When sourcing used auto parts, especially critical components like engines and transmissions, reliability is paramount. My recent experiences with A-abco Fridley Auto Parts Car Parts have unfortunately highlighted significant concerns regarding their part quality and warranty support, prompting this cautionary review for fellow mechanics and car enthusiasts.
Over the past six months, I have purchased approximately five units, including engines and transmissions, from A-Abco Fridley Auto Parts. Regrettably, a concerning number of these parts have proven to be defective, each requiring extensive labor – upwards of 8 to 10 hours – for installation, only to fail shortly after. This pattern of faulty parts has led to substantial wasted time and resources, prompting me to invest in their labor warranty coverage for my most recent transmission purchase, hoping to mitigate potential losses.
Despite assurances from A-Abco Fridley Auto Parts that the transmission was “tested and good,” installation revealed severe issues. The unit exhibited slipping and slow shifting, rapidly deteriorating to the point of complete shifting failure. After dedicating ten hours to the installation, the part was undeniably defective. Seeking recourse through their warranty, I encountered further disappointment. The warranty, costing $170, promises labor coverage at a rate of $45 per hour, capped at $500. However, in my case, they only approved $360, effectively yielding a mere $190 after the warranty purchase. Factoring in the additional $40 for a new filter and gasket (as the original, installed with the faulty part, was unusable) and $70 for replacement transmission fluid (drained during removal), the warranty barely covered $80 of the labor costs for a job exceeding eight hours, which now needed to be repeated.
Adding insult to injury, the prospect of receiving another potentially faulty core unit for replacement looms. Expressing my mounting concerns to A-Abco Fridley Auto Parts led me to “John,” seemingly the primary point of contact for resolving issues with problematic parts. His resolution was limited to a full refund for the defective transmission, which, while appreciated, fails to address the significant ancillary costs incurred. This refund does not compensate for the additional parts purchased, nor does it account for the 15+ hours of wasted labor invested in installing and removing their “tested and good” transmission.
When questioning the testing procedures, given the repeated instances of receiving faulty units – including engines with no compression – John’s demeanor shifted to dismissive, abruptly ending the call, attributing my legitimate inquiries to mere anger and implying that no further explanation was warranted.
Based on these repeated negative experiences, I strongly advise against purchasing critical mechanical parts from A-Abco Fridley Auto Parts. The risk of receiving substandard, untested cores appears unacceptably high. Furthermore, relying on their warranty for meaningful labor cost recovery seems ill-advised, with payout structures suggesting a lack of confidence in their parts’ reliability. Customer service interactions offer minimal support, leaving customers to bear the brunt of wasted time and additional expenses. While initially attributing the first few instances to the inherent risks of used parts, the consistent pattern suggests a systemic issue. Proceed with extreme caution and consider sourcing your car parts elsewhere to avoid similar costly and time-consuming setbacks.
