My wife and myself hired transplant plus on 03/13/08 to install a rebuilt transmission in our 2000 Izuzu Rodeo. At that time we made a down payment of $700.00 and were advised the balance ($824.10) would be due when the work was completed.
We picked up our vehicle on 03/21/2008 at which point the remaining balance was paid. Approximately two month later my car started having problems going into drive from reverse; I called the shop and spoke with Rob. He told me to bring the vehicle in so he could check it out. He needed a few days to look at the car, when I picked it up he advised me there was a leak and the car had been dripping transmission fluid, however he took care of the problem and added more fluid.
Now from this point I did not keep track of the dates and times I had to take the vehicle back, but from the first time I took the vehicle back in May to 09/09/2008 the car had to be taken back five additional times for the same problem, each time requiring me to drop the vehicle off on a Friday and not getting it back until Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. Each time they would simply add fluid and tell me the car was fine
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As of 09/02/2008 I started keeping track of what was happening, because my car continued to do the same things. It would hesitate for approximately 5-6 seconds from reverse to drive, leaving you stranded in the middle of the street or in a mall or parking lot. I took the car to another mechanic and had him check the transmission and see if he could figure out why it was continuing to leak fluid. I have attached a copy of his written report.
On 09/05/2008 I took the vehicle back to the shop after speaking with Rob over the phone and telling him the car was still doing the same thing. I picked up the car that Monday 09/08/2008.
On 9/10/2008 I called the repair shop and again spoke with Rob and advised him the car was having the same problem, again I was told to bring it in. I went to the repair shop on the Friday of that week. I left work early that day to get to the shop hoping they would get to it that day and I would not have to leave the car for the weekend.
On 09/12/2008 I arrived at the shop at approximately 3:00pm, Rob had already left for the day and I was greeted by the mechanic (Plaz) who looked surprised to see me, he advised me they were short handed and very busy. I gave him my keys and told him I would wait in the lobby because I had to have my car for the weekend. He returned to the back of the shop. I sat in the waiting room for over two hours no one came and talk to me or looked at my car.
At 5:00pm I finally got up and went to the counter Plaz came out and I asked him what was going on? He again repeated the statement about being shorthanded and busy. I told him this is the sixth time I have had to bring my car back and was hoping to get some kind of priority attention. He then informed me there was nothing he could do that day, and if I needed the car for the weekend he could add fluid to it and I could bring it back on that Monday. So he took the car into the shop and did just that. That Saturday my wife decided to get another opinion, so she took the car to another repair shop on 09/13/2008 (A copy of his report is attached as well).
On 09/15/2008 I took the vehicle back to transplant plus and dropped it off to Plaz, he said I would hear from him by Wednesday. Which I did and was advised he would need to pull the transmission and see what was going on. I asked him when I could expect to get the car back he said I would hear from him by Friday. I never received this call. So I called them before they closed for the day I spoke with Plaz and was told they had not figured out what was wrong it would be at least Monday before I heard from them.
On 09/23/2008 after not receiving a call on the previous day I called them, I spoke with Rob who advised me they were still working on it, and it would be at least Friday before I heard from them. I told Rob I need my car by Friday and I would be in to pick it up. I again left work early to get there this time I had to take the bus to get to the shop. Half way into the bus ride I got a call from Plaz who informed me the car was not ready, I told him I was on my way there and I wanted my car ready. Plaz informed me that was not possible and it was a waste of time to come. I advised him I was on the bus and not turning around. It took me over two hours on the bus to get there. I had my brother in law meet me there so I would have a witness to the exchange.
When Plaz came up front I confronted him about the problem and the fact that I was tired of this. The last time I brought the car in I was refused a written explanation of what was wrong with my vehicle and now I don't know when I would get it back. Now I will admit got very angry and started shouting, during this exchange I told Plaz that Rob was a coward and that is why he left before I could get there. And that I would burn down his home. Plaz simply walked away and went to the back of the shop. About 15 minutes later a police officer arrived and took me outside to talk to me. I admitted to him that I made the statement, he advised me the owner had been in the back the whole time and heard me make the statement and that he wanted me to leave, besides there was nothing I could do because no matter what my car would not be ready that day. At his request I did so.
On 09/29/2008 I called the shop and spoke with Rob and told him I was tired of this and I wanted my car back, he told me if my intention was to sue him then I could come and pick up my car that moment, I told him I never said that. Rob then mentioned my statement about burning down his home, I told him I was angry and I shouldn't have said that, but it was a response to him telling me he was doing me a favor working on my car for free since technically I was past the mileage warranty on my vehicle. He repeated the statement at which tie I reminded him he has not taken into consideration the seven time IU have had to bring the car back and still did not have it and don't know what is wrong or when I would get it back. The tone of the call calmed down and Rob advised me they were doing their best and I would hear from him by the next day. Again I didn't get this call and called him on Wednesday, He told me they were still having issues with parts and it wouldn't be until Friday before they could try and have the vehicle ready.
