Cottman Transmission WARNING: Cottman Transmission Are Scammers! Houston Texas

On March 3rd, 2008, I began having trouble with my motor vehicle. I went to AutoZone to ask for help. They said that my transmission fluid was burnt and that I needed to get it checked up.

AutoZone told me to go to Sears Auto Center to check it out. I headed my way out to Sears at about twenty miles per hour. When I came in, they said they believe it was my transmission that was the problem. With that said, they referred me to Cottman Transmission on Westheimer and Dairy Ashford.

I was on my way there and barely made it. Coming in, I was happily greeted by Joe Torres, the man who I believed was trustworthy. He sat me down and explained to me the problems and seemed to know everything that was going on.

After asking me questions, he took out a piece of paper and made me sign it. The only thing that was written on that piece of paper, was the three stars he wrote down, indicating where I was supposed to sign. I read this paper thoroughly and saw no where on it that I was obligated to pay 495$.

When I asked him about the total cost of everything, he would reply, 495$ for the labor and no more than 700$ for the whole repair Being happy about this response, I told him my budget would only be around 700$ and that was all I could afford. Joe assured me that I had nothing to worry about and that I would be able to afford the repairs.

When I came home that day, I was concerned if this auto shop was honest or shady. I quickly went online and searched for their company. The first result I found was a complaint filed on ripoffreports.com. I found out that this company tricks you into paying for the labor and later on finding out that you have to pay an outstanding cost.

The labor fee was used as bait to either make you pay the 2,700$ that they offer or make you pay the labor fee to get your car back. They would say anything to make you believe that you can afford the total cost of the repairs so they can begin tearing apart your transmission with your consent. Terrified, I quickly called Joe but they would not pick up.

First thing in the morning on March 4th, 2008, I rushed to their auto shop with my brother. I kindly asked for my car back because I knew there was something fishy going on. Joe kept on insisting that I give them a try and repeatedly told me that the cost will not go over my budget, which was 700$.

Joe never once gave me an option to check other places for different prices and explained to me that I was going to get the best deal with him. With that being said, I left with the feeling that I would only spend about 700$ in the end to repair all of my damages.

Later that day, he called me and offered me two plans. One plan was 2,700$, the platinum plan. The other plan was 2,400$, the premium plan. I asked Joe, "What happened to the 700$ total cost you promised me?"

Joe replied, "I said you had to prepare for the worst"

He said the worst that could happen was the repairs would cost 700$-800$. Had I know it would cost over 2,000$, I would've told him to not work on the car so I wouldn't have to pay the 495$ labor fee. At this point, I was furious.

I told him I wanted the car that morning so I can go somewhere cheaper and more affordable. He only told me that the total cost would be around my budget so I can get sucked into his trap and pay for the 495$ labor fee.

I put him and my Aunt on three-way to let him explain to her what had just happened. My Aunt was upset and knew that this was a big scam. Joe began speaking rudely to her and later hung up because he did not want to speak anymore.

I went over there as fast as I can with my sister-in-law to settle this in person. When we arrived, we found that he had already left and the auto shop was closed. Cottman Transmission says they close at 6:00pm but when we arrived there at 5:20, they have already closed.

On March 5th, 2008, I went with my brother to see Joe again in the morning. We were both quite upset at the whole situation and began asking him questions. Joe began making up stories and saying he has told us all of this in the past.

He has not once warned us about the cost being up to 2,700$. I asked to see the paper I signed because he failed to give me a copy of it the first day. Seeing the paper, I noticed he has modified it and added the numbers 495$ which now says that I agree on paying 495$ for the labor fee.

Later on, I asked him if he was able to fax this paper to my Uncle so he can take a look over it. Joe said his fax machine was broken. This business began to irritate me, so I asked if I can have a copy of the paper then. Joe responded, "We can't give you a copy of it unless we complete the repairs"

It was amazing how a big company like this could not provide a copy of the paper in which I signed. At the same time that my brother and I came in, we found another unhappy customer who was scammed for 4,000$. We approached the gentleman and asked for his view on this. He responded, "Just pay for the 495$ and get out of here."

He told us how he was tricked into paying for more than they promised. It was at that time, where I knew everything was a scam since the beginning.

That same day I received a call from another man who was supposively in higher position than Joe. I told him the whole situation and then claimed I was insulting him. The situation escalated and at one point he told me that it was impossible for me to pay with my credit card because I was angry.

I told him I just wanted my car back to normal. He told me that would be no problem and that I would have to bring a tow truck to take it back. The man claimed that the car would not be able to drive. So basically they want me to pay 495$ for telling me there is a problem with the car and making it inactive.
He was very rude to me and unprofessionally handled the situation.

On March 6th, 2008, the general manager of Aamco and Cottman Transmission gave me a call and seemed pretty nice to me in the beginning. I explained to him the situation and made him aware what this company has been doing to me. Everything he said to me was of no use.

The general manager explained to me that in every situation with transmission shops, there will always be "bad blood". I asked him if he could resolve this situation and the only response he gave me was, "We can lower your price to 2000$"

I was too angry at this untrustworthy company to even let them continue working on my car. This is a very shady business and I feel that this place needs to be shut down for good. Too many honest people are being scammed and half of them don't know they are.

Moogle
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.

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