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  • Report:  #667344

Complaint Review: Aamco Transmissions - Tampa Florida

Reported By:
RampantReviewer - Tampa, Florida, USA
Submitted:
Updated:

Aamco Transmissions
3019 W. Hillsborough Ave Tampa FL 33614 Tampa, 33614 Florida, United States of America
Phone:
813-877-9507
Web:
www.aamco.com
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?

I, RJ, am the owner of a 2003 Hyundai Accent. On the evening of November 29th, 2010 I began experiencing some issues with my vehicle as it began to idle rough and the check engine light came on.

 

The following day, November 30th, 2010 I saw that Aamco Transmissions was advertising a deal in which they would investigate your check engine issues free. That afternoon, I took in the aforementioned vehicle to the Aamco located at 3019 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa FL 33614 and explained the situation to the Customer Service Manager at the Aamco - Mr. Murry Green.

 

After using the computer to scan the vehicle, he notified me that the computer read that there were multiple misfires in the vehicle, but could not pinpoint the situation. He then informed me that for $90 or 1 Hours labor, he could take the cover off of the motor and further investigate the situation. I agreed (without signing any paperwork) and left the vehicle in his possession for the night and my girlfriend, AR, then picked me up and took me home.

 

Today, December 1st 2010, Mr. Green phoned me while I was at work at approximately 8:50 AM and informed me that the vehicle's motor was in need of a major tune up and that both CV Axles (front right and front left) needed to be replaced. He informed me that the total bill would be approximately $900.

 

He informed me that he'd have to order special parts for the vehicle, and I naturally assumed that the order time for the parts would be a day, at the very least.

 

I then told him that if I decided to have the work done, I would have it done all at one time. I also informed him that money was an issue at the time, and he stated that if that was the case, Aamco had financing available for 12 months same as cash. He asked if I had good credit and I told him that last I checked I did.

 

He then asked for the last four digits of my social security number in order to finish up the call. I presumed that this information was used for the financing application.

 

Later on in that day, around 4:00 PM, Mr. Green phoned once again and informed me the vehicle was complete.

 

My girlfriend, AR, then picked me up from work and we headed over to the Aamco in order to pick up the vehicle and arrived around 4:30 only to find out that the car had already been worked on, without my signing any documentation to authorize the work, and that the bill came to approximately $909.00

 

I then confronted Mr. Green asking why the work was done on the vehicle when I hadn't agreed to it. I had every intention of picking up my vehicle on this same afternoon and taking it to a second mechanic for a second opinion.

 

Mr. Green wouldn't relinquish my vehicle stating that I had authorized the work by giving him the last four digits of my social.

 

I didn't agree with this as he never asked me for any form of identification, so he couldn't know if I was even RJ, and also for the simple fact that I could have made up any combination of four digits to form as the last four of my social.

 

I attempted to place a phone complaint with Aamco Transmissions Headquarters but their office had already closed at the time, so I left a message.

 

Upon leaving the location, I noticed a poster on the wall of the establishment that was from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The poster on the wall specifically stated:

 

"If the repair work will cost more than $100, the repair shop must give you the option of:

Requesting a written estimate;

Being notified by the shop if the repair exceeds an amount you specify; or

Not requiring a written estimate at all."

 

I was given none of these options.

 

I then placed a call to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, but their offices too were closed.

 

Mr. Murry Green is now holding my vehicle without authorization at the Aamco Transmission located at 3019 W. Hillsborough Ave Tampa FL 33614.



