I met Art, Vic, Rob (and Brother's Gary and Lorne of GLI Autowerks) on the first Spring Thaw in 2009. It took almost the full three days for me to find out that the guys repairing everyone's aircooled VW and Porsche on the event happened to own a couple of shops out in the Valley. By the end of the event the brothers had earned one of our 'prestigious' awards for their actions throughout the weekend. That was my introduction to them. At the end of the event, I met up with them and explained that due to living in Squamish I had built my '69 beetle using parts from a local online parts house (who ships to my door). Figuring I should support those who supported me, I told them if we could work it out so it wasn't costing me more to buy from AVR I'd move my parts business over to them. It started as a business decision, but if I'm honest I now see the guys as friends first, and my parts supplier second.
Does that make anything more I say invalid? I dunno, decide for yourself. But I can call Rob up and simply say "hey, I need to redo the brakes on the '71", and he orders in everything I need without me having to click through 18 pages. If there's an option between okay/good/best parts, Rob either knows me well enough as a customer to order the correct part, or he calls me to double check. They'll order parts in, let me evaluate them at the shop (or occasionally my home), and if I'm not happy with them they'll take them back. A great example of this is the first time I "risked" an Empi crank. This was way back in 2010 when everyone was convinced they had to be s**t, but I wanted to see for myself. The guys ordered it in, and told me if I didn't want it it was no problem.
Countless times Art has taken me into the back to teach me an engine or transmission building technique I hadn't done before. I can't personally comment on his engine building and transmission building services (I do all my own work), but they've built engines and transmissions for lots of client cars who've gone on to do the Spring Thaw without any issues.
I suppose it's a little pointless for a good friend to post up a review of his buddies shop, but the honest truth is we became good friends because they were a fantastic parts supplier who took serious and genuine interest in my projects. Any of my friends who I've directed them to, have always come away happy.
-Dave