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2.2 17 Reviews

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care Complaints Summary

5 Resolved
12 Unresolved
Our verdict: When using services from Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care with a poor resolution rate, be vigilant. Understand the common pitfalls other customers have faced. Prepare thoroughly for any interactions with their customer service, and consider alternative solutions if your issues are not addressed satisfactorily.
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care reviews & complaints 17

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2:27 pm EST
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care Repair cost and time

We were jerked around for 4 weeks, 2 days while they had no idea how to fix this transmission. They gave an estimate of $2500. Actual price came to $4346. They lied to us what was wrong, and were very unprofessional hanging up on my brother-in-law who called to find out what was taking 4 weeks! I would never recommend them and feel I was grossly over charged

Claimed loss: $1600 over charged plus loss of a vehicle for 4 weeks

Desired outcome: Receive a partial refund of $1600.

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1:11 pm EDT
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care $6000 transmission job destroyed my car

I invested my hard work dollars on a 2018 jeep grand cherokee laredo I also purchased a warranty on my jeep a year later I needed transmission work and decided to bring it to cottman transmission after a month of communicating with me they never had a job so difficult to fix called me and said car is ready after being out a car almost two months now I came to pick up without really checking they work 2 days later my car start making this loud whining sound in the transmission area hesitation in reverse and in drive car ride sluggish worst off my car been back in fort to cottman transmission with no answer im trying to be professional and this shop think life is a game hard pill to swollen please intervene thanks

Desired outcome: Its obvious they keep trailing me alone they see its coming from the same area they worked on AS A MECHANIC SHOP YOU KEEP TELLING ME YOU CANT FIGURED IT OUT I BEEN OUT

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4:14 pm EST

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care faulty car repairs, refusal to respond to written request for refund

I wish I would have read these reviews about Cottman Transmission before I made the mistake of taking my Nissan Altima to the Cottman Transmission in Grand Rapids (DBA ZDT Enterprises, LLC) on October 8, 2015, for a complete tune up and replacement of several other parts (per their so-called analysis of my engine). The location in Grand Rapids is managed by a family of con artists -- Don and Ryan Lenartz. They are both liars, they don't care about customers, and they don't have a clue as to what they're doing. They should NOT be allowed to work on any type of Nissan. They ripped me off for more than $1, 000 for unsuccessful repairs that have made my car run worse than it did before I dropped it off to these scammers. I have called them and asked them to make this right. They've denied they've done anything wrong, and said they "might" try to fix my car if I brought it back to their facility. I also wrote them a letter, to which they have never even responded. It's been a few months and my car still isn't running right. Don and Ryan Lenartz stole my money for doing faulty, unsuccessful repair work. They have refused to make it right. They also don't warranty or guarantee any of their work, and they should be shut down now by the Michigan Attorney General's office. The Better Business Bureau should also warn consumers about these con artist scammers. In addition to not fixing my car, Don and Ryan Lenartz allowed their employees to intentionally smear oil on the carpeting on both the driver's side and passenger's side of my car during the repair process. They have refused to clean and/or pay to have all of the oil smears and stains removed. So now, in addition to paying for repairing their faulty transmission work, I'm stuck with trying to get the oil smears out of the carpeting myself, which I shouldn't have to do. Cottman Transmission in Grand Rapids kept my car much longer than they originally told me they would need it for the repairs. They refused to correct the mistakes they made in my information in their computer and then lied about it. They also stated that they "never" provided written, detailed estimates prior to the repair work being completed. I finally had an estimate sent to me after I told them I wouldn't authorize any repairs without receiving a written cost estimate first. The Cottman Transmission Web site is also full of lies -- they don't know how to fix Nissans, they're don't warranty any of their work, they don't make faulty repairs right, and they're not open on Saturdays. At this point, it's difficult believing that they even employ licensed mechanics. Don Lenartz claimed my car had been test driven after the repairs had been made, and that it sounded just fine to him. I told him there was no possible way anyone driving the car anywhere wouldn't have immediately noticed the engine was extremely sluggish, and that it wasn't getting enough power to accelerate. I also told him accelerating was extremely difficult, and the engine was shaking, shuddering, and vibrating whenever I did try to do so. I also told him my car hadn't been running this way before Cottman Transmission worked on it. He denied they had caused any of these problems, and he repeatedly refused to resolve their sub-standard work. Don and Ryan Lenartz should at least reimburse me for their labor charges, which they have refused to do. I have photos, audio and video of everything they did to my car. The Michigan Attorney General's office should shut down these scammers once and for all. They are nothing more than scammers who are stealing people's money, and providing nothing in return except faulty repair work using sub-standard parts. Never take your car to Cottman Transmission of Grand Rapids for anything! These scammers don't repair vehicles -- they only make them run worse!

