Foreign Affairs of Duluth, Inc.

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Matthew Etterson
7 months ago
We have been bringing our cars to foreign affairs for 20 years now. They are always our first choice. Recently two of our cars broke down on the same day and Jeff was able to get them in the very next day. By the following day we had both cars back. This is a great business. We have always been happy with their service. Highly recommend.Service: Brake service & repair

  Gordon Huhta
6 days ago
Great customer service and excellent work was done on our vehicle! Great place to take your vehicle for service.

  Bryan Stenlund
3 months ago
It is always great going to Foreign Affairs. Their attention to detail, doing the right work each time, excellent explanations and suggestions. Have been working with them for over 25 years.

  centuryboatfan
8 months ago
I'd leave no stars if possible. Buyer beware! They stole $150.00 from me. Explained to them the problem, solution, and I wanted it repaired hopefully the same day since I live 150 miles away. It took a week to get into their garage. Arrived and dished out $150.00 for them letting me know they filled it with freon and the A/C doesn't work. They said they'd call me and order a new A/C compressor. The moment I walked out the door I knew I would never hear from them again. I didn't. Don't waste your time or money with this organization. Lack of enthusiasm and all they did was take the money and run. If you are from out of town, definitely do not go here!

  Keith Lennartson
2 years ago
Every time I launch up Ski Hill Road scrambling through a layer of fresh snow, I feel guilty for not having written this earlier this year Years ago, there was a green 1975 Saab 99LE on the lot at Archer Import Motors. It spoke to me. Friends and family said, don t do it Keith, how will you get it repaired? I bought it. I loved it. I wish I had it still. How did I get it repaired? The grapevine produced a guy named Jeff who had a passion for Swedish cars. I got his number from a friend of mine who raced turbos on the ice. I think the phone number is the same after all these years, come to think of it.I remember picking Ingrid I up in a Duluth alley where Foreign Affairs got its start. He always got the old girl going again at a price that I could handle. Sometimes, he would find some other low hanging fruit of an issue that he would take care of just because of his passion for these great cars.My career has taken me all over the country. When I have come back home, I have been fortunate to be the benefactor of Foreign Affairs skill and stewardship of foreign cars over and over. My V70. My XC 70. Our S60s.Most recently, I have had a differential problem with my 2015 XC60. This issue spanned over a year with the Volvo authorized dealer/servicer in Florida to whom I entrusted my vehicle. Misdiagnosed over and over, the issue was never resolved, and I was left driving the car in front wheel drive mode only (which defeats traction control and lights up your dash, incidentally). We made the decision to move back to Minnesota s North Shore last year and I couldn t wait to bring Ingrid V to Foreign Affairs to see if Jeff and his team could end this nightmare. End it they did. Just in time for the first snowfall, too!A refurbed diff with a 3-year warranty and a bunch of skill and experience put my car back the way it should be. My XC60 has been a dream this winter. And what a winter it has been!Thank you to Jeff, Andrew and the gang. I am coming back for more!Services: Transmission, Brake service & repair, Oil change

  Mary Keenan
a year ago
I was reminded today why Foreign Affairs has been my go-to for service on my Audi. My A4 recently needed a new set of tires, which FA promptly installed. Due to the bitter cold the Northland is currently experiencing, my check tire indicator came on yesterday. I went to three different gas stations to top off the tire pressure and none had functioning air stations. On a whim I drove to FA and was welcomed by Andrew who indicated that they were happy to help. My sincere thanks to the mechanic who promptly took care of all four tires! There was no charge for their time, and Jeff indicated that I should stop back whenever needed. I should have written a positive review years ago, but today reminded me of their great service.Services: Tires, Brake service & repair, Oil change

  Jolane Sundstrom
5 months ago
If you have a unique foreign car, this business specializes in mechanical work on foreign vehicles.They do not service VW Van's however.

  Gary Atwood
a year ago
We've been taking our 2006 Mini Cooper to Foreign Affairs for years. Before that, it was our 1990 Volvo 240. Frankly, they are the only ones I'd trust. They give you an honest, straightforward and knowledgeable assessment of what you need and what it will cost. Equally important, they will tell you what you don't need. Others may claim expertise, but Jeff and his crew demonstrate it. They've done regularly scheduled maintenance on our Mini as well as diagnostics and minor service. Also performed major work on the cylinder head for valve repairs. In all cases the service has been professional and the quality of their work exceptional. Our recent visit to Foreign Affairs was for a thorough check-up. The Mini is garaged most of the winter, but it will be back in the Spring for the recommended work to keep it running great and looking good for another 150,000 miles.

