Transmission MAN Quoted $40 for transmission, differential gear oil change charge me $142 Lied about the type of oil used and might of put the wrong fluid in my transmission GL-5 based gear oil Valencia California
I went to get my 1972 Datson 240z Z u joint looked at Valencia, CA Transmission Man by Ron. They were checked out the U-joints and they told me they were ok. Then I had asked Ron how much it would cost to replace my manual transmission and differential gear oil. Ron told me it would be around $40. I agreed and he told me to come back in an hour. When I came back I went into the office and they told me it was 143.00. I was shocked by the price but still paid it because they already did the work and I went home and researched the cost of Mobil 1 75w-90w non synthetic quart of gear oil.
I called Ron to make sure what oil he used how much it costs. He told me its $16 a quart. The Datson 240z used 6 Quarts of Mobil 1 75w-90w non synthetic that he said he used and then charged me $42 for the labor or undoing 4 bolts draining and filling with took a half hour. Which is a lot less then half hour of labor. Waiting for a car to drain isnt labor. I found their website and they charge $60 for automatic transmission service which requires more labor then replacing manual transmission and differential oil. No way this costs $142.
I then researched the Mobil 1 75w-90w non synthetic oil on every local part store and Mobil 1 website. Mobil 1 75w-90w non synthetic is not made or available only the Mobil 1 75w-90w synthetic, Mobil 1 80w-90w non synthetic and Mobil 1 75w-140w synthetic is made by Mobil.
Mobil 1 75w-90w synthetic is only $8.99 a quart not $16.00 a Quart. I then researched my 1972 Datson 240z and the transmission uses 2 Quarts and differential uses less then 2 quarts. He overcharged me 2 quarts of gear oil.
On top of that Mobile 1 synthetic 75w-90w if he used it has API Gl-5/MT-1 which can ruin a 4 speed Nissan 240z transmission. I am running a risk of my Transmission getting damaged and have to pay more money to get it done right. With the API Gl-5/MT-1 the transmission has developed grinding noise with occurs with wrong gear oil. Tonight Im Changing it in hope it goes away.
I wanted to worn of there service that Transmission Man provides. I been in Santa Clarita and Castaic Sense 1986 and I feel that I have to give a message out about this organization.
Thinkinginventor
Saugus, California
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Thinkinginventor
Saugus,California,
U.S.A.
Tranmission Man
#4Author of original report
Sat, May 02, 2009
He never took it for a test drive i was with him when he raised it and lowered it. He shook the shaft with his hand and that was it. He raised the car with a jack stand to get on the rack once. Also on top it he said he would look at it for free. He only mentioned total cost with was about $40.00. I had called him that same day to look up what oil he had used and had to do research to find out what is going on. HE WAS THE ONE TO HANG UP ON ME!!!!
New Nissan cars take GL-5. Original Service manual says GL-4 only and states not to use GL-5.
The service manual says 2.4 Quarts in the transmission and 1.4 in the differential.
STAY AWAY FROM THIS SHOP!!
Ron
Valencia,California,
U.S.A.
Owner
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, March 17, 2009
Casey N. which posted this erroneous information is not an automotive expert. I have been a successful automotive business for nearly 30 years.
Casey drives a 1972 240Z which has been lowered to the ground.
I spent 15 minutes taking his vehicle for a test drive. Casey came into my shop stating he needed new u joints. After test driving the car I had to place the vehicle on a rack (after emptying a rack). Prior to the vehicle being placed on the rack, I had to use a floor jack to raise the lowered vehicle up to a respectable level for rack use. This was about 30 minutes of my time. I then spent another 20 minutes under the car with Casey explaining that he didn't need new u joints.
It was at this time in which Casey stated he wanted me to change the oil in the transmission and differential since his vehicle was in the shop. I informed him that the cost for this service would be 30 minutes of labor plus the cost of the oil which is about $15.00 per quart. I charged him a total of $142.04 which includes the 30 minutes of labor plus $15.00 per quart for the six quarts used. Casey is mistaken in his post, the transmission for his vehicle holds four quarts not two. Casey picked up his vehicle, paid the bill, and didn't mention to me that he thought the price was unreasonable.
I found out about his ripoff.com post from a new customer. A gentleman came to my ship, whom had not been there previously, and told me about the post. The new customer said he still came to my shop due to my credentials. I have memberhips with the BBB, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, ASC, and ATRA. Also, I am the only AAA approved transmission shop in the Santa Clarita Valley.
I called Casey to discuss his concerns. He stated I overcharged him and that I used the incorrect oil. Only the opposite was true, I probably didn't charge him enough based on the time spent on the test drive, placing the vehicle on the rack, and explaining to him that he didn't need new u joints. Unfortunately, during our discussion, he choice to hang up on me.
According to a Valencia Nissan service advisor, the oil I used (SAE-80W-90) is GL5, GL-4, and MT-1 approved which is the correct oil. Additionally, I called the Bureau of Automotive Repair and explained the charges for the service provided and they informed me that I didn't overcharge the customer.
I am disappointed that Casey chose to post his item on ripoff.com. I would have preferred a phone conversation or meeting affording me the opportunity to address his concerns. I pride myself on being an honest, reliable automotive shop. I did not rip off Casey. I went well above and beyond what I think other shops would have done, but that is how I run my business.
The sad truth remains that if I would have merely done what Casey thought his vehicle needed by replacing his u joints the cost would have been $198.00 and I wouldn't be writing this rebutal.
Thinkinginventor
Saugus,California,
U.S.A.
1972 Datson 240z Z
#4Author of original report
Fri, March 06, 2009
I was called by the company today and was threaten that they would reply and make me look bad.
I tried to work it out with them. I asked them again what gear oil they used and it was not Mobil 1 non synthetic 80w 90 they told me originally with doesn't exist anyway. They now told me that is was Chevron 80w 90w Gear oil which says GL-4 GL-5 on the bottle. He then told me they he charges 20% which is understandable. Then he mention how he did a favor by raising the car and checking the U-joint for free. Which they said they check it for free anyway.
I told him I would call him back and get the detail of the product which is said he used. I called Chevron and they told me that their product is more for differentials then transmissions. Then I asked then if there was sulfur int he product with is leading cause to damaging yellow metals in the transmission. I then called the distributor in CA. They told me retail for Chevron 80w 90w Gear oil is 4.86 a quart.
I called the shop again told him the details and he told me that he paid $8 a quart for the oil. I basically told him that he did over charge for the oil with came to 92 he explained that he needs to charge more because of the market. I explained to him that he quoted me around $40 for the service then when i came back charged me $142. He then told if I thought he overcharged then I shouldn't come back. I told him that i trusted them when i cam in explained to him that i gave them business after checking the u joint and they took advantage of that. Then he hung up on me.