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6:20 pm EST
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care scam, ripoff

Cottmliaran Transmission in Greensboro is a total scam. They are con artist who will over charge you for a subpar repair or simply install a junkyard transmission and charge you for a new transmission. This is actual facts from a former employee! They will give you a warranty but it is worthless. They will not honer it. You will leave feeling ripped off and frustrated! The managment is pisspoor! They will lie and give you excuses as to why they cant fix the problem. This place is a total joke! Jody Preston is a liar and a theif! The manager Tim is a liar and and Fred Bowen the owner must be a coward because he has never once contacted me about resolving this issue... steer clear of these scammers

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5:04 pm EDT

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care beware

I was sent to Cottman by my after market warranty company. I should have known they were trouble when Bill the guy at the front desk professed what a strong honest Christian he is. I took my car in to have the transmission rebuilt. They pulled the transmission apart and said they didn't find anything too out of the ordinary, but they couldn't begin rebuilding it until they heard back from the warranty company (which took 2 days). Then when they were almost finished rebuilding it they found a really big problem, one that required the part be sent to California for repair. They did not offer me any option on how to ship the part. I found out after waiting 10 days for it, that they could have overnighted it for around $100, but since most people don't want to pay that they just didn't offer it to me. Instead, I got to eat 3 weeks of car rental because of their oversight. I could have put a brand new transmission in. Then Bill let it slip that the transmission would last only 5 to 7 years, but that didn't matter because "you'll be buying a new car before then". Gee Bill, thanks for making on of my major decisions for me...which BTW wasn't what I planned. I hoped to keep the car another 10 years or 100, 000 miles. Stay away from them. I wish someone would have warned me before I went there.

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5:28 pm EDT

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care they screwed up my truck

I live in richmond va and We took out Truck to cottman'sthey also go by Express care and Valvoline it was the biggest mistake of our lives.When we took it in the only thing we needed was a enginge.the engine light was on .We bought our own engine and had it delivered and they said when it got there it was bad so, they had found one and ordered it for us.It was alittle over 4, 000 that was with labor.When we picked it up they told us that we needed a new battery so we went to the dealer and got one Took it back and put it in and the truck started .The engine light was off and David had said the light is off and if it comes back on I will be concerned.My husband drove it for about 3 days then all of a sudden the truck wouldn't start.Had it towed back to there shop and they sad it might be the alternator or the starter that they both needed replacing it was keeping the battery from keeping a charge .We payed them to replace them and the power steering was leaking so they where expose to of fixed that .That bill was a little over 900 when he said it was going to be 4 or 5.I don't know how it went up to 900.The truck still didn't start and then they tell us that there are some wires( Under the hood)that are broken and that they need to put them together and that should fix the problem. They were wrong and then go onto to say we need a whole complete wiring harnest that goes to the engine .We had enough of there lies .We had it towed to another business for a second opinion. They called the next day and said the truck was ready .I was in shock and said it starts and they said yes.All it was that the groung cable was broken and had to be fixed and reconnected.Our truck is still running .My husband and I know now that we didn't need a alternator or a starter and It didn't need a wiring harnest.The truck leaks and they said they fixed it and the check engine light is still on.They are a joke and lie and tell people they need things and don't .I am telling everyone not to go there or you will be out alot of money.I wish someone had told us about them before we went there.

