After being told that my transmission fluid was contaminated during a routine oil change and then noticing my car was not accelerating well, I took my car in for a free visual inspection and road test at Cottman Transmission. The mechanic performed the tests and afterwards Matt told me that my car (a vehicle with high mileage on it) was leaking transmission fluid, slipping gears from 2nd to 3rd, and had fluid that was contaminated.
Matt offered a diagnostic test to determine the severity of the problem. The test includes taking out the transmission, disassembling it, diagnosing the problem and providing an estimate, reassembling the transmission and finally installing it back in the car. Matt stated they only repair the parts that need service and after I asked what parts on a high mileage vehicle like mine generally need transmission service, he pointed to two parts and said they were relatively inexpensive. He offered financing options and said they would provide a rental car and reimburse me the amount up of rental car fees up to $100.
I agreed to have the diagnostic work performed thinking, worse case scenario, if the estimate came out to be more than the car was worth I would continue to drive it as is until major problems arise and then look for a new vehicle.
The next business day I was given a call by Jonathan, the shop owner, who offers two service plans in the amount of about $2,500 or $2,200 and asks which plan I want to go with. I was not expecting the repair to be so costly since I was originally told the parts that most likely needed repair are "relatively inexpensive". I asked what about servicing only those parts and was told the best option was to have this overhaul completed because, as Jonathan told me, "we either fix it right or don't fix it at all".
I wasn't too happy with either option and after telling him that I did not want to spend that much money on my car, I told him to reassemble my transmission and put it back in. Jonathan said this would be impossible. Apparently there are seals and gaskets that break apart during removal of a transmission and they would have to be purchased for the transmission to be put back in correctly.
I asked about just purchasing the seals and gaskets that are broken and then reinstalling the transmission. Jonathan then stated the seals and gaskets come in an overhaul kit for the amounts listed above and that's the only way to get my car fixed. If I declined either of these service options then I would have to come get my car towed since it would not have a working transmission anymore.
I became furious at this point. To think that you leave your car with a mechanic to diagnose a problem only to be told that you would have to pay whatever asking price they wanted for repair work or be left with a vehicle in worse condition then when you brought it in to be looked at is absolutely ridiculous. I asked to have my transmission placed back in the car since there's no way I am willing to be extorted like this.
I confronted Matt about the issue and how he failed to mention any of the finer details during our initial visit. Matt's explanation was that most people, when they ask for a diagnostic workup, know full well that their car will need an overhaul and anticipate the costs associated with this. This is a highly dangerous assumption on their part and also a very deceitful business tactic. They practically take apart your car and hold it hostage until you pay their asking price.
What's more, since I did not have the service performed by Cottman, I was told that I would no longer be getting reimbursed for the rental car. Again, another detail that was conveniently not explained during my initial visit to Cottman. Also left out was that when I do pay the $350 diagnostic fee, it had to be in cash only. This, I later found out, is a practice done by merchants that make it harder for the average consumer to challenge later. If payment were made by credit or debit card, the amount could possibly be disputed but since cash was exchanged, it makes it that much more difficult to dispute.
In the end, I was left with spending $350 for a diagnostic test, $200 for a week's worth of rental car fees, $55 dollars to have the car towed, and a car with no working transmission. It was only after my experience that I searched on the internet and found several reports from other people who have had similar experiences with Cottman.
I am now trying hard to share my experience with as many people as possible so that Cottman Transmission is not able to victimize anyone else, ever again. I have sent emails to local affiliates of NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX. I have also reported the incident to the local Better Business Bureau (BBB) office. To those reading please share my incident, and the countless others on this website regarding Cottman Transmission, with as a many people as possible. Thank you.
Cottman_are_crooks
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.
0 comments