Short answer - depends.

Long answer - Good indies and bad indies. Same goes for dealers.

Personally I have great things to say about my current indy nasty things to say about another and good things about one of the dealers I've dealt with and not so good about the others.

So personally I would look for an indy - I found mine by looking around and asking other Volvo owners - that has Volvo experience. I would avoid Chain stores for something like a timing belt. They could probably do the job but I like the idea of an experienced person who can tell if a pulley is going bad or a cam seal needs replacement.

Doubt you will find that in a Firestone or any chain type store.