YOUR TRUSTED LAWNMOWER EXPERTS
At Rude Boy Small Engine Repair, repairs aren't just a job—they're a badge of honor. We're built on grit, skill, and a healthy dose of attitude.
Our crew is battle-tested in the world of lawn mower repair, service, and maintenance and always geared up with the latest know-how. Whether it's a beat-up mower or a stubborn go-kart, we tackle it head-on—with tough love and zero fluff.
We Sweat the Small Stuff
No shortcuts. No slop. Just real attention to detail, every step of the way. When your gear hits our shop, we treat it like our own—tight bolts, tuned engines, and a clean finish.
- Complete inspections with a full service/tune up
- Work that holds up in the real world
- Quality parts
30-Day Guarantee, No Questions Asked
We don't just stand by our work—we stomp by it. Sometimes things happen. If you're not happy, we'll make it right. Period.
- 30-day workmanship guarantee
- Hassle-free adjustments
- Repairs done the right way—or redone
The Rude Boy Story
It Started with Two Words: "Extremely Rude."
In late February 2023, a regional manager from John Deere looked across a table at me and said, "I think you're extremely rude, and it's best that we part ways." He wasn't entirely wrong. Here's what happened.
A new assistant manager had been hired above me. Within a month, she had made coming to work miserable — couldn't ask the simplest question without getting my face chewed off. I took it for two months. Then one morning, while the three of us were working up an estimate on a big zero-turn with major issues, I said, "I know right off the bat I'm gonna need a half hour segment for diagnosing the electrical issue." She screamed at me: "I know how to do my job! Don't tell me what segments things go in!" I don't know what she was going to say after that — because I went off. There were f-bombs. There were some other words. It wasn't my finest moment, but it was a long time coming.
Two days later, the regional manager came in for a sit-down. He heard my side. He suggested I apologize. I told him if he'd get her in there to apologize for two months of hell, I'd think about apologizing for the one time I snapped. He didn't like that answer. "Extremely rude." And just like that, I was out.
On the Way Home, I Almost Took the Safe Route.
I stopped at a small engine shop on the drive home to ask about a job. The owner was ready to hire me on the spot — just needed me to fill out an application. I brought it home, got about halfway through, and stopped. "Fuck this. It's just gonna happen again." I crumpled it up and threw it in the trash. Three days later, I had a hand-painted sign in my front yard: Small Engine Repair.
"Rude Boy" Was Born Out of Spite. And a Little Bit of Pride.
Instead of letting "extremely rude" sting, I leaned into it. I thought about those classic 1970s and '80s truck stickers — Rude Boy peeing on a rival brand logo. Every truck had one. It was defiant, irreverent, and a little obnoxious. It felt right.
I took that image to my mother — one of the most talented people I know — and asked her to redesign it. She based it on a doll that had been made for me when I was a little boy. Out of that came the first official Rude Boy logo. Named after being called rude by a man in a corporate office. Designed by my mom from a childhood toy. That's the whole story.
The Wrench Has Been in My Hand Since I Was Seven.
I didn't stumble into this. I grew up doing this. Around age 7 or 8, I was destroying bicycles faster than anyone could buy them — so I learned to fix them myself. In seventh grade, I took a small engines elective and never looked back.
At 13, my family put me in the basement garage with a small-block Chevy 350, a Chilton's Manual, and one instruction: tear it apart, clean it, paint it, put it back together. I got it almost perfect — only installed the distributor 180 degrees out of time. Not bad for a first attempt.
I've been turning wrenches on everything from line trimmers to zero-turns to cars and full-sized trucks my entire life. Working at John Deere wasn't the beginning of my mechanical career — it was just a chapter. And not a chapter I'll miss.
Here's the Irony.
The man called "extremely rude" by a corporate manager has built one of the most trusted small engine shops in Pitt County — on the back of three things customers bring up over and over again, completely unprompted.
Work Ethic
Customers consistently say the same thing: John does what he says, when he says it.
"John is a man of his word. He told me when he would pick up the equipment — and he did exactly that."
— Domonic Powell
A 7-year-old Honda mower running like new in just a couple of days. Picked up Monday, delivered Friday, fair price, runs like new. Quick to return calls, quick to follow through. The pattern is consistent enough that people stop and name it specifically — because it's rare enough to be worth mentioning.
Does what he says, on time, every time
Integrity
Transparency on pricing is the single most repeated theme across every review platform. Multiple customers used the exact word "transparent" without being prompted.
"Great service at a fair price. You can't go wrong trusting Rude Boy."
— Adam Clayton
No surprise charges. Estimates that match the final bill. An honest diagnosis, even when the answer isn't what you want to hear. That's the standard here — not because it's a policy, but because it's the only way to run a shop worth running.
Transparent pricing, no surprises, honest diagnosis
Personality
The word that comes up again and again is accommodating.
"John was extremely accommodating and I will continue to use them."
— Ismael Hernandez
Nextdoor neighbors have called the shop a "hidden gem" — the kind of language people use when they've found something they don't want to keep to themselves. Approachable, straight-talking, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. Not what you'd expect from a place called Rude Boy.
Accommodating, approachable, a man of his word
The name says Rude Boy. The reviews tell a completely different story.
What Drives This Shop.
I'm a man of my word, and I stand behind the work I do. No corporate layers, no runaround, no surprises. Just honest repairs done right — or done again until they are. If you trust me with your equipment, I take that seriously.
Rude by name. Easy to work with.
Certifications & Credentials
- John Deere Certified Technician
- STIHL Bronze Certified
- Coleman Preferred Vendor
- 2024 & 2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves
DISCOUNTS FOR THOSE WHO SERVE
Veterans & active military, first responders (firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement), and seniors (65+) all receive 10% off labor and 5% off full-service packages. Just mention it when you call or drop off — no hoops to jump through.
SHOP HOURS
- Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sat: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Sun: Closed
- Walk-ins welcome. No appointment necessary.
Power Up Your Equipment the Right Way
From busted blades to tired engines, we've got the skills to bring your gear back to life. Whether you're a weekend warrior or run a full-blown landscaping crew, our small engine services are built to keep you moving.
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