Why do some brands overcharge for service? Because some consumers thinks it's harder to find a good indpedent place then it is.
I don't know SF real well, but... Let's put it this way. I live near the Joshua Tree National Park. Nearest "city" Twentynine Palms, population 26,147 on a good day. EVERY AUTO SHOP IN TOWN CAN AND WILL WORK ON MY CAR. Not exaggerating, all of them can do it (the Jeep dealer in Yucca Valley won't). I highly doubt the shops in 29Palms - a literal backwater - are more up to date on computer scanning equipment then shops in San Francisco, or pretty much anywhere outside of a third world country.
Nothing about the car is unique including the software, its a standard FCA/Stellantis package...lots of cars use SGWs. MultiECUScan works on more cars then just Alfa's...because the software isn't unique to the brand. I realize the worries..also realize most of those worries exist because of incorrect information. Not trying to be a jerk, trying to clear up a misunderstanding so people don't get manipulated.
The absolute worst thing that could possibly happen by going to an independent shop instead of a dealer for maintenance is the reminder inside the infotainment system won't get reset. Please understand, the only time I ever took my car to the dealer for the oil, THEY DIDN'T RESET THAT REMINDER. so yeah..not a big deal. The maintenance reminder doesn't outweigh a reciept for an oil change, it isn't anything real. As long as you have reciepts your warranty is fine even if every maintence light has been in for 4 years. 99% of independent places have digital storage of reciepts just like the dealer...you don't even have to keep a file. Just call and they will make copies for you.
If calling a few shops is too much work..ok. But...at least acknowledge the option exists. If you would rather drop a few thousand dollars on something you like less then what you had (or like the replacment as much or more) more power to you, but if that isn't what a person would rather do, there are options.
As far as the rest....think whatever you want. I'm an independent tech....no certifications outside of ASE which I haven't retested for in years. The guys with manufacturer certifications call me for help, I don't call them. That is way more common then you think. Outside of me calling them to get TSB info. They call because they can't diagnose problems without being told what it is by the someone else... Or a piece of paper (TSB). If you think that is the pinnacle of auto repair...I disagree.
Reality is, dealer techs are very often the new guys just out of school, or with a few years under their belt, the independent techs are the guys with decades of experience that got tired of working at dealers. Half the guys out there have held certs in multiple brands not just one...dealership turnover is insane and all those people that quit after getting tired of having to sell quotas instead of repairing problems.... have to go somewhere.....after the third or fourth dealer, they go independent.
Generally new techs start at a dealers, bouncing around for a few years, till they get really good, then quit to go work fewer hours with less stress and make double or more in income at an independent place. Not always but enough it's very common. More common then a good independent guy deciding he wants to go work for a car dealer for sure.
Do whatever you want, just trying to share info.
If you dump your Alfa cause your want another car, more power to you. There are alot of great cars out there, find yours and enjoy it.
If you are thinking of dumping your Alfa because of a dealer, and wish you didn't have to, don't want anything else......just offering an alternative option/perspective.
Not trying to insult anyone's opinion, just presenting mine along with the reasons why I hold it. If I seem critical or offensive it is not in my heart, not intended, please forgive me.