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2:09 pm EST
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care transmission

We took the car in to the shop to have the transmission fixed. Before hand we had done some research online trying to find the best and cheapest way to get it done. We went through this company that worked with Cottman, the cost was right around $2, 500. First time in the shop I was rather disturb by how the manager Bill Wade behaved, very rude and disrespectful. He did not want to take my credit card as the source of payment, well that casued some dialogue which was not very nice. I walked outside and let my husband deal with him because I know that I have no tolerance for that. This car is my daughter's car, she is in Orlando going to college and was left stranded when the transmission slipped. This is the 3rd time it has been in the shop and believe me time is not of the essence for them, they will keep it for weeks on end. They are now saying that it is a part that is broken and that part was provided by a 3rd company that is out of business and that voids the warranty. Now he wants another $1, 500 - $1, 800 to fix the car. It is a 97 Acura CL...I can't see putting another $2, 000 or so in to this car. I am at a loss.

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andiew
Saint Johns, US
Jun 03, 2011 10:56 pm EDT

What shop did she ORIGINALLY take this vehicle to? We have done extensive research on this individual through our company's computer files and no such car (year, make or model) OR last name was ever pulled up on the computer in this center. As all individuals' whose car is WORKED on at any center MUST have documentation (we are all required by law) at the ORIGINAL center and this individual's car or name could not be located in Jacksonville, it would therefore stand to reason that the original work was done elsewhere. If that is the case AND it was still under warranty from that shop, it would be a warranty repair if the Originating Center ok'd the work only if it was NOT out of warranty - either mileage wise or date wise. This may have been the case. As for the credit card payment, the Jacksonville center cannot take a credit card payment on something NOT done - especially beforehand! Also, if the individual did buy parts for the car, the warranty clearly states " Any UNAUTHORIZED SERVICE, damage caused by mud, snow, accident, abuse or water, or damage caused by any component not part of the transmission or torque convertor, shall void the Warranty". This is probably what the individual got mad about because she had voided the warranty by having unauthorized service done and now wanted to have it fixed for free. Need to back up, read your warranty and admit you are wrong.

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4:08 pm EDT

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care avoid this place

Warning! Avoid this place. They don't fix the problem and they won't stand behind their word. Cottman ruined my car. When they did my transmission, I was guaranteed it would last. It didn't and right when the warranty ended so did the transmission. I had to have my car worked on while I was there. Now that I am no longer in that hick town, it is as if I were never a costumer. It was $3600 down the tubes. Don't waste your money! The repair was shotty from the beginning and they know it. You should be ashamed Cottman!

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allen greenwood
corpus christi, US
Sep 16, 2013 9:14 am EDT

installed wrong year ecm causing stiff, hard shifting, jerking on engine, and refuses to correct after 3 months agony and repeated request. one more request from pam & ed, owners in corpus Christi, texas.

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cottman sux
scottdale, US
Apr 07, 2013 10:58 am EDT

same exact thing happened to me in Greensburg Pa Cottman. Owner Mike Gano is a fraud and a thief

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2:35 pm EDT

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care stole my money

I am having a major disaster with Cottman Transmission in Richmond Virginia on Midlothian Turnpike! I took it to them 3 times and it still not right and they lied to me. They had it 3 weeks this most recent visit and all they did was top it off with fluid but they told me they had to rebuild the transmission and they fixed the leaks. It's leaking worse now. I am getting an Attorney! $2, 000 and the work was never completed correctly. I am so angry and i feel like holding a sign out front of Cottman Transmission with a sign reading "do not take your car to this place, they will rip you off"! I am planning to contact my local news about it. I feel they stole $2, 000 from me!

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1:18 pm EDT

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care bad place to fix your car

It was a waste of time and money.!I have a German car. They change wrong part. They use a word "warranty" as a sales pitch! Nothing they do... have a warranty.

