A store manager explained to me as a difference between "Every day low price" model and "High-Low Pricing" model, and it turns out different people have different preferences (and neither model alone guarantees high profitability - execution matters in either approach :). Apparently numerous retailers in USA tried to switch from High-Low pricing to Everyday low pricing model... and consumers HATED it and abandoned it in droves (look for JC Penney as the case study). Basically, we talk the good talk, but we want our juicy sales.

>>their auto department that makes it a priority to overcharge and over diagnose ignorant drivers

Agree, BUT, I have not yet found a chain that doesn't. Honestly. 20 years ago I became interested in Rallying as a motosport, learned a bit about cars, and have not had trust or faith in a car shop since. I've been to massive national chains, local franchises, mom and pop shops, and everything in between. They all talked the good talk, and they've all done horrible things in the background. I have STORIES :D . And if you tell me that you have found an honest guy... chances are, you just don't know you've been fooled yet.

Business model demands it. As above - we talk the good talk, but we'll actually go to the scammy guy that quotes us 3 days and $1000, not the honest guy who quotes us 7 days and $2000. We'll complain when scammy guy then actually takes 9 days and $2500... and then immediately switch to another guy who quotes us low time and low prices.

So it again comes down to - there's a lot of anecdotes and perceptions, but it's hard to get hard statistics that can guide a rational decision.