AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care

I went to AAMCO in Springfield, VA at 12:30pm with my 2007 *** I provided the service engine code *** I was informed it takes 3hrs for an extensive free test. Was called at 3:09pm they stated they didn't know what the issue was and provided the same code I originally provided. Was informed it would cost 893.00 to pull the engine and see what is wrong with transmission. I took my key to leave and to price shop the car all of a sudden grinded uncontrollably which it never did. The tech walked out and said something about an issue near the axal which was never a problem before going there. The car drove normal with occasional slipping and now it would not go in reverse or forward. I went back in and was told that this "Extensive Search" was just a test drive and a diagnostic check. Also that they suddenly wont be able to work on the car tell tomorrow afternoon. Clearly my car was further damaged by these people and now they are trying to justify a much large bill.

On February 5th,2018 I took my *** that was having problems to *** for diagnostic on the transmission. I was referred to *** on *** by my mechanic who doesn’t have the computer necessary to run transmission diagnostic system. Mr. Eric, the shop manager took possession of my car after I explained that my mechanic suspected transmission problem but could not confirm or diagnose the exact problem on the transmission, and that I wanted *** to run the diagnostic report and advise me of the problem. He took possession of the car and told me that he would call me back once they run the report. On Wednesday, February 7th I called the shop to inquire about the status and I was told that they were still trying to find out the problem. Then on Friday February 9th, I received a voicemail from Mr. Eric ( I can provide a transcript and copy of the voicemail) telling me that they have run the diagnostic & confirmed that it was a transmission problem but in order to tell me exactly what was wrong with the transmission they needed to open up the transmission and see inside and that would cost me $995.00 to investigate further. I called the shop talked to him about it on the phone and authorized the work. It took another week for the shop to call me back and explain that the transmission needed to be rebuilt or replaced and was given an estimate on the phone. I said that I couldn’t afford either at this moment and would bring the car back later when I was ready. I paid the $995.00 and was given a receipt and took my car back.
I contacted *** to complain about the transmission and was told to bring the car to the dealership for diagnostic which I did. They gave me a diagnostic report that showed no indication of a transmission problem and challenged my assertion that it was the transmission. I went back to *** to get a copy of the diagnostic report that they give out to all their customers. But I was told No and was informed that they do not provide any documentation showing the work done or repair suggestion as all other car repair shops and *** shops provide. I requested to talk to management or ownership and Mr. Eric refused to provide either. Subsequently I contacted the consumer complaint department at *** headquarters to get assistance in (a) helping me get my report or (b) providing me with management/ownership contact information at the shop or (c) Refunding me back my money if the report is not available. Headquarters at first responded by reiterating the claim that the shop standard operation was not to provide reports and dismissing my question after only talking to Mr. Eric at the shop. When I presented a sample of a report given to my father from the same shop, they said they would try to get answers from the owner but advised me in two different email responses that the owner was not responding. I have attached a copy of the email interaction with the department.
I am asking your office to investigate this shop for fraudulent practices of charging people for work not performed. I am not sure if you have received any complaints about this shop before or *** itself, but I would like the state of Virginia to protect me from these kind of illegal business practices. As I have stated to both Mr. Eric and *** Headquarters, I am not trying to swindle anybody in fact the opposite, I am only requesting that the shop honor my request and provide me with the report they claim they have run on my car to give them an indication to request further work on my car. If they have run the diagnostic and it gave them the correct indication about my transmission and if they provide me with that I will walk away. But if they are unable to provide the report then it means that (a) the report shows there was no reason for them to open my transmission and so they were scamming me or (b) they never ran the report; which means they need to refund my money because no work was performed on my car. I have attached a copy of the report (with diagnostic, suggestion and estimation for the work) given to my father who did not pay anything to receive it, and a copy of my receipt that does not include any indication of the diagnostic, or suggestion or estimation. I am not sure if the shop thought that as a woman of color, they could take advantage of me and that I would have no recourse to address my legitimate question and concern. Please investigate the business practices of the shop and *** itself.