  Carolyn Nickolauson
a year ago
The people at Foreign Affairs are amazing. About a year and a half ago I bought a BMW. From the very beginning I had problems with this car. Lots of problems. I heard only good things about them so that's where I took my car. Jeff explained everything they were doing every time I brought my car in, every step of the way. I was always treated well and with respect. I never felt that they dealt with me any differently because I was a woman and maybe didn't know anything about cars! This has been an expensive year and a half but they charged me fairly and in fact were very considerate and thoughtful about that process. I would absolutely recommend Foreign Affairs to anyone with a foreign car. You could not do better.Services: Transmission, Tires, Battery, Oil change

  Zack Nelson
a year ago
To keep it simple, this place is amazing. What a great shop to have in Duluth. They were so professional, knowledgable, great prices, and treated me like family and not just a customer. I had my Volvo serviced here and will 100% be coming back. Definitely put your trust in Foreign Affairs. You will not be disappointed.Service: TransmissionService: Transmission

  Barry Johansen
a year ago
Great team! Friendly, knowledgeable, skilled, and outstanding communications. I know when they do a repair it s done right the first time. Without Foreign Affairs, getting good service for imported cars would require a drive the Mpls/St Paul.Highly recommended!Service: Tires

  Winfried Baur
a year ago
Foreign Affairs did an oil and filter change and checked the entire vehicle to have it prepared for a long trip. Like always, the work was done perfectly. In all the years I have used Foreign Affairs to maintain several vehicles I never had a problem. Most appreciated is their honesty and workmanship.Service: Oil changeService: Oil change

  Simone Tremblay
a year ago
This business is the top auto service place that I found in 30 years. The owner is absolutely amazing and so is Andrew at the desk they take their time they do a thorough job and they re fairly priced. I would recommend them to anyone and I m bringing everything of mine to them from now on. If I could give them more stars, I would

  Adam
a year ago
if you have a monkey , and you gave him a wrench, he would most likely be able to work on your bmw 100x night and day difference better than this place. they overcharge , don t finish the job they need to do , and lie about ordering stuff then claim it s miscommunication! they don t do the job correctly or quickly. the quickness isn t as much of a problem if the jobs weee done correctly. Andrew is the only one here to not be angry with.Services: Brake service & repair, Oil change

  Tom Hamilton
10 months ago
This place is great. They replaced the fan in my heat/ac, and it was not as expensive as I expected. They worked quickly and were very polite in every interaction I had with them. Highly recommended.

  John Goodge
a year ago
I had to have a wheel bearing and mount replaced on my BMW due to an error in mounting wheels at a tire shop. Foreign Affairs ordered a good quality part and did the replacement as scheduled.

  Peter Van Dyken
4 years ago
I have repeatedly had good experiences at Foreign Affairs in Duluth. I feel that my concerns are heard and understood. Jeff and his staff have an amazing depth of knowledge and are able to explain to me what is wrong and how to fix my vehicle. And I have always been satisfied with the outcome. I couldn t ask for a better experience.

  Nicholas Chandler
9 months ago
This is a great shop, it s not often I leave reviews but after some less than positive experiences at other auto shops you can really appreciate the quality work communication and stellar customer service from these guys!

  Doreen Conrad
a year ago
I have been using Foreign Affairs for all of my Volvo service. I trust their competent and knowledgeable staff to keep my car running smoothly.Service: Oil changeService: Oil change

  Justin Wheelock
7 years ago
I had a set of winter tires mounted at Foreign Affairs, and they did an excellent job. From flexible scheduling, clear communication, and on to timely completion everything was as expected. I looked into their shop as I left, and having previously worked in different independent and dealer shops was pleased with what I saw. Their attention to detail in my service was excellent, and I am very satisfied. I would recommend them to anyone needing service in this area.

  Cin Carlson
7 years ago
Our local car guy recommended Foreign Affairs to us for my dear old Jetta, a car he did NOT want to mess with. Well, we now take our Toyota truck and our ancient Lexus to Foreign Affairs, too, when we know the trouble is serious. We have always felt they listened to us, asked us pertinent questions, are completely up on their knowledge of every make and model of vehicle and took into account that we are a one-hour drive, one way, from their shop. We have never felt overcharged for their excellent services and we actually look forward to our dealings with them. In other words, we are their customers for life and we recommend them without reservation to anyone with a foreign or cranky car!

