Although it's helpful to know a particular facility has provided good service in the past, I usually take it a step further to find out which individual actually provided the service. If I choose that facility I'll usually make a point of requesting that specific individual to do the work.
We had a local dealer that everyone was quick to recommend for any kind of diesel repair. Turns out their great rep was based on the skill and performance of just one diesel mechanic. At some point he took a job at another dealership. Didn't take long at all for all those happy customers to flock to the other dealership.
