I would like to report unscrupulous business practices and request your help in resolving a matter between myself and Cottman Transmission of both Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey and Cottman Transmission of Wilmington, Delaware.
On March 29 my I brought my vehicle to Cottman Transmission at 1 Oyster Road Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210. The transmission was rebuilt (supposedly) and the car returned on April 3 at the cost of $1,948.28. At that time Jill Figeuroa, Owner of Cottman, accepted $1,000 down payment and agreed to let me pay her $75 per week until the entire bill was paid. As it happened only one $75 installment was made. I subsequently lost my job, then my apartment and was forced to move down South with my significant others' family.
On or about May 30 I attempted to drive my repaired vehicle down South and when I reached Delaware (only 85 miles away) my transmission began to breakdown and sought out a Cottman dealer there.
I went to the Cottman at 3400 Old Capitol Trail, Wilmington DE 19808 and was helped by a man named Frank (owner). He stated he would look at the car (in a few days because he was already busy) and let me know how much the repairs would be. I told him I just had it repaired at Cottman in Cape May Courthouse, NJ and he said OK no problem.
Four or five days later Frank called to say the car was all fixed and ready for pick up at a cost of $1,385. I referred him to the "warranty" and he stated that he had checked with Cottoman in NJ and Jill told him I still owed her money for the first repair.
I am not minimizing what I did by not paying the bill in New Jersey, but quite frankly, I paid half and the car didn't even make it 85 miles away!
I spoke with Jill Figueroa on Tuesday, June 25 and she assured me that if the bill was paid in full to her there would be no problem in getting the car back. My mother then gave Jill her credit card over the phone and paid the balance of $873.28.
On Wednesday June 26, Jill called me and advised that based on advice received from her Attorney, she would not be willing to accept the credit card and that she wanted a bank check instead. I said no problem but would like to have something in writing from her (to protect my interest) that there would be an immediate release of my car when the check was received by her. She said no problem and faxed my mother something later that day.
It was not what I expected... It was unsigned and she stated that she hoped to get the car released to me. I sent the bank check anyway with a letter telling her I was disappointed in the letter she sent and that I expected this matter to be resolved as soon as the payment was received.
I would also like you to note that on 6/28/06 my mother telephoned the Credit Card Company and they advised that Cottman had charged the credit card on June 26 for the amount of $873.28! Yet the very next day Jill told me she couldn't accept a credit card, knowing full well that she had already charged it, and that she wanted a bank check. Of course we disputed the charge immediately.
I have made countless telephone calls to Jill in Cape May Courthouse and Frank in Delaware!
I am being told that the $1,400 bill is due in Delaware when there is a warranty good for 12 months! This is a total rip off! We have paid $1,948.28 for Transmission Repairs that lasted weeks and very few miles! This is ridiculous!
Today I left yet another message for Frank in Delaware to please call me, to no avail. When I called Jill, she had a worker tell me that she was not available but there was a message for me to call Liza at the Cottman Home Office. I called and only got a voice mail!
Frank at Cottman in Delaware has held my vehicle for over thirty days now! It is time it was returned to it's rightful owner. If Cottman has territorial issues as to who pays for this repair then they can work that out after I get my car back. I have a warranty and has paid the bill in full. I am out of patience! Cottmans Home Office is completley useless! Every time I call, I get voicemail, if I actually get a person on the phone, they lie, claim the know nothing about this situation, and promise to look into it and get back to me, and i never hear from anyone! Any one else having this problem? Any advise? My next step is sueing the entire company, including both franchisees!
Liz
Bowling Green, Kentucky
U.S.A.
0 comments