Second opinion (with the German Car specialist) confirmed than... a different part need to be replaced. We made a few trips to the Cottman Total Auto Care. I had the same pitching noise before and AFTER auto repair! But they were very vocal to convince me (female) that I really need to change part that they did... Plus (!) the part that making noise. And I need to pay once more.

I do not think this place is good for non domestic cars.

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5:42 am EDT

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care someone's lying and wants a lot of money the wrong way

Ok, I take back every nice thing I said about Cottman's auto shop. Im grateful that they do inspections for free, the problem is that they lie about car inspections. I just got home from two very different mechanic shops. Cottman's said that the clutches were completely busted and we needed a new transmission rebuilt, which would cost us $2800.00 plus. Bessinger Motors said that they didnt find anything wrong with the transmission and if the transmission needed to be completely rebuilt, then the car wouldnt go any where but neutral. Both mechanic shops test drove it around the exact same time frame and I told Bessinger Motors that the problem really happens in the morning when I first drive it and he said he needed to duplicate it the next morning when he first drove it...

Someone's lying and wants a lot of money the wrong way...I think its Cottmas's. What a wake up call.

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Frank Toscano
,
Mar 17, 2008 8:38 am EDT

I went to Cottmann Transmission with a 1996 Ford f-250... It needed a complete rebuild... I offered to pay an ADITIONAL $500 for upgraded parts to have a stronger more durable Trans... The Transmission lasted about 15 months... with less than 18, 000 miles... DEAN the jerk that runs the place would not warranty it buy saying I only got his basic trans service with a 1 yr warranty... and wanted me to pay for the parts AGAIN and he would do the labor... The main problem with that is I already paid for the parts and he never even installed ANY upgraded parts... If he did I would have had FORDS NEW VERSION PUMP... which is what failed... and The old pump was still in my Trans when it was taken out by someone else!

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8:05 am EDT

Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care terrible service

I was having some transmission prolbems and I contacted Cottman (Phx Az) at which time they towed my car to their shop.I recieved a call from the shop manager a short time later stating that it was going to cost almost $400.00 to diagnosis the prolbem and then 'we could go from there", but somthing "is broken inside". I contacted another shop and took my car there to get it looked at...it was a speed sensor.Cottman Transmission is a rip off and should be put out of business. It is sad to think that it is that easy to take advantage of someone...

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7:36 am EDT
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care took $2,937.. but never fixed the problem

Terry Comfy, Manager
Julian Baston, Owner

I do not recommend this shop. They are somewhat friendly but are technically incapable of performing quality work. They are also very expensive.

In July 2009 we took our 2003 Volvo to Cottman's with a hard shift problem in to/out of 2nd & 3rd. They estimated what was needed to repair and my fiance agreed to $2, 973 to fix the hard shift problem.

We have since taken it back at least 3 more times, none of which did more than improve the shifting temporarily.

Last month, I contacted Cottman's Transmission corporate asking for a refund since the shop obviously could not repair the original problem. Shortly after that, the shop owner, Julian Baston finally called me. He took a test drive with me and verified the hard shift problem remained.

He asked to have one more chance before a full refund. Despite the time and trouble already cost us, I agreed..but on the condition the work - whatever he thinks it needs - be performed at a Volvo dealership at his expense. After 4 tries, I think we have seen that his shop is not able to get this done.

Mr. Baston agreed to pay for some of the work but not all. Why when these are his recommendations? Personally, we would just like the shifting fixed.

So, we are without our money...without our nice running Volvo...and with almost a year's worth of shop trips and hard shifting.

I will be glad to answer any questions you have to help you make a quality decision. These are expensive repairs and you should have all the facts.

