Cottman Transmission Manager was dishonest in his business dealings. Ripoff Houston Texas
Visited establishment, wanted to get transmission flush due to sluggishness in transmisson. When removing pan he stated I had metal shaving and that he couldn't do flush because it would probably make my vehicle run worser. So we came to terms that I would bring the vehicle back at a later time. I'm a offshore employee so the take down and pull out would be done when I return. We agreed if I need a rebuilt transmission the price would range from $900.00 to $1500.00 I said ok. The set date arrives I bring him my 1998 Monter LS Sport to be examined. He forces the issue of leaving my truck and had a rental company by the name of Toyota Rental to pick me up and get a rental while having my truck. The rental was somethhing Cottman agreed to pay for. I get a called from another person from Cottman stating it would cost $2300.00 to $ 2500.00 for the work I told him thats not the price the manager quote, in his on penmanship he wrote the dollar amount and all what was suppose to be wrong with the truck. Well 5 days gone by the rental company calls and said cottman is not paying for the rental. I call cottman and ask whats the problem. He states they only pay for rental up to 3 days, which was never explained to me. So I told the manager to put my truck back togeather on the sixth day because I would be bringing the rental back. Thats what I did. Well my trucks was not ready until the next day. The rental cost me $232.. dollars. The pull out and put back of old transmission was $300.00 dollars. Went to pay for pull out put back with my credit card the manger refuses to take my credit card stating he onlyy takes cash. This was never verbally told to me or any signs in establisment stating such policy in fact the signs in the establishmnet states we honor Visa ,Mastercards, American Express, Diners Club. I had to go to a ATM and get $300.00 dollars of my credit card. When my truck was returned my shift was loose.I left my truck parked at home for two weeks and rode with a co-worker. In my return I went to visit relatives and the truck stop. I had to pay $110.00 to get my truck towed to my home than I had to pay another $120.00 dollar to get my truck towed to a real mechanic. I explained to the Mechanic what Cottman said. IN diagnosing my truck problem the linkage cable was not installed correctly which cause my truck not to start. Cottman had improperly put back old transmission. Mr. Richard (mechanic) stated nothing was wrong with my transmission and he had to put a new gasket on transmission pan that cost was $70.00 not $2300 to $2500.00 that cottman was trying to charge me. I'm considering a lawsuit against Cottman for the money I put out unnecessarily for there dishonesty.
Furious
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Transguy
San Rafael,California,
U.S.A.
Mr. Furious
#3UPDATE Employee
Tue, September 11, 2007
I am confused by some of the information you have presented, but think you should be clarified on a couple issues.
1) THERE IS NO WAY TO GIVE AN ACCURATE TRANSMISSION REPAIR COST, UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS REMOVED AND DISSASSMBLED.
2) YES, IF YOU HAVE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO A TRANSMISSION A FLUID CHANGE OR FLUSH WILL MAKE SYMPTOMS WORSE OR START SHOWING SYMPTOMS WHERE THERE WERE NONE. THIS IS BECAUSE IT MOBILIZED FRICTION MATERIAL DUE TO THE NEW LUBRICANT THAT WILL SPEED UP TRANSMISSION DETERIORATION.
3) IF ANOTHER MECHANIC LOOKED AT YOUR VEHICLE AFTER THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS CLEANED THERE WOULD BE NO EVIDENCE OF INTERNAL TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.
4) IF A CUSTOMER IS BELLIGERENT SOME SHOPS WILL ASK FOR CASH, AS MANY TIMES SOMEONE WILL STOP PAYMENT ON A CHECK OR CHALLENGE A CREDIT CARD CHARGE LEAVING THE SHOP WITH DIFFICULTING IN GETTING PAID FOR AUTHORIZED LABOR.
It sounds like there was a lot of confusion and miscommunication in your dealings with the shop. If you have the problem mediated by the BBB if the shop is a member, or Cottman Franchis Customer Service, there may be some clarification for you.
Best of luck!
Tycobb77
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
Cottman put the nails to me too!!!
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, August 29, 2007
I was also deceived by the Cottman's located at 7900 Highway 6 south. I have been told the owner is named Jonathan Williams, but nothing confirms that with the state comptrollers office or on the BBB site.