Shane Beck / Speed Lube Customer Service
It was very nice speaking with you. This is the letter that I was mailing to Mr. Muench
Your prompt response is very much appreciated.
Mr. Carl Muench, President
Speed Lube
926 E Eldorado
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 429-9508
Carl,
As per our conversation of 10-19, I am writing you in regard to the damage to my Ford F-150 caused by the attempt of timely and preventative maintenance of a transmission fluid change at your Speed Lube # 9 shop in Lincoln, Illinois by your employees on 7-23.
As I stated to you over the phone, I was due for my transmission fluid to be changed and purchased the proper kit; gaskets, filter, etc. From Oreilly Auto Parts in Lincoln to service my truck on my own. Upon driving back to Mason City, I observed your shop and advertisement for transmission fluid change. I stopped and inquired about the cost of
dropping the transmission pan, changing the filter and fluid. I was told that the cost would be around sixty-dollars. At that time, your employee offered the service of a fluid flush. I inquired, explained and stated that I definitely did not want or need that service. I just wanted the pan dropped, drained, and filter replaced. At that time, I presented the
kit that I purchased from Oreilly and asked for them to be used. I was told that Speed Lube could not use the kit and parts that I had just purchased. Your employee stated that Speed Lube parts were on hand, they were to be used, and instructed me to take the parts and kit back to Oreilly and save some money. I left my keys and vehicle at Speed Lube,
walked to have lunch and returned 35 minutes later to find out that they had over-filled the transmission and was removing some fluid. At that time, your employee recommended that if I were to have any problems with my transmission, he had a friend in Clinton that could help. I thanked him for the service, suggestion and paid. At the time it was well worth the service and I decided to give Speed Lube a try. I was 3 hours from home and I did not look
forward to being on my back the whole afternoon.
On my next trip up to the area on 7-30, I was due for a oil change, so I returned to the Speed Lube in Lincoln. The service was fine, oil change was quick and prompt. But in hindsight, I now think it strange, the weird look on your employees face when he asked how the transmission was doing? I told him that it was running great and I appreciated his service. On 8-24 on I-55 north exit 109 I heard a whine, and barely made it up the off ramp. I immediately pulled into the truck stop parking lot, the transmission fluid was pouring out from the rubber plug. I phoned my
mechanic back home, sent pictures. He informed me that the front main seal on the transmission blew. This was confirmed the following Monday when I took my truck to Absolute Automotive in Pekin, IL. Upon initial examination of the
transmission, the transmission technicians asked me if my transmission had been flushed? I told them no, but the fluid had been changed three weeks earlier. They told me that there was no way possible that could be. The color of the fluid was too dark. The filter was not connected and was laying in the pan. There was black goo where the front seal
blew and they could tell that the fittings that are used for a flush were recently tampered with They also confirmed what my trusted mechanic told me over the phone. That with out the filter properly installed pressure backed and built up and shot my front main seal. They both also stated that more times than not when untrained people at quick lube shops get in a hurry this happens and it is good for their business.
Obvious to me this has been a catastrophic boondoggle which has cost me dearly in tows, parts and labor in the amount
of $2,394.00. All of which I could not afford. I take great pride in my F-150 and I take great care and maintenance of it. Being self employed and I cant work with out it and cant afford anything else to replace it, or anything that could be the useful tool it has been to me.
As far as your request for maintenance records regarding the last transmission fluid change. I am glad to provide to you, which was done some 37, xxx miles prior to my visit to your establishment. But, you will have to explain to me why this
would be necessary and how would that have anything to do with the service and work that your employees did to my truck? Further, as I stated in our conversation. You are welcome to inspect said transmission and the damage done and why... I have had many a transmission technician examine it, for my own explanation on how it can be avoided in the future. Which would never have a 10 minute shop do any transmission work on my vehicle.
