The Transmission Source

Finally found an honest mechanic!
Went in for what I thought was a major transmission leak since I recently had the ATF pan gasket replaced (at another shop… which I will no longer go back to), Don (the owner) takes a look and tell me that it’s still the ATF pan gasket — fixes the problem at ½ the price I paid to have it done just 6 weeks earlier. Should’ve come here in the first place! On top of that, Don’s a super nice guy… I’ll be bring my cars here from now on!

Bear with this seemingly-​rant, it is back story for context about how Don communicated and delivered on his word. We brought our 2003 Honda Accord (155,000mi) to Don for a quote AFTER a transmission shop in San Marcos miscommunicated that there is a $ 99 charge to make a diagnosis about some problem with the transmission which cannot be specifically diagnosed until you spend $ 2800-​$ 3400 to repair it. Yes, a $ 99 diagnostic to tell us «we don’t know what it will cost or what exactly is wrong with it until we take the transmission out.» This business at the time had 20+reviews and 4.5stars.
They were unwilling to acknowledge any possible miscommunication on their part and just stated that they do «honest work here». Zero communication was given to us about how the diagnostic provided value to us. They just stated «we don’t work for free». We had no question about their honesty or that an honest days work warrants an honest days pay, we questioned how they went about communicating what they would and did do when we dropped the car off for a quote. Nonetheless, we did not acquiesce to their charge because we clearly asked for a quote rather than a bs pseudo-​diagnostic which provided no new information and no value to us; additionally, they refused to acknowledge that they might have miscommunicated. They did not respond by reflecting or trying to recall the conversation they had with my wife.
Had they actually communicated they were going to run a $ 99 diagnostic, we would have never taken it for a quote. Given this uncomfortable experience, I was doubting the value for integrity and forthrightness in the transmission industry. I referenced Unilocal,and saw Don had 3 reviews, but 5Stars so I called him. Quality beats quantity most always:)
From the start and over the phone he quoted me a competitive transmission rebuild. Since this repair was out of our budget I asked him if there were any other alternatives to fixing the problem. I clearly communicated the breakage I heard when the transmission failed to shift into third gear and he asked me to come by so he could check it out.
I came by, Don communicated a possible issue and communicated a clear route to reach a mutually beneficial cost. We agreed on a price before any work was done and communicated possible factors and confidence that he could fix it.
He also communicated a clear timeline and made extra effort to get our car back to us since its our only transportation that my wife can drive-​I have a moto.
Don fixed it, gave a warranty on the transmission; which he believe he didn’t have to do since its not a complete build and he helped us get back to normal.
Everything about communicating with him was clear and stated with honesty and consideration of various possible factors at hand. No bs pseudo-​diagnostic no doubts about how he saw what needed to be done to fix it proper.
I perceive Don to value fixing something well and doing so with expertise and a clear plan. I believe that our experience with Don is what every mechanical repair enquiry and resolution should look like. And, I wish everyone could experience business with the values we share.
Please note I’ve conducted over 500 hours of face to face counseling and hold a Masters Degree in counseling from John Brown University; so, I have a good bit of experience communicating with all types of individuals and circumstances. Miscommunication happens to the best of us, but one’s response to communication informs others of their intention and values. I believe mutually-​beneficial value warrants monetary reciprocation:)
I am glad to have given a handshake and applied trust in Don’s word; it feels good to know a reliable and honest transmission mechanic.
Thanks Don!
Dustin & Stephanie

I came in here having heard that the mythical honest transmission guy had been spotted in the area… crazytalk I know but I figured I’d check the place out just to see. What I found was a guy who seriously deserves ten stars. Don is about as straight a shooter as you are going to come across. He got my transmission fully rebuilt, a nice big oil cooler, and my AC recharged in a day or two and charged me $ 200 less for all of it than I paid a not so honest transmission guy for a rebuild that blew up on me in less than 5000 miles. I seriously can’t recommend this place enough and wouldn’t take my vehicles anywhere else in Southern California. If you need transmission work, and are looking for a guy that won’t do work that’s not necessary, will fix fixable things that don’t need to be replaced instead of just replacing them and will shoot you a great deal for the things that do. This is your guy, hands down.

Great customer service. Reasonable rates. Highly recommend. Easy to locate. Brought my vehicle in for check engine light. Got an honest quote and work complete in a Fay.

Don is AMAZING!!! I cant say enough good things about him!!! Great work done quickly and he is actually HONEST!!! He is the only one i trust with my truck’s transmission!!!