Just to share some of my bad experiences...
(my worst) Dude's name was Jody at Loop Road Machine Shop in Garner left a huge gash in a crank one time. I took it back the next day and dude finally said he would re-machine it even though every single employee in there said they didn't see a problem and would run it? I for one know you DON'T run gashes in crank journals. Then I went back to pick it up 2 days later and Jody specifically told the front counter not to give it to me unless I paid for the second machining. He was on vacation that week and I needed my crank so I told everyone in there (customers included) where Jody could go and what he could do with their machine shop as I paid for my crank and got my refund for the new undersized bearings I bought in the parts store to begin with. He had to take another 0.020 to get the gash out.
Dup's in Angier. I dropped off a 14 bolt to get regeared and he helped me carry it inside to begin with? Then after 2 days I noticed they had it sitting outside after they had power washed it and it stripped down. 3 weeks later I stopped by and demanded help to get it back in my truck with it covered inside and out with rust even the spindles. Thank goodness the gears were kept inside...
Carquest on Germantown road in Raleigh got rid of every machine shop employee except one and he names his own prices and time frame. He told me he might get my crank turned in 4 weeks and could not give me a price.
Walkers in Raleigh priced me $125 plus tax to machine a crank. All I could do is laugh as I left? thes was when I went to Loop Road (my worst mentioned above).
I won't mention a name for he's still a friend and great guy but T-hoff in Durham had a set of heads for 4 months before I picked them up untouched. I dropped by like every other week and left with promises. At least he still had all the parts.
And as for Bills, I'm as southern as it comes and only had to hear every war story from Battle of Troy to WW2. Haven't been down there in 2-3 years so it's hard telling what ole Bill has to rage against now. But he even threw in larger valves "just because he had them laying around" at no additional price on my 5.0 that I drive daily. And I wouldn't let anyone else ream a set of Ford I-beams for brass bushings. He knows old shit specifically.
But I second you skipping Bills if you are a Yankee. I can definately foresee that experience...