Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/29/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I contacted Gary at Aamco Transmissions on Friday, August 26th at 2:46pm about my Mitsubishi Outlander. He was asked to find out what was going on with my car since the transmission light had come on. I spoke to him on Friday afternoon and he said he could do it for over $6000. I told him that I needed to think about it. He wanted me to send him $3000 on Saturday. I again told him no, that I needed to put some thought into if I wanted to repair the car or make a new purchase. He asked for my birth date to "get the ball rolling" I gave it to him, but still insisted that he wait until he hear from me on Monday. At 11am on Monday I called him and he said that I gave him authorization when I gave him my birth date! I told him that that was not my understanding and that I did not authorize him to do the work until he received an answer from me on Monday. He is now saying that I cannot have my car until I give him $1824.90 because he spent over 13 hours working on my car. This is not possible, since the shop is closed over the weekend and I told him to wait to hear from me on Monday.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/08/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2022/09/16) */
  Please see attached documents
  
  
  Consumer Response /* (3000, 10, 2022/09/21) */
  (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
  Aamco T. are being completely dishonest about what truly happened in regards to this incident. When my car broke down on 8.21.22 I had it towed to them on 8.22.22 and didn't contact them until 4 whole days later for an update on the car. There was no hurrying or rush for me because I have another vehicle. They're being dishonest about the call I made to them as well. I have included a screenshot of the number I dialed, the minutes we talked, the time, and the date. This is super important because they are claiming more hours that are in their workday. When I spoke to Gary he claimed he hadn't made any progress with my car. When I had pretty much given up on having it repaired he said hold on for a few minutes. That is when I said I will just call you back. That is why you will see two calls on the screenshot. When I called him back at exactly 2:46pm (not approximately 1-2pm as suggested) he said the repairs would be between $6000-$9000 dollars. I then told him that I would need to put some thought into this. I have no knowledge about auto repairs and wanted to discuss it with my partner and regular mechanic. I also had my father's funeral to plan so there was no hurry as my thoughts were on my dad. Also, the repair required some thinking. As a side note, no middle aged, Christian, southern woman that I know of would have a mechanic say pay me $6000-$9000 for a repair without first discussing it with their husband, significant other, or friend. I specifically told Gary I would call him on Monday with a decision. At that moment he said, "What's your birthdate?" I told him without hesitation or the knowledge that he would be using this as a way to say he had authorization from me. I even said to him "Why are you asking me about my birthdate?" Because it was totally out of the blue. He said "to get things started on his end." I again told Gary not to do anything until he hears from me on Monday. The owners are saying that this was explained to me and that is why I gave my DOB, but this is how they're scamming people like myself. I never offered to pay $200 for my car either. I stated that I was expecting a diagnostic fee of some sort and possibly $200. Paul the owner said they don't charge such fees. These guys are preying on females that really don't have a clue about car repairs. I totally trusted that Gary would wait to hear from me on Monday. He is saying they put in over 13 hours, but again they're being deceitful. My screenshot will show that I spoke to Gary a second time at 2:46 on 8.26.22 for 12 minutes. Their shop closes at 5:00! That leaves maybe two hours of work time on a Friday to begin pulling a transmission. I called Gary at 11am on Monday to give him my decision. That's when he said he had put in over 13 hours. If they open at 8:00am and I called them at 11am the time totals 5 hours (2 from Friday and 3 from Monday) not 13 hours. This is just not at all possible. Aamco T. implied I had financial issues and couldn't make the $3000 deposit. They know nothing about my finances and are creating a scenario to benefit themselves. Any repairs my car has ever needed were made to maintain it. I would not take my car to a shop if I could not pay for it to be repaired. When Gary requested I call him on his cell phone over the weekend I told him no straight away because I wanted to discuss this with my other half and concentrate on planning my father's funeral. I needed to decide if this car with over 198,000 miles was worth it or if I should purchase a new car. You will see screenshot of a video chat I had with Eric, a car dealership salesman, on 8.28.22 about purchasing a new car. Now why would a working class person like myself be shopping for a new car and at the same time be investing $6000 in the old car? My actions do not indicate I was in agreement with Aamco repairing my car. They are just trying to take money that they did not properly earn. I did go to Aamco to pick up my personal items because these are my belongings and my car is not in a secure location. I did not abandon my car and would very much like to have it back without added fees for unauthorized work. BBB, I appreciate all that you are doing, but if by chance you're not able to get my car back, then at least warn other consumers about Aamco Transmission's deceitful practices. No one should be swindled this way.
  
  
  Business Response /* (4000, 15, 2022/10/10) */
  Please see attached file with response