Transplant Transmissions, Scolene, Inc., Arlene Dittbrenner, David Dittbrenner Transplant Transmissions ,aka Scolene, ripped me off.  $4,000. Downingtown Pennsylvania

This customer towed his vehicle to Transplant Transmissions in May, 2013.  His manual transmission had sustained considerable damage due to apparent abuse.  It needed to be remanufactured and a new clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing was needed as well.  Additionally, his fly wheel needed to be sent out to a machinist to be re-surfaced.  The damage was so significant that the cost to replace the transmission with a a remanufactured unit or re-manufacturing it in house was considerably over $5,000 before shop fees, fluids or sales tax.  

Since cost was a consideration for this customer he selected to have us secure and install a salvage yard transmission.  The transmission cost $1,950 and for an additional $150 He was also able to purchase a 12 month warranty supplied by the salvage yard.  Transplant Transmissions put no warranty on this transmission.  The customer selected this repair option since it was over $2,300 LESS EXPENSIVE than the cost of either having us re-manufacture his transmission or purchase a remanufactured transmission from Subaru.  He was given a written estimate that clearly stated that it was a salvage yard transmission and that we did not provide any warranty on the unit.  He paid the $1,950 for the transmission, we ordered it and installed it upon it's arrival.

It is true that the original transmission provided by the salvage yard did not work properly in reverse.  We promptly contacted the salvage yard and they provided another unit which we installed for the customer upon receipt.  It is also true that the end links had separated while his vehicle was on the lift.  They were not "missing". This is not uncommon and happens with older vehicles when the end links are worn as they were on his WRX. It should be noted that this part of the vehicle is not touched with a transmission replacement.  We replaced them for the customer as a courtesy/consideration since he was inconvenienced due to the delay created by the salvage yard providing a faulty transmission.  It should be noted again that our company put no warranty on this unit and the customer was well aware of this.

We next heard from this customer 12 months later when he came in complaining of a noise.  He requested that since he had a 12 month warranty on the transmission that we replace it for him.  It should be noted that the transmission worked fine but that there was a noise.  We contacted the salvage yard and requested a replacement unit under the warranty he had purchased for $150 the previous year.  It took a few weeks for the salvage yard to locate another good used unit for his WRX Imprezza and because of that, even though both his original estimate and his original invoice from 2013 clearly states that Transplant Transmissions put no warranty on the transmission and also clearly stated that should warranty replacement of the transmission be required that the customer was responsible for the labor, fluid, shop fees and sales tax, we installed the replacement for no charge as a consideration due to the time delay.  This was a savings to the customer in excess of $850.00.

The staff stayed until after 11:00pm to install this customer's transmission since it had been promised to him.  During the installation process the customer repeated came out into the shop to criticize and disparage the mechanics. Similarly, he was repeatedly asked to remain in the waiting area.  When the installation was complete two technicians performed the standard road test and the transmission shifted well.

The following morning the customer returned demanding a full refund.  I asked him to allow us to road test his vehicle to see what the problem was.  He became very verbally abusive and ultimately stormed out without allowing us the opportunity to even look at the car again.  Another customer witnessed his aggressive, violent behavior and since he was concerned for my safety he suggested that I immediately call the police.  I should mention that I am a 63 year old, 5'3" woman recovering from stage III Melanoma.  This customer is an approximate 30 year old 6'+ male who was uncontrollably shouting obscenities. I did so and was advised that the officer would contact hm. 

I then received information that he had taken his vehicle to the local Meineke Muffler shop where his good friend, the owner's son, told him the transmission was grinding between gears.  I immediately contacted the salvage yard and was told that they would send another unit immediately.  I contact the customer by phone and email To let him know that we would pick his car up and replace the unit for him again at no charge.  Additionally, I contacted the Meineke Muffler shop and told them that, as soon as the customer authorized, we would pick up his vehicle and replace the salvage yard transmission.  

We never heard from either the customer or from Meineke Muffler.  We feel that we have gone over and beyond what would be considered good customer relations in this incident.  Again, he understood that he was purchasing a used transmission from a junk yard.  He understood that we put no warranty on the unit.  The salvage yard agreed to replace the transmission not because it malfunctioned but simply because a noise was coming from the undercarriage area. This customer has made several Better Business Bureau complaints about our company and after presenting the evidence the BBB has repeatedly determined that we have gone out of our way to accommodate and please this customer.  I have also contacted an attorney who has suggested that I file suit against the customer for harassment and disparagement.