Nearly every independant shop in my area comes to me for advice, or to borrow special tools, or to have codes cleared, etc...........!!! Since they buy parts from us we help them out as a courtesy, in most cases at no charge. These favors are becoming so frequent that we've had to start charging all but our best clients. Now, some of these guys were top-shelf tech's back in their dealership days but they're falling behind as time goes by. I don't blame them. I have every MB resource imaginable at my disposal and I get overwhelmed sometimes. Trying to stay on top of current events is like having a job within a job. Personally, I'd never consider opening my own shop. I would consider a franchise deal (muffler shop, brakes, shocks, etc.). At least you'd have less trouble finding qualified help. I think anybody who opens an auto repair shop nowadays is either very brave, very naive, or very crazy!!!