Transmission repair

[BruceBruce]

I am having my transmission repaired at a localshop. I was originally quoted $1200 for the repair job. After paying $500 deposit, they raised the price to $1695.They said that it needed a new cooler. The problem with the transmission is as follows-
It was stolen, and found abandoned the same day it was stolen. The police had it towed to the pound for investigation. The police had no keys to put it in neutral, and the towing service that was used is the kind of truck that pulls the vehicle on 2 wheels. In the pound, my car was parked with the rear against the fence- meaning my car was towed in park, on the rear wheels (rear wheel drive car). When i put the car in gear, it's like being in neutral. In all gears. I checked the fluid, it was completely empty. After putting fluid, i called the repair shop to come get it. My question is..How much should I be paying? I think $1695 is completely rediculous. Also, since I've already paid the $500 how do I go about getting that back and getting my car in another shop? I need help fast. Thank you.

[FormulaLT1]

What year car? and if they quoted you amount and then changed it, tell them you are bringing your car somewhere else have it towed if you have to. They have to give you your deposit back minus the towing. What type of tranny service are they doing?

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by BruceBruce

I am having my transmission repaired at a localshop. I was originally quoted $1200 for the repair job. After paying $500 deposit, they raised the price to $1695.They said that it needed a new cooler. The problem with the transmission is as follows-
It was stolen, and found abandoned the same day it was stolen. The police had it towed to the pound for investigation. The police had no keys to put it in neutral, and the towing service that was used is the kind of truck that pulls the vehicle on 2 wheels. In the pound, my car was parked with the rear against the fence- meaning my car was towed in park, on the rear wheels (rear wheel drive car). When i put the car in gear, it's like being in neutral. In all gears. I checked the fluid, it was completely empty. After putting fluid, i called the repair shop to come get it. My question is..How much should I be paying? I think $1695 is completely rediculous. Also, since I've already paid the $500 how do I go about getting that back and getting my car in another shop? I need help fast. Thank you.

Transmission shops are the worst,they will always charge you more than they quoted you, cause they have your car, so what are you going to do!? You will pay them to get your car back.i hate these people, the only good one I knew closed after 40 years in business, since then I have not met an honest transmission guy. I#m also afraid you won't get your 500 back, sounds like the car is in the shop already and they will tell you that they already worked on the car, and for $1695 I'm thinking you could have bought a new one....

[BruceBruce]

The car is a 1994 Firebird. It currently has some damage to the front-end. It needs a new bumper cover cause it was wrecked by the thieves. It's also missing a driver-side window and the CD player. Good condition, the car would sell for about $2500. However the shape that it is in now, I'd be lucky to get $1700 for it. I think I will just cut my losses and tell the transmission repairman face to face to take the $500 and shove it up his crooked ass. I can put $1200 on another car..a V8. Tell me what you think. Also, if anyone needs a Firebird, u can pay the bill and have the car.

This is a lesson learned. I guarantee this will not happen again.
Thanks for the help.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by BruceBruce

The car is a 1994 Firebird. It currently has some damage to the front-end. It needs a new bumper cover cause it was wrecked by the thieves. It's also missing a driver-side window and the CD player. Good condition, the car would sell for about $2500. However the shape that it is in now, I'd be lucky to get $1700 for it. I think I will just cut my losses and tell the transmission repairman face to face to take the $500 and shove it up his crooked ass. I can put $1200 on another car..a V8. Tell me what you think. Also, if anyone needs a Firebird, u can pay the bill and have the car.

This is a lesson learned. I guarantee this will not happen again.
Thanks for the help.

I would not give up on my money that quick yet. Have you talked to the shop yet about cancelling the job? You might want to remind them that there is thing called the better business bureau...

[FormulaLT1]

The better business bureau will just file a complaint against them, which will just sit in a file. I would sue them in small claims, sure it will be a pain in the ass with court dates and what not but better then letting some scam artist walk away with your money. Just my .