Complaint Review: Ammco Transmission

I took my car to Aamco transmission for diagnosis fo three problems: 1.1. The car kicks when shifted from first to second gear, which is usually when speed is accelerated from 0 to 30. 2. Speedometer not functioning properly. 3. Malfunction lamp signal on, continuously. Overall i was very dissatified with the service.


March 8, 2007

Aamco Transmissions
1045 Bloomfield Ave
West Caldwell, NJ 07006


Dear Sir or Madam:
On January 22, 2007; I took my car, Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T with license plate LZY92J, to your Aamco Transmission for diagnosis of three problems. The three problems:
1. The car kicks when shifted from first to second ear, which is usually when speed is accelerated from 0 to 30.
2. Speedometer not functioning properly.
3. Malfunction lamp signal on, continuously.

At end of the service, manager Chris recommended to replace the speed sensor and fix the other problems for the amount of $400. On January 24, 2007, the speedometer order was placed on my credit card for $200.

Upon the arrival of the speedometer, the car was taken to the shop to be fixed on January 27, 2007. Trying to fix the problem, the service managers, Chris and Alan, noticed that the entire transmission would be needed to taken out in order to replace the speedometer. In addition, wrong speedometer was ordered. Thus, the final cost will be $1,600 instead of $400.

On February 02, 2007, I was informed the car was all fixed and ready to be picked up. Upon settling the bill for $1,600, on February 3, 2007, I left your service center with my car and in less than 2 miles; I observed ALL three problems prior to bringing the vehicle into the shop for service still existed! Hence, job was not completed.

The car was taken back to the shop and test driven by the service manager, Alan. The gentleman confirmed all three problems still existed and promised to finish the job in day or two. On February 08, 2007, the service manager, Alan, informed me the speedometer is fixed; but the other two problems are not fixed. Furthermore, and in order to fix the two problems, the entire transmission needed to be replaced for the amount of $4,000, which is $2400 additional to the prior quote.
After driving the car for two weeks, I have noticed on February 24, 2007, that the speedometer does not function when the car is driven in local streets.

I am very dissatisfied with the service provided by Aamco transmission, especially after the fact I had to take leave from work, get a rental, and money spend more than quoted to getting the problems fix, and it still exists after two weeks. I took my car to Aamco based on the reputation they hold as world's largest chain of transmission specialists. In the end, it seems as if Aamco is more interested in cheating customers and being money hungry then fixing the actual problem. Hence, the price kept on increasing from $400 to $1600 to $4000.

I have been very patient with the Aamco servicing group throughout the process and they have done nothing but leading me to false hope. I would appreciate if Aamco accept the fact that they did an unsatisfactory job. I request Aamco to fix my problems or have specialist fix the problems and Aamco pick up the bill. I would appreciate a response to my letter within a week from the sent date with some sort of agreement to my request. Otherwise I will not hesitate to take my complaint to Better Business Bureau (BBB).


Thank you for your help in advance,

Niketa
Lincol Park, New Jersey
U.S.A.