I have a Novarro and highly recommend it if you want to get a true touring bike for under $800. It has all the features you will need to load it down, and unloaded it makes a fine weekend club ride. Regarding the service, my local REI has a very freindly and knowledgable mechanic. Of course, that doesn't mean that ALL the REI stores have good mechanics. On the other hand I know lots of good LBS's provided you are a racer, or a MTB, but they are out of their element with a tourer. (Or a recumbent rider, too) Check out
www.adventurecycling.org for a good list of bikes. They like the Navaro, too.