TRANZMN
RICHMOND,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, July 08, 2003
Suzanne~~~~~~Sorry to hear bout all this~~~~Auto repair is sometimes difficult to say the least~~~~~~I have one question for you~~~~~If they couldn't fix it right after all this time what makes you think that it will get better from here??~~~~They are just tring to keep the money that they have recieved instead of returning it~~~~~~leaving coolant out is a way for the engine to be ruined while its in your possesion~~~~~so yo would go away~~~~~~good for you to notice this while you were there and go through the steps you did!!!!~~~~~~when they are done have them tow it to have it (completely) checked out~~~~~~Include a engine oil analysis~~~~~before you drive it~~~~to make sure no contaminants have been added to the oil~~~~~~and a oil pressure test on the engine at operating temp~~~~~~and a pressure test on the tranz and a code scan~~~~~be 100% sure from here on in~~~THE TRANZMN
TRANZMN
RICHMOND,#3Consumer Comment
Tue, July 08, 2003
Suzanne~~~~~~Sorry to hear bout all this~~~~Auto repair is sometimes difficult to say the least~~~~~~I have one question for you~~~~~If they couldn't fix it right after all this time what makes you think that it will get better from here??~~~~They are just tring to keep the money that they have recieved instead of returning it~~~~~~leaving coolant out is a way for the engine to be ruined while its in your possesion~~~~~so yo would go away~~~~~~good for you to notice this while you were there and go through the steps you did!!!!~~~~~~when they are done have them tow it to have it (completely) checked out~~~~~~Include a engine oil analysis~~~~~before you drive it~~~~to make sure no contaminants have been added to the oil~~~~~~and a oil pressure test on the engine at operating temp~~~~~~and a pressure test on the tranz and a code scan~~~~~be 100% sure from here on in~~~THE TRANZMN
TRANZMN
RICHMOND,#4Consumer Comment
Tue, July 08, 2003
Suzanne~~~~~~Sorry to hear bout all this~~~~Auto repair is sometimes difficult to say the least~~~~~~I have one question for you~~~~~If they couldn't fix it right after all this time what makes you think that it will get better from here??~~~~They are just tring to keep the money that they have recieved instead of returning it~~~~~~leaving coolant out is a way for the engine to be ruined while its in your possesion~~~~~so yo would go away~~~~~~good for you to notice this while you were there and go through the steps you did!!!!~~~~~~when they are done have them tow it to have it (completely) checked out~~~~~~Include a engine oil analysis~~~~~before you drive it~~~~to make sure no contaminants have been added to the oil~~~~~~and a oil pressure test on the engine at operating temp~~~~~~and a pressure test on the tranz and a code scan~~~~~be 100% sure from here on in~~~THE TRANZMN
Suzanne
PV,#5Author of original report
Thu, July 03, 2003
Hi again, Sorry for the delay in updating this report, I was having computer problems...but Rip off Report has made a difference that people need to know about! I filed my report and approximately a week later, an advocate called and wanted to schedule a meeting. The next day, we met and looked over my paperwork /evidence. Once he saw what I had, which on top of the original information that I provided - included ACTUAL, TANGIBLE evidence that people from Cottman had been driving my UNDRIVEABLE VEHICLE, after it was considered "destroyed", possibly creating further damage to my vehicle (That's "Willful Destruction". Remember in the original report, that I stated that I KNEW that the mileage did not match.... well that was why), he told me that he would like to interview me on camera. He lined up a California Fox Camera crew and the NEXT day we went in to confront Cottman Transmission - to find out what they had to say about the situation. I'm impressed - How fast was that? These people are SERIOUS! Needless to say, I was terrified (what if I just "froze up" in front of the camera...or people saw the footage and didn't like ME, thus discrediting the REAL story; or the editing cast the story in a different light than we intended?... these things happen, and it is all cause for concern when you step out on that "limb" and agree to walk into the public eye with your story). But, I felt that it was necessary. So, with my stomach in my throat, I agreed. Scary though it was, I knew there would be people there who were "in my corner", and I wasn't alone. We met at the appointed time, and went in...FAST! It was definitely a surprise. At the counter was the new manager, Pierre, who told us that the fellow I had dealt with previously (Randy Salcido) had been terminated. Apparently, Pierre had recently been hired to replace him, and "clean up the mess". Pierre is an extremely clean-cut, well-spoken man...who seemed to handle "the heat" very well. He seemed concerned about the situation, though it was new to him. We spent an hour and a half with him - with the conversation ranging from how the situation had occurred, going through paperwork / evidence, the treatment that I had received, the money that had been spent, how the situation could be resolved, etc... some of the conversation was calm, and some was quite "heated". And speaking of "heated"...the waiting room was scalding hot... at least 100 degrees. We actually wondered, at one point, if the air conditioning had been turned off, to get us to leave (???...remember this is Phoenix, ARIZONA and the temperature outside was WELL over 100 degrees - the camera crew was getting FRIED, to get this story. Hats off to them for their dedication!). With pressure from Rip-off Report Advocates Pierre called the owner, Tony Cartelli, for us, on his cell phone and the advocates talked to him for some time. THAT conversation was a lot less pleasant than dealing with Pierre. The Rip-off Report Advocates did not want me to rehash what they alreday knew they did wrong. Soon after the phone conversation, Tony arrived. He immediately wanted to separate me from the advocates, and talk to me without the camera. But, the Adovcates would not let us get seprated, frearing they would take advantage of me all over again. I explained that I was no more thilled to have been put in a position to use this "final option" than he was, but our past conversations (without the advocates) had lead nowhere - so what would be the difference, this time? We continued in this vein for several minutes - and then he got angry and tried to kick the Advocate that was not takeing NO for an answer and the Adovcate with the camera. When I started to follow, he grasped my arm and asked me to stay behind and talk to him, finally agreeing to allow one of the advocates to stay with me during our conversation. Tony is smooth, it's just his nature. He seems very sincere, but it's hard to tell, because he always seemed that way in my previous dealings with him, as well...so we were wary (OF COURSE!;-...I've heard a lot of "lip service" already - we want results!). We spoke with him for about twenty minutes - during which time he agreed to put me in a rental car until my vehicle was returned to me - CERTIFIED as FIXED. The Rip-off Report Advocates insisted on the Certifiation by an independent dealer. He also agreed to tow the car from Earnhardt's, repair it properly and pay to have the car inspected, cleaned and all of the fluids topped off and checked when the work was completed. This agreement is to be IN WRITING, according to our mutual decision. We have also talked about reimbursement for my diagnostic evaluation and previous rental car. We'll see what happens. Yes, I feel like bringing the car back to THIS shop is like sending back a steak that has already been returned to the kitchen twice and stepped on (spit on, thrown - whatever angry chefs do to returned food) by the chef...so, I'm incredibly nervous, needless to say. But, as Tony REFUSED to pay for another repair facility to go in and mop up the mess - we'll give him a chance to make this right. Otherwise, you will be hearing from me again!;-) I want to personally thank the Fox Camera Crew, my two advocates, and everyone at RipOffReport.com for their FAST ACTION on my report. They were the last people I contacted, and the FIRST to respond and so fast! The turnaround time was sensational (remember, I have been dealing with this for over 8 months now, and I had results within a week). I should also mention that I had already contacted the BBB, all of the news stations and was in the process of filling out all of the paperwork for the Arizona Attorney General's Office, when they contacted me. I found that the local new stations did not want to "anger" a client / potential advertiser, so I guess they thought that was more important than getting a REAL NEWS STORY out to the public, to ensure that others would not be "ripped off", as well. Certain other repair facilities also indicated that even though Cottman had no information linking them with important evidence that was provided for this case, they were worried that it could cause problems for their business(es), down the road. It was very disappointing. What kind of rationale is that? Honestly, I said to one Service Manager, "I understand your position, but you don't know who made such a mess of my car, and they don't know that you are providing information to me...so, how could it cause a problem? It sounds like you guys in the Automotive Business are sticking together, no matter who it causes harm to. What about the consumer(s)"? I'm sure he didn't like hearing that, even though the exchange between us was very polite, during the entire course of the conversation. But, it didn't change the fact that it gives the distinct impression that WE (consumers) don't count or that they are all "in bed with each other". Either way, it's not the kind of message to send. Well...they can stick together all they want to, as long as we consumers do the same, and start sending a message - WE'RE MAD AS HELL, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE! Rip Off report stood behind me...and I can't thank them enough. They'll stand behind you, too. Try them... and show these shoddy / fraudulent businesses that we don't have to take this abuse anymore! I left Cottman in an Enterprise Rental Car van, and am currently driving a little Ford Focus. Pierre and I are trying to get my car towed over to begin the "new" work on my vehicle. I'll keep you updated. Sincerely,