Jeff’s Small Engine

My son was mowing his second lawn of the day when the mower died and he still had 5 lawns to mow this week. We dropped it off at Jeff’s Small Engine Repair in Plainfield. Explained what the situation was and asked them to see what they could do about getting it done sooner than the 5 day estimate. Four hours after we dropped off the mower we got a call that it was repaired and we could come and get it!!! The mechanic said he understood the kid had lawns to mow and appreciates the fact that he is making money on his own power. A BIG THANKS to Jeff’s Small Engine Repair for coming through for my kid!

I should have put this review out there a while ago, but time gets away. I stopped in this shop last fall to inquire about having our lawn mower serviced for the winter. I asked about being able to get it picked up and then delivered. I was told that they were super busy and that they could come and get it in about a week. Wasn’t sure how long they would have it. So I gave my phone number and my address. A week came and went and then a few more days. He said they were busy so I didn’t want to be pushy since the end of the mowing season was here. When I finally did call, he had no recollection of our conversation and didn’t even have my name or my phone number.
The bottom line is no one expects to get «gourmet service» in an engine repair shop. But respect is probably an innate skill to have when you are asking the public to come to you for parts/​repair. It’s no wonder his shop is up for sale. He’s a disrespectful ignorant asshole.
Should you take your equipment in for service or for parts, good luck.

They will half ass anything they can. Guaranteed. Like if you go in there with a small engine with a stuck choke lever, they’ll hit it with a hammer and not check that it runs after that and charge you $ 100. Your choke lever will move but you’ll need a new carburetor. If they weren’t half ass all the time, they would have charged you $ 200 for a carburetor rebuild and your small engine would be like new. Now you’re out $ 100 and your small engine is worthless. Go to Quantz and bite the bullet and wait for the longer repair time because they’re actually fixing your problem.

Left my generator there 6 months ago with a leak in the tank and a problem that although it started very reliably it would not run for more than 10 or so minutes before stopping. Finally called them and they said they fixed it. I asked about the tank and they said they had not fixed that. I asked them to do so, and then called back and was told it was ready. I didn’t get there the same day to pick it up, so they called my home and told my wife they were going to need to «start charging for storage» for people who don’t pick up their repairs (note they had been sitting on it for 6 months before I called them). I went to pick it up and they told me to run out the old gas and put high quality gas in it. Got it home and it would not start.
Took it back and the guy was very nice, immediately taking time to work with me on it. He started it using starter fluid, ran it for a few minutes, and sent me home with it. When I got home I had one of two problems fixed (the leak), and it stopped running after a few minutes so the other problem was not fixed. That would be a 3-​star rating. But they also introduced two NEW problems. I could only get it started with starter fluid, and it runs extremely roughly now including backfiring — two new problems in addition to the main reason I took it to them in the first place.
I’m sure they are nice guys, as they seem nice as well as knowledgeable in person (though not very nice on the phone). But even if I knew that the third time I take it there they’ll get it right I would rather take it to somewhere that will make sure it works before sending me home with it. It’s unfortunate– he used to be fantastic when it was a smaller operation out of his garage.

Jeez… What’s all the commotion about here? This place is a mechanical repair and sales facility not a gourmet restaurant.
These guys are busy… These guys will take the time to answer your questions… These guys are reasonable… These guys are very hard working and know what they are doing.
So they don’t have a high tech filing system for parts and accessories but they do know where everything is.
I have used them on a few occasions and they have done what they say they would do. I have also recommended them to others.

Should have trusted the other reviews.

Dropped off the leaf blower the place was
Such a dump I was pretty sure
I wouldn’t see it again
He told me he would call in a few days with an estimate. Called the same day and told me it was done.
1.) why didn’t he call me with an estimate before doing the work?!?
I asked him how much it was and he wouldn’t give me a number said he would price it out when I got there. I was so ticked I sent my husband.
When my husband arrived…
2.) he lied and said that «your wife (me) already approved the price of $ 35»
My husband knew that wasn’t true since I sent him because the guy did the work without giving me a price. He was able to talk the price down a little.
One star for fixing the leaf blower. And one for same day service. Lost stars for customer service, lying, the place looking like a dump, and doing work without approval from the customer.

Took my weed eater to them the last week in May to be fixed. They said it would be a week and they’d call me. I went back in 3 weeks since I hadn’t heard from them. Wasn’t even looked at. Promised it would be done in another week. 6 weeks later and still not looked at. He said I’ll have it fixed by the end of today. Oh he could fix it today but it took him 6 weeks and he hadn’t even looked at it??? I brought it home unfixed. DON’T go to this guy. Saw a «For Sale» sign on his property today. If anyone has their things there to get fixed, I suggest picking them up before he high tails it out of town.

