I was referred to Checkmark Transmissions by another Shop that shouldn't be named because they will no longer be referring work there.
I called and spoke with who presented themselves as the owner of Checkmark Transmissions. I told him the make and model of my vehicle and asked for a quote on the least to most expensive expecting to be told the most expensive after diagnosis was complete.
I fully understand what it takes to rebuild a transmission as I have grown up in a transmission shop. You see my father owned a Transmission shops and I was regularly involved.
After getting the lowest price for their most expensive fix I agreed based on the recommendation from my other shop to send my car there. I sent the tow truck and got a call from the tow company that it had arrived. That was the last time I heard about my car for 5 days. The shop never bothered to call. They had my information that I had given them when I called to let them know it was being towed over.
After 5 days I gave them a call only to find out that it was nearly complete. That I would be able to pick my car up the next day. I Asked how much it would be? " $2000" the man replied. "What was wrong with it?" I asked. "The whole thing was all tore up inside" was his response. "Were you ever going to call me after diagnosing the problem to give me a chance to explore my options?" I asked. " I thought you wanted it fixed?" he replied.
I could have bought a used transmission and had him install it. That would have saved me $500.
I told him that I had no way of preparing for this bill other than his "Most expensive quote". That he should at least have called me and let me know what was wrong with it and allowed me a chance to decide whether I even wanted him to do the work or not.
Upset I Laid into the guy. I didn't cuss him out like I had wanted. but he got an earfull.
His retort- My daughter just had a baby that she abandoned at the hospital and my wife and I have to get our grandchild back from the state so it won't be adopted out or reabondoned by my daughter again.
So that's it. Your Apology is an Excuse.