Getting ripped off? HELP!

Trying to help a younger family member. The car is a 97 Camry that had transmission problems. Normally I stay away from dealers so when asked I suggested a local shop might be a better choice.  Next thing I know these guys sold him a "used" transmission with a 6 month warranty. Of course it didn''t end there - new water pump, battery and then of course the timing chain, another charge to "reset the circuits" and a smog test that is now worthless. More than $3,000k later and a 20 minutes drive down the road the check engine light came on.  They continued to drive it home and we took it to a local mechanic that found the code: P0770 Shift Solenoid E Malfunction.

Drove it back to the shop - 3 hours away a week later. This time I went along for the ride after checking this # out online. I asked if they had tested the transmission before installing it (the part is covered but labor is not!) I also asked if the shift solenoid could be replaced under the warranty. The Service manager told us it was not serviceable (internal) and they would have to check the error code for themselves. We spent the night at Mom''s and the next day they called - the transmission they put in was "bad" and it would have to be replaced ($1,000 labor!) When we got to the shop and I started complaining - they said this was only the 4th time in over 12 years they ever had this happen. I continued to press them and low and behold they did some more "research" and found the part was serviceable after all and it would be ~ 200.00 in labor to change it out. This seemed much better option but I also asked what was the guarantee - none of course - aren''t capable enough to stand behind there work - Did they screw the other 4 people too? Test the new part before installing it but said it couldn''t be tested farther than ohms until it was installed

Man posting here is a real pain - not working very well!

can''t post jack!

Now they are suggesting another "used" transmission. I think this is TOTAL B.S. and I am ready to go back again and scream at them. I think they are totally taking advantage of us and learning at our expense even though they claim to be "experts" at Toyotas and Hondas. 

Is it a dealer who replaced the transmission or the local shop? Shift solenoid should not be $200 in labor I''''m thinking. Solenoids are in the trans oil pan. Drain pan, remove pan, unscrew solenoid, replace solenoid, replace pan, top up trans oil. You might have case for small claims court, but it may depend on the warranty your family member signed. You could replace the solenoid yourself if you know which one. There are three, lock-up, shift 1 and shift 2. Did they tell you which one? they''re not hard to test on the vehicle either. 

Yes, posting is difficult.  Suggest short posts.

This is shift solenoid E or SL (depending on how Toyota calls it out).

Controls torque converter lock up.  Can access by dropping the pan. 

Solenoid might be bad, bad wiring or the valve just needs cleaning.

Was this a Toyota dealer, if not who was it.  The Camry does not have a timing chain.

Have you read the warranty?  You might check state laws for recourse, paid by CC, check out if filling a request for chargeback is possible.

But might not be possible given the 100 mile radius rule, call the CC company.

Unfortunately this happens, go in for free tire rotation and they state the car needs a complete brake job.  They charge an arm and leg then botch the job.  Perhaps they only had those 4 customers.  

In some areas you can get a low cost attorney referral for around $30 for 20 minutes. Then check out your options.  

Check out if your state has arbitration on something like this.

WHAT! no timing chain! can this be true? Now I am livid. I am getting the paperwork to see exactly what they say they did. As this is my family members car I don''t have the info at the moment. This is a small shop, not a dealer. Will try and post more in later reply

OK, I may have mis-spoke it might be a timing BELT. I am trying to get the paperwork. Will post details hopefully later today. I didn''t get a chance to drive the car but hear it was shifting just fine. Unfortunately for the repair shop, I am completely tenacious and will make a point of posting warnings on every web site and portal I can find about the "quality" of there work and for people to avoid this shop at all costs. - at a minimum. I''ll check all your suggestions. Thanks, All your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Still haven''t got the paperwork but confirmed with my relative it was a timing belt. She also paid by check :-(  Seems if the solenoid is good, wiring is good and it''s clean could it be a faulty control module or something else causing this?   At this point not sure if we should have them do anything else but the part is under warenty so if we take it to another shop we might end up paying for it again and labor. Any suggestions of what I can tell these people besides the 4 letter words I''m thinking about?

If this ends up in court you''ll need a second opinion as to what''s wrong with the transmission and what it will cost to fix it - keep all the paper work. You must stay cool and avoid threats. You''re going to have to spend more money before you have a shot at getting some money back. A search at your local small claims records may show this shop has a number of actions against it.  

Now they have said that they changed the Solenoid and tranny fluid and drove the car and the light came back on so now it''s "an internal transmission problem" and they say it needs to be changed again - IE another 1,000.00 in labor!
could it be a faulty control module or something else causing this?  Seems to me the error is from the Solenoid "E" not the entire transmission.

I can''t tell from here and without testing. I don''t think the transmission turns the light on for anything else but the solenoids. If you can get a code that will lead you to which solenoid. From what you''ve said I think it''s time to cut this shop loose and find another that can fix this thing and tell you what was wrong. With that you may have a possible case for small claims. If it''s not the solenoids then you''ll need it pressure tested to find anything else wrong with it. Try to find a small transmission shop, not the national chains, that you have researched as best you can as honest.