And that is just the beginning!
A confident trip to this well marketed service center ended in over $600.00 (and counting) of lost funds, zero repairs and a few denials to my buddies from AAA.
On or around Jan 24... I had my car towed to Tilden. Upon entering that morning, I clearly explained my concerns and the things (AC Compressor, Transmission and Rear Power Windows) I needed to have inspected/diagnosed. At this point, we small-talked and he gave me "ball-park" figures on a few scenarios on each. All fine and dandy! I explained that I wanted to get an estimate of repairing those features... I explained I was debating fixing the car versus buying a new and wanted to get a quote going separate ways with the car. Before doing any work... I wanted to have everything estimated.
On an envelope he gestured (in elementary math) that it would cost less money to fix versus buying new. I thanked him for his enthusiasm, and re-explained what I needed looked at. Fine!? He then told me he couldn't take a look into the other stuff (AC Compressor and Windows) until after he deals with the Trans... Okay...???
I called from work later that afternoon to get an update and they told me they had yet to take a look at the car. No problem. So, I waited for their call. When I did receive the call, it was the next day and for my alarm controller... Which I left work to bring to them.
The next day, I received a call and they told me they took a look at the Transmmision... They determined it was previously replaced (okay)... And I would need a new one. No explanation why. So, my question was, "can you repair it?". He suggested "no", and gave me a quote for Used and for a Re manufactured.
After discussing the warranty features, I told him I would most likely go with the "Re manufactured Trans" for the longer warranty over the "30-day" warranty for the "Used Trans".
I then requested he first fax me the diagnosis and order information first... I wanted to make sure he wasn't ordering spare parts, or a Used Trans... And more importantly, I wanted to see proof of its condition before I authorized. And that was never done.
Pardon the journey... I'm realizing it's more to it than I care type at the moment... However, cutting to the chase...
He requested my credit card info and told me he'll charge it once I returned the fax... For the deposit for the transmission. Dumb move!
Fast forward... I realize that he's capable of doing a transmission replacement without my authorization. Not only did I request a itemized quote for all the labor and parts associated with all of the things (remember... AC Compressor, Transmission and Rear Power Windows) I needed looked at... I also told him to hold-off on any repairs until I could make a decision on the big picture.
I also, told him the time frame in which I needed it done.
So, at this point... Friday Morning... It occurs to me, he's trying to stretch the labor. And look at one item, repair one item... Have me come back... Look at another item, and repair another...
So, I called Friday morning to get an update and still... Nothing else was looked at. He was blowing me off because I was really indecisive because I wasn't getting the info I needed to make a decision. So, he told me he would give me time and call me back. He never did.
So, I canceled everything that Friday. At that point, it's been a week and I have nothing to make a decision on. Not even on the Trans.
As the story is told... The the person who took my message, allegedly, never relayed the message. I was supposed to get a call back on Friday with a quote on everything... And never did.
I knew the situation would arise where someone would have to take responsibility for the re-stocking fee if I didn't cancel soon. Knowing all part suppliers charge (roughly 20%), I made sure I called early enough to make sure nothing was ordered. But, according to Tilden, no one remembers that.
So, Monday I call again, this time I speak to the original guy, not the guy who takes last message, and he instantly quote me $500.00... in my judgment, it was an attempt to persuade me into going with the repair. So, I questioned again..."where's this number coming from?" He tells me it's the restocking fee...
Cutting Long story... After I made a personal visit to get all of the paper-work I've been waiting a week for... I realized there was none.
So, as he types memos onto my receipt... All I could think about is how much money I'm going to have to spend on a lawyer!!! Because, I felt like I was getting rapped! Right there on the spot!
So, I asked..."what's this?" referring to the item "Diagnostic" on the reciept... And he goes..."oh... Hold on... I thought I added that"... And types something like..."Transmission was previously replaced. Clutch shaft worn." So, I asked, isn't there a report your mechanic types-up or fills out? And he replies "oh yeah!"..."... Well... Don't I get a summary of the diagnosis I'm paying for!!!???"... And he goes..."... You're canceling!" As if I shouldn't care!
Anyway, at this point, I have no proof my car was even looked at.in addition, its not convincing that a thorough enough diagnosis of a transmission to justify replacing it again, took place. None the less, there's no proof the car was touched. No mechanic report. No nothing!
So, I helplessly took it on the chin. I just wanted to get my car and move on (minus $590).
I was refunded the difference from the deposit they took out on the transmission (those Bastards), and was done with Tilden. So it seemed.
I sent AAA to get the car the next day, and they was refused because he stated I had another balance. He apparently charged me storage although their policy threshold was 3 days after any service excluding oil-changes and other minor stuff. Besides that fact... I asked him before I left... And he said I had time.
The plot thickens.
I called Tilden to check the AAA dispatchements claim of me owing money... And sure enough, they still had a grip on me... Squeezing more money from me. So, again, I gave them my credit card info... Zero Balance again!
I called AAA again. I told them it was all cleared-up.
When they returned to Tilden a second time, they tell the Tow-Guy..."I took the keys!"...
So, my wife calls me at work... Which I was just returning... And she told me of the "BS"... So, I'm tearing apart my cubicle looking for the keys... She's destroying our apartment searching everything... And I called back and told her "No-Way!!! No damn way!!! They never gave me any keys!!!" And shortly after turning AAA away (who was charging me) Tilden called my wife and said they had the keys and would call AAA back to come get the car! (Don't they usually keep the keys with your paper work?)
Anyway... It's after 8pm now.
I called AAA roughly around 10:30am and the circus act of loosing the keys ended sometime around 12pm... And I call home from work to see if the car arrived safely... And my wife tells me no one ever showed-up! I called AAA again... More "BS"!
My car is still at their garage. They are playing way too many games with me. I am $700 in the hole... No service... No repairs... No information... And a growing bill I can't seem to take control of.
Bottom line is... I never authorized them to order anything. I needed to sign for the job... Which, I never got the chance to do. I wasn't aware they went ahead and charged the card without me signing off. And, now, they got me by the Balls! I know they are going to try and charge me another $70... If not more... For more of nothing!
I'm getting rapped here! Loosing time at work. And paying for fraudulent jobs.
To h*l with Tilden!!!
I need help fast.
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