Does price indicate quality

[Da Game]

Friday on my quest to find GC I notice Mobil1 synthetic oil for $5.49qt (increase by .50 since 2/05). I also notce the PP which is the rave lately for $3.39qt, a $2 differance

Now the gear oil is $15.99, I paid $9.99 back in April of 04.

Amsoil has a simular pricing as well $10 gets me a perfered customer to by their oil @6.55qt for six months or $20 for a year. Redline & Royal Purple @ $7. So does price reflect the quality or is my cash additional profit that shows the same results as everybody else.

Btw, Mobil only recommends their regular syn for manufacture's OCI.

 

[Quest]

Most of the time the answer is no.

It's the great capitalistic marketing machine that brainwash us to believe so most of the time, and the reason is profits.

 

[tamu_man]

No. It's going to start a flame fest, but all things considered, M1 and Syntec were the same price for a while.

 

[vad]

Looks like GC won't be going on sale at $3.99 any time soon as opposed to the last year.

The GC stashers - rejoyce!

The new converts - be patient!

 

[Pablo]

I would say a qualified "yes". Prices does buy you a better basestock. Bottom line. Molacule has stated this, Terry has, and I limp in too. We can debate the efficacy of the different basestocks, but in general synthetic base oils are better than barely or harshly refined petroleum.

Now as for jockeying within the basestocks as your question implies, sometimes yes, sometimes, no. Sales happen, discontinuations happen....other market forces including capitalism can and do effect price. True Cost is what should be studied.

 

[Ray H]

The performance advantage of polymerized base stocks have been slowly but steadily eroded over the past decade. Those advantages really took a header with the advent of increased use of severely isomerized Group III base stocks. For 5,000 mile or under OCIs, you're wasting your money paying retail on GC, M1, and overpriced niche brands - but it's your money so knock yourself out.

 

[olefam]

I agree that price is often a function of marketing. Having said that, I also agree that more expensive base stocks such as found in group fours and fives will demand a higher price simply because they cost more start with.
As for the advances in group three oils, I'm certain there have been some. But if you live in either very hot climates or very cold climates such as I do (Minnesota)I buy synthetics first and foremost because they protect my engine, transmission, and rear end in extreme temperatures. I've started my cars when it was
-30F. Engines with dino oils wouldn't even turn over at those temperatures. At -15F my oil flows the same as when it is 15 above zero. Not so with conventional oils. It may just be a delusion, but in my mind that means I'm helping save and prolong the life of my engine, transmission, and differential.
If you live where the temps reach 110F or more, I would think that the peace of mind from knowing that the oil isn't cooking itself into a great gooey mass would be worth something. But I'll let the folks from Arizona discuss that issue.
In the final analysis it is your money and your choice. But in my opinion, the arguement that synthetic oils cost too much loses some of its appeal when you consider the cost of an engine rebuild.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

You might keep in mind that the additive package costs can differ significantly. Cheap base stocks and cheap additive package can significantly lower the retail pricing.

Oops, sorry. There are no cheap wines, just inexpensive ones. I guess the same can be said for lubricants.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

quote:

---

Topic: Does price indicate quality

---

Overwhemingly yes.... but not 100% of the time. Sales & promotions of the products - sales & promotions of the company to influence new buyers/investors -- no-haggle pricing demands by mega-giant retailers like Wal*Marts..... plus several other reasons why price does not dictate quality 100% of the time.

 

[427Z06]

A higher quality product generally costs more than a lower quality product. But paying more for something, doesn't insure your receiving the higher quality product. And how much quality do you really need before you are past the point of diminishing returns for the application?

 

[Blue Thunder]

Pep Boys has a coupon for Mobil 1 Syn API sm gf4, starburst and donut for $4.49 a qt limit 6. Not bad.

 

[GoldenRod]

The oil companies know that the guy who wants the very best for his car will pay what ever it takes. They have a special consumer in mind when they market these high end oils.

 

[Ray H]

You always pay for what you get. Sometimes, you even get what you pay for.

 

[AstroVic]

High quality products will usually cost more than lower quality ones. That said, however, it's true that variable costs such as marketing, advertising, and packaging play a much bigger role than some people realize.

A few examples come to mind:

Fram oil filters = Relatively high cost & very low quality. (Lots of advertising.)

SuperTech filters = Relatively low cost & relatively high quality. (No advertising.)

Motorcraft & TropArtic = Virtually identical oils, yet TropArtic costs about sixty cents a quart less than Motorcraft.

 

[obbop]

A tip of the proverbial hat to Quest.

Ahhhhhh!!!! Perhaps an anecdote is called for.

True story:

Lady opened a boutique. Selling that weird stuff wimmenfolk go ga-ga over.

But, as the months went by, outgo was larger than income. Facing bankruptcy, the gal heard about the Small Business Administration's SCORE program.

Off she flew, likely without having checked her car's oil level and with a full-throttle takepff from cold. Off to the Service Corps of Retired Executives who offer free advice to small biz folks.

The retired exec visited the boutique, asked questions, looked at profit/loss statements and eyed the goods for sale.

Noting the displays showing prices with several mark-downs he poked at some scarves he considered to be colorful and of high quality. He asked what the original pre-markdown price was. "Twenty dollars," the gal who likely seldom changed her oil burbled. Well.... the exec suggested raising the price to $30, more than what she asked for originally. He suggested the same for some other items.

Well, to keep this short.... the gal's business was a success in the long-run. She advertised and pushed quality vice competing with price.

The moral?

Pricing is often a subjective component of the consumer's purchasing decision.

Depending upon the product and other variables, price CAN be an indicator of quality. However, it is not always true.

Being a knowledgeable consumer can assist thee in knowing if a price is equitable with an item's quality.

Now, go forth and buy akin to a pro, if possible. It is not always easy to garner the knowledge to make a buying decision.

 

[AstroVic]

That story makes me wanna go out in my garage and hug my TropArtic!

 

[Don Stefanik]

If there wasn't any difference....then my customers would just by 99cent Walmart oil.
My customers are my best sales people!!! I wouldn't say my customers are spend thrifts.....they want quality and know what they get and are willing to pay extra at the time to get it....in the end they get their moneys worth.

 

[Vilan]

quote:

---

"Twenty dollars," the gal who likely seldom changed her oil burbled.

---

Burbled. Good word!

I read this same thing about Nike. Their shoes only cost them a few dollars to make, but if they charged $10, people would assume they were crappy. Ah, but charge $100, and people pat themselves on the back for buying a quality shoe.

 

[Jim Allen]

The more you pay, the more it's worth.

 

[Rand]

But then who would pay labron james 130million dollars to advertise their shoes?

how many nike do you sell to cover that?

The same for fram.. how many do you sell to cover
the HUGE marketing budget they have.