  Frank & Laura Budd
5 years ago
We have been clients of Foreign Affairs for 20 plus years. We mostly drive foreign cars. We have never been disappointed with their service or work. I have referred people who also have been very pleased. Can't say enough good things about them.

  Erin Zoellick
7 years ago
Brought my Suzuki in after three other places couldn't identify the problem. Foreign Affairs knew what was needed, where to order parts, and were really great communicators with a knack for friendly customer service. I can't believe how much better my car runs/feels now. I would definitely recommend this business to others. If I'm spending money on my car anyway, I'd rather spend it at a local business where the employees seem to really like working together and working on cars. Jeff and Sarah behind the counter were particularly pleasant, and Jeff was able to explain my car problems to me in a way that didn't make me feel like a dumb woman, which is how I've been treated at other shops where they talk to my husband about my car instead of to me. Can you tell I really like Foreign Affairs!?!?

  Melissa Pratt
6 years ago
First impressions are not good ones. Called a few weeks ago to make an appointment to have my car looked at as I am bringing my car into a body shop, and wanted to have it diagnosed before I wouldn't have it for awhile. Got to Foreign Affairs at 8:19am, and didn't even get the car in. They said they can "maybe get to it today", which kind of defeats the purpose of talking to their staff and setting a time up in the first place. I'm only reviewing 3 stars because the manager (the gentleman I set the appointment up with in the first place) sincerely apologized to me and owned up to the fact that they made a mistake. I personally will not be coming back here, but I feel the manager is an honest person, and that is an important part of any business.

  Michelle Juntunen
3 years ago
Since we moved to Duluth in 2006, Foreign Affairs has been our go-to shop for Audi repairs. Personally I can always trust Jeff and the team to give me the straight story about what my car needs and they are always right. Trust is an important factor for me. Can't go wrong with them.Services: Transmission, Brake service & repair, Battery, Oil changeServices: Transmission, Brake service & repair, Battery, Oil change

  Robert Bennett
7 years ago
I have been a customer of Foreign Affairs for over 40 years. They have taken excellent care of my 1974 Triumph TR-6, which I am still driving in 2017. Also, Foreign Affairs did all the maintenance on my 1992 Audi 200, which I drove for over 23 years and 160,000 miles. I could not have been more pleased with their service.

  MrToddling
5 years ago
I ve been dealing with FA for almost 4 years now. First brought my VW Golf in soon after I bought it. I had been to a competitor prior and wanted this shop s opinion on what my car would need. I showed him the list of what the other guys said I needed (oh yeah, that shop charged me $50 to make this list)Anyway, Jeff and the guys hooked me up with what was actually necessary and I was on my way.Next visit was for a CV shaft. After a few months of driving on the splendid Duluth roads, the shaft was acting up and it was a past my warranty time. Called the shop- they got me in and said they d work with me. So, I was figuring I d incur some labor but the part would be covered. They didn t charge me anything! They stand behind their work.Whenever I ve needed to get in they ve gotten me in fairly quick. And, for more simple things, I ve picked Jeff s brain and he s sent me on my way to figure it out.Good guys. And their shop rate is about $25 an hour cheaper than an aftermarket VW shop in Minneapolis.

  Jackie Drazan
5 years ago
Save your time and money. Driving to the cities five times over would be cheaper for your time and wallet. Also if you're not a 40 year old man or if you haven't been going there for 4+ years I recommend not taking your car there because it doesn't matter what you know, they discriminate.For reference, I brought my car in at 8am on Monday and by Friday they had called me twice, refused a discount, mansplained to me the problem while I knew what it was from day one. They didn't take a look at my car until Tuesday when they ordered a part that didn't get in until Friday. I had to pay for shipping. After I told them to repair it by Friday or put it back together and give my Volvo back, they charged me for three other things they replaced without calling and getting it approved first. They called after it was done and then told me the price. I asked for an estimate a week ago and they wouldn't give one. Expect your car to be nearly stolen and withheld, things done without your consent, and for you to pay the bill for whatever.

  Ning H
5 months ago
wonderful service, very very knowledgeable, honest and easy to work with, have been a happy customer for years! thank you Jeff &. company.. LOVE these guys!Service: TiresService: Tires

  Steven King
3 years ago
Don t bring your luxury foreign cars here unless you hate it. Guy tore my Audi apart to diagnose a leak and pushed me to get the service done because he took too long to find it. Also, the car pick up was delayed because he ordered a wrong part. That s not all, after getting my car and checking under the hood, all the wirings and parts put back together were out of place. Definitely a rushed job.Older guy working there is also RUDE as hell.