Get your man/husband/boyfriend to take your car in, garages really take the **** with women, instantly think they no nothing about cars.
Also i know it sounds strange but build up a familiarity/friendship with your garage, all the garages i had to use for service/warranty know me by 1st name, you become a person then not just a reg number on a job sheet, they seem to take more care and do the bit extra, like give you trade discount on parts.