The following costs incurred to repair Ford F-150:
Absolute Auto, Pekin, IL $1,129.00
Towing $ 275.00
Southwest Engine and Transmission $ 840.00
Parts and Fluid $ 150.00
Total: $ 2,394.00
These costs DO NOT reflect the amount of work and income lost during the period 08-24 through 10-18 because of this incident.
It is my hope that reimbursement of the above costs be expedited by Speed Lube at the earliest possible date. If not, it is my plan and by necessity, to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Which, through investigation, Speed Lube has had 3 similar complaints filed in the past year. Also, post this information on usacomplaints.com. For which you
may or may not be aware, there are current complaints posted against Speed Lube. Along with this there are other folks that I have met that have had transmission problems with the Lincoln shop.
Further, it is not my wish to pursue this matter legally, but I am fully prepared to have my council and attorney pursue this matter to the full extent lawfully possible.including, the lost contractual work and income during the period listed above.
From our conversation, I gathered that you seemed genuinely concerned. Also, being in business for myself. Making things right with customers. You must realize how this has affected my contracts, customers and obligations. Where I had to make things right for the time period listed for my clients, all with borrowed vehicles. I feel misled by your
employees and I am out cost and time. I feel frustrated and angry.
Be advised, I have been instructed, to avoid any possible confusion or mis-understanding by either party and for the prompt resolution of this matter, further correspondence should be in written form.
Please respond to my email:
Thank You for Your Understanding and Resolve in this matter.
Sincerely,
James
I am sorry to inform you that I will be denying your claim and have
attached our companies response in this posting. I spoke with Absolute
Automotive owner James Hasty this morning and nothing that he added
helped your case.
Respectfully,
Shane Beck
924 East Eldorado Decatur, Illinois 62521
October 25
Ref: 1995 Ford F-150
Dear Mr. James Giesler
I have reviewed the information that you sent me and have spoken with Carl Muench our
companies President regarding your claim with Speed Lube #9 and the transmission
service you purchased. I actually was on sight when the staff was evacuating your
transmission to bring it to the proper level. I remember the guys speaking to you about
the issues you were having with the transmission and I remember saying that it is cheaper
to try the service prior to investing in a transmission repair. It is stated on the receipt from
the date of the transmission service 07-23 that your transmission was not going into
reverse. Your transmission was already having issues which could have caused metal
debris to circulate through your transmission causing damage to interior seals. The
service we provided and you paid for was a transmission pan drop service which entails
pulling the pan, switching out the filter, and topping of the fluid with six quarts of
transmission fluid and running the vehicle through all gears and re-checking the fluid
level prior to departure.in your statement you said that the transmission filter was loose
in the pan at removal, after careful discussion with two local transmission shops I
learned that this filter is supported by the transmission pan and that if the filter had
dropped you would have no function from the transmission due to loss of pressures and
vacuum in the system which would not cause the front seal damage you experienced.
Another factor that is influencing my decision is the fact that you returned on 07-30
for an oil change and was having no issues with your transmission as stated by yourself to
our manager. As for Absolute Automotive stating that there is no way you could have had
the service at our shop performed, there is no way that they can truly make a statement
like that especially when your transmission system holds approximately 15.7 quarts and a
service only changes about six. My decision is to deny your claim for re-imbursement. As
for your claims about our Lube Center in Lincoln and the fact that we have had three
issues in the past are just not true. I handle all claims for Speed Lube and we have not had
any transmission issues to date with that center, there is another company in Illinois that
operates by the name Speed Lube maybe you researched that company. Please send any
correspondence to Speed Lube 924 East Eldorado Decatur, Illinois 62521.
