IMHO, you got ripped off if you didn't go back and say, "Please explain this and since I paid for a good alignment, can you please fix it properly or return my money?"
I get my alignments done at Goodyear; they are national and offer a lifetime deal (Sears used to). For someone that occasionally offroads (I know, I'm the red-headed stepchild of the board), I notice it occasionally knocks the alignment out. On the 3rd 'free' alignment, Goodyear has paid for itself.
My '93 Amigo has had many, many alignments. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
What I have noticed is even in chain shops, quality varies. They even use the terminology, "The guy who knows how to work the alignment computer isn't here." In chain shops, you're not likely to get an experienced professional.
I tend to go to the more 'upscale' part of town because my personal experience has been:
1. The mechanic shows up every day. Seriously. On my side of town (in two different towns), the manager apologizes and calls the alignment guy at his house, says the dude comes in when he's ready. Must be nice to have good job security.
2. The alignments have never had to be redone on the 'upscale' side. On my side...well, I've rolled off the rack and went to another Goodyear. Not always, but enough that I now drive out of my way to go to the farther, nicer one.
In reference to finding guys who know what they're doing: In general, if you go for general maintenance work at non-chain shops, obviously be prepared to pay a little more on the upscale side. No slam is meant, building rent/taxes are more expensive, employees either have nicer house or have to drive farther, so it costs a little more. But more expensive doesn't necessarily mean they know more--my best mechanic ever was in a small, "auto/welding/sheet metal/upholstry' zone (lots of odd shops, and one Indian grocery) next to a graveyard. Looked like the pits, but a great, honest cost, trustworthy guy.
Mechanic tip: Ask them if they know how a carburator works. If so, they're a cut above a basic, untrained mechanic. Bonus points for having seen/worked on one.
