Cottman Transmission ripoff unresponsive to customer complaint When I complained, I received two threatening letters from lawyers. Fort Washington Pennsylvania
My car was improperly repaired by a nationally franchised shop (Cottman Transmissions). Not only did they refuse to complete the job or offer a fair refund, they endangered my family by releasing the vehicle to be driven on the open road with the knowledge that it might fail to shift and possibly not be able to move out of the way of other vehicles. When I complained, I received two threatening letters from lawyers.
Since February of 2003, the corporate headquarters has entertained an adversarial, fault-finding position against me, the unfortunate consumer, as if the result was my fault or a very unlikely scenario i.e. "dual problem". Not once, EVER, did they offer to review my position and confront the operator of this franchised location:
Mike Passarella Owner
Cottman Transmissions
7400 US HWY 19
New Port Richey, FL 34653
727 849 8898
The owner, furthermore, has not to date complied with a court ordered refund of $1043 (approximately a half refund of the permissible claims).
According to various Web sources, a portion of my payment (about 7.5%) is remitted to the franchisor as a royalty. Mr. Passarella, IN COURT, stated that the amount was 17.5%. Yet, Cottman Transmissions states that "We received no money from you for the repair of your car and we did not fix your car." - Carol Iacullo in email dated 3/12/03.
Chris
Palm Harbor, Florida
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Cottman
Newport Richey,Florida,
U.S.A.
this matter has been resolved
#5UPDATE Employee
Thu, March 25, 2004
this matter has been resolved
thank you
Chris
Palm Harbor,Florida,
U.S.A.
Write to these folks, too.
#5Author of original report
Fri, March 12, 2004
These guys are the agents who sell the Cottman Franchise to businessmen willing to take a big risk. They might be a bit perturbed at what is going on!
Franchise Solutions Corp.
Box 5178
Portsmouth, NH 03802-5178
Toll-free 800.898.4455
v. 603.427.0569
f. 603.430.2942
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Phone Us Toll Free: 1-888-813-1402
Franchise Gator, LLC
703 Macy Drive
Roswell, GA 30076
www.franchisegator.com
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Cottman Transmissions
240 New York Dr.
Fort Washington, PA 19034
Contact: Mark DiMuzio
Phone: 800-394-6116
Fax: 215-643-2519
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Contact: Mr. Ray Haiber
Work: 602-292-0553
Fax: 623-321-1115
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13601 Preston Road
Suite 313W
Dallas, TX 75240
Phone: (972) 458-8989
Fax: (972) 458-7342
Email: info@thevantgroup.com
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Your Own Franchise, Inc.
3 Jamison Court
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Phone: (732) 698-0017
Fax: (732) 390-6147
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BIR Offices
Preferred Business Services
3510 Torrance Blvd. Suite 209
Torrance, CA 90503
Ph. 310-316-3316 fax 310-316-7838
preferred@birbusinessbroker.com
Pinnacle Business Resources
5655 Lindero Canyon Dr. #724
Westlake Village, CA 91362
Ph. 818-865-6344 fax 818-865-6353
pinnacle@birbusinessbroker.com
Business Equity Services
11500 Olympic Blvd. #400
West Los Angeles, CA 90064
Ph. 310-914-8350 fax 310-914-8352
equity@birbusinessbroker.com
Acquisition Link Corporation
1700 W. Cameron Ave. #210
West Covina, CA 91790
Ph. 626-851-8188 fax 626-851-8939
bizinfo@birbusinessbroker.com
BIR Broker
3510 Torrance Blvd. Suite 209
Torrance, CA 90503
Ph. 310-326-0666 fax 310-326-7666
realty@birbusinessbroker.com
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Franchise UPDATE Inc.
6489 Camden Avenue, Suite 205
San Jose, CA 95120
408-997-7795
408-997-9377 fax
Chris
Palm Harbor,Florida,
U.S.A.
Write to the big boss!
#5Author of original report
Wed, March 10, 2004
Sentinel buys a lemon while Todd's lips move.
SENTINEL COMPLETES $33 MILLION RECAPITALIZATION OF COTTMAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, LLC AND DISTRIBUTES $13.3 MILLION TO SHAREHOLDERS
NEW YORK, December 18, 2002 - Sentinel Capital Partners is pleased to announce a $33 million leveraged recapitalization of Cottman Transmission Systems, LLC. Headquartered in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, Cottman is a leading franchisor of automotive transmission centers that repair, remanufacture and service transmissions and related drive line components.