15 Updates & Rebuttals

Jose

Tampa,
Florida,
New Ownership

#2REBUTTAL Owner of company

Mon, December 22, 2014

 This is in reference to a complaint filed by a customer RJ on or about 11/30/2010. This complaint is directed toward the previous owner of the shop that I now own. I am not familiar with all that happened to RJ, what or who said what I have no knowledge. I am truly sorry this customer had a unpleasant experience with this AAMCO center but I did not own the shop when this dispute occurred. It is my understanding that RJ received some sort of settlement from the previous owner to resolve this matter. Because this incident took place before I took ownership of this particular shop, I am seeking your help in removing this complaint so as not to taint any of my customers thinking. I strive extremely hard every day to do whatever it takes to achieve 100% customer satisfaction in my shop and would appreciate any help you may be able to offer to have this removed. If I can assist in any way please do not hesitate to contact me, and thank you in advance for your assistance.


RampantReviewer

Tampa,
Florida,
USA
Re-Read

#3Author of original report

Sun, December 05, 2010

Uh, no. If you had read the entire thing you would see that we have been in contact with the Department of Consumer Services, The Customer Service/Complaint Department of Aamco and the Better Business Bureau... Needless to say the parts were taken out and the car was returned to us, and we then took it to a different mechanic.


Take it or leave it. I could careless what you do with the info.


Steve

Bradenton,
Florida,
U.S.A.
Question: "Ordered" by whom??

#4Consumer Comment

Sun, December 05, 2010

Please clarify exactly who gave that order?

That is a civil matter and only a judge could make that ruling.

Anyone else simply did not have the authority.

Under FL Law that mechanic had the legal right to not only hold your vehicle until payment was made, but could have also filed a mechanic's lien on the title, and then sold the vehicle at auction to satisfy the lien.

Somebody over reached here with their "authority", or you are outright lying here about the "order to release".

Are you confusing an "order" with a "request"?


RampantReviewer

Tampa,
Florida,
USA
Ordered to Release

#5Author of original report

Sun, December 05, 2010

The update right above your reply explained that Aamco was ordered to remove all the parts and release the vehicle, so one that was completed, we took it to another mechanic and had it done right for the right price.


Striderq

Columbia,
South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Some clarification please...

#6General Comment

Sun, December 05, 2010

You indicate that AAMCO did the repair work on the car (manager telling you the work was complete) and yet after you got the car back you still had to take it to another mechanic and have the work done, again?


RampantReviewer

Tampa,
Florida,
USA
Thanx, For Nothing!

#7Author of original report

Sun, December 05, 2010

Just to update my status here for those who have issues with Aamco in the future. I've got my car back. I spoke to the authorities and several others involving the complaints and the Aamco shop owner was ordered to remove all the parts.


The car is now back in our possession after we took it to a reliable mechanic.
I highly recommend Chris at Rims and Tire City. All the work and parts for just $286.

Thank you Chris. You saved us a lot of trouble and we'll be coming to you again if we need to.


Josh

Rolla,
Missouri,
U.S.A.
Total BS

#8Consumer Suggestion

Sat, December 04, 2010

A lawyer would never write ANYTHING that looks like what you posted.  First, lawyers do not usually accuse people of theft without looking at all the facts.  Second, lawyers are aware of something called a "mechanic's lien," which is what you are dealing with here.  ASSUMING the owner of the shop has written or oral permission to work on your car, the mechanic can keep your car until he gets paid.  If you refuse to pay, he could sell the car at an auction to recoup the amount owed.  Sounds like you got some free legal advice dispensed by someone who has very little clue about law.

The remaining question is whether or not you have authorized the work.  I'm afraid to say that you have no leg to stand on here.  The mechanic told you how much it would cost, told you about financing, and you gave him part of your social security number, presumably in order to apply for financing.  This constitutes a perfectly valid estimate, and applying for financing certainly implies permission to do the work.  You CAN request a written estimate before authorizing work, but in this case you didn't.  There is no legal requirement for the shop to get your signature in writing -- they just need your permission in some form.  Your social security number is more than enough in this case.  No judge would believe that you would give someone your SSN if you had no intention of having the work performed.  As far as your assertion that you could have given any 4-digit number: it would be a remarkable coincidence if a random 4-digit number matched your own SSN.


