True. A team mechanic works on maybe twenty very similar bikes. A mechanic at a busy local shop works on more than 2500 different bikes a year and usually needs to figure out what is wrong with limited input. Not only do we fix bikes but I have sleeved and rewelded racks, rewired scooters and can chat in a freindly fashion with my customers about all kinds of things(books, movies, kids, cars) I am envious of the local REI shop, it is great, but not so envious of the talent.