Cottman Transmission Rip Off on Repairs - Didn't Fix My Car, had to pay for car rental multiple times Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Cupertino, San Jose California
I would NOT take my car (and urge you to protect yourself and not take your car) to ANY Cottman's Transmission. I took my car to the Sunnyvale, CA location the first week in Jan 2007 thinking I had an issue with my clutch. They told me the clutch was fine and it was the transmission. They said the ball bearings needed to be replaced, which is a transmission rebuild.
The day I picked up my car, I noticed two issues that had not been there previous: it sounded like ball bearings were rattling in the transmission (never occured prior to taking it to Cottman), and also, when shifting the engine would rev, and rpm's would go up, but power was not transmitted to the wheels at first & then it would "catch" and the car would accelerate.
I called to report this & was told by the owner of the Sunnyvale location, Raul, this is "normal" and to "give it a few days". It did not improve. The beginning of Feb. I had a break in my work schedule and called. The number was not in service. I called the National Office for Cottman, and was advised the Sunnyvale location had closed & to take my car to the nearest location for warranty repairs (which is Hayward, CA). ONE MONTH LATER ONLY!!!
The Hayward location mechanic went for a ride in my car with me present & did hear the noise of the ball bearings rattling & confirmed that was what was making the noise. I was advised by the Hayward location owner, John, they would NOT pay for a rental. The Hayward location told me if I dropped off my car on a Monday, repairs would be complete by a Wednesday; Thursday at the latest. I did so. I called on Weds. to get the status & was told it would be later than Thurs. because they were having "personnel issues". I called the National Office & the customer service representative, David, told me that he could ONLY check to see when the repairs would be done and nothing else. I left a message with his supervisor, Carol, which has not been returned. I also was advised, by John (Hayward owner) to call Liza at the National Office. That call was also not returned.
I paid, in good faith, for Cottman to fix my car & my expenses for the repair & rental (which is directly incurred as a result of having my car worked on) were $1500. I expect it to be fixed.
It is a RIP OFF to have to pay EVEN MORE money because they did not fix it. The National Office is no help. Cottman locations are changing to Aamco's according to John at the Hayward location. I guess Cottman bought Aamco, but they are using Aamco's name now? That's what John said anyway.
Cottman Hayward, advised me that I should get addtional work because it would "save me money" if I had to get my clutch repaired at a later date. I was told by the Sunnyvale location my clutch was fine with "slight wear". I think it's possible the Hayward location is telling me that because they make no money on warranty work done at another shop.
This is bad for the consumer who is not a mechanic. We don't know if what we're being told is the truth or not. I would not trust Cottman - ANY Cottman - to service my vehicle.
Matt
San Jose, California
U.S.A.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Cottman 3226
Hayward,California,
U.S.A.
All Cottmans are individually owed and operated
#9REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, June 19, 2008
Facts:
1. Matt paid for transmission work to Sunnyvale Cottman, then owned by Raul Terrazas. This is the responsible party when Matt made the $1500 payment. All Cottmans are INDIVIDUALLY OWNED AND OPERATED.
2. Nationwide warranties have to be pre-approved by the Home Office before any job is done since Sunnyvale Cottman is closed. Otherwise, Mr. Raul Terrazas, owner of Sunnyvale Cottman would have been responsible for approving nationwide warranty repair. We repair what they tell us to do.
3. Matt's transmission was FIXED AT NO COST TO HIM at our location, only to be rewarded by this complaint. The delay was only ONE day. We did the best we could.
4. Since the transmission was brought down, Matt was given the option to change his clutch at that time. We believe that a consumer should be informed of all probable preventive maintenance options that may save them from future costs. We are sorry Matt did not see the value of this option.
The complaint was Submitted: 2/14/2007 3:41:39 PM and Modified: 6/10/2007 1:33:48 AM, Rip Off report was off line for sometime and has not allowed any rebuttal until now--June 2008. It may be beneficial for all readers to be able to suggest positive alternatives in the situation described taking into account all circumstances. If it is the intent of this website to protect consumers, it should also protect those business that strive to do the best work possible for the consumers.
It is unfortunate that this customer left in good faith and has hit us back with a complaint. He should realize that if the first repair by Sunnyvale Cottman was done right, he would not have any need of warranty repair. This is how franchises work. All inconveniences were caused by Sunnyvale Cottman and should not be taken against all other Cottmans.
