ComplaintsforBrownies Independent Transmission

• Initial Complaint

  06/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I feel like my transmission Is still not fixed 100 percent

  

  Business response

  07/10/2024

  *** ***** brought his 2015 Impala to us on 5/14/24 and complained “barely pulls”.  His Impala would totally “Stop Pulling”.  He authorized Brownies to rebuild his transmission and it now pulls the car.  However, we told him he needed his brakes worked on.  He still does!   Even though we drove the car over a few days and by several different technicians, we were unable to replicate any transmission issues.  The car does need brakes, which may or may not be related to the customer’s complaint.  The vehicle was returned to *** *****, and he still maintains a 100% warranty on parts and labor for his transmission if any issues arise in the time frame and mileage of the warranty.
   We wish him well.
  Respectfully,
  *** ***** Owner

• Initial Complaint

  01/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Started at 8/6/23. Truck was never fixed right. Paid over $2900 for 1st repair that was unsatisfactory. Took truck back 3 more times paying $299 for air flow system. Paid $100 deductible. Was told warranty expired when that was not the case.

  

  Business response

  01/22/2024

  January 22, 2023
  
  Dear BBB:
  Thank you for your correspondence dated 1-16-24 regarding *** ******** truck.
  *** ****** dropped his truck off on 9-16-22 with after market national warranty coverage.  We determined his transmission needed to be rebuilt with new parts and clutches and updates installed.  His provided warranty company would only pay for a used, junk yard transmission to be installed with a 12 month warranty which *** ****** approved.  His warranty company did pay for the used transmission and *** ****** paid his deductible.  *** ****** brought his Silverado back, 11 months later, complaining of how the transmission was working.  Our technician diagnosed a bad mass air flow assembly which *** ****** approved $299.30 in repairs and drove off with his truck running well.  *** ******** warranty company totally denied the claim for this repair.  The truck returned 12-22-23 with issues.  The 12 month warranty on the used transmission had expired by more than 3 months at this time.  The warranty company that *** ****** purchased denied his new claim for any further work stating they felt the mass air flow sensor was the reason for the transmissions current issue.  We fought hard for *** ****** but ultimately our work and the used transmission was out of warranty by over 3 months and the junk yard would not warranty any longer than the 12 months on their used transmission.  We wish *** ****** well and we would always recommend to “rebuild” not install a “used” transmission in any vehicle – you get what you pay for!
  Respectfully submitted,
  *** *****
  Owner

  Customer response

  01/24/2024

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ******

• Initial Complaint

  03/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On March 11 2022, my transmission went out. I took it to Brownies Independent Transmission to be checked on Match 12 2022. When I first spoken to the Manager ***, I explain how this was an emergency that my car be fixed as soon as possible. He then told me that due to Covid and delays in parts the turn around time is 2 weeks. We agreed to the time and price. A week went by and I called the manager too see how the progress was coming along. Short rude answers. So out of curiosity I started to call other mechanic shops around my area to see what a normal turnaround time was for my vehicle problem. Something was just starting to feel wrong I contacted 4 different shops and they all said this type of repair was a 3 to 5 day repair. So I immediately contacted the manager and said this is unacceptable I will have another repair shop fix my car. After some back and fourth he said he would lower the price to repair my car and have it completed by Monday March 28th. Monday came and I didn’t hear anything so I contacted the manager, 2 hours later he called me back and said they were having some air compressor problems and my car wouldn’t be ready till March 29th at his ex at words lunchtime. I called March 29th at 2:00 pm and guess what it’s delayed again! As a consumer I feel completely lost I don’t know what to do, I’ve tried contacting other higher authorities and have gotten no where. Each day that they have my car cost me additional money for a car rental that I am currently paying out of pocket. My insurance doesn’t offer car rentals unless I was involved in an accident. I just don’t know what to do or where to begin right now. They should be making this right instead I’m at their mercy at this point.

  

  Business response

  04/06/2022

  Dear Mrs. *******

  We understand going without your vehicle is frustrating and the expenses of major mechanical repairs can cause stress on your family.  We do our best at Brownies to get your vehicle back to you in the shortest period of time possible.  The 3-5 day repair time average does not take into consideration the many customers that arrived for service before you as we work on a first come first serve basis which is most fair for our valued customers, and yes the pandemic has caused many parts delay and delivery delays for all fields of repair and construction fields due to worker shortages and other factors, and yes it is true our air compressor failed which also slowed down our operation for several days.  Steve at White Allen Chevrolet said GM has been struggling getting parts and had waited 2 months for a similar transmission.

  Predicting a completion date for a major technical repair is a goal but not a guarantee as there are many factors involved.  We actually did get your vehicle returned to you at a two-week arrival to departure time which is respectable with all facts considered.

  We value you and all our customers, and we strive for total customer satisfaction in all that we do.  Knowing that you were concerned about the timing of your vehicles repairs, the manager, ***, extended our normal warranty from a 12 month/12,000 mile to a 18 month/18,000 mile at no additional charge, along with finding after we quoted you on the original repairs your valve body needed replaced and again, ***, went ahead and bought at a cost to us of $375.00 and installed a new valve body at our expense, not yours!  Because our manager *** values your business, he extended your warranty by 6 months/6,000 miles and purchased, again at a cost to us of $375.00, and installed a new valve body, again at no cost to you.

  The cost at the dealer would be $4083.00 + tax where we only charged $2000.00 + tax for a special deal for you.

  Respectfully submitted,

  *** *****

  Owner

  Customer response

  04/15/2022

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: *** took my right away to make a proper decision for my family and what was best for us financially. When another business is quoting us 2,000 with a 18month/ 18,000 warranty and the job completed by that Monday. So that we weren’t eating additional cost of a rental. Ask yourself what decision would you make? However, when *** said he could match that. We stayed with you guys. Come to find out you couldn’t stay true to your word. “Air compressor”. I have so many complaints about ***. And the way he handle business and customers. But at this point it’s pointless. You didn’t do me a favor but eating the value price. You cost me that 2x in the rental alone. It never seemed like my satisfaction was Browines concern until I started to throw a fit. Also if you have it stated in a pamphlet to ask too see your old parts why when I asked *** for them it was too “ late”? 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