Thank you,
Karl Sexton
[protected]@yahoo.com

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SamJones1
High Point, US
Feb 08, 2015 7:35 pm EST
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All Cottman's are the same... They all suck and will steal your money and do subpar work! the Cottman in Greensboro NC is one of the very worst! it is owned by Fred Bowen who also owns several other stores and s far as i can tell, they all suck! Mr Bowen must not be anymore honest as his scummy managers Tim and Jody... Dont get taken by these crooks

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3:37 pm EST
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care incompetent repair

My Tahoe stopped moving on the freeway and we had it towed to Cottman Transmission. After testing, they said it had an internal transmission problem and after several days they said they had fixed it by replacing the torgue converter and giving the transmission a complete overhaul. This repair was stated to have a 6 month guarantee. My request for the old torgue converter parts was refused saying "they had been picked up by the "removal" people." I paid $2900 for this repair. After two days, the car did exactly the same thing on the highway and my sick wife barely got home with it. After 4 days, they announced the master brake cylinder was bad and that would cost another 460 to fix. When I argued that this should be covered under the original repair warranty, Kirsten Aldeen, the manager said that "Oh, no, that just covers the transmission. The master cylinder problem was what caused the transmission problem." Again no old parts were there for examination. My only recourse is suing them. Complete incompetence and probably organizing a local boycott.

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Automan
Burlington, US
Feb 25, 2010 9:05 pm EST

Would it be asking too much for you to be a little more specific? While your complaint may or may not be valid, Cottman has over 100 centers nationwide. Is there a sepcific city and state involved, or are you complaining just to complain?

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5:16 pm EDT
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care rip off company

I have heard a lot of good reviews about Cottman Transmission Center Many people say that it is the best they came across. I wouldn't say so. After hearing the good reviews I thought of trying them out but I had made a terrible mistake by doing that.

The experience I and my family had with Cottman has been worse than expected. We never thought that they would be one of those rip off companies but after this experience we realized how wrong we were. We had given our car in for a transmission service. The car was not ready on the day they had promised to give it back. Not only that they day we got the car back it was not cleaned after their service. They had left all the stains and grease as it was. There was grease on the door the dash board the windshield and also on the steering wheel. Moreover the car had 20 miles more than what it was when we dropped it off there for service. I would not recommend Cottman to anyone for anything.

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Serge Privalov
,
Nov 27, 2007 12:00 am EST

Want to be talked down to by a sales hack using your first name every five seconds trying to sell you a $2,000-plus new transmission whether you need it or not? No? Then go somewhere else. Don't go to Aberdeen Sunoco in Wayne either - they send people to these con men.

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SamJones1
High Point, US
Feb 08, 2015 8:08 pm EST
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Cottman Transmission is a total Scam! The 20 miles was to the junk yard where the bought the $200 transmission that they charged you $2300 for! This entire company should be out of business especially the stores in North Carolina owned by Fred Bowen!

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Racer Dan
, US
Nov 18, 2009 7:17 pm EST

I agree with the comments made by another person. Test drive explains 20 miles, especially if they test drove it before and after the repairs were done.

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ChicagoBill
Chicago Heights, US
Aug 31, 2009 11:47 am EDT

I'm not really sure what this person is complaining about...

1) Car took longer to fix.
Okay, did they contact you to let you know that the repairs would take longer than expected? Okay, sometimes that happens. Was there a reason (parts delay, unexpected issue once the transmission was pulled apart, etc) that was given?

2) Car dirty.
You're right it would be nicer to have given the car back clean but sometimes this doesn't even happen when I bring my car to the car dealer.

3) 20 miles driven.
This is a GOOD thing. It means that the shop actually test drove the car to be sure that it was fixed correctly.

The poster doesn't even say which Cottman he brought his car to.

There is something a little phoney about the posting.

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12:05 pm EDT
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care deceptive advertising & pricing

Beware the "Free" Diagnostic Scam!

This shop doubles the list price of parts in order to make up for the time they spend inspecting your car for free.

I asked twice in advance for the cost of the repair and didn't get an answer until the job was complete. I couldn't dispute the charges until it was too late. I never gave approval to proceed with the repair since they wouldn't tell me the cost.

When I picked up the car, I brought a printout with pricing from two Acura dealerships. The list price for the part was $66.93. Cottman charged me $124.46. When I presented my information and expressed my concern, the counter person became rude, argumentative and extremely obnoxious. At one point waving my paperwork saying, "you can't come in here at the end of the day with this bull-#*% questioning our prices!" Even a discount coupon printed from their website was tossed to the side and not honored.