Cottman of Hayward or Hayward Cottman--an independently owned and operated franchise.
Cottman 3226
Hayward,California,
U.S.A.
All Cottmans are individually owed and operated
#9REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, June 19, 2008
Facts:
1. Matt paid for transmission work to Sunnyvale Cottman, then owned by Raul Terrazas. This is the responsible party when Matt made the $1500 payment. All Cottmans are INDIVIDUALLY OWNED AND OPERATED.
2. Nationwide warranties have to be pre-approved by the Home Office before any job is done since Sunnyvale Cottman is closed. Otherwise, Mr. Raul Terrazas, owner of Sunnyvale Cottman would have been responsible for approving nationwide warranty repair. We repair what they tell us to do.
3. Matt's transmission was FIXED AT NO COST TO HIM at our location, only to be rewarded by this complaint. The delay was only ONE day. We did the best we could.
4. Since the transmission was brought down, Matt was given the option to change his clutch at that time. We believe that a consumer should be informed of all probable preventive maintenance options that may save them from future costs. We are sorry Matt did not see the value of this option.
The complaint was Submitted: 2/14/2007 3:41:39 PM and Modified: 6/10/2007 1:33:48 AM, Rip Off report was off line for sometime and has not allowed any rebuttal until now--June 2008. It may be beneficial for all readers to be able to suggest positive alternatives in the situation described taking into account all circumstances. If it is the intent of this website to protect consumers, it should also protect those business that strive to do the best work possible for the consumers.
It is unfortunate that this customer left in good faith and has hit us back with a complaint. He should realize that if the first repair by Sunnyvale Cottman was done right, he would not have any need of warranty repair. This is how franchises work. All inconveniences were caused by Sunnyvale Cottman and should not be taken against all other Cottmans.
Cottman of Hayward or Hayward Cottman--an independently owned and operated franchise.
Cottman 3226
Hayward,California,
U.S.A.
All Cottmans are individually owed and operated
#9REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, June 19, 2008
Facts:
1. Matt paid for transmission work to Sunnyvale Cottman, then owned by Raul Terrazas. This is the responsible party when Matt made the $1500 payment. All Cottmans are INDIVIDUALLY OWNED AND OPERATED.
2. Nationwide warranties have to be pre-approved by the Home Office before any job is done since Sunnyvale Cottman is closed. Otherwise, Mr. Raul Terrazas, owner of Sunnyvale Cottman would have been responsible for approving nationwide warranty repair. We repair what they tell us to do.
3. Matt's transmission was FIXED AT NO COST TO HIM at our location, only to be rewarded by this complaint. The delay was only ONE day. We did the best we could.
4. Since the transmission was brought down, Matt was given the option to change his clutch at that time. We believe that a consumer should be informed of all probable preventive maintenance options that may save them from future costs. We are sorry Matt did not see the value of this option.
The complaint was Submitted: 2/14/2007 3:41:39 PM and Modified: 6/10/2007 1:33:48 AM, Rip Off report was off line for sometime and has not allowed any rebuttal until now--June 2008. It may be beneficial for all readers to be able to suggest positive alternatives in the situation described taking into account all circumstances. If it is the intent of this website to protect consumers, it should also protect those business that strive to do the best work possible for the consumers.
It is unfortunate that this customer left in good faith and has hit us back with a complaint. He should realize that if the first repair by Sunnyvale Cottman was done right, he would not have any need of warranty repair. This is how franchises work. All inconveniences were caused by Sunnyvale Cottman and should not be taken against all other Cottmans.
Cottman of Hayward or Hayward Cottman--an independently owned and operated franchise.
Cottman 3226
Hayward,California,
U.S.A.
All Cottmans are individually owed and operated
#9REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, June 19, 2008
Facts:
1. Matt paid for transmission work to Sunnyvale Cottman, then owned by Raul Terrazas. This is the responsible party when Matt made the $1500 payment. All Cottmans are INDIVIDUALLY OWNED AND OPERATED.
2. Nationwide warranties have to be pre-approved by the Home Office before any job is done since Sunnyvale Cottman is closed. Otherwise, Mr. Raul Terrazas, owner of Sunnyvale Cottman would have been responsible for approving nationwide warranty repair. We repair what they tell us to do.
3. Matt's transmission was FIXED AT NO COST TO HIM at our location, only to be rewarded by this complaint. The delay was only ONE day. We did the best we could.
