I drive a 2003 3.2 TL and had my transmission go out on Dec 12. I took it to a family friend's mechanic (simply because it was the closest place to where I was when it went out). He looked at it, gave me a few options, one of which was rebuilding the transmission. I chose that option and he told me it would take 5-7 days and cost around 2500 (he said it couldn't be a precise estimate until he got in there and figured out exactly what he needed to do, but it wouldn't be above 3000).

I STILL don't have my car. He called yesterday and said it was ready and that it would be 3490 because he had to replace my motor mount. I am furious. Well, I was furious around the two week mark. Now I'm just livid. The car is in Birmingham (it went out when I was visiting family) and I live and work two hours away. I have had to rent a car for the last three weeks (I bummed rides and borrowed cars the first two weeks).

Here's my question - what do you think is fair in this case? Should I have to pay the full amount?! I think at minimum he should be covering my rental car expense. He told me two weeks ago it was ready, I drove to Birmingham only for him to tell me "oops, I'm sick, I couldn't drive it and get it ready yet." It's just been a complete run around.

I just don't think paying 3490 for a job that took FIVE weeks is appropriate.

Any advice? I appreciate it!

 

Well, technically... you only have to pay what you signed for. however, if you don't pay the full amount, he will probably put back the old motor mount (may not he a big deal to you since you didn't ask him to change it anyways...)... but if its bad, is recommend you change it.

I'll be willing to bet you have issues with the tranny when you get it back...

 

That sounds pretty high coming from a regular mechanic, and as well 1000 extra dollars for a motor mount? That's seems a bit excessive as well. I'd call up an AAMCO or a honda dealer in that area and ask how much it is for a rebuilt transmission installed.

EDIT: try calling up acura corp. and see if they are willing to help you with some of the cost. After all they lost the court battle and had to extend the warranty to 105K or something close to that.

 

Yeah, I'm not expecting much from him at this point.

He is putting a one year/12,000 mile warranty on it....which has literally no value to me at this point.

 

I talked to my dealer, acura customer relations, etc for a few days...they won't do anything because I have 110,000 miles on it.

 

shouldve come here first. we have gotten a few members goodwill trannys by following a few steps outlined in a thread.

he is overcharging for that motor mount. a new motor mount costs 121 dollars from acura and the labor to put it in shouldnt be more than an hour @70 dollars an hour or whatever his rate it. i bet you the trans fails again in a few months.

if he hasnt begun the work then i would tell him to stop and go speak to the service MANAGER at the dealer

 

Phee-phee, she isnt at a dealer, she's at some busted old shop

 

There are A TON of things I should have done

He is charging me for 27.5 hours labor (which ironically took five weeks).

I'm just not sure where to go from here...now that it's "fixed"...can I dispute the price? Or tell him that I think he needs to take 400 off the bill for my rental car the last three weeks?

.

 

It really depends on if there was any kind of contract you signed to have the car fixed. Technically I think he can refuse to return you the car if you don't pay the full bill. You could always pay it now and then take him to small claims to try and recover some of the money. It comes down to how strongly you feel you got ripped off and if it's worth your time, but the easiest thing to do is to simply state your concerns to him and see if he'll help you out, then if he refuses, take action.

 

In this particular instance I don't think you can easily dispute the repair of the transmission. It's already repaired and supposedly in working order. Perhaps the transmission was an item the mechanic was not familiar with either, leading him take more time than originally planned.

You do, however, have an argument with it not being repaired within the time quoted. This delay has become an inconvenience to you. I would certainly make this known to the mechanic and see if he will make any adjustments. Most likely we won't be able to make too many adjustments to the parts used, but he certainly has flexibility with his labour costs. Go through the bill with him, focus on the labour charges, and respectfully but firmly request some sort of credit as his inability to finish the transmission in the time quoted has led to additional charges for you personally because of having to acquire a rental car.






Terry

 

i know. thats why i told her to go to the dealer

 

I hate to say it but let's also remember she's a woman ... Which has historically meant being ripped off by men who think they can get away with it.

$1000 for a motor mount sounds ridiculous. $3500 instead of $2500 because it was more complicated than he thought and that was the bulk of the cost plus whatever extra the mount cost seems to make more sense but either way, it's a shitty situation.

