ASAP Motors & Parts Systems Wrong Transmission, then Defective Transmission ripoff Houston Texas
On 10-03-05, I ordered a used automatic transaxle from ASAP Motors of Houston, Texas for a 1997 Hyundai Accent. I received a transaxle unit on 10-13-05, but one of the five electrical harnesses on the unit was not compatible with the vehicle. I conducted researched and found that Hyundai used four electronic valve body solenoids in the Accent's transmission for the years 1995 through 1999, which I was replacing, but used six valve body solenoids for the years 2000 through 2005. I conducted diagnostics on the unit ASAP sent to me and concluded that I was sent a post-1999--not compatible with my vehicle.
On 11-14-05, I notified ASAP of my research and their error (they were not aware of the design change in 2000). ASAP agreed to retrieve the wrong unit they sent and re-ship the correct unit at their expense. After several subsequent misunderstandings among ASAP staff, I finally received the appropriate model of transmission on 01-27-06. I installed it and took a test drive on 01-30-06 and found that the unit operated in first and third forward gears, but did not have second, overdrive, or reverse.
I tested and disassembled the transmission and found that the valve body was damaged; sticking valves had caused directionally opposing clutches to activate when shifted into reverse, which stripped the interior splines out of the kick-down drum. That drum was operated by a band clutch when utilizing second, overdrive, and reverse gears.
Then, I discovered an unauthorized charge to my credit card by ASAP on 01-18-06. ASAP claimed it was a charge for the initial delivery, which I had paid COD three months earlier. I researched and found that I was charged for the retrieval shipment, which was by a different shipping company for a different cost than the delivery. ASAP refused to review their records and did not credit my card until I faxed proof of payment for the initial shipment.
Furthermore, the tracking number was changed en route on the retrieved unit that I was mistakenly charged shipping on. When the local shipping line tried to clarify their billing documents with ASAP, accounting assistant Diana, and later Manager Dina, accused a female staff member of the shipping line of being my girlfriend and trying to use her position to help me avoid payment! No apologies were made to the shipping company after I faxed proof to ASAP of their error.
It is therefore apparent to me that ASAP does not test transmission units, or failed to in this instance, before shipping to customers.
Joshua
Port Angeles, Washington
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Dannie
CASTLE ROCK,Colorado,
U.S.A.
asap charges filed Texas Attorney General
#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, June 19, 2007
Its not to late to tell your story to Texas Attorney General 713-223-5821 ext 115
the nned your info for trial.
Dannie B.
Joshua
Port Angeles,Washington,
U.S.A.
Response
#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, March 31, 2006
Ma'am,
I discovered the disputed freight charge prior to receiving the defective unit. I had no reason to contact your company further due to a lack of faith: First, the wrong unit was sent. Then an unauthorized credit card transaction occurred. This was followed by accusations to a carrier trying to clarify a tracking number change. Finally, a defective unit was sent. This took over three months to play out.
I was able to repair the defective unit with a salvageable kick-down drum and valve body from the original transmission (each unit had separate failures, and the one you sent was in better condition than the unit from the vehicle).
Frankly, you incurred greater financial losses in this transaction than I; however I felt an obligation to warn others, particularly the freight companies that were affected by ASAP's performance.
I would like to know what testing procedures you conduct on your products, since the unit you sent me operated in only two out of four forward gears and did not operate in reverse (the damage made it impossible to achieve any movement at the output shafts in second, overdrive, and reverse gears when operated, and when the mechanical problem was resolved, the failure in the valve body caused a stalling condition of the unit and the engine driving it).
Please be technical in your response. I may be able to help you or refer you to someone who can help with developing testing procedures.
JoshuaPort Angeles, WA
USA
Dina
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
Incorrect informtion
#4UPDATE Employee
Thu, March 30, 2006
Sir, yes the accounting department did charge you incorrectly for the shippment and upon your call in Jan 06, you were refunded promptly. As for the call from woman at the carrier no one here accused her of being your girlfreind, but we were unable to discuss your account with anyone but you. As for the transmission being defective you made no mention of that during our conversation about the freight charge, and have not contacted our office since Jan. 06. We do test all of our parts and if you had in fact recieved a defective part I am sure you would have contacted us, however no contact has been made.