RampantReviewer

Tampa,
Florida,
USA
Legal Advice

#9Author of original report

Fri, December 03, 2010

Quoted from a lawyer I spoke with:


"The short answer to your question is, yes. Taking something of value from another, without their permission, with the intent to permanently or even TEMPORARILY deprive the owner of the use of the item constitutes theft in our state. If they refuse to give you your car they are stealing from you and should be charged. Now the reason I said "short answer" is that for you to convince a cop or your local State Attorney's Office to pursue a criminal charge against Aamco (they would have to figure out who at Aamco to charge first) will be very, very difficult. They will most likely tell you that this is a civil dispute and that since Aamco is claiming you authorized it, you will have to settle in civil court. You can sue in small claims court for a tort called "conversion" which is a civil theft. However, they have your car in the meantime. If you cannot get the authorities to pursue this, then you are probably going to have to pay them and then sue for your money back. I think you should keep in mind that there are other ways to apply pressure to unscrupulous businessmen than law enforcement. Try contacting one of those local tv troubleshooters. They love stories like this. Bait and switch is the oldest scam in the book. If they did this to you, I can almost guarantee you there are others out there in the same boat."


Interestingly enough, there have been 2 other cases filed against Aamco just through the Department of Consumer Services (who knows how many elsewhere).

Let me reiterate was is not understood here...

1) This man did not give me the normal paperwork (or any paperwork for that matter) when I came into the shop and gave him my keys. I am used to getting a paper that asks for my signature where they usually check out the vin and odometer. I got nothing.

2) The man didn't check any form of ID from me, so even if his argument was valid, he has no idea if I really am RJ, or if the car is even mine OR if the last four digits of my social are true.

3) At the time when I spoke to him on the phone, I didn't know what I was going to do. I have a significant other, you know, so when the financing situation came up, I expected paperwork from him to go over with my girlfriend. I then called her and she informed me of another mechanic in the area after I had told her the estimate was $900+. We both thought this odd. We then called the 2nd mechanic and he told us it should be no more than $400. We then decided we were going to take the vehicle to see him and get a 2nd opinion. After work we went to the Aamco only to find out the work had already been completed without our agreement.

During the entire process we never agreed to have the work done, received ANY paperwork (Estimates, etc), or got any financing paperwork.

A man by the name of Gregory called us from Headquarters in an attempt to right the wrong this particular Aamco has done.


RampantReviewer

Tampa,
Florida,
USA
Rip Off

#10Author of original report

Fri, December 03, 2010

Why doesn't anyone understand that I WAS GIVEN NO PAPERWORK WHAT SO EVER!


PS - I really could care less what any of you think of me or this situation. I merely posted here to share my horrible experience with this company to post a notice to others in the area.



Whether you think I'm right or wrong, doesn't matter. Very clearly the Owner of the Shop agrees the CS Manager was wrong or he wouldn't be giving me my car back tomorrow.

G'day.


(((ROR redacted)))
 
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.


Flynrider

Phoenix,
Arizona,
USA
One more time.

#11Consumer Comment

Fri, December 03, 2010

   Nice sidestep.   I'll ask again.   Can you point to the law or regulation that prohibits someone from authorizing work over the phone?     Sounds like you're just blowing smoke to me.


MovingForward

Wellington,
Florida,
United States of America
Did you specify on the estimate that it had to be in writing?

#12Consumer Comment

Fri, December 03, 2010

Whenever I take my vehicle in for repairs I have a written estimate that is provided by the mechanic. There is a little box down at the bottom that has three choices:

1) [ ] I request a Written Estimate

2)  [ ] I do not request a written estimate as long as the repair costs do not exceed $______. The shop may not exceed this amount without my written or oral approval.

3) [ ] I do not reqest written estimate.

I have seen this in every shop I have ever used for the last decade at least. There is a little box next to each selection for you to choose which one you will allow. Naturally I always choose option 1 AND I make a huge X in that spot in INK on every copy so there is no doubt. They don't start the work without written authorization. That is what email and fax machines are all about. Written estimates and written authorizations.  

