Ed's Affordable Automotive Repair inc.

I called today Eds Affordable Automotive to have my car looked at because the check engine light was on and the radiator fan runs upon starting and wanted to see if they could take a look at my car. Upon calling I was immediately told they could not look at my car till possibly Wednesday or Thursday. I asked if they could squeeze me in but was met with an unfriendly reply that they are very busy. First off I have been bringing my car to Ed's for over 10 years and Ed's was recommended to me by friends who have brought their car for years to his business. Ed has always gotten me in to fix my Mini Cooper or look at it but within the last 2 years I have noticed a trend at this location. They seem to NEVER have any time to look at my car or a „lift“ open and they don’t even try to get you in and even when I have tried to make an appointment they do not let you because "They never know when they will have a lift open". When I use to speak with the owner Ed he was always helpful & accommodating but now his staff takes the majority of calls for repairs and are arrogant. They are not accommodating or helpful and when telling them today my check engine light was on the they didn't care or try to help. So today is the last time I call or even consider using Eds Affordable Automotive in Palatine. Obviously being a regular and longstanding customer means nothing to them. This was once a great place to get repairs but now good luck on even getting them to even look at your car. How disappointing ☹️

I had been looking for a minivan for my business needs for several months and finally found one in Palatine. I found Ed on google and called him to see if he could do the inspection as I live 1 hr away. Ed squeezed me into his schedule that day and did an incredible job. He found several things that needed to be addressed. I ended up purchasing the vehicle, and my own mechanic that I've had for 17 years found the exact same things. Ed was more than affordable and he gave me peace of mind, so that I could proceed with purchasing the vehicle. It was a great purchase that will absolutely help my business needs, and it would not have been possible, had I not found Ed, so thankful! I will send more work their way!!!

I brought my car and went inside, but no one was in the front. I could tell someone was behind the huge dirty fish tank tending to the fish. Since it was very cluttered in there, I didn't notice the service bell at first so I just stood there looking at the signs on the wall and waiting. When I finally saw it, I hit the bell. Then, I noticed an "NRA" (National Rifle Association) sign. While I was still processing that, my eye turned to a sign with a picture of the city of Chicago with the words written on it that said something like "World's Largest Shooting Range." I didn't know if that was a critique on gun violence in the city (which if so, was a callous, exaggerated, and stereotype-reliant way to express it) or if it meant the owner of the shop feels that he has the free rein to shoot anyone in the city if he feels like it, but the NRA sign lead me to think it might be the latter. As someone who is from Chicago, I didn't feel comfortable. Those signs made me think this might be someone who is trigger happy and looking for any excuse to shoot someone and/or has very biased and violent attitudes. Either way, I wasn't comfortable, so I left. As I was pulling out, I could see the person finally come outside of the door looking to see who rang the bell. I just kept going. I ended up going to my car's dealership and spending over $2300. I'm fine with the amount for the amount of service I got on my car. I just think it's quite something that the owner's decision to showcase his problematic attitudes in his place of business cost him that much money. I hope he leaves the sign up, though. It's like a literal red flag to tell others who might feel the way that I do to turn away and not give your money to this potentially scary, violent, and bigoted person.

Owner and his manager are really cool guys, and know their stuff up & down & inside out. Super fast, though you might want to call ahead; as with any good business they CAN be busy. On top of all that they also have fair pricing. I personally make a little extra drive to bring my vehicles to them. I even had one vehicle towed over 30 miles to bring to them. A trusted automotive shop is one of the most valuable things one can have.