Returned my mower without oil in it so make sure you check. I do not recommend going to this guy. He is overwhelmed and it shows.

I brought in my sons gas scooter in for basic repair. He did tell me that he hates working on these things. I asked if that meant he won’t work on it. He said no but it will take a week. A week went by and he said he hadn’t gotten to it, and reminded me that he hates these things. I told him I will just come get it. Jeff told me he’ll have it in another week. Well took three weeks. And when we got it home it didn’t start. He put on a new starter coil but apparently didn’t try to start it. Brought it back and Jeff was very rude. I asked for my money back which Jeff gave me. He thencut the new cord. I admit that I had a few choice words and not sure how this guy is still in business.

Ordered a part for my mower on his e bay store and its been 15 days now and still no part and no reply to my emails. The guy has lots of bad feedback and rips people off. the worst part is I live only an hour away what a bum.

Only getting one star because you can’t give no stars. Four times I took our push mower in and the thing still doesn’t work. $ 100 down the drain. Gonna just go to home depot and buy a new mower. Same experience as others with bad attitude and crappy customer service. NEVER GO HERE

Brought my roto-​tiller to them to replace recoil starter & get it tuned up. It’s starts, but won’t keep running. Don’t know if they let it run for a while.
Do not know if I can wait another couple of weeks to get this fixed. Probably will go somewhere else next time.

I took my power washer in for repair. They told me that it would take 7 –10 days to repair. I called them on the 7^th day and no one had even looked at it but told me that a new pump would cost me $ 185. How could they quote me a price without even investigating what was wrong??? I called back 4 days later and they told me how busy they were and that «Maybe» they would get to it in about a week. I gave up on them and picked up my broken power washer. Steve, the owner, never apologized for misrepresenting the timeline and then told me that it was «probably not worth fixing» as I walked out. Again, he wasted 2 weeks of my time and was once again provided «expert knowledge» based on no investigation on his part.
This place feels like a disorganized local business run by someone who is disinterested in providing normal customer service on a timely basis. Stay away!!!
I recommend taking your small engine needs to Sears Hardware in Aurora behind Westfield Mall. Their service department is part of the Sears family.
FOX Valley CTR
Westfield Fox Valley, Aurora, IL
(630) 820‑6000

Same issue as above… He sucks pls don’t ever go. No business ethics.
Don’t know why I am giving him even one star.

Always has the parts I need. I’ve never had to bring anything in for repair. Inside it is very small because of all the power washers and extra equipment but I’m not there to sit and wait. I spoke to Jeff and they are looking for a larger building to relocate to. I hope it’s not far.

I think the first one star review here is a bit unfair (since they never received service) so let me tell you what happens all the way through as a customer there.
I had a push mower and then said it would take about a week to repair. It is the summer months and they are busy so it is very understandable (busy means they are good and get business!). I had a mower that wouldn’t start and I did all of the basic checks: carb clean, spark plug, oil, gas and was stumped.
Was quoted $ 50 for the repair over the phone and when I went in and they said it would take about a week. When I went to pick it up it cost me $ 50 and it took from Saturday afternoon until Friday afternoon to complete. All said and done, great time frames and I wasn’t messed with on price or timing.
The reason for knocking off two stars; customer service is non existent and very poor communication with the customer.
I dropped off the mower and gave them 3.5 working days to check over the mower. I was told that they would call and discuss the issue with me and if it was worth repairing or not. I never received a call. I called and left a message but no returned call from them. The next day I called again and was told that they were told not to call customers back but my mower was repaired and ready to go. What? It almost seems like I am hassling them and in the way when I am there.
The place is so packed with mowers, pressure washers and other equipment that it looks like a hoarder episode on TLC, no joke. They need more storage room some how some way or they need to move their repairs more quickly, or just call customers to tell them they can pick up their equipment (lots of done tags displayed). They also don’t have the time to discuss the problem with the mower or the details of why it was broken in the first place. Disappointing.
Tip for Jeff’s: Hire someone who specializes in customer service, processes, organization and scheduling. That would be well worth the money spent there.
Otherwise, they are solid with their repairs and I would take my mower/​small engine back to them and recommend them to others. With the warning of the customer service/​long repair wait as well.

I called this place to have my riding lawnmower repaired over the last four weeks and each time I call I’m told they are slammed and they’ll call back when they have time. I’ve been given estimates each time I talk to them on when they can repair the lawnmower and each time I check in, they’re to busy. I’m not sure who is running this place but if they are that busy, perhaps it’s time to hire some people. Furthermore, they need to learn how to talk to customers. Always talking with a voice of frustration doesn’t exactly bring the customers back (or attract them).