I'm the kind of penny-pinching nerd who would usually rather waste half a day figuring out repairs from YouTube than pay and not learn. But when I've stopped in here out of need, I feel really well taken care of. The wrenches are friendly (last stop in I got offered a cookie because they were passing some around, and I happened to be walking by), but they try to meet you where you're at financially and logistically. I end up with what seems like exactly the most reasonable deal I could ask for - plus just that something extra.
Have been to several shops in town; while none is terrible and several are very good, I think Machinery Row is the best at *figuring out what the customer needs and wants, and then delivering that,* rather than thinking there's a particular way things *ought* to be done and imposing that on you.