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Like many women, Crystal Higgins has one: an auto-repair horror story. So now she says, while laughing, "I normally take my husband with me when I go to drop off my car." But Higgins' plan of attack may be about to change with her visit to Aaron's Automotive & Performance, Inc. in Ft. Worth.

It bills its elf as a "woman friendly shop". Owner Tari Dudley says, "It's very simple. It means we treat women with respect when they come in."

For chief technician Aaron Phelps, it's all about building trust. He says that involves, "explaining things the best I can without trying to get too technical and trying to help them understand the importance of the actual repair I'm doing."

The shop's technicians are hyper-sensitive to make sure their customers really understand the problem and proposed repair. They take as much time as needed. And last but far from least, customer Arden Cathey, points out, "It's clean. That's always a plus."

There are no greasy receipts here and a tidy lobby, sitting area and bathroom. There is handmade jewelery for sale on the counter, along with breast cancer awareness magnets. Customer Cassandra Bradford says, "They treated me like they had known me for year and they hadn't." Bradford is sold on the shop's fair prices, friendliness and strong customer service. She's not alone. Customer Monica Dunn says, "They talk to you like a person."

Chief technician Aaron Phelps will admit it. Initially, he thought "servicing" so many women might be a challenge. But very quickly he found, "they're actually easier to deal with than most men!" Call it karma for his kindness.

Even Crystal Higgins' husband, who isn't banned at the door of the "woman-friendly shop" by the way, buys into the unique business model. Deshawn Jackson says, "If she has to come here without me it makes me feel more comfortable they're not going to take advantage or try to take advantage."