Respectfully,
Shane Beck
Vice President / General Manager
Shane
Upon
review of your document and your company's response. I find that your
statements false and misleading. How is it now, that you now say that
you were on site when my service was purchased? You didn't mention that
before when I spoke with you over the phone. If you were actually there,
you must recall that the truck was tested on your premises, as you
correctly state that all the gears were working and did so for the
following three weeks with out flaw As far as the entry on the invoice
service comments (trans was not going into reverse THANK YOU) This is
and was not the case whatsoever. If you were there, You must remember
that I clearly stated and I mentioned that reverse did work, it just took a couple
seconds to uncharacteristically engage. THAT HAPPEND ONCE! That's when I new it
was time to drop the pan and change the fluid. All of the fluid... As
far as your statement that YOU said that " it was cheaper to try the
service than the repair" unless I am currently speaking to the Manager
of Speed lube #9 that was clearly not the case. The two transmission
shops that you say you went to must have mentioned the "O" ring and clip
that holds my filter in place with a good seat to the line. I know this
because of the new transmission I had to purchase, and that I've
changed it before on other E4OD Ford transmissions including my own. It
again proves another of your statement false. It DOES NOT sit freely
in the pan or is supported by the pan, that sir defeats the whole
purpose of the filter all together. As far as the entry in the service
comments, This FALSE statement was clearly and obviously added to the
invoice, incorrectly or in a guise to cover-up your shops practices, inadequacy of the service performed. As
stated in your company's most recent statement. You state the fact that
my transmission system holds 15.7 quarts of fluid. How is it that my
specific instructions were to your shop was to have a fluid change which
was NOT DONE. NOT just 6 quarts. Which also the invoice states. So your
telling me that I went to Speedlube # 9 for a transmission fluid
change, 15.7 quarts and just got a service? Which was only 6 quarts?
So, I offered and presented the kit, gaskets etc. To the shop manager
which was denied. Further, by your statement that if by chance as you
state that the pan drop service entails dropping the pan, changing the
filter, and you added six quarts. I find that hard to believe because I
witnessed your manager evacuating 4 quarts out of my transmission.
By the way this action furthered my belief that you changed all of the
fluid because you over filled it. So,
by your math and your invoice your service performed six quarts in and I
witnessed 4quarts out. The invoice does not reflect that what so-ever. 2
quarts?! I clearly was led to believe the fluid was entirely
changed, it was not. The transmission tech in Pekin, Absolute Auto
was very correct in his original assessment that you did not change the
fluid in my truck, gasket or the filter for which I was led to believe
by your staff and now apparently you also performed. Since now you were
on the premises. As far as the filter being loose as being my statement.
This was relayed to me by the tech at Absolute Auto. For which he again
says that he explained to you. I still have in my possession the
filter, gaskets which is still in the transmission in question that you
were supposed to change that and the fluid. Which clearly you did not.
This was the service that I was lead to believe I had purchased.
Regrettably, You and your company will not
make up for your obvious mistakes and inadequate misleading service.
It is now my plan to follow through with every avenue at disposal to
recoup damages caused by your company in the amount of $ 2394.00 plus
additional court fees and or legal cost.
Shane,
Today,
I received another bill in regard to the damage caused by the Speed
lube #9 to my F-150. The total tally of costs to date is in the amount
of $2,679.00. I have contacted legal council. My Attorney has copies of
the paperwork, invoices, facts and figures. Attorney council has gone
over the facts and evidence in this matter and is formulating a formal
demand letter to you and your company regarding the debt of damage that
was caused by your company. To date legal fees and costs are not
included in the above listed amount. Nor is the amounts of loss of
wages incurred because of this matter. I am fully prepared to take legal
action. I am sick and tired of being screwed over about this matter. Be
assured, any further fees or costs obtained will be added when I file
legal action. As far as "all paperwork" to be sent to your address. Send
me a list of your further requirements and what you want to look at. I
will give these requirements to council for review. I have already given
you in previous correspondence the correct amounts incurred and stated
the mileage of my last transmission fluid change. For which you derived
your response, false statements and denial of the claim. It is still my
plan to contact the Better Business Bureau etc. And send this and all
correspondence, including the formal demand letter as soon at it
arrives.
To avoid further strife and fees, justified compensation is due in the
amount of $ 2,679.00. The damage that was caused by your company's
misleading, false and bogus service that I purchased from Speed Lube #9.
Your prompt response would be respected.
Sincerely,
James
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