Al's Garage, Inc.

Even though it is been over a decade, I still get angry every time I pass this garage. About 14 years ago I was in Carrboro in my Mercury Villager minivan with a toddler and a baby. It was of those incredibly hot summer days and my battery died. My kids were sweltering in the heat. I can't remember the exact details but I know I was not using the AC to preserve some power. I think I got a jump and was able to get it into this joint. All I wanted was a battery. Little Al came out and sneared at my van and said that they would lower themslves to work on some things but they would nevr go low enough to allow an American minivan in to their little garage.I was standing there with a dying battery and two overheated and miserable kids. He sneared as I drove off. I got a block down the street before it died and called AAA and got a battery after more time in the heat. I called off the visit to grandmothers and took my dangerously overheated kids back to Raleigh. He may be saintly to other reviewers but to me he was mean, arrogant, rude and totally uncaring. By the way Alvin, all these years later, my minivan is still going strong at 305,000 miles. May not be good enough for you to put a battery in but it has been good to me. more

We've taken our cars to Al's since 1985. Never a problem. We have went to some repair shops for our annual inspection to have them give us an additional laundry list of things that ""may need to be fixed at some point in the future (?!?)"" along with an estimate of hundreds of dollars. \r Al and his crew never stoop to such shenanigans. Good work, ethical and fair. The business is an asset to the community. more

I have used Al's Garage since I moved to NC in 1994. I won't take my cars any where else. He and his staff are honest, and take the time to explain what is going on with my vehicle. Pros: honest, fix right the first time, affordable more

This is the only local business I've ever reviewed and I'm doing it because I had such a great experience. I used to DREAD taking my car in to the shop and I've tried mechanics allover the triangle. No only did they get my car in and out of Al's in a day, the work was superb and basically came with ""What's Going on in your Car 101"" from Al himself. He really took the time to make sure I understood what needed to be fixed, what could wait, and why. Pricing was very clear and reasonable and I never once felt condescended to or left in the dark. Al's is my garage from now on. Pros: easy to work with, friendly, reliable Cons: no website more

I took my car in awhile ago but kept forgeting to write a review. They are very honest, which is hard to find with a mechanic these days. They were actually the second place I took my car. Being a younger looking girl, people always assume that I know nothing about cars and am gullible... well I'm not. I first took my car to Chapel Hill Tire Co. and they gave me a 700$ estimate, which include a slew of things I knew I didn't need. Not only did they try and rip me off, the lady next to me paying for her repairs was about in tears because she made the mistake of saying just fix it for a small problem and din't know they were going to charge so much. So I told them I'd take my car somewhere else and I went to Al's Garage. They called me with the estimate less than an hour after dropping it off and said it would be about 160$ (much better than that 700$ estimate!) and so I agreed and went to go pick it up later. When I got there it was only 150$, and they were very fair in the pricing. Definately go to them if you're in the area. Very nice guys. Pros: Awesome more

I went to Al's Garage last week for several problems under the hood. Erica took care of me and my car, and not only was she incredibly knowlegable and fixed the problems, she also told me about things I could expect in the future (due to the high mileage of my car). She answered all my questions and told me that if I needed anything to please give her a call. This is the first time my car has needed service since I have owned it, and now I have found my mechanic. Thanks for your great service and I will see you for my 90k servicing. Pros: location, great service, honest more