J&M’s Transmission Clinic

This has been a terrible experience that has lasted nearly two weeks. But what car repair experience ever is enjoyable? Day 1: I took my car in on a Thursday at noon. Everyone except for two people had gone to lunch and the guy at the desk had me write down my name, phone #, car make/​model, and color. 5:45pm came around and I hadn’t heard anything from them so I called to see what was happening. They said they were closing in 15 minutes and that they didn’t get a chance to look at the car. They kept the car for the night.
Day 2: I went into the shop at around 1pm to see what was happening. They said they had been shy a few people and that they still hadn’t looked at the car. I said alright, but please call me and give me some updates on what’s going on and how long you’ll have the car. Later that day they called me and said they did the diagnostics and that something was wrong with the transmission. (Duh, that’s why I came to you. Pep Boys had changed my oil a month prior and it had started to leak oil from the rear master seal, so they wouldn’t fix it). I said alright what’s next? They said well we’ve got to open it up and see what’s going on but so far you’re at $ 349.00. I assumed this was the final number for the price of the services or what the end estimated cost would be. I saw on their website that they had free diagnostics and I printed off a coupon for $ 100.00 off so I thought this was a great deal. The man then said «so you want us to go ahead with the work then?» I said yes, great get it done.
They’re closed on Saturday’s so they wouldn’t be able to continue work till Monday. Monday came and I didn’t hear anything. So I called at about 4:00pm. They said that they didn’t get a chance to look at the car that day and that I was next in line. Wednesday comes and I ask for an update. They say they didn’t get a chance to look at the car again. Thursday comes and I call and they say that they’re going to have to replace a pump, valve body, belt, and put a new kit (seals, papers, oil) and that my new total was now $ 3448.18 plus tax! I said this is a lot more than I thought it was going to be. Jerry then said, «hmmm let me look here… AH that’s right you had a coupon for 100 off. You’re right it should be $ 3348.18 plus tax. I said no… the last number I heard was $ 349.00. NO one ever told me an estimate or anything. I said what are my options? Jerry said I could go with used parts but that it was a gamble to do it that way. I said, so you’ve only left me with one option. I then said stop, just put everything back together and I’ll trade the car in for a new one. He then said they didn’t have my original parts anymore and it would be $ 2300.00 just to put the transmission back together so that I could trade it. I said, so either way i’m putting a huge investment into the car? Fine, put everything in a box I’m going to have the Mazda dealer come pick up the car and they’re going to fix it with the same warranty and for the same price. He then said that he would lower the price of the rebuild $ 150.00. I just got married and graduated two months ago so my school loans are going to start coming in and enjoyed the thought of saving money. So I took the offer. This conversation took place on Wednesday (a little over a week later). They went ahead and ordered the parts. Friday came and I called early that morning hoping I could get the car that day. Curt said he was in the process of building it and would have it in by Monday which it was, (just shy of two weeks).
Pros: They are friendly and reasonable. Jerry works hard to keep you happy. The price was competitive and accurate compared to the Mazda dealer and AMCO estimates. Worked with me to get a lower price than their competitors. Offered to have me go directly through their extended warranty company to get lower price. ATRA certified/​warranted
Cons: They gave me no option but to pay them a lot of money. Never gave me an estimate or accurate price quote. Poor communication, I had to call for any information I received. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
FYI: Every transmission is different. Every repair job may be different, and it depends on if your car is a foreign import or American made (cheaper). For future reference shop around for best price, don’t give permission to do work unless you have a $$ estimate (exact or ball park).

Great guys, taking your car to get fixed is never fun, but the guys at J and M’s will make it far less painful.

Friendly service and helpful. Curt even gave me a good referral for the real problem with my car.