Aamco Transmissions

I had a residential window in need of repair so I naturally called Binswanger--twiceThe first time, I was told someone would call me backI waited a weekNo one calledSo I called Binswanger again on a Friday and was told someone would call me by WednesdayEnd of day Wednesday--no callI called another glass companyThey came out the same day

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 12, 2015/12/08) */
Mr*** dropped his off his vehicle in our parking lot so that the vendor who he purchased his motor from could come down and look at his defective motorWe did not take possession of his vehicle because this was not a warranty issue for
AAMCO TransmissionsMy understanding was that LKQ (the company that Mr*** purchased the engine from) would not look at a vehicle unless it is brought to a repair shopMr*** left his vehicle parked in our lot for a few weeks until he resolved his warranty issue with LKQWe never took possession of his vehicle since it was not a warranty repair issue on our partIt was clearly and issue between Mr*** and his motor supplier LKQWhen Mr*** left his vehicle, we never moved or touched his vehicle from the parking stall in which he left his vehicle for the entire durationIf he has a claim for stolen items from his vehicle, he should seek relief from his automobile policy under his comprehensive portion of his policy for theft and vandalism

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
RevDex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Regards,
*** ***

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID *** and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved
Regards,
*** ***

I am sorry you feel this wayI think that if you would turn off the insults and "I am a victim attitude" people would respond better to you because it is impossible to talk to you and explain anything at allYou have a wheel speed sensor issue, wire or computer problemYou did not pay us for any of thoseBut to continue to diagnose the problem you will need to stop calling everyone filthy names and leave the car with us until we figure it outThe reason we didn't have an answer for you is because frankly, we do not do electrical repairs so we are fumbling through trying to figure this out while we are being called filthy expletives and you are calling every minutesI get it that this is frustrating, but we neither caused this, nor repaired itThere is no warranty to cover this issueThe Traction Control light is a brake issue, I am pretty sureBut there are no codes to guide usIf you will drop your car tonight in the night drop two techs will start on your car at 8amI will call you when it is readyIt shouldn't take much longer to figure this out but you need to be patience and let us do our workYou called me at my house at 5:45pm times, badgering me last nightIf you can't drop it off tonight call ***dy and tell him whenWe will no longer do business with you if you can not be civilSo please do not call us, badger us, call us filthy, nasty names againI just called your cell and left a message to that effectI will call you when it is readyDo not call meI will call youOne profane comment and you will be on your own

THIS MAN IS AWSOME!!!! I recently just purchased a car, and rock worked with my dealer fixed my car quickly no hassle no stress, and yesterday my check engine light came on and I took it to a shop in sarasota and they gave me so many excuses and hassle and guesses of what they thought was wrong with my carI called rock he had my car picked up from the other horrible dealer for free and took it to his shopI will from now on only go to him, if your car needs any kind of repair, please for your cars sake take it to rock!!!!!

Revdex.com:
At this time, I have not been contacted by Aamco Transmissions regarding complaint ID ***
Sincerely,
*** ***

I am responding to the complaint from *** ***I would like to start by saying we had very little contact with *** during this repair processHer husband Mr*** contacted my shop and said he had a transmission problem with his van and and was reffered to us by a family memberHe stated he
had an extended warranty on vanWe asked him to drop off for diagnostics which he didHis extended warranty is through *** warrantyAfter our diagnostics were complete we found his van had an internal transmission problemAfter calling *** and verifing his contract we then contacted Mr*** and told him he is to authorize the removal and dismantle of the transmission which he authorizedHe was aslo told that alot of the extended warranty companies will only pay up to a used transmission and he may have to come out of pocket for a rebuilt transmissionAfter removal and dismantle we contacted *** and they sent an adjuster out to confirm damage in transmissionThe adjuster reported back to *** and tey authorized $which is used transmission priceWe then discounted our rebuild price over $to bring the total cost down to where Mr*** would only be responsible for $which included his $deductibleThe damage was in the transmission which the warranty adjuster saw and notedAfter rebuild and installing in van yes there was a computer failure which caused the damage to transmission to begin withWe contacted Mr*** to let him know we were willing to let him have computer at our costHe said he did'nt have the money and was gonna try borrow it from family memberIt was Mr*** that informed us that *** *** was going to pay for itWe wouldve never contacted *** had he not told us thatWe just wanted to confirm itEven when Mr*** came to pick van up he told us *** was gonna call and give us credit card number for payment on computerI've been in business yearsI vaule *** and *** And Mr*** satisfactionI am not wanting payment for computerIt can be a christmas gift from AamcoAnd I do still want them to bring van by so we can recheck our workWe would try hold their vanThank You*** ***

