Complaint Review: Aamco Transmission Repair

Not being a mechanic, I would the need to drop and take apart a transmission in order to see exactly what's wrong inside. And I would expect even that inspection to be quite expensive, and I would want to know that the inspection fee would get rolled into the final repair price somehow.

Did you not discuss the prices before hand?

Not everything can be determined by reading computer codes or taking test drives.

Transmissions are expensive devils and $3000 to basically rebuild the thing, while probably not the cheapest, doesn't sound exorbitant.

Dear Sir,

    First allow me to introduce myself.  I don't work for Aamco, although I did many years ago.  I am an ASE certified master transmission specialist with 38 years transmission experience and own my own independent transmissions shop.  We do only transmission and drivetrain work and nothing but.  We've been giving a 5 year warranty on all our work since 1985.  We have a BBB A+rating as well as being the only AAA-approved transmission specialist in our state.  We're higher priced than most of our local competitors.

    Any auto repair business, including transmissions, that charges labor, plus parts, can't write an accurate estimate without getting into the job which many times requires disassembly.  In the transmission industry, this standard practice is called a "RDI" which stands for Remove, Disassembly, and Inspect.  If somebody backs out of the repair, once committed to a RDI, there is a charge.

    Other shops "price average" and dont itemize parts and labor.  They canibalize expensive parts that don't come in the rebuild kit out of other used transmissions to keep their prices artificially low.  Some people that simply need a sensor or solenoid are sold a "rebuilt transmission" to make the price averaging business model work.

    I'm not here to say one method is better than the other.  However, because there's no legal defining of the words "rebuilt", "reman", or "overhaul" in most states 1-liner repair orders where a transmission is listed merely as a commodity is common.  Because of that commodity pricing model, corners are cut and are often reflected in their standard warranty.

    Additionally, this business model also has failures shortly after the warranty runs out because of the same cost cutting techniques.

    As long as a consumer considers a transmission a commodity, all shops the same, and there's little else to shop for other than price, they will continue to struggle with issues as this, and many more.

    Unless a transmission estimate itemizes labor and parts in accordance to insurance standards that require a recognized labor and time guide, along with listing each part and it's state (new, rebuild, or used) consumers will continue to be sucked in by the lure of a low price, long warranty, and a great job.  Only to feel ripped off in the end.   You get what you pay for.

Thanks for listening,

J. Larry Bloodworth

Draper, Utah

larrybloodworth01@msn.com


P.S.  I can become your greatest on the untainted truth of the inside workings for the transmission business for I have nothing to gain, nor want any acknowledgement.  Only the truth for cosumers to help them make better decisions.  I absolutely love what I do for a living and this is merely an extension of it.  I would like to remain anonymous on your website if you use any of my stuff.