"Cottman has demonstrated an ability to thrive during an exceedingly difficult economic environment and this recapitalization rewards the company for its superior performance," said David Lobel, Sentinel's Founder and Managing Partner. "Moreover, Sentinel and Cottman's management were able to enjoy a partial realization on our equity investments," Mr. Lobel added.
Cottman opened its first transmission repair center on Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia in 1962. With more than 365 centers in the US and Canada, Cottman, the "Transmission Physician," operates one of the largest chains of transmission service and repair centers in North America. Cottman has earned many industry awards and has been consistently ranked among the top franchise organizations in the US.
"We are delighted to have worked on this recap with Cottman's management team who have done a fantastic job, and we look forward to continuing to assist management in every way possible," said Jim Coady, a Sentinel Principal.
Antares Capital Corporation and GE Capital Commercial Finance, Cottman's existing senior lenders, co-managed a $33 million senior secured credit facility for the transaction.
"Cottman is well positioned to continue its aggressive growth strategy in the transmission repair aftermarket. The demographics of this industry are very attractive and the interest we are receiving from prospective franchisees is unprecedented," said Todd Leff, Cottman's Chief Executive Officer. "With innovations such as our National Fleet Program, extended warranty protection, and 24-Hour Emergency Towing Hotline, Cottman has established a leadership position in the industry," added Mr. Leff.
Cottman's formula of convenience, quality, and excellent service has generated consistent growth in sales and profits. Cottman has also successfully grown comparable store sales for the past several years. Management's strategic objective is to reinforce Cottman's position as the market leader in the transmission repair aftermarket by continuing to rapidly expand its geographical coverage, providing outstanding service to its franchisees, and rolling out national advertising programs.
About Sentinel Capital Partners
Sentinel Capital Partners specializes in buying and building smaller middle market companies in the United States and Canada in partnership with management. Sentinel targets business and marketing services companies, consumer products and services, food and restaurants, franchising, and niche/light manufacturing businesses. Sentinel invests in management buyouts, recapitalizations, corporate divestitures and going-private transactions of established businesses with $3-15 million of operating profit.
David Lobel Sentinel Capital Partners
777 Third Avenue, 32nd Floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 688-3100 (Tel)
(212) 688-6513 (Fax)
Todd P. Leff, Cottman Transmissions 240 New York Dr.
Fort Washington, PA 19034
215 643 5885 or toll-free 1 866 268 8626
todd@cottman.com
Chris
Palm Harbor,Florida,
U.S.A.
radiation hardend
#5Author of original report
Mon, March 08, 2004
3/8/04
Francis J. Hendrie, Consumer Protection Agent
21 South 12th St., 2nd Fl.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Re: Cottman Transmissions, B-011820-2003
Dear Mr. Hendrie:
This case has been unsuccessfully arbitrated by three Florida-based consumer agencies early in 2003. Three letters from Cottman falsely claimed the case was satisfactorily resolved. These letters were written: (see micrometer dot com/virtoff/Cdocs/)
04/18/03 by Mark Connel
06/06/03 by N. Michael Kouskoutis (lawyer)
08/26/03 by Carol Iacullo
At no time, ever, did anyone affiliated with Cottman consider the merits of my complaint (Over $2000 spent and the car has the same problem 3 days later and they refused to finish the job). The car was unsafe when it was repaired and again it had to be towed. I filed two small claims with the following result:
A mediated agreement was reached for Mike Passarella to pay $1043 within 90 days of 10/21/04. The second was dismissed with prejudice. The money has not been paid to date. A judgment was issued and Mike Passarella was ordered to submit a "fact sheet" to facilitate collection. He has not complied and an arrest warrant may be issued.
I feel that Cottman Transmissions, LLC is ultimately responsible for this situation. Had the local operator not been operating under the well-known name, I most certainly would not have chosen that shop to repair my car. Furthermore, the operator has demonstrated irresponsibility regarding this transaction and continues to operate the same business in the same location, and under the same familiar name. Corporate has provided no assistance to date to facilitate settlement and has been perceived as a "radiation-hardened" adversary from the beginning. Regarding the URL that Mr. Poliner mentioned, I signed it over to him per his request. I will not spend any of my money to facilitate the InterNIC transfer. I have incurred further expenses related to pursuing this claim and have been bullied into silence. If you cannot help me, at least try to prevent others from suffering a similar fate. All documentation relative to this case can be found by searching "Auto repair ripoff. Don't get trapped."
Sincerely,