As to giving out the last 4 digits: it is common knowledge that many places now use your last 4 as a way to confirm a verbal authorization. NEVER give your social, or any part of it, out to someone over the phone.

I don't know how you didn't understand you were authorizing him to do the work. And I don't like Aamco at all so I am not defending the company.


RampantReviewer

Tampa,
Florida,
USA
Wrong.

#13Author of original report

Fri, December 03, 2010

Sorry, again you are wrong. Take into consideration that we were going to get the forms to look over, but come to find out, there are no forms.


It doesn't matter, the Aamco owner knows he was wrong, hence why he is trying to settle with us. Thanks for the non-info, though. I appreciate everyone here not taking the problem as it actually was.

Plenty of other mechanics and legal advisors have heard my issue and agree that Aamco was wrong.


Flynrider

Phoenix,
Arizona,
USA
Hadn't heard that one

#14Consumer Comment

Thu, December 02, 2010

"Lastly... YOU CANNOT AUTHORIZE WORK OVER THE PHONE WITHOUT A SIGNATURE. I could have told him straight to his face "yes I want the work done," but he didn't have a signature so he couldn't. "

   Why not?  This is common practice in the industry.   It would be quite a burden on the consumer if they had to return to the shop and sign something just to get any work done.   Could you point us to the law or regulation that prohibits authorizing work over the phone?

  I agree with the original commenter that you don't appear to have a valid argument.  The shop called you and gave you the price for the work to be done.   If you intended to go elsewhere for a second opinion, why wouldn't you just say that?  I don't think a small claims judge would buy your convoluted explanation that you were applying for financing, but at the same time planning to take your car somewhere else.   While that may in fact be the case, it doesn't sound plausible.

  

 


RampantReviewer

Tampa,
Florida,
USA
Comprehension

#15Author of original report

Thu, December 02, 2010

I see that you failed to comprehend what truly happened.


The man at Aamco asked for the social so that we could of course get paperwork to do financing if we so chose AFTER we planned on going there and speaking with him.

Second of all, you are mistaken in thinking there is a lack of vehicle knowledge here. People very close to me are mechanics. Why do you think I wanted a second opinion? Because I know that tune ups don't cost $600.

Thirdly they're supposed to provide a WRITTEN estimate. He didn't.

Lastly... YOU CANNOT AUTHORIZE WORK OVER THE PHONE WITHOUT A SIGNATURE. I could have told him straight to his face "yes I want the work done," but he didn't have a signature so he couldn't.

YOU mistunderstood. Feel free to reevaluate now.



Steve

Bradenton,
Florida,
U.S.A.
Always be very clear in all communications with a shop, and..

#16Consumer Suggestion

Thu, December 02, 2010

It appears that the root of the problem here is communication. And, I am not siding with Aamco because I know they are thieves, from past experience.

The second problem is your total lack of vehicle knowledge. There is NO SUCH THING on today's vehicles as a "major tune up" [as opposed to a minor tune up]? Here is a hint for you. On todays vehicles, a "tune up" is a fancy term used for a spark plug change. Nothing more.

First, he gave you the estimate as required by law. He told you approximately $900. So you have no defense there at all.

Second, when he asked you for the last 4 of your social, WHY would you just rattle it off without asking what the need for that info was, and how it would be used? Just common sense here.

And, if you thought the request for your last 4 was for financing approval, that is an indication that you approved the work to be done, right? That is how a court of law will see it. Common sense dictates you don't apply for financing unless you are getting the work done, right?

I think your best option here is to take this as a learning experience, and pay the bill, and be happy because failure to pay, your vehicle goes to auction, and fighting in court will cost more than the $900 with only a slim chance you would win anyway.

Live and learn. Grow some balls and learn how to clearly communicate, and to ask WHY on anything you don't fully understand.

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