Lee Myles Transmissions, Inc.

Dear Revdex.com Representative,  This answer is submitted in response to a complaint # [redacted] advanced by a Mr. [redacted] against Lee Myles Transmissions, Inc. in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.   Mr. [redacted] had his 2002 [redacted] towed into Lee Myles...

Transmission for replacement of the clutch as he felt that the clutch was not working. Although the car would not start due to a dead battery, we jump started the car and properly diagnosed the clutch problem as a failure of the external hydraulic clutch components, which prevented the clutch from activating properly. We advised Mr. [redacted] that this was an external problem, and consequently, that the repair would be significantly less expensive than replacement of the entire internal clutch components as he feared. We also diagnosed that the battery in Mr. [redacted]’s car was dead. Lee Myles prepared a formal estimate in which we recommended replacement of the clutch master and slave cylinders, and the rubber flex line, as well as filling and bleeding of the hydraulic fluid. We also recommended replacement of the dead battery. The estimate was given to Mr. [redacted] who then gave authorization to do replace the hydraulic clutch components at a cost of $550.00, but Mr. [redacted] refused to authorize replacement of the car battery. Despite the fact that we had to either jump start the car or push the car at no additional charge to the customer, Lee Myles Transmission replaced the clutch slave and master cylinders, replaced the rubber flex line, filled and bled the system, as authorized by Mr. [redacted] at the estimated cost provided to the customer. We also charged the car battery at no additional charge to the customer, and the car was then road tested and returned to Mr. [redacted].    Several days later Mr. [redacted] notified us that his car was still experiencing clutch problems and had it towed into Lee Myles. Lee Myles Transmission inspected the car and made additional repairs involving replacement of a defective fitting at the master cylinder. We replaced the defective fitting with a genuine [redacted] replacement part at no additional charge to the customer. However, we were unable to properly road test the car because the car battery was still dead and clearly needed replacement despite a recent charge. Upon removing the battery caps we found that the sulfuric acid that is inside that battery had  solidified, confirming that the battery had totally failed and required immediate replacement. Once again, we recommended replacing the battery so we could start and perform a proper road test to the car to properly diagnose the problem but Mr. [redacted] refused to authorize Lee Myles Transmission to replace the battery, at which time we asked him to bring us another battery which we offered to install without additional charge to the customer. Instead, Mr [redacted] chose to come and retrieve his vehicle from our parking lot after business hours, before we were able to properly test drive the vehicle to ensure that the repairs were complete and working properly.  Mr. [redacted] later called Lee Myles Transmission demanding a full refund, alleging that the clutch was still not activating properly, and we apologized and advised him that we would be happy to re-inspect the vehicle, and to perform any necessary repairs at no additional cost to the customer, and to properly road test the car at no additional charge to him but he refused to return the car to our shop for re-inspection or repair. Lee Myles Transmission has a policy of making complete and accurate repairs and ensuring that our customers are extremely satisfied with their service. Unfortunately we did not have an opportunity to complete satisfactory service on Mr. [redacted]’s [redacted] because of his refusal to replace the dead car battery as recommended, and his refusal to return the car for re-inspection and repair.  The original diagnosis of a faulty clutch master and slave cylinder and rubber flex line was accurate and necessary and these components were replaced at the exact cost provided in the original estimate. It is unfortunate that one of the hydraulic fittings later failed or was leaking causing similar symptoms, and we would have been more than happy to replace that fitting again at no additional charge to the customer if he had brought the car back to the shop for that repair. Also, if we were able to properly start and drive the car for a proper road test before Mr. [redacted] removed the car from our facility, we could have identified the faulty hydraulic fitting before the clutch failed again. Unfortunately without Mr. [redacted]’s authorization to replace the battery, we were unable to conduct that second road test before he retrieved his car from our shop.  Mr. [redacted] is not entitled to a refund as all of the necessary components were properly replaced in accordance with the estimate provided to him, and while a fitting may have been defective or may have been leaking, we were not provided a proper opportunity to remedy that issue, which would have been done at no additional cost to the customer. In addition, we provided a battery charge at no additional charge to the customer despite his refusal to authorize replacement of an obviously dead battery as necessary.Please telephone this office if you require any additional information. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. Sincerely, [redacted], Lee Myles Transmission Shop Foreman.