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2015/07/29) */
I do acknowledge and recognize the mistakes that have been madeHowever,The work scope was to have the project completed by the winter the total project was completed by the end of January The two egress windows were completed
November 26, As agreed to in the contractOur crew leader acknowledged the floor surface and took it upon himself to correct itWhen we where informed about the plumbing pipes, we responded quickly and opened the floor so the plumber could lay in the pipes for the lift stationAfter receiving a negative email when this was completed I responded by suggesting a meeting in person with Both decision makers along with our crew leader and myselfRequest was deniedI did state that I would be writing a response by regular mail to questions from the homeownerI am responding here insteadWe would refund $for not needing to return and backfill in the springEven though we received communication that they were ok with the floor after our crew leaders extra effortWe would refund $anyway
Thank you
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 10, 2015/07/31) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
Larry did talk to Jim about the floor surface, but "correct it" is not accurateHe painted epoxy on it which made it look somewhat better, but did not correct poor cement workmanshipIt was better and I could live with it
Take a look at the photos I attached previously of the bathroom area floorYes, they came back to open the floorKevin told me that they would use a cement saw and make nice straight cuts, and fill in the cement so it would look even and barely be able to tell it was doneThey used a jackhammer and the floor has rough, uneven edges through the middle of the roomIt will need to be sanded down and repainted in an attempt to make it look betterI feel that they tried to do a quick fix and it's a poor effortThe floor is uneven both at floor level and where the jackhammer was used
Yes we were ok with the trowel marks and appreciated Larry's effort to make it look better, but the cement work in the bathroom is so unprofessional and that's why I filed the complaint
When I first contacted Kevin about the missing drain pipes, he did come back to meet with usWe agreed that they would open the floor and re-cementAs the photos show, it's not what was agreed on as far as how it was done and how it would look
The request to meet was denied because I wouldn't want them trying to do any more work in our houseI believe it would be one more apology and another fast effort, but nothing further to resolve itIf that's not true, Kevin, please advise on what you would propose
I asked Kevin for his honest opinion of the work if this was his own house and what would he doHe's not replied to that question and I would be interested to know what he'd do
I would accept 15% refund of the original cost
Final Consumer Response /* (3000, 17, 2015/08/16) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
We had to move forward with this basement project as we have a wedding here on August The fixtures, electric, etc., have all been installedWe feel that we were more than accommodating to this company's schedule and installation crewWe paid promptly upon each request for payment, we waited our turn in the schedule without complaint even though it stretched out to a year and we were willing to overlook the poor-quality cement work until the plumbing issue came to light
I will say that we forgive you as I'm sure it wasn't the intent to do a poor jobYou've been in business a long time which was one of the reasons we waited for you instead of finding another companyWhatever the reason, this job turned out badly for usIt wasn't a total disaster, but I'll also say that we're having a real hard time forgetting about it since it's such a visible reminder with the floor as it is
Thank you for the offer to repair the floor, however we don't have enough trust in this company to allow them to come into our house one more timeWe are requesting a 15% refund to resolve the floor issue
Thank you
Final Business Response /* (4000, 19, 2015/08/21) */
Yes, the surface mistake is permanent However it can be restored by using a crack filling product along with a concrete surface sanderI am willing to refund the $which would allow for the restoration along with the $for saving on the backfill work
Thank you

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find that this resolution is
satisfactory to me.
Regards,
*** ***

