Aamco Aamco dba DMS Investment Corporation, Unprofessional, violated CA automotive repair law, demanded cash, refused old parts Corona California

I sued Aamco dba DMS Investments on January 30, 2016.  I amended my lawsuit to the $3198 I paid Aamco, a full refund.  Adrian Meza and Scott Mcclymont showed to court, I presented my case as follows:

We were referred to Aamco transmission by another mechanic. On November 28, 2016 we had one of our work trucks sent over to Aamco because it was leaking profusely when Gabriel went back out to the truck, he called me, I told him don't drive it.

My father (November 29th) and myself BOTH requested the old parts be returned when work was discussed and approved.

Pursuant to the Automobile Repair Act of 1974 I am entitled to "Return of replaced parts, if requested at the time a work order is placed."

I was quoted roughly $2200.00 to rebuild the transmission which I approved. When the vehicle was finished I was told the cost is $3198.84 almost $1,000.00 more than I approved!! Not knowing if my father approved something I decided to wait until I see the receipt to dispute the difference. My office manager called the manager at Aamco, Adrian Meza to provide a debit card payment over the phone since we were told they don't accept checks. Steve told Adrian be sure to give the receipts and old parts to Gabriel when he comes to pick up the truck later today. Adrian said "no one told us they wanted the old parts back, we don't have them". My manager withheld payment and said he'd call Adrian back after he speaks to me. I told Steve to tell Adrian he was specifically told TWICE by my father and myself we wanted the parts returned, and, its the law. If we don't get our old parts back we're going to pay for it and take file a complaint and lawsuit. Adrian became extremely rude and demanded cash which we refused then stated we're not getting our truck without paying cash. We filed a lawsuit the same day and began posting reviews warning others of our experience with Aamco. Adrian saw our first review, called my office and told Steve "you just made it worse on yourself now".

The following morning (12/10/2016) we contacted Corona Police Department to meet us at the location. Adrian still refused to relinquish my vehicle and accept my debit card payment to which I told them I will stand outside all day until they close with a sign and tell every person who walks in their front door how unethical they are. The parts they previously stated they no longer had appeared overnight. They capitulated and accepted my debit payment.

Further, I want to revert back to the Automobile Repair Act of 1974 requiring "A written estimate for repair work" not furnished.

Additionally B&P code 9884.9 (a) also requires a written estimate and authorization exceeding initial estimate, neither was provided.

Problem wasn't corrected, days later experienced a transmission fluid leak; unsure if it was residual we kept an eye on the fluid levels topping them off, when it was clear the leak had not been fixed the vehicle was sent to Tustin Transmission. (the same reason we brought the vehicle to Aamco in the first place.) My technician drove the drove for approximately 10 days then we parked it (just over 1,000 miles). Additionally our company was closed 11 days from Christmas to New Years and dropped the vehicle off our first week back, January 6th we had the vehicle taken to Tustin Transmission.

Tustin Transmission determined the leak was coming from the torque converter, they also claim IF the transmission was rebuilt it was not done properly, infact recommended rebuilding it for us, and stated they cannot warranty anything on it otherwise, besides leaks. Receipt states:

"Parts were worn excessively for a recent rebuild"

"The center support aluminum is worn at contact with the case"

"The steel center support is grooved wear (where?) a bearing rides."

"The overdrive housing snap ring groove was worn and wouldn't hold a snap ring and spring retainer"

"The spring retainer and snap ring weren't installed in the transmission"

"The vehicle requires a PWM pump and solenoid pack. The pack was PWM the pump wasn't"

"The rear ring had metal imbedded in it"

"The torque converter was the leak"

"The shell was worn at contact point"

Kenyard at Tustin Transmission inspected the old parts provided by Aamco and escorted me to another f250/350 that is being worked on, he showed me what a torque converter looks like that just came out of a vehicle, juxtaposed to the one returned to me full of rust with many dry areas, he put his flashlight specifically on the shaft of the one I was provided by Aamco and said "you see all this rust" rust which doesn't occur in under a month.

I paid Tustin Transmission $1820.43

Photos provided to judge:

#1 Torque converter Aamco returned, photo taken 12/10/2016 same day vehicle was retrieved, note dried out rusted metal, note rusted shaft

#2 Torque converter Aamco returned "99" inscribed

#3 Torque converter Aamco returned closeup of the "shaft" imbedded with rust

#4 A torque converter Tustin Transmission removed recently from another F250/350. Note there's no rust on the shaft, there's no grimy grease or rust caked to it particularly on the shaft and base where there's constant movement and spinning

#5 The deplete box of "parts" returned from Aamco

#6 Parts 1 of 2 from box returned by Aamco containing 29 "sprockets"

#7 Parts 2 of 2 from box returned by Aamco containing 6 parts

#8 An actual rebuild kit containing 51 sprockets, twice as many as returned

#9 Rest of the actual rebuild kit 76 additional parts totaling 127 parts when 33 were returned (not including filter, coast clutch drum, additional sprocket)

#10 Photo of correct stator vs incorrect that IF replaced was installed

#11 Photo of additional parts Tustin Transmission replaced and returned. Worn out and wrong stator

#12 Photo of one of the sprockets replaced by Tustin transmission, excessive wear for a recent rebuild

#13 Photo of rear ring gear that has metal shavings imbedded

On receipt from Tustin Transmission:

Rebuild kit, 94 parts missing.

boost valve sleeve was replaced, never returned not in parts box

a line modulator valve was replaced - never returned not in parts box

I am out $5,019.27 for a patched transmission, and now I have NO WARRANTY, the transmission according to Tustin Transmission wasn't rebuilt properly and they recommended rebuilding it, again. Which I declined.

"Parts were worn excessively for a recent rebuild"

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I was awarded a judgment in the amount of $2,894.27.

Perfidious auto mechanics who prey on the ignorance of the average consumer do this because the consumer allows it. I recommend always asking for your old parts back, it keeps them honest and affords a better understanding of what was done. We asked twice for return of our old parts and told "no problem" when it came time to pay for the repair it suddenly was $1,000 more than quoted and we were told "no one asked for the parts; we dont have them". I filed a lawsuit and mir...aculously overnight, the very next day our old parts appeared. After inspecting the deplete box of parts It was evident that these likely were not my old parts. I ordered a rebuild kit online to compare and there are 93 parts missing from the box they gave back to me, the torque converter was half dry and full of rust, there's no way this came off our work truck. I sought a second opinion of another mechanic who ascertained most of the work, IF performed, was done incorrectly... Additionally they were in direct violation of BAR act of 1974 requiring old parts be returned, and a written estimate being required before work is performed. Business & Professions code 9884.9 (a) also requires a written estimate AND authorization exceeding initial estimate, neither was furnished

Today, February 23, 2016 I received my judgment amount in full.  I do not trust this establishment and would never use them again.