Based on very obvious and publicly well known symptoms (Honda VTC accuator problem) I knew what needed to be done, or at least what I was willing to pay for. Didn't matter. Like many (if not most) independent repair shops now, Duncan's was not willing to quote a repair price (and I mean any price, even a general range) until I coughed up a ~$200 evaluation fee. After the eval, they confirmed what I had already suspected... replace the accuator. But for that fee at least I finally got a price for repairs... $1800... well above what I had previously paid. Naturally if I had known that it was almost a $2,000 repair for a car worth about $3,500 - $4,000 (Kelly Blue) I would not have bothered, which they must have known. (Keep in mind this was not a complicated electrical issue) They did, however, point out an additional problem with the power steering pump they themselves replaced 3 years prior. It had a 2 year warranty. FWIW: My advisor, Victor, was a great guy and an absolute pleasure to work with. Just be aware, many people will ultimately say no to expensive repairs on old cars these days. Remember that, which is also why repair shops want $200 or more up front just to quote a price.