Ok, well that isn't what was said and if Mr*** would stop yelling over me he would have heard that a transmission from the dealer is $to carry it out in a boxIt is about $for the dealer to install it and $200~$for fluid, roughly $or soHe would have also heard me say that
yes, we can rebuild it at my shop, the parts are available and my Certified Master Rebuilder has the skills necessary to build a CVT type of transmission which he does almost on a daily basisHe was originally told by myself that it would be $for us to do soWarranty wise, there is not an Aamco near him in New York that can service him if he ends up needing warranty workSo this makes it a non-option unless he was willing to except a warranty that was honored at one of my stores onlyI own five stores in Northern New EnglandThe manager has been trying to work with him and trying to make a "deal" with him finding out what he was willing to spendWhen the manager asked him if we would accept $would he do it with usThe customer declined and said he could buy a used one for $So I explained to the manager to go ahead and have him send the used unitApparently the used unit is in NY and so is the customerThe manager made another effort trying to make a deal for this guy and asked him if $work for him at this point the customer offered $the manager asked him if we could do $would we have a dealThe manager was doing his job trying to sell transmission workI guess the customer agreed at $but when it was presented to me it is just not feasible for that priceThe customer would have also heard me tell him that we can re-assemble his transmission and re-install it in his car and he can take anywhere he would like for the $he authorized or we would install the used unit he supplied us for ~$But instead, he just keep on yelling over me and insulting me, questioning my integrity which put me on the defensive so after a short time of this I had to end the conversation

Please bring the vehicle back to the shop and will perform any warranty repair work necessary. It is my desire that the transmission operate properly.  Please bring the Honda into the shop and we can evaluate the shifting issues.  Also we can address any leaks coming from the transmission....

 I'd be happy to take pictures and share any leaking components with you.  I'm sorry that your customer experience has met your expectation. 
 
Thanks,
Jeff S[redacted]

After reaching out to Mr. [redacted] we came to an agreement and he brought in his own transmission and we installed it for $826 which he originally authorized. Further when I asked him about the series of events he did remember giving authorization to [redacted] to remove his transmission and...

inspect the parts inside by giving us the last four of his social security number which is common practice for convenience to the customer so he didn't have to drive down and sign the form. As far as the trip to the shop and the apparent exchange of pleasantries although [redacted] doesn't remember it that way, he had apologized to Mr. [redacted] and promised me it would never happen again. At this time Mr. [redacted] seems to be happy with the out come. Note to Revdex.com the reason this was so late in response is I have four stores and there seems to be a login issue using the same email.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # [redacted].  First of all I do apologize to Mr. [redacted], though I don't remember I was yelling over him or insulting him. I remember that I was trying to ask some questions when Mr. [redacted] was yelling over me. I would definitely have heard everything Mr. [redacted] wrote in his message but he hung up on me in a middle of our conversation.Mr. [redacted] probably took my questions as personal insult but I had no intention insult him.Regarding the 4750 price, Mr. [redacted]'s manager told me a few time that this is the best price from owner himself, so I'm a little bit surprised that Mr. [redacted] is not aware about it.I was trying to ask these questions because unfortunately after all this false promises Mr. [redacted]'s repair service lost for me its credibility and since we are speaking here about pretty big amount of money I just ought to know why I should pay for nothing:  I gave my authorization to rebuild transmission for about 3500$, the price which was provided after full multi-point diagnostic, my question is why should I pay if the service is failed to perform proper diagnostic and estimation? Mr. [redacted] claims that they have "Certified Master Rebuilder for CVT transmissions" which rebuild this type of transmission almost on a daily basis, so how it is possible that so qualified master gave so wrong evaluation? After I rejected to pay new price (about 5700$) the manager told me that they can do it for about 4750$ price (once again according to manager it is price by owner himself) with full nationwide warranty, and once again they failed to repair the transmission even for that price. Mr. [redacted] saying that this is because they can't guarantee that the warranty will work at NY AAMCO services, but why I was not informed about it before authorization request? When I started suspect that something wrong with the service I made a few calls to other AAMCO services and Official [redacted] Service, both told me honestly and from the very beginning that the [redacted] CVT transmission is pretty complicated and chance to fix it is very small, so the question is why I was not warned about it before authorization request? Another very important question is does the "Certified Master Rebuilder" has certification by [redacted] to rebuild [redacted] CVT transmission for [redacted] 2013 which is crucial part of car and affects my safety, safety of others and car performance?Once again I don't want to insult anyone, and was trying to act the best I could in situation when you can't get your property back without payment for nothing, and you are not getting reasonable answers to your questions.  With all do respect, as for now, based on the service actions and previous claims on Revdex.com site, it looks for me as a fraud scheme when the service offering small price to get customer's authorization and then blackmail customers to pay much more for repair or pay $1050 to get still broken car back.Once again I gave my authorization to fix the car for agreed price on agreed conditions, I was not informed that there is a probability that it could not be fixed and that even if it can't be fixed for the price I still have to pay to get broken car back.
Regards,
[redacted]