There was no manager at the shop during this exchange.

I will never do business with Cottman again. I strongly urge others to avoid this rip-off operation.

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Racer Dan
, US
Nov 18, 2009 7:12 pm EST

OK, lets see. Cottman buys a part from the same place you got the price, and you expect them to sell it to you at their cost, and warranty it too? And you pay by credit card?

Many consumers do not understand that businesses must sell the things they offer to customers for a profit, to pay for overhead, taxes, rent, electricity, heat, etc.

Many times a dealer does not offer the jobber a discount, or just a small discount. I know of shops that regularly mark up parts 4 times their cost. Some do 2 1/2 times, or 3 times.

You might have paid by credit card, too. This costs them 2 to 6% of every dollar, too. All part of why parts are marked up. If the part fails due to no fault of theirs, they still have to warranty it and do it over, FREE. The car dealership does not pay labor to replace their own defective parts, so the shop has to mark up parts some to cover labor on any warranty that is not their fault as well.

If you do not want to pay for someone to do a car repair and mark up parts they use to fix your car, then you need to do it yourself. Anyone who does it at cost will not be in business, especially with the government charging them for all kinds of licenses, fees, and charges to do business like workers comp insurance, liability insurance, etc.

Sorry you are unhappy, but this is the cost of being a consumer. EVERY business marks up their products. Jewelry stores mark theirs up 3 times or more. Restaurants mark up drinks 5 times or more. Popcorn and drinks at the movie? Try 100 times or more!

I also noticed you did not compliment them for their labor rate, which is probably $30 or more an hour LESS than the dealer if I guess right.

No, I am not connected to this shop, either. Just a better informed consumer who understands ever busienss has to mark up what they sell.

You might quit shopping at Walmart, too. They mark up everything they sell above what they pay for it, too. As a matter of fact, you better quit buying anything anywhere, so you wont get screwed anymore!

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5:57 am EDT
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Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care terrible experience

The long and short of it is that I believe Cottman Transmission tried to rip me off by having me agree to a complete transmission replacement when all that was needed was a fluid change/transmission service. I was driving along when my car started having some driving issues and the light came on. I pulled over, turned off the car and restarted it without incident. I went somewhere to have them check the code, which came up that the transmission fluid was dirty.

I went to Cottman with the intention of using their special and having my transmission serviced via fluid change, etc. I was taken into the shop and shown the car transmission pan, which did indeed look to have dirty fluid. The guy explained to me that although it may not be much or hard to see, there were some small bits of metal in the fluid and that meant the transmission needed to be replaced. I started to panic. What I thought was going to be the cost of a simple service, turned out to be a major transmission job to the tune of $1600 min.

The guy seemed real nice while explaining all the financial aid/payment options, etc., but his tune seemed to change after I called my husband. My husband told me that it did not sound right and we would get a second opinion. I informed the Cottman representative of what we intended to do and then it started.

He apparently tried to warn me that my transmission could go out at any time, leaving me and my children stranded, and that I may be taking a huge risk unnecessarily when they had it on the rack and could have it done for me in a few days. I insisted that my husband was now going to be handling it and I asked that they put my car back together so that I might leave. They told me that they would clean the pan and would add some fluid so that it might help make it less likely that it would go out on me within the next few days but no guarantees.

I left devastated and panicked. My husband and I went to another shop that we trusted and we were told the pan had not been cleaned, it was low on fluid, but more importantly all that was needed was a transmission service. We had the transmission serviced (and regularly since then) and have not had any issues out of our transmission nearly 3 YEARS/ over 100k mi. later.

Based on my own perceived experience, I would never go back to nor advise anyone to go to Cottman transmission for any automotive repair service. I truly hope this saves someone the same bad experience I had or could have really had. Thank you and GOD Bless!

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Use this comments board to leave complaints and reviews about Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care. Discuss the issues you have had with Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care and work with their customer service team to find a resolution.