I, RJ, am the owner of a 2003 Hyundai Accent. On the evening of November 29th, 2010 I began experiencing some issues with my vehicle as it began to idle rough and the check engine light came on. The following day, November 30th, 2010 I saw that Aamco Transmissions was advertising a deal in which they would investigate your check engine issues free. That afternoon, I took in the aforementioned vehicle to the Aamco located at 3019 W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa FL 33614 and explained the situation to the Customer Service Manager at the Aamco - Mr. Murry Green. After using the computer to scan the vehicle, he notified me that the computer read that there were multiple misfires in the vehicle, but could not pinpoint the situation. He then informed me that for $90 or 1 Hours labor, he could take the cover off of the motor and further investigate the situation. I agreed (without signing any paperwork) and left the vehicle in his possession for the night and my girlfriend, AR, then picked me up and took me home. Today, December 1st 2010, Mr. Green phoned me while I was at work at approximately 8:50 AM and informed me that the vehicle's motor was in need of a major tune up and that both CV Axles (front right and front left) needed to be replaced. He informed me that the total bill would be approximately $900. He informed me that he'd have to order special parts for the vehicle, and I naturally assumed that the order time for the parts would be a day, at the very least. I then told him that if I decided to have the work done, I would have it done all at one time. I also informed him that money was an issue at the time, and he stated that if that was the case, Aamco had financing available for 12 months same as cash. He asked if I had good credit and I told him that last I checked I did. He then asked for the last four digits of my social security number in order to finish up the call. I presumed that this information was used for the financing application. Later on in that day, around 4:00 PM, Mr. Green phoned once again and informed me the vehicle was complete. My girlfriend, AR, then picked me up from work and we headed over to the Aamco in order to pick up the vehicle and arrived around 4:30 only to find out that the car had already been worked on, without my signing any documentation to authorize the work, and that the bill came to approximately $909.00 I then confronted Mr. Green asking why the work was done on the vehicle when I hadn't agreed to it. I had every intention of picking up my vehicle on this same afternoon and taking it to a second mechanic for a second opinion. Mr. Green wouldn't relinquish my vehicle stating that I had authorized the work by giving him the last four digits of my social. I didn't agree with this as he never asked me for any form of identification, so he couldn't know if I was even RJ, and also for the simple fact that I could have made up any combination of four digits to form as the last four of my social. I attempted to place a phone complaint with Aamco Transmissions Headquarters but their office had already closed at the time, so I left a message. Upon leaving the location, I noticed a poster on the wall of the establishment that was from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The poster on the wall specifically stated: "If the repair work will cost more than $100, the repair shop must give you the option of: Requesting a written estimate; Being notified by the shop if the repair exceeds an amount you specify; or Not requiring a written estimate at all." I was given none of these options. I then placed a call to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, but their offices too were closed. Mr. Murry Green is now holding my vehicle without authorization at the Aamco Transmission located at 3019 W. Hillsborough Ave Tampa FL 33614. |