Complaint Review: Cottman Transmission - Fort Washington, PA 19034 Pennsylvania

this matter has been resolved thank you

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 ------ Phone Us Toll Free: 1-888-813-1402 Franchise Gator, LLC 703 Macy Drive Roswell, GA 30076 www.franchisegator.com ----- Cottman Transmissions 240 New York Dr. Fort Washington, PA 19034 Contact: Mark DiMuzio Phone: 800-394-6116 Fax: 215-643-2519 ----- Contact: Mr. Ray Haiber Work: 602-292-0553 Fax: 623-321-1115 ----- 13601 Preston Road Suite 313W Dallas, TX 75240 Phone: (972) 458-8989 Fax: (972) 458-7342 Email: [email protected] ----- Your Own Franchise, Inc. 3 Jamison Court East Brunswick, NJ 08816 Phone: (732) 698-0017 Fax: (732) 390-6147 ----- BIR Offices Preferred Business Services 3510 Torrance Blvd. Suite 209 Torrance, CA 90503 Ph. 310-316-3316 fax 310-316-7838 [email protected] Pinnacle Business Resources 5655 Lindero Canyon Dr. #724 Westlake Village, CA 91362 Ph. 818-865-6344 fax 818-865-6353 [email protected] Business Equity Services 11500 Olympic Blvd. #400 West Los Angeles, CA 90064 Ph. 310-914-8350 fax 310-914-8352 [email protected] Acquisition Link Corporation 1700 W. Cameron Ave. #210 West Covina, CA 91790 Ph. 626-851-8188 fax 626-851-8939 [email protected] BIR Broker 3510 Torrance Blvd. Suite 209 Torrance, CA 90503 Ph. 310-326-0666 fax 310-326-7666 [email protected] ----- Franchise UPDATE Inc. 6489 Camden Avenue, Suite 205 San Jose, CA 95120 408-997-7795 408-997-9377 fax

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 <--- The "big boss" 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 <--- possibly deceased, never replies 240 New York Dr. Fort Washington, PA 19034 215 643 5885 or toll-free 1 866 268 8626 [email protected]

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,