I appreciate the 'predictability' (supposed) of a crate engine purchase.
However, from a larger social and economic perspective it defies the whole 'buy American' or 'Buy Local' aspect that we all believe in.....go on about elsewhere when it relates to our own jobs, lol.
People do the same in Canada about 'buy local'...then start clicking and buying stuff online from abroad?....lol, go figure.
The simple lesson is to do your homework and ideally go with a local (semi-local?) company...that could be your neighbor and it could be your job one day.
Check references, talk directly with the shop ask to take a quick tour.
Fully discuss the warranty and its conditions and go over the terms....and ask questions, lots of questions...do not assume things, guys are famous for that mistake.
This isn't mystical rocket science.
The onus is as much on you to ensure the quality as it is on the shop.
We live in this 'click and buy' culture where people are often losing their ability to do any background or work on their purchase....so they are losing the skills to do so when they actually need to.
One thing to remember is don't try to cheap your way out of a quality result.
We all know that you have to pay for quality...so don't go with the cheapest option or you are probably going to get what you paid for.
All good
Coley