Al’s Garage

Just got back from a trip and received both a phone call and email from the folks at Al’s. Some of what I had written in my last review, I realize now was speculation on my part AL’S INDEED is going through a change-​over. I’ve amended some of what I had written. They have not lost all if their older staff, as I had thought. As a customer who has an analytical mind to appreciate knowing about her car, I liked to know what was happening, why, and what Al’s had done to fix my car.
After going to Al’s for so many years – a Golden Era has started to fade – I consider changes in Al’s Garage to be one of those based on his passion to educate and inform customers as to the «health» or the functionality of their cars.
The staff agreed to do this now after reading my review and I appreciate it – even if it was after-​the-​fact. As customers, we’ll stay tuned for the changes-​to-​come in Al’s.

This has been my go-​to mechanic since July 2000. You cannot find a more trustworthy, problem-​solving, customer-​service-​focused mechanic than Al’s garage. There is a reason why this establishment has been in existence for almost 30 years now. I was first referred to them by my neighbor (who is Colombian) because she told me «they will treat your car like it is a little child» and how true that is! You can expect them to know the in’s and out’s of your car history and performance just like knowing the details of the medical history of your child.
I have found them to be fair and straight-​shooters who will bend over backwards to solve a problem. These are folks who have done their research. Also, how many mechanics will say to «hey, we noticed we overcharged you $ 15 the last time when we reviewed your bill history, and so we are crediting you this time around.» As a woman who has been ripped off by other garages, Al’s Garage is a haven. This is the place I recommend to my friends and family.
It is always a pleasure to be greeted by Mike Garis who seems to have a photogrpahic memory of your car’ s history, and to be serviced by the mechanics Doug and Craig. Good job, guys! Thanks for being in our community, and hope you guys stick around for another 30 years.

I have used Al’s intermittently for the last 6 years for our two cars. Typically they were able to repair the issue at a reasonable cost, although they would sometimes refer us to the dealership for certain items that they could not fix, while still charging us diagnostic time, which I understand but it is kind of annoying.
The last experience I had there made me feel like they were trying to take advantage of me with a lot unneeded work and also damaged my car. The reason for the 1 star review is that they broke my front seat! When I pointed this out to the person working behind the desk, I was told that it had been like this for a long time, and he could tell because he worked in upholstery repair. Um … no. Seat was not broken when it was brought in. The kicker is I probably would have let it slide anyway … car is old.
If you do go, be prepared for a them to go on a fishing trip and find lots of things wrong with your car you were not aware of.
This is the only 1 star review I have ever written on Unilocal,but I do feel it is deserved.
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In regards to comments from Al’s:
Let me address the comments on by one:
«Yes sir, you are correct, you have intermittently used us for the past six years. Aside from your appointment for 11÷26÷12, your last service visit, by our records, was 11÷28÷06»
We also brought in our other vehicle in the past. So my records indicate we were there on the following dates. Not sure if these were estimates or jobs.
Repair Order 13 577 /​Date 9÷18÷2006 SUB
? 11/​28/​2006 — don’t have a record of this visit.
Repair Order 14 626 /​Date 1÷29÷2007 MAZ
Repair Order 17 162 /​Date 12/​19/​2007 MAZ (only $ 20!)
Repair Order 17 134 /​Date 12/​17/​2007 SUB
Repair Order 17 662 /​Date 2÷25÷2008 MAZ
«What you failed to mention was that we looked at your vehicle because you had brake worked performed at another shop and were unsatisfied with their workmanship»
Actually, I did not say I had an issue with the workmanship in the other shop (they
are just far away, on the Cary border). They discovered a torqued wheel hub
assembly (I think that is the correct term) after the brake job, and I thought it would be more convenient to have it replaced in CH. It had been a while so I thought I would try Al’s again.
«In turn, you brought your vehicle to us to have us look over their work. We did, to the best of our ability, tired to correct what we saw was the concern»
I asked that you replace the wheel hub. I was told that the brakes needed to be re-​replaced because the rotors were too thin, and the the wrong parts were used (forgive me … probably not the correct words or exactly correct description).
I’m not qualified to say if this is correct or not. In the end, after meeting with the other garage owner (who was in Chapel Hill that day, and agreed to meet with you to discuss the different stories from each garage), Al’s elected to do a manual fix to the existing work, but not replace anything, and had me sign off saying that Al’s did not warantee this work.
«And you indicated that you were completely satisfied.»
I doubt I would have volunteered that I was completly satifsied, to be honest, I just wanted to get my car out of there, so I might have said «yes» if I was asked that question.
«We, IN NO WAY charged you for that work.»
Yes, but the other garage agreed to pay you for some your labor on this job. I did not ask for a free ride on the diagnostic time.
Regarding the rest, I think it fair to say that some garage’s might be more conservative about recomending that parts be replaced. I could have been more polite and offered that Al’s might be on the conservative side, and more diligent about discovering them than others.
RE: the seat, I enter and exit that car 4 times a day, and never noticed that damage until I picked up the car. No point in going back and forth since there is no way to prove anything. I would just leave it up to anyone reading this to think about how you would feel after being told that either you were too unobservant to notice that your seat was broken or were not telling the truth.
Anyway, if Al’s wants to talk things over I would be willing to discuss.

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.

Al’s always there, and he’s very knowledgable. My favorite part is that he takes the time to explain the entire situation, all the options, explains what he would do and why, then lets you choose. Very down to earth and a pleasure to work with.
I’m a guy interested in cars, so when I ask questions, he’s happy to go into things. I remember him bringing out my entire clutch, showing me how and why it was slipping. It was pretty awesome.
He has multiple mechanics working for him. I couldn’t go «under the hood» and double check everything, but it looked and seemed great after the fact. I was very pleased and could easily recommend him.

The best auto repair experience I’ve ever had, hands down. The service was prompt and honest, and Al and the crew are as professional and knowledgeable as they come. More than anything, you can tell they take great pride in their work and love making cars work again. In the words of Steve Jobs, it was a magical experience.

Al, Don, and crew are the only people in this area I would trust with my car. We’ve used them for going on 13 years and they’ve never given us a word of bad advice. They are punctual and honest. They also give helpful advice about other auto-​related vendors and services in the area. They’re the best.