten years. They are a great bunch of people.

Also, they capture stray/feral cats and kittens on their property and have them spayed and neutered before they release them. I adopted one of my all time favorite cats from Foreign Service!