Overpriced oil change services

Pennzoil motor oil
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Originally Posted By: cb_13
My former service manager once told me you can shear a sheep many times but you can only skin it once.


AMEN! I just had the 600mile service done on my New R1200R BMW motorcycle in Houston (Wild West BMW) and the service manager wanted 4 hours labor ($360)for a service that is Oil/filter/rear drive lube and a ECU check...not even a valve adjust like BMWs of yore!!!!

He did cut off 1/2 hour labor when I told him BMW of Santa Fe charges $135 labor for the same service. I have a place in N Mexico...I will never service this bike in Houston again, even though I have bought 3 BMW bikes there.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
If they are paying the tech $10/hr, the burdened rate with overhead and all is at least $30. Add $20 for oil, $3 for a filter, a few dollars for rags and disposal fees, and youre at close to $60.

Since most on here believe that businesses are allowed to make a profit, making $10 profit on $50-60 worth of stuff isnt a terrible situation...


Yep. I was in a bind, which I almost never find myself in with regards to my cars. I ended up getting a Pennzoil Platinum change at JL and it was ~$65 with a coupon. I had an extra Purolator PureOne in my trunk and I made them use that. It was costly, but it got done when I didn't have time. They only had to top-off the washer fluid, and they vac'd and washed the windows. Didn't like payin' that much, but in the end, it's worth it since I had to go on a road trip in 100º+f temps and was at the end of my OCI. Nothing horrendous to report. I stand there and watch them
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Got a couple prices from Jiffy Lube like places just for fun, I couldn't belive the prices. These prices are for 6 qts of FULL SYNTHETIC and a filter:

Valvoline Instant Oil CHange: $96
Walmart: $65
Jiffy Lube: $75
Tuffy: $60
Big O: $45
Tires Plus: $65

I think the prices are crazy, dont you guys?
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
If they are paying the tech $10/hr, the burdened rate with overhead and all is at least $30. Add $20 for oil, $3 for a filter, a few dollars for rags and disposal fees, and youre at close to $60.

Since most on here believe that businesses are allowed to make a profit, making $10 profit on $50-60 worth of stuff isnt a terrible situation...

Where in the good old USA you can buy 6 qts of full synthetic oil for $20 regularly ?

If a shop charges $65 for an oil change with 6 qts full synthetic and a brand name oil filter, they lost money on it every time.
 
Apples and oranges, as you already know.
I have several years worth of syn changes in the gagrage that range in price from FAR, really around .60/qt after tax and postage to 1.60/qt after the same.
My last syn oil change, the Forester, cost No shop is going to be able to do this for you.
So, if you have to pay for it (sorry!), it will cost you north of $60.00 for a synthetic oil change.
Perfectly fair, considering cost of oil (and most shops pay more for oil than most of us), cost of filter, labor time and overhead.
What little is left is profit.
Not a rip-off at all when you actually break it down.
 
I just received 5 coupons in the mail for free oil changes from NTB using conventional oil. They say add $15.00 for synthetic oil up to 6 quarts. Now that seems like a deal but I do my own oil changes and don't need them.
 
yeap shops dont make any money on oil changes. thats why they offer free inspections to sell you other services.

never seen the simpsons episode where homer gets suckered into getting 4 new tires? and stem lube!?
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Got a couple prices from Jiffy Lube like places just for fun, I couldn't belive the prices. These prices are for 6 qts of FULL SYNTHETIC and a filter:

Valvoline Instant Oil CHange: $96
Walmart: $65
Jiffy Lube: $75
Tuffy: $60
Big O: $45
Tires Plus: $65

I think the prices are crazy, dont you guys?
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
If they are paying the tech $10/hr, the burdened rate with overhead and all is at least $30. Add $20 for oil, $3 for a filter, a few dollars for rags and disposal fees, and youre at close to $60.

Since most on here believe that businesses are allowed to make a profit, making $10 profit on $50-60 worth of stuff isnt a terrible situation...

Where in the good old USA you can buy 6 qts of full synthetic oil for $20 regularly ?

If a shop charges $65 for an oil change with 6 qts full synthetic and a brand name oil filter, they lost money on it every time.


Well let's see... I can go to walmart and buy many different synthetic oils for $24. Add another quart for $5, that's $29.

Wal-mart gets what? 15% profit? OK, so $25 for wholesale oil... Happy?

$20 or $30, does not really matter. Point is still the same.
 
I realise this is slightly off-topic, but my colleague was helping out his grandmother and discovered that JL was installing a new air filter at every oil change. She knew the OIL filter was supposed to be changed every time, so it was reasonable to her that the AIR filter should be, too. My buddy went there and made them refund the unneeded filters.

My point is that places like this prey on the elderly/ignorant/uninformed knowing that even if they're caught once in a while, it's still worth it for the dozens of times they AREN'T caught.
 
That's sad, and sadly, done in many industries. How many elderly folks have a cabinet full of expensive prescription drugs?
I'm sure not being informed puts everyone at risk of being ripped off. It's a shame, but it's also been happening since someone stole someone else's fire to cook a goat in a cave...caveat emptor.

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
I realise this is slightly off-topic, but my colleague was helping out his grandmother and discovered that JL was