In these tough economic times, i saw myself in need of a transmission rebuild. Having some success with craigslist in the past, I used it to give me some options. "Rebuilds start at $650, " the post read. "Working man's friend, " was another. Franny's Floor Mat Motors was this mysterious business with the super-low prices. I called and talked to the owner Larry Laken. I was quoted a price of $1000 before taxes.
I brought my car to Franny's on March 3rd. I was told that I would have my car back in 3-5 days. Before handing over my keys, I told the mechanic, Mike, I needed the car back in the time frame stated because I have spastic cerebral palsy and my car is equipped with hand controls. This is the only car I can drive, and use it to go to college, where I am a full-time student. I cannot use public transportation, because I lack the stamina to walk to bus stops and train stations. I basically need door-to-door transportation. I stated that since, at the time, the car was still drivable, I could bring the car somewhere else if this 3-5 day estimate could not be met. I was assured the car would be back in 3-5 days. My car was returned to me on April 3rd, 31 days later.
Throughout the month I was told stories of their mechanics being in legal trouble, parts that were harder to find than anticipated, an illness that put the rebuilder in bed for 3 days, all the while being promised my car back on specific dates that came and went.
When I went up to check on my car and found it unlocked, a week before completion, I was told by Mr. Laken: "If we lock the doors they'll just break the windows and take what they want anyway." When I went to pick up my car, later that week, my keys and keyless alarm remote had been lost, as were two amplifiers. My battery, which was an aftermarket battery to power my stereo was lost, but then returned. I also noted a strange noise that was attributed to, "sitting for so long, " or, "needing an oil change." My bumper, which had been recently repainted was scratched in half a dozen places. On the ride home I noticed my left-front turn signal not working. I later found out that the bulb was completely missing as was the screw that affixed the lens to the car. It was pure luck it didn't fall out on the ride home.
The noise gave me the feeling that I probably shouldn't take the car out over the weekend, so after I got it home I did not move it until today, Monday, April 6, when I could have a transmission specialist look at it. I dropped my car off, and right away, the mechanic pointed out that my intake wasn't secure and a vacuum line was not reattached. The mechanic called me to let me know that only half of the bolts that should be holding the transmissions bellhousing to the engine were present. When I asked what this meant, he said that basically the transmission was half off the car. He said the car was not roadworthy in this state. He also told me that the axles were taken apart and put back together missing pieces and had to be replaced. Franny's did not mention this.
Later the mechanic called me to say he found the source of my noise: my torque converter was put in using incorrect bolts that were too long for the application and thus caused the bolts to hit the transmission shield and restricted its normal movement. Rather than simply replace the bolts with the correct ones, Franny's cut off the bolt heads and pried back the transmission shield to try to keep the bolts from contacting the shield.
This is where I stand now, with a current bill of $625 to correct what Franny's did incorrectly. I've had to postpone an internship and have had unbelievable difficulty getting around in the month since I handed my car over to Larry Laken and Franny's Floor Mat Motors. Dealing with this place has been like being in a nightmare I can't wake up from.
I am not a disgruntled employee, nor was I ever involved with Franny's in anyway, before going there for work on March 3rd. I have no reason to lie, be slanderous, or malicious in any of my statements. I am simply a consumer that was deceived by Franny's Floor Mat Motors. I am taking legal action and would like to hear from anyone else who feels they were wronged by Mr. Laken and Franny's. Let's not let this man do this to anyone else.
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