 

Thanks everyone. I agree - the cost of the transmission is not really adjustable at this point. But I do think the labor should be adjusted for my inconvenience. I would have never ever let him work on my car if he told me it would take five weeks. I'm afraid it was an extended game of trial and error...

During the five week time period, it was one excuse after the other ("I'm sick, our dog is sick, it's snowing, my wife's back is out, I'm sick again, and again..."). At the three week mark, I told him how frustrated I was and how ridiculous it all seemed. At that point, he said he appreciated my patience and would help me out with my rental car. Of course, this was over the phone, not in writing. Now that it's come down to the final price - he hasn't offered anything. I'm going down to Birmingham to pick it up tomorrow and plan on bringing it up as we go through the bill. I want to see the breakdown of cost and then bring it up - so he doesn't inflate the cost just to then take off the extra to "help with the rental car."

And Charliemike, you're right, it sucks being a woman when it comes to dealing with cars.

 

I don't know if 27.5 hours labor is a lot or a little for doing something like replacing a transmission but it sounds to me from that litany of excuses like he's been jerking your chain for five weeks.

Sadly, it may not be something you can do anything about in the end but I would definitely let everyone that knew him know about what an asshole he is ...

 

Neither do I. I called a few transmission shops to see what they thought...they said it's hard to estimate price/hours without seeing it or being able to diagnose it.

There probably isn't much I can do at this point. I'm just going to ask him what he is willing to do to "make it right" and to make up for the inconvenience I've endured throughout the process.

He has a large pitbull, so I plan on playing nice, ha. We'll see what happens

 

^
You've been more than patient. I hope he does the right thing and tries to accommodate you for your troubles....that he caused you.

 

thanks! i hope so, too. hopefully being patient and nice will pay off

 

my buddy's '02 TL's transmission went out while on the freeway. Towed it to a local acura dealer, paid $2300 for a complete rebuilt. anything above that is a rippoff. it sucks being a woman involving cars, esp. with mechanics or salesmen. good luck!

 

Maybe there's a regional adjustment ... It IS Alabama

Sort of like a Doc Hollywood scenario ... "Ak-ur-ah? Oh man ... *wipes forehead with dirty rag* That's gonna be a while ... We only get parts deliveries in here like 2-3 times a month!"

 

Haha! I'm a transplant from Texas, so I can enjoy a good Alabama joke

A few weeks ago, I had to call about 20 places to find someone who would work on an Audi TT. I literally had a lady say "we ain't touchin that lil thang wit a ten foot pole"

 

he didnt charge her 1000 for the motor mount-
its just bumped his total above expected
trans rebuild run 1800-2500,,there are some run more depending on how good a job- new selenoids-TC, ECU, etc need replacing can be 3500,,dealer gets 4-5g for their unit
He may have done it a few times until it ran right- put it in - wont shift- pull back out and tear apart-
first timers to our trans have that happen
the book time is 4 or 6 hours to remove and reinstall the trans unit
For those who missed the part about he was rebuilding it too- not just a swap for that price
book then gives you 10 hours rebuild time on the trans

the book time for front motor mount- with trans removed- is 15 minutes
Its very common to find that part bad at trans rebuild time

before you pay the bill, review things with him for parts and these labor times
He can remove xxx$ for rental car or customer satisfaction
Dont expect any warranty help~

When you go to a 1 guy type place you are at the mercy of weather, injuries, colds, children probs all delaying the work
As a tech- he was not happy spending hours on your trans and not feeling well and listening to your phone calls and making excuses~ 5 weeks was never his plan

Legal: what you signed for in the original estimate is all you owe- that doesnt include sales tax
If you were called for an incease, that time/date/conversation is documented in their paperwork
With a trans rebuld you would expect an increase once dismantled and inspected

when you pick up the car you must sign for the increase

 

Thanks for the advice and insight! I really appreciate it.

I'll just have to hope that the time was well spent and everything was done well!

 

Thanks for the advice and insight! I really appreciate it.

I'll just have to hope that the time was well spent and everything was done well!

 

Bring this up.

 

Sounds like the classic case of, "I screwed something up & have to fix it, so stall the customer...and try to get my money back for whatever I messed up."

 

For $3500, you can almost buy another TL.

 

sure you can- one that needs a timing belt and a trans and brakes and...

 

^ +5

 

or a salvage title