On 10/03/2008 My wife and myself took the bus to the shop again it took well over two hours to get there and at that time Plaz advised me they still hadn't gotten the car to run, as a matter of fact it was now in worse shape then the day I dropped it off. So I asked him when I could realistically expect to have my vehicle back because taking the bus for over two hours to get to his shop was very frustrating. He had the mechanic who was apparently doing the work. His name was Keith and I asked him the same question, when can expect to get my car back. He told me if Plaz had the transmission out by Monday he could have it repaired by Tuesday. When I asked him if he was sure he changed his statement and said he was sure it could be ready my Wednesday and I could call him personally on Tuesday and he would let me know. I called him on 10/07/2008 and the phone was answered by Rob I told him about the conversation I had with Keith and Friday and I wanted to know I I could pick my car up on Wednesday. This was at 9:20 am while I waiting on the bus to go grocery shopping. Rob then told me Plaz was out with his wife who was having a baby, and they were hoping he would return today. He gave me no indication my car would be ready by the next day as promised, so I told him I would call back before they closed.
Ok, so a follow up on my previous report I called the shop on 10/08/2008 and I left a message on the voice mail at 9:30am. My call was returned at 2:00pm by the mechanic Plaz, he informed me that they can't figure out what is wrong with my car. The transmission is running but the car will only run if you engage a special feature our car has, it's called winter drive this is only to be used in times of heavy weather driving, according to Plaz it's an electrical problem and they don't do electrical work. I asked him what that meant to me. Is my car working or isn't it. He told me it was working if I keep it in winter drive. He claims they tried talking to my computer but it won't respond and I needed to pick up my car by the close of business. I got a ride to the shop and arrived there at approximately 4:30pm Rob the registered Vice President start explaining the issue to me again, when I asked him what that meant he said he doesn't know anything about working on the car so he would have the mechanic come and explain. The mechanic Kieth comes out and again tells me it's a electrical problem he has tried everything and he can't figure it out. He claims to have gone on a special website that they refer to help with the problem no one has ever experienced this before so he couldn't get help. He said hos job is a diagnostics person but he can't figure it out. I asked him for a work order to explain to another mechanic what was wrong, he refused said he has only worked for three weeks and he doesn't do paper work. Then another mechanic came out of the shop his name was Ernie.
Ernie comes out to get us out of the shop he goes on the explain how they have done everything they can do, I asked him for a written report he said they will not generate a work order for free work we can have the mechanic all them and they will explain. Now during this whole exchange Ernie is getting louder and louder, mean while I'm maintaining a calm respectful demeanor with him. He then mentions' to me that he is angry because he saw my posting on Rip-Off. Com and he is offended that Iposted the report. I asked him if he thought I was wrong for warning people of the kind of business they run his reply was yes I was for telling people they ripped me off. I asked him if in my report did I ever say they ripped me off he refused t answer, I asked him if anything in my report was a lie, he refused to answer. Now Ernie is yelling at the top of his voice, so that is when Rob decides to come out and telll me to take my car and leave, I said ok and started walking out Ernie is cursing and screaming at me as I walked away I told him and Rob they would see me again, he asked if that was a threat I told him no they would see me in court. Rob responded with good luck with that it has been tried before. While I was standing outside with my brother in law Ernie continued screaming obscenities at me and when I looked back he started threatening physical violence. I started laughing (now the whole time I am standing outside of his business) He standing behind the counter daring us to come back into the shop so he can kick our a*s. The more I laughed the angrier he got. These people are dangerous, they send Ernie out who is this tattooed gang banger looking guy the intimidate any customers that are complaining. I called the police and filed a report just in caseBeware of these guys's Ernie is hired muscle. Robert Brady is listed as the Vice President, Gary L Luther is the President and Michelle Brady is the treasurer. They are unethical, unscrupulous and down right dangerous. My car made it with in a block of my home and would not move again. If any of the people reading this posting has dealt with them and been thru the same thing I have already connected with a few other customers and we are putting together a class action lawsuit, if you would like to join you can send me a e-mail thru this site. Robert believes this company is untouchable, Ernie made a statement that we have installed over 5000 transmissions so if they only had 36 better business bureau complaint in three years then they are just finefollowed by a long laugh.
Ron in phoenix az
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.