After purchasing a 1991 Ford pickup I found that the transmission was having some problmes. Sometimes the tranny would slip in First Gear. Let up on the accelerator and it shifted fine.
Transmission seemed strong except for sporatic first gear slip. Called a Independent Transmission person I used in the past and he quoted me $900 - $1,100. (This mechanic has rebuilt two other transmissions for me and always treated me fair) This mechanic was 50 miles from my home so to save travel I thought I would try AAMCO which was only a couple blocks from my house. Roomate of mine recommended them also.
I went to Olathe KS AAMCO and the Regional Sales manager was present and told me base price for this tranny was $895.00 plus a torque converter for around $250-$400. He did say that they could not quote until they actually looked at tranny.
I took the truck in on 3/30/03. Said would only take 3 days to rebuild! Received a called on Monday and said the problem was internal and that they would need to tear it down to inspect it. Cost would be $395.00 for this. I told them to go ahead. The next day I was called and told the Transmission was in BAD Shape. Said that if they used the local parts supplier that the cost would be up towards $3,000.00. He then told me he could check with other suppliers and possible get parts cheaper. Amazinly he said he could have the parts shipped in and the rebuild would only cost $1,900.00 that way.
I told them to put the tranny pack in and I would pick up the truck. On Friday 4/4/03 I stopped to get the truck. They had not put the tranny put back in yet. Said it would be done the next day. Drove by on Monday 4/7/03 and the truck is still inside the shop.
The intresting part is I called a local Parts dealer and was quoted a Rebuilt Tranny with Torque Converter for $895.00.
4/8/03 I just received a call from some idiot for the Main Office of AAMCO inquiring about my experience with AAMCO.
He tried the sales pitch on NationWide Warranty and that if I bought a rebuilt transmission from another dealer I would not know how the tranny had been used in the past (like no one else in the world can rebuilt a tranny right except for them!) I informed him I just bought this truck and have no idea how this tranny had been used so what was the difference...
I find it intresting that now that I am going back to my trusty tranny mechanic 50 miles away I am waiting and waiting for AAMCO to put my truck back together... Hmmmmm I wonder if I will be able to drive it out of their shop??? I will update on the rest of the story when I go to pick up the truck...
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