AAMCO VERY misleading and deceptive individuals at the St Petersburg, FL AAMCO! St Petersburg, Florida

On a recent trip to Florida, my transmission went out on my vehicle.  I was able to have it towed to the local AAMCO in St. Petersburg, FL.  I was ensured the problem would be taken care of and to enjoy my vacation.  I was contacted by AAMCO a few days later, and was notified that my transmission could be rebuilt, but a price would not be available until AFTER the work was done.  I asked the, SALESMAN, what the worst case scenario price would be to his estimate.  He gave me a figure that I was confortable with, so I authorized the work.  A few days later, I recieved a call and was told the job was going to be much bigger than they had anticipated, but he had no estimate of what the extra cost might be. ( I was on vacation, mind you, and visiting my family.)  Finally, after a few more days,  the job was done and I was contacted by AAMCO. I was notified that he had "great news" the job was going to be about $1000 more than we had initially discussed (by by his "worse case"  estimate) but as an act of "good will" he was going to take $100 off of the work. (Nice guy....)  I went to pick up my car, on the way back to my home state, and brought in a coupon, (That was printed off of their website for $100 off any transmission repair.)  The secretary and the SALESMAN acted dumbfounded about this coupon and said that it was not useable and they have never seen it before in their lives.  

$3900 later, in my 7 year old vehicle, I get back to my home state.  Just a couple months later, I find my transmission popping out of gear.  I take my vehicle to my nearest AAMCO, because the work I had done (just 5 months earlier) entitles me to a 12 month warranty "HASSLE FREE!"  I recieve a call that the St. Petersburg, FL shop will not authorize my local AAMCO to fix my car.  They want the transmission sent 1800 miles to them in Florida, so they can do the work.  At this point, I am powerless!  I give the ok to send the transmission and hear nothing for about a week.  The kind folks in St. Petersburg finally give me a call, and say they have unfortunate news, the problem with my transmission now is irrelevant to the work that was done, and would not be covered under my warranty.  They said it was clear to them that I had abused the car and it is going to cost me another $800for parts, labor, and SHIPPPING!  At this point, I am livid. I do some research and call AAMCO Corporate.  I filed a complaint, and two days later I recieve a phone call from St. Petersurg stating they have "GREAT NEWS" the fix is now going to be covered. (As if they were doing me some favor)  The St. Petersburg shop kept my transmission for over 3 weeks with not a phone call or anything. I finally called to get an update, and was told the unit was going to be shipped back to my home state that day.  I waited until Wednesday the following week, with no phone calls.  I called them back, and the transmission STILL had not been shipped.  I just took posession of my vehicle two days ago from writing this.  I emplore anyone considering working with this organization, to NOT.  If you do, 1800-523-0401, this their corporate hotline, you WILL be needing this.  

Thank you.