On July 23, 2007 I took my Buick to Alternative Transmissions by Jack Dempsey in Winter Garden for a Radiator replacement. I had already purchased the replacement radiator at a Parts Store before I went to save time. Bill, the Manager gave me a estimate for $70 and said it would take 1 hour. Approximately 4 hours later the replacement was complete and I was charged $180. Though it was not the price quoted I did not complain.
While I was waiting I asked Bill if he could recommend a body shop to repair some damage on the right side of my Buick. I had been in a minor accident and received $1,500 from GEICO to repair it. 3 previous quotes confirmed that the $1,500 was satisfactory to complete the job with a lifetime guarantee. The radiator was due to the accident and I needed that repaired first to prevent the car from overheating.
Bill said that Alternative Transmissions did body work and would be happy to do it for me. They gave me a estimate of $1,900. Though the estimate was higher than the other 3 places Bill said the work would be done in 3 days so I agreed.
I dropped the Car off and caught a ride home. 7 Days later the car was not near completion. Eric, the body man said I could pick up the car and schedule a appointment with him to finish later.
I will probably add the day to day activities but to shorten the rip off complaint for the moment: I came back multiple times and Eric was not at work, unavailable or not at the Alternative Transmissions facility as promised. This happened more than 40 times so far. I went again yesterday and Bill promised to call me back and schedule completion of the work but of course, that has not happened.
The new paint is flaking off the car on the fender, there are paint runs in multiple places, the pin striping is extremely deformed, the car is scratched several places where parts were replaced, there are "touch-up" areas where a brush was used that look bad, the fender well is falling off, the plastic piece under the wheel well is falling off and sounds like a machine gun at high speeds, there are several runs, scrapes, scratches, orange peel effect where it was painted, paint does not match as it should, door is missing parts, bolts are pospping out, rivets were used and they are popping out, right door does not lock, and etcetera.
Frequently, Bill and Eric the Body Man wanted money when I arrived. They said Eric needed a $100 for this or a $100 for that. I have given them $1,480 so far +/-.
They do not care about me now because they have most of the money. Beware of this company.
Unhappy customer
Orlando, Florida
U.S.A.