Can Wally World come through?

[mikep]

Stopped at my local Wally World on the way home from work last night. I spoke with the assistant store manager and inquired as to whether or not they could order me a few cases of one of the motor oils they stock on their shelves but usually in small quantities. He had me write down my name and phone number and what I wanted and how much. I asked for 2 cases each of Chevron Supreme 5w-30 and 5w-20. I should hear back from either him or the regular store manager within a day or two. It seems Havoline is replacing Chevron Supreme on Wally World shelves. Only 3 lonely qts. of Chevron 10w-30 and none in any other weight. Conversely, they have an entire new section devoted to Havoline. 5w-30, 10w-30 even 10-40 all flush with product and neatly stacked. Even a few unopened cases of various Havoline viscosity grades. I sent an email both to Chevron customer service and Havoline asking about the formulations of Chev Sup. and Havoline and if they were the same formulation and additives (IsoSyn?). Haven't heard anything back and it's been two days. I really don't expect to hear from them. Seems these companies, who are basically one entity now, don't even take time to reply to customer queries much less give direct answers. Lets see if Wally World can pull through here. Mikep [ October 24, 2003, 07:56 AM: Message edited by: mikep ]

 

[msparks]

Not jumping on you. Sorry to hijack your thread. Seems like folks are always yapping about buying Amsoil in stores, (why can't you get it at a local store) seems like a pain in the *** if you ask me, you have to go request the oil that you want to run even at wal mart. Amsoil(call me toll free, shipped to your door in 3 days or less, usually) What makes me mad is that walmart is supposed to have this great distribution system, I looked for 6 months in my local walmart for the jeans that I like to wear in my size. (32x34 rustler boot cut unwashed) I even requested that they get my size as they had a tag on the shelf for it. Still no jeans, I was down to my last good pair, so I had to go to a walmart several miles away, and they only had 1 pair(these jeans are $9.95) Also ended up buying a pair of prewashed for $10.95. Sorry to rant, I really hate shopping anymore, and the more that I can do on the internet without going out the better that suits me! Thanks for listening

 

[Pablo]

sparks - I think I raised that point in a GC or some other thread. I do hope WaldorfWhirled comes through for mikep.

 

[MarkC]

Mikep, I was able to speak to a Chevron rep on the phone and also received an email. Chevron and Havoline are the same oil, with the exception that while Chevron uses only calcium, Havoline adds magnesium to the package. I have copies of the spec sheets, but you can access them both from Chevron's website.

 

[mikep]

quote:

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Originally posted by msparks: Not jumping on you. Sorry to hijack your thread. Seems like folks are always yapping about buying Amsoil in stores, (why can't you get it at a local store) seems like a pain in the *** if you ask me, you have to go request the oil that you want to run even at wal mart. Amsoil(call me toll free, shipped to your door in 3 days or less, usually) What makes me mad is that walmart is supposed to have this great distribution system, I looked for 6 months in my local walmart for the jeans that I like to wear in my size. (32x34 rustler boot cut unwashed) I even requested that they get my size as they had a tag on the shelf for it. Still no jeans, I was down to my last good pair, so I had to go to a walmart several miles away, and they only had 1 pair(these jeans are $9.95) Also ended up buying a pair of prewashed for $10.95. Sorry to rant, I really hate shopping anymore, and the more that I can do on the internet without going out the better that suits me! Thanks for listening

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I understand your point and to some extent, even agree with you. I do a good amount of my purchasing on the net and through mail order catalogs but I think this is an apples to oranges to comparison. On one hand you're talking about a fairly standard and very inexpensive product which the store carries, albeit in limited quanitities, and a request to order and purchase a set amount of that product. No shipping charges, no special order charges just the regular shelf price. The store is 5 minutes from my home and I pass it on my evening commute home from work. Pretty convenient. On the other hand there is a "boutique" type, rather expensive (but excellent) product that in my neck of the woods is strictly mail order. There is an Amsoil dealer within 10 miles of me but he only carries motorcycle oils and doesn't have an interest in even ordering anything he won't stock. If he did I'm sure it would be for full list price. Ordering from Amsoil (which I did when I was a "preferred customer") you need to add shipping costs to the product and it makes an already expensive item even more so. Oh, lets not forget the annual charge just for the priveledge of buying a companies product. Lastly, I'm being very picky in my quest to build a stock of Chevron Supreme (thanks to this site for my obsession with motor oils ) Truth is, I'm sure, that I could have just picked up a few cases of the Havoline they had in stock and gotten the same results given the relatively short drain intervals I use (5,000 miles on truck and 3,000 on the car). We're not talking M1, Redline or Amsoil but instead a dino group II (II+?) off the shelf oil. Heck, I used local auto supplies house brand motor oil at .49 / qt in my Escort for years along with their .79 cent filter and it has 150,000 miles on it and runs like new. Anyway, I've gotten off on my own rant now. I do understand your point and don't entirely disagree with you. Wally World (or any retailer) should be consistent with their stocking. If they decide to stock a particular item they should stock it in sufficient quantity to satisfy the local demand. Mikep [ October 24, 2003, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: mikep ]

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by mikep: If they decide to stock a particular item they should stock it in sufficient quantity to satisfy the local demand. Mikep

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That's basically what I was trying to get at only took me longer!

 

[mikep]

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkC: Mikep, I was able to speak to a Chevron rep on the phone and also received an email. Chevron and Havoline are the same oil, with the exception that while Chevron uses only calcium, Havoline adds magnesium to the package. I have copies of the spec sheets, but you can access them both from Chevron's website.

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Thanks MarkC. I should have just picked up the Havoline while I was there. If they aren't able to get the Chev I'll do just that. Mikep

 

[Arved]

quote:

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Originally posted by msparks: Seems like folks are always yapping about buying Amsoil in stores, (why can't you get it at a local store) seems like a pain in the *** if you ask me, you have to go request the oil that you want to run even at wal mart. Amsoil(call me toll free, shipped to your door in 3 days or less, usually)

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Although "ordering" ("requesting" is more like it at Wally World) may be less convenient, and take the spontineity out of the equation, Walmart isn't going to charge shipping. The price of Amsoil is high enough without having to pay for shipping. Shipping charges add to the "sting." - Arved

 

[mikep]

quote:

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Originally posted by msparks:

quote:

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Originally posted by mikep: If they decide to stock a particular item they should stock it in sufficient quantity to satisfy the local demand. Mikep

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That's basically what I was trying to get at only took me longer!

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Funny how two guys, going off on semi-rants, seemingly at odds with each others positions, actually find they are in agreement. Mikep (I need to get a life and stop obsessing over this stuff).