Tell us why here...Mr. [redacted],I am sorry you are still having problems with your son's Audi A3.  My understand is that your service contract company, after sending out their inspector, determined that it was a bearing failure that caused your transfer case to lock up and they have agreed to pay...

approximately $3,100.00 of your failed transfer case's bill.  They also determined that there was fluid in the transfer case at the time of failure.  If you recall, Mercury Insurance is your auto liability insurance carrier who has no mechanical expertise, they are a collision inspector.  They made their call based on asserted supposition from you.  They never contact us and when I got the information from you and talked to Mercury Insurance - he stated he would change his conclusion. Mercury Insurance declined your claim base on comprehensive coverage (theft & fire) that was clearly a mechanical failure claim.  I'm sorry that your original service contract company declined your 2nd claim because they paid out over $8,000.00 for your transmission on the first claim and told you that there was no more money left to cover the transfer case claim.  But they must have reconsidered since my understanding (from talking with Omar at the Milpitas AAMCO) is that your service contract company is covering $3,100.00 of your transfer case invoice.  I don't understand why you are asking for your money back for the transmission replacement when we clearly did the work and as far as I know there is no problem with the transmission.  Even if there was, you are covered under a warranty with the manufacturer.[redacted]

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:
A technical expert from Mercury Insurance (who specializes in engines and drivetrains) examined the damage and concluded that: “According to the transmission inspection, since the transmission was recently replaced, it is necessary for the final drive to be removed in order to replace the transmission.  The final drive was not lubricated.  So due to your shop not refilling the final drive after removal, it resulted in the seizure of the transmission and subsequent small fire… This loss is a result of faulty workmanship”.  We have picture proof that the oil filler plug for the Transfer Case’s Final Drive still has the original seal, which proves that the oil in the transfer case has not been topped off as required per standard installation procedure.  The bearing failure due to insufficient lubrication and the resulting damage to the gears is the root cause of the intense heat that ignited nearby flammables, causing additional damage to other components.
I don’t know where you got the information that Mercury “made their call based on asserted supposition from you” and that they “would change his conclusion”. I contacted Mercury today and they said that their decision is based on information provided by their inspector and is final.  Most of your comments are inaccurate and irrelevant.  The faulty workmanship, which has been verified and documented by several automotive experts: an AUDI expert from AVANT WORKS who specializes in A3s, a BAR Investigator, and Tomas Sport Tuning (an Audi/VW specialist shop).  They all confirmed Mercury’s findings: the damage is typical of insufficient lubricant level in the Transfer Case.  They said that they are certain this was a result of a faulty installation, specifically failing to top off oil in the Transfer Case after the transmission was reinstalled, a deviation from acceptable trade standards.  The AAMCO’s own invoice does NOT list the oil top off in the transfer case.
Your shop has a long-standing record for handling similar cases in identical fashion, for which it earned 2 stars on [redacted], 1.3 on [redacted] ([redacted]), [redacted], [redacted] and other social sites. Our claim stems from 2 clear facts: a) your facility performed faulty workmanship that resulted in damage to other components, and b) you refused acknowledge that and cover the repairs necessary to fix the damage caused by a).  The rest of your statement about which insurance covers what is not only irrelevant, but obfuscating the facts above.
The incompetence of your mechanic endangered my son’s life when the car seized up and caught fire in the middle of a crowded freeway. I sent you a Demand Letter requesting that you reimburse us the cost of repairs that the warranty should not have shouldered, because this depleted the coverage for any future repairs.Sincerely,[redacted]

