I have a 2000 with 156,000 and last Saturday the transmission went. No gear revers or forward. I have AAA and they towed it to a AAA approved facility. Monday they call and said the screen was clogged and they could clean it out but would not give any guarantee as to longevity. I asked about a used and rebuilt unit. It took about an hour and the guy calls back. 4-5 hundred for the clean and refill. 2,200 for the used and about 4,000 for the rebuilt. I told him to go with the used. About 5 hours later he calls and says he now wants 2,800 for the used and I said no we have a contract for 2,200. I make the comment that AAA should hear about this. He then says he refused to work on the car and I should come get it, but I have to pay him for the work he has done for him to release the car. Just to move things forward I agree to the 2,800. He calls the next day and says he wants t rebuild it for the same price. Meaning 2,800. Wednesday he calls and says the parts are too expensive to rebuild and he wants to go back to used. I say fine. That was the original contract. Then he hits me with the final bill of 3,700 for used. Aamco only wants 3,800 for rebuilt. I never agreed on anything but the 2,800.

Any of you legal eagles out there have any advice. I am to pick it up tomorrow.

Thanks in advance

 

Did you get any of these estimates in writing?

 

^ what he said. lol

Also, don't go to AAMCO. In general, I suggest staying far away from chain stores. Find a local shop that specializes in transmission overhaul.

 

The car is out of town with my daughter. The only thing in writing is a FAX I sent to him Monday afternoon.It stated
"This authorizes you to complete the work discussed at $2800.00 complete." He proceeded on that basis. He requested the FAX and I obliged. There is no other agreement past that point. I am not an attorney, but verbal contracts are binding. Just more difficult to prove.

 

I've been with AAA for about 18 years (all of my insurance) and they are a top notch company. If one of their APPROVED shops is pulling this, they need to know IMMEDIATELY. I wouldn't let those shysters work on a Yugo. Oh, and YES, STAY AWAY from AAMCO! I wouldn't personally have gone for the used. These transmissions are known to have problems anyway. What if it goes out next week? Good money bets that the shop that installed it washes their hands of it.