Fred’s Small Engine Sales & Service

I’m a self admitted PIA. Fred’s is awesome. I moved into somerset county 3 years ago and still bring all my equipment to him. The drive is 45 minutes 1 way for me. Well worth it! Fast and honest shop. Don’t bother with any other small engine shop because Fred’s is the best.

I needed a hustler dealer so I had to deviate from my local mower shop and drive an extra 15 min to freds.
Prior to heading up I spoke with sue on the phone who was super friendly.
Upon arrival I met sue and fred, who is also very friendly (not just to me but to other customers as they came and went). From memory fred knew the exact parts I needed to tune my mower up and was very helpful in explaining how to do it myself… unlike the owner of mri in linden who doesn’t spend 1 extra second with you.
From now on ill drive the extra distance to deal with knowledgeable and personable people.

I am very disappointed with Fred’s Small Engine Service. I had very good and consistent service from them over the past six years. I found them after my husband’s death, when I was much more reliant on services for the «traditional male» household chores. Though there seems to have been no management change at Fred’s, there was definitely a change in attitude. There is a snow storm on the way tomorrow and I brought in my snowblower to be repaired. It needed new paddles and perhaps other things. They told me they’d try but there was a backlog. That’s understandable. However, late in the afternoon, I called and asked them if the machine would be ready. I was told it had not been examined. I asked if they could plug it in and try to start it. In my experience, the first start is always hard, even though I clean it at season’s end. If it did not start, I would leave it there to be repaired. They told me they didn’t have a repairman available. I told them I just wanted them to try and start it, no repairman needed but somehow, just trying to start it was too much for them. I told them I’d pick it up and try to start it at home. I told them I’d be there in 10 minutes. Ten minutes later when I went to get my machine and again tried to get them to start it, they refused and yelled at me, telling me I was difficult. They told me they’d have it tomorrow. I explained that since around 5 inches is coming tomorrow morning, that really didn’t help. I was (past tense here) a faithful customer and also recommended them to neighbors who purchased snowblowers from them. What an incredible disappointment. I will never use them again. I have never been spoken to in such a rude manner, by anyone. It’s especially shocking for a service to insult loyal customers in the age of the internet when everyone is so easily replaceable. Definitely not smart.

I remember my Dad going to Fred’s Small Engine when I was younger. It is now a third generation family business. I purchased a Stihl chain saw and was so impressed how much time Fred spent with me, while giving me instructions and letting me do a test cut out back. They registered the unit for me. I only like to do business with the local businesses, verses the Box stores because their customer service is outstanding!

Have been using Fred’s for a few years now and have nothing but good things to say. It’s hard to find a family owned business these days that is still owned by the same family who’s name is on the sign. I have brought small engine products from weed wackers to chainsaws to generators to lawn mowers in to get worked on. They have all come back better then they came in. When dealing with Fred of your honest with him he is honest with you. I have dealt with the «woman on the phone» and she has always been polite and helpful. They have always been more then accommodating when it comes to pricing and that goes along way these days. I will continue going to Freds so long as it’s family owned and operated. I believe that these days a smile and a laugh while doing business is a must.

10/​22/​2014 — Called Fred’s Small Engine for an oil filter for my Timecutter lawn mower. Their price they quote was on the hign end. I got a much better deal from Amazon, i.e. $ 22 vs $ 17 ea. including tax, S&H from AMZ.

I wish i could review on how i was treated in the store but the woman i spoke to didnt even let me get that far. I have an Ariens snow blower which was given to me as a gift and broke in this last snow storm (what timing with 15 inches on the ground) I contacted Ariens to find out what proper protocol was to file a warranty claim and they lead me here. When I called i spoke with a woman on the phone who explained to me that i could bring the snowblower in the next few weeks as i was not her customer or it sounds like a priority. I have worked in retail my entire life and if i ever turned a customer away like that I would fire myself before my boss got ahold of me. I now understand why they are called fred «small» engine they might be able to get to that large engine if they helped out new customers who are new to the area!

Pretty Solid Business
I have gone to Fred’s Shop for the last several years. I have bought everything from him. An Ariens Snowblower, a Redmax Backpack Blower, A Stihl Chainsaw, and a Stihl Trimmer. He has a pleasant staff and it seems to be a nice family run place. This place gets busy and backlogged quickly so go early in the season. Fred is a good mechanic and an honest guy. Fred is an old school guy who seems to love what he does, and it shows in the quality of work.

Brought my mower in for tune up and replacement part. Had to call twice during the week to get an update on when it would be done. Finally almost 10 days later phone call to come pick it up $ 200 for everything. Home 15 minutes, mowing the lawn and a wheel falls off!!! WTF?!! Not the best experience to say the least. Owner gave me 20.00 towards future service– probably wont use THAT