Date: 12/28/2015
Concern:  Engine would not crank.  Tow in.  Customer states they cannot jump-start.
Repair: Technician started truck immediately off the tow truck.  Tested electrical system based on customer description and concern.  Starting/Charging system okay.  Codes were stored in the computer’s memory and customer elected to repair code 128-low thermostat temperature.  The low temperature code may repair some of the other codes but not the no crank concern.  The thermostat was not offered as a repair for the no crank concern and the customer was informed of all.
Date:  1/26/2016
Concern:  Engine will crank but will not fire.  Tow in.  It just cranks over.  Note-Two opposite concerns.
Repair: AAMCO replaced fuel pump.  A goodwill gesture of $167.00, as shown on the repair order, was issued even though the concerns were close in date but not in their descriptions.  
Date:  3/29/2016
Concern:  Brakes
Repair:  AAMCO replaced front brake pads and rotors.  AAMCO replaced rear brake pads and rotors.  Repairs are totally unrelated to the thermostat replacement and the no crank concern and the no start concern.
Previous repair orders dealt with recalibration and the removal of the breathalyzer and are not associated with the thermostat.
I hope this explains the repairs in more detail and sorry the truck broke.  If there are questions not answered above, don’t hesitate to call me at the shop.  Again, thank you for your patronage.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
Regards,
[redacted]
  I cannot even drive the vehicle so how do I get it to the shop? Do I have to pay for a tow now also? I would like to get it to a different aamco because I am not pleased with the service I received from this place and would not like to return there. I showed proof that the timing chain was adjusted with the video I sent in and also that there was a direct lie about the services done. I do not understand why I should have to cover the bill to get it towed. And if I have to take it to another shop why would I have to see if I would be charged. this is not a fair resolution and I do not agree with it. Shouldnt there be an understanding between the shops letting me know what can be done?

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve...

my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
I have responded back I do not accept the outcome of the issues I have had with Aamco. Yes the business has finished the car and I have picked up the car and paid service in full. Since then I have been back to the same business 3 separate times to get a sensor replaced and a oil leak fixed. I have a 1 year warrantee on the motor and if more things happen to the car I would like to bring it to a different Aamco location. I am being told I can only bring the car back to that location? I do not think this shop has the experience nor do I feel the customer service is good at all. I want to be able to get the car serviced at another Aamco location to avoid anymore contact with the owner [redacted] and his business.  What are my options? 
Regards,
[redacted]

I was told when the truck was dropped back off there that the transfer case was completely full of fluid which was not the case whatsoever. I knew the transmission itself was leaking ever since I received it back from them after they initially rebuild it. When I came back from my 200 mile check up I told them that the output shaft seal on the transfer case was leaking (aamco replaced it) and the pan itself was leaking and they put a new output shaft seal into the transfer case without ever checking to see if it leaks fluid out. I drove it for a while thinking everything was good and and never once realized that the output shaft seal they put into the transfer case was no longer attached to the transfer case whatsoever. So what makes me upset is the fact that when I dropped it back off to them they insisted the transfer case was completely full of fluid still and it is having its own issues yada yada yada I left it there for 2 weeks without getting any answers because I was told they were taking it apart to figure out what was wrong with it when receiving the transfer case back from them and the whole truck back it was blatantly obvious that the transfer case was not only never taken out of the truck but never taken apart like it was supposed to have been. so instead of me having time to get my work truck back together to pay my bills and take care of my customers my truck sat untouched for two weeks then told me it would be $1,100 to fix. after examination of transfer case were only a few small parts damaged but they insisted the whole thing needed to be rebuilt, and as seen in the pictures not one bolt was touched or taken apart to apart to see what the actual cause was.  if the seal that they installed was done correctly there should have never been an issue but from what was seen there was never fluid put back into the transfer case in the first place.