What the heck are people doing to their chains. I had someone working at a shop tell me recently that most customers only get 2000-3000 out of a chain. I live in a hilly, rainy area, and I get 5000-7000 mi out of a chain. Of course, I keep my drivetrain clean and well maintained.
When I take my bike into the shop, I have the mechanic show me what he has done. It has been very useful, especially in situations when a friend's bike has a problem on the road, and I am the only one who can fix it. When I bought my touring bike a couple years ago, I was even able to arrange a one-on-one session where we walked through chain repair, disc brake repair, broken spokes, and a few other things that I might encounter. He didn't charge me, but I did give him a 6-pack of craft beer. I do believe that if you find a mechanic whose work you can trust, it is worthwhile to cultivate a relationship.