4. Since the transmission was brought down, Matt was given the option to change his clutch at that time. We believe that a consumer should be informed of all probable preventive maintenance options that may save them from future costs. We are sorry Matt did not see the value of this option.
The complaint was Submitted: 2/14/2007 3:41:39 PM and Modified: 6/10/2007 1:33:48 AM, Rip Off report was off line for sometime and has not allowed any rebuttal until now--June 2008. It may be beneficial for all readers to be able to suggest positive alternatives in the situation described taking into account all circumstances. If it is the intent of this website to protect consumers, it should also protect those business that strive to do the best work possible for the consumers.
It is unfortunate that this customer left in good faith and has hit us back with a complaint. He should realize that if the first repair by Sunnyvale Cottman was done right, he would not have any need of warranty repair. This is how franchises work. All inconveniences were caused by Sunnyvale Cottman and should not be taken against all other Cottmans.
Cottman of Hayward or Hayward Cottman--an independently owned and operated franchise.
Mick
Dacula,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Find An ASE Certified Mechanic Before Having Any Work Done To You Vehicle
#9Consumer Suggestion
Sat, June 09, 2007
Do some research first and find an ASE certified mechanic. You can call the National Institute For Automotive Service Excellence at 888-273-8378 or find them on the WEB at http://www.asecert.org/.
Or you can try the Automotive Service association (ASA) at 800-272-7467 or on the WEB at http://www.asashop.org/.
Anybody can put some tools in a fancy toolbox and call themselves a mechanic. Protect yourself by doing some quick and easy research.
I'd also suggest checking with the Better Business Bureau and sites like "Ripoff Report" prior to having any work done.
"If falsehood, like truth, had but one face, we would be more on equal terms. For we would consider the contrary of what the liar said to be certain. But the opposite of truth has a hundred thousand faces and an infinite field."
Mick
Dacula,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Find An ASE Certified Mechanic Before Having Any Work Done To You Vehicle
#9Consumer Suggestion
Sat, June 09, 2007
Do some research first and find an ASE certified mechanic. You can call the National Institute For Automotive Service Excellence at 888-273-8378 or find them on the WEB at http://www.asecert.org/.
Or you can try the Automotive Service association (ASA) at 800-272-7467 or on the WEB at http://www.asashop.org/.
Anybody can put some tools in a fancy toolbox and call themselves a mechanic. Protect yourself by doing some quick and easy research.
I'd also suggest checking with the Better Business Bureau and sites like "Ripoff Report" prior to having any work done.
"If falsehood, like truth, had but one face, we would be more on equal terms. For we would consider the contrary of what the liar said to be certain. But the opposite of truth has a hundred thousand faces and an infinite field."
Mick
Dacula,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Find An ASE Certified Mechanic Before Having Any Work Done To You Vehicle
#9Consumer Suggestion
Sat, June 09, 2007
Do some research first and find an ASE certified mechanic. You can call the National Institute For Automotive Service Excellence at 888-273-8378 or find them on the WEB at http://www.asecert.org/.
Or you can try the Automotive Service association (ASA) at 800-272-7467 or on the WEB at http://www.asashop.org/.
Anybody can put some tools in a fancy toolbox and call themselves a mechanic. Protect yourself by doing some quick and easy research.
I'd also suggest checking with the Better Business Bureau and sites like "Ripoff Report" prior to having any work done.
"If falsehood, like truth, had but one face, we would be more on equal terms. For we would consider the contrary of what the liar said to be certain. But the opposite of truth has a hundred thousand faces and an infinite field."
Jeff
Fremont,California,
U.S.A.
Corporate Office Liability
#9Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 31, 2007
Since the corporate office ignored your calls, I would go after them. They are liable for this. Don't blame other locations because ONE shop did it. It seems like you're accusing the Hayward location when they are just telling you the facts and when the truth is probably that the Sunnyvale location didn't know what they were doing. I would go after the corporate office.
I have had my car done at the Hayward location. They know what they're doing. How do I know? I am a mechanic but I am too old to work under the car now. John showed me what was wrong before even fixing the car. I'm not saying you should trust all mechanics but you should know a little about what you're fixing before getting into it. Also about John telling you that your clutch needs to be repaired, maybe Sunnyvale was not telling the truth in the first place. Why would you believe a shop that did you wrong the first time and never fixed it? Bottom line is don't judge other related shops unless they are owned and operated by the same person.