Complaint Review: A-1 Alberta Transmission A-1 Alberta Transmission Ltd

A1 Alberta Transmission
Randy Scott Manager

Oct 10/08 I took my 2002 Pt Cruiser into A1 Alberta Transmission to have a transmission leak checked. I originally thought it was the pan gasket. However the gentleman informed me it was the Shift Solenoid Pack and showed me where it was leaking, so I asked for a written estimate to replace solenoid pack. The estimate was $270.00 + gst parts/labor

Oct 17/08- I brought car in to get fixed at 10:30am. Advised Randy a I was talking to a friend and he said said it maybe just be the gasket. Randy said it could be and they will check it and see. I picked car up at 3:30pm (no phone call to tell me it's ready I had to call them) Randy informed me it was just the gasket and the corner of it was all wrecked. I was glad that's all it was and happily paid it. As I was originally expecting it to be the whole solenoid pack which they had suggested in the first place which I assumed it was going to be and was willing to have paid for it with no problem.

Oct 20th /08 -I called them to let them know it was still leaking. Randy advised that they were to busy for 2 weeks to check it and to call back next week to get it in.

Oct 29th /08- I called to see when I could get car in was advised by Randy that I could bring it in on Wednesday November 5th/08 because he was not going to be there until then.

Nov 5th Brought car in at 10:30am talked to Randy, he said it's probably the solenoid pack? I said well you tell me; you guys fixed it He said well apparently we didn't we both kind of chuckled. I asked him if it would be fixed today and he informed me that it would be because they have the part in stock.

Went to pick the car up at 4:10pm (again no phone call to let me know it was ready to be picked up). Talked to Randy he said they put a new gasket on. I asked if they checked it this time. He advised me they did not because it has to be under pressure. I advised him I drove it home the last time and it leaked right away. He said well wait and see if it leaks; if it does then it's the solenoid pack and it would cost $485.00 and they would have to order it in. I advised him that is not what the estimate said. He looked kind of stunned (I think he forgot). I told him I would go get it at which time I did. He looked at it and then said well we don't appreciate being told how to do our job and to go somewhere else. Referring to what I had said earlier about what my friend said. I said uh? That's not what I said (referring to how to do their job.

I explained to him what was said earlier when I brought my car in the 1st time (refer to Oct 17th). He said well go somewhere else we don't like being told how to do our job and we don't want your buisness. I said well that's not good business he said well we been here 18 years and kind of shakes his head. I then said to him I waited patiently 2 weeks to get my car fixed again and I was referred to them by Tire Craft. He then said again well we don't want to fix your car and go get it fixed somewhere else.

I returned home and discovered it was still leaking. I also noticed that the battery was never unhooked(in order to get to the gasket you must unhook the battery according to them!) When the battery is unhooked the radio time and stations must be reset (they didn't need to be reset this time; as they did the first time they fixed it.) Basically proving the gasket was never replaced again.

I am out $110.25 I know it isn't a lot of money but they have a warranty/guarantee that they are not upholding!! If they don't want to fix my car I believe I should be entitled to a refund. Then I can at least apply that money to fix the original problem to begin with.
I haven't heard or received a refund as of now.
Bottom line is STAY AWAY from A1 Alberta Transmission!

I also filed a complaint to the BBB(Better Business Bureau)
This is the response I recieved from A1:

In regards to Mr.x's 2002 pt cruiser we did check his car for him.I told Mr.x that we would have to change his solenoid pack and he told us his friend said it was just the gasket. That is what he wanted changed and we did just that . He then phoned me to tell me that it was still leaking which we knew it would, but the customer is always right.not this time, so we were hoping he would take it some where else because I found Mr.x VERY hard to deal with and pushy so we do not want to work on his vehicle in the future. In retrospect we did what we were told,not what we wanted to do which was to fix it right the first time.

Anonymous
Calgary, Alberta
Canada