I took my 1999 Honda Accord to George at Transmissions Unlimited, Inc. Nov 5th of 2007. I was referred by Daniel at Pep Boys who I trust.
My Transmission was not working properly. First, Second, Third, and reverse were not working.
George had his people looked at it, called me and said he would have to take the whole transmission out to see the problem and he would call me back. When his manager Rolando called me, he informed me of what needed to be done, and gave me an estimate. I agreed to repair the car. It took several days. Then I was told that they were waiting on parts, and other issues. I did without a car for a couple weeks, which wouldn't be so bad if the car were fixed. Accept it was not. I paid Transmissions unlimited $1,600 dollars cash, I picked it up and brought the car back after that, a couple more times for the same issue. This issue was different from the initial transmission problem. The car was hard to shift into gear and was lacking any kind of power. I was told it was an electrical issue with the solenoid. That the one replaced was faulty and they would have to keep the car again and replace it. Another week they had the car again. I had to do without the car even after paying the mechanic $1,600.00 in cash. Expecting to pick my car up and it be repaired. I was told by George the owner, the car was still a little rough, but most of the time, these things work themselves out. To drive the car for 500 miles and then bring it back. I did and George himself test drove the car. He made the sarcastic comment that this car never drove this good.
I was told this is as good as it gets, and was given a verbal warranty that was 12 months or 12,000 miles. Whichever comes first. George never wrote a time frame for the warranty, but had me bring it back in two weeks, for the recheck and sign off so the warranty is valid. I did, and have the paperwork to prove it. My warranty of 12 months should have been affective from this date, not the date I originally brought the car. Since, I was told to drive it for 500 miles and see how it was. The car never had the original power it originally had. It has a V-tech engine and had great pickup before the transmission problem.
Now the story gets even better.
I put 4,910 miles on the car. I was in the process of driving my daughter home after her weekend visit. Her father lives in Cutler Ridge, and we alternate weekends, when the car shifted down while driving. After that when I was at a complete stop, it was hard to get the car to drive. The wheels chirped, and then the car would move, but shifting really, really, rough. I barely made it home. When I did, I pulled out the paperwork for the transmission warranty. I could find nothing written with a length of time, but knew what he said 12,000 miles or 12 Months whichever comes first.
The very next morning, May 13th, 2008 I took the car back to Transmissions Unlimited, Inc. again. I Explained what is was doing now, and expected it to be under warranty. George asked me for my paperwork. I handed it to him. While he had it, he wrote 6 Months or 6,000 miles whichever comes first on my copy, made a copy, and handed it back, as he said well you're a couple days out of warranty, but we will see what we can do. Later in the day George called me and said something with my radiator was faulty. Water was in my transmission. My car never got hot. The temp gage never even moved.
George told me the entire job had to be repeated. He quoted me what he said was only his cost and no labor. $1284.00. I told George to wait for repairs, until I told him. I went in person the following morning to see the car and George. I was going to pull my car from his shop, when he advised me it's out of warranty repairs. But my transmission was already out of the car, and it was on a lift. That made it impossible to remove the car from his shop. I explained that I had a problem trusting them because of all the issues on the last repair, and the fact that they took so long to repair the car and get it right the last time. I would have to rent a car this time, because of the length of time it took them. I explained my situation, and was told I tell you what, If the car is not right this time, I will reimburse you for half the car rental when you bring it back. Even the car rental place BUDGET rental that George claimed they work with was a rip off. They were charging me $45.00 daily for a small little Sonata. I called Enterprise rental and they gave me a 2008 Toyota Rav 4 for $19.00 daily. I had to return the Hyundai Sonata to budget after 3 hours only it ended up costing me $29.35 (that's for 3 hours remember).
George began repairs on the car.
That was on May 13th I gave my permission. On May 21st, after the car was completed. I picked up the car. I paid Unlimited Transmissions $1200 cash. I was told by George that the car was driven all over the place to make sure it was perfect. I find that hard to believe since the mileage was 158,991 when it was left there, and 158,993 when I picked it up and I test drove the car. Liars, thieves, and just plain taking advantage of a woman in a desperate situation.
The car when I picked it up the following evening, drove 2 blocks to enterprise to drop off the car rental, and stalled and shut off as I pulled out of enterprise parking lot. George the following morning stated that engine is different from Transmissions. Like it was an engine problem, and had nothing to do with their repair. The car's engine drove fine before they got a hold of it.
There is no hope for me. I have lost trust in humanity from this event. Especially, when times are hard for everyone. But I would hate to see other people get fooled by this guy. Cards and thank you letters adorn his bulletin board in the office with praises, which is one reason I put my trust in them. People should know the truth.
LISA
Miami, Florida
U.S.A.