Cottman Transmission Couldn't say if repairs would be more or less than $1000 ,or how much a new one costs until... Manassas Virginia
My van broke down on a Monday night. I only had $60.00 on me , so I called Cottman's because it was a familiar name and I presumed they were reputable because they are a nationwide chain, and they offered free towing.That was my first mistake.
While on the phone with the center manager, I explained that the transmission had gone out. It wouldn't go in reverse. He suggested a RID or something like that for $85.00 to determine what the problem was exactly.I said okay . Mistake number 2.
I live from payday to payday, have no savings or credit card,but that's my problem. I asked if they thought the repairs would be more or less than $1000.00 and the manager said he "couldn't say for sure". I asked how much it would be if I had to get a whole new transmission and he said he "couldn't say for sure ". Now I had a similar vehicle that was 4 yrs. older and needed a transmission and it cost me $500.00 total. So I figured it would be somewhere around a $1000.00.
When I called them to find out what they found out, I was told that they had taken the transmission apart, that reverse and first were gone, that I had a cracked housing, and that I owed them $565.00 for what they had done so far.
I magine my shock when they said the total cost of repairs would be $2800.00 on a van only worth $2200.00.
What kind of place would even start working on a car if they knew the repairs were more than what the car is worth ?So far they have had it 31 days and it's not done yet.I had to pay them $1600.00 before they would even order the parts, and this is my work vehicle. I can't work without it,but you can bet they'll want their money before I get it back.
I'll let you know what happens next.If they had just said yes it will be more than $1000.00 I wouldn't be writing this.
C.j.
Remington, Virginia
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Bowie,Maryland,
U.S.A.
Transguy is 100% accurate
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, June 12, 2008
I get asked every day how much to fix vehicles. Who knows? The vehicle is not anywhere near me, and I haven't looked at it. How exactly am I supposed to know what's broken, worn out, beyond repair, out of spec, or just plain bad?
The working parts of a transmission are inside it. Without tearing it apart and seeing what's what, nobody can tell you an accurate price. The best they can do is give you a best/worst case scenario...nothing else. The two prices will be miles apart.
BTW, no repair shop wants to do more than is needed. The more the shop has to warranty, the more liable the shop is.
Mrsintergity
Austin,Texas,
U.S.A.
There seems to be a pattern here ...
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, June 12, 2008
Transguy may be ignorant or naive if he believes that every Cottman shop would strictly adhere to the "Cottman training program and" "the procedures". This website and the several lawsuits stated to have been lost by Cottman, could prove as a testament against an obviously flawed belief.
Out of Transguy's rebuttals which I have read, he seems to make excuses for Cottman (regardless of first hand accounts of the actual consumer) or find a way to put it back on the customer. A rhetorical question should be why is he so passionately spending his time refuting these accounts? One would have to wonder about the motives of an individual who, in contradicting the fully informed consumer , makes a seemingly intentional obstinate statement of "This is a clear issue of miscommunication, and not a 'rip-off'.". Most any individual could agree that Transguy is not in a position to make such a definite statement.
Nevertheless, there appears to be enough complaints (some of them quite similar) to be cautious of doing any dealings with Cottman or Aamco. Especially if Cottman representatives conduct themselves in the pattern apparently being demonstrated here, in which no accountability seems to be a unwritten rule.
C.j.
Remington,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Maybe , maybe not
#7Author of original report
Sat, February 23, 2008
Maybe it was a miscommunication. The word deliberate enters my mind. Maybe you should read the whole report. I break down. I know it's the tranny. I get a tow to a repair shop. Try to get some kind of estimate. Can't. They say they'll look at it. Then "after" my only means of transportation is in pieces in said shop, I find out how much it's going to be. Sounds more like a " bait and switch". And what's your excuse for them not hooking transmission attachments back up properly. I'm not a mechanic , but it seems to me that the transmission coolant line would be an important connection.
Transguy
San Rafael,California,
U.S.A.
Misunderstanding on the consumer's part.
#7Consumer Comment
Sat, February 23, 2008
I am an independent owner/operator of a Cottman location in California.
The complaint here is understandable, but the vehicle owner apparently did not take the time to understand what they were getting into.
Having been through the Cottman training program and knowing the procedures, this is how transmission repair works:
1) Cottman centers perform a FREE inspection called "TransCheck 21+". This procedure is typically charged at $85 or more from dealers and independent shops. This process is designed to verify if there is an internal problem with the transmission or if a minor repair can be done without removing the transmission which would be much less expensive.
2) If there is an internal problem verified, the center gets an authorization to Remove, Check and Reinstall (RCI) the transmission. This is the cost to take the transmission our, diassassemble and inspect it and then reinstall it. This is typically $200 to $800 depending on the vehicle type, model type, etc etc. (This is often referred to as a teardown estimate and is recommended by the state Bureau of Automotive Repair here in California before giving a coplete repair price)
3) After the teardown it can be determined which parts failed in the transmission, which have to or should be replaced, and then a complete and accurate repair cost can be given.
There is also no such thing as "new" transmission. All transmissions are rebuilt. So the closest thing to an estimate that could have been given was for the center to call and get a price for an off-the-shelf remanufactured unit from a dealer or volume rebuilder to replace the transmission. But it is often much less to just repair the existing transmission.
The procedure is correct, but either the customer did not understand completely or the service writer did not make sure that it was understood. This is a clear issue of miscommunication, and not a "rip-off".
C.j.
Remington,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Cottman's Faulty Connections
#7Author of original report
Wed, January 09, 2008
It's been 3 months since I got my van back. Although they may know a little something about transmissions , I doubt they know much about what's connected to them. About 3 days after I got it back the power steering fluid had all leaked out. So I took the van to my regular mechanic and apparently the line had gotten kinked and had broken. I wonder how that happened?Turns out the transmission coolant line right next to it was not properly hooked up and was leaking transmission fluid.This after spending $2700.00 to have the transmission fixed.Also my speedometer is off by 5 miles per hour now. This cable also attaches to the transmission.They must be pretty confident they're going to get the van back or have plans to steal it in the future because it's been 3 months or more and they have yet to return my courtesy key.By the way the transmission slips from time to time which it did not do before. I wonder what else is attached to the transmission. I almost forgot,the battery cable wasn't even connected tight which caused all my lights and stereo to blink on and off . My mechanic took care of this for no charge because he didn't want me breaking down on the road somewhere.
Rebuilder
Nashville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Not all transmission shops will rip you off!
#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, January 09, 2008
I am an Ex- Employee of a Cottman turned AAMCO transmission repair facility.I must tell you that there are a lot of bad apples but not all of us in this industry will treat you with disrespect!
First and foremost if it sounds fishy,Look else where!The bait and switch is not an AAMCO/Cottman policy.When the shop I was at set the price ,That is what you paid,regardless of who checked out your car,And what they missed,We fixed it period!Rebuilders do a lot of training to get where they are at.Sometimes the owners are duped into purchasing a franchise with empty promises.it takes a fair amount of intelligence on both sides of the counter to make a successful relationship between customer and business owner.
I've seen some of the re-Buttals on this site call rebuilders some bad things.We try to do the best that we can for the customer based on what the owners request.Customers will ask us to "patch" a transmission because they can't afford a proper repair.We try to make all the effort in the world to make them aware of the possible consequences but still they can only afford so much.Please anyone that reads this try to remember some of us rebuilders have a lot of pride and would hate to see you make a bad decision.I have told many customers that a new car might be a better idea!
The shop I worked for would bend over backwards to help you out.I'm so sorry that you were involved with a bad one.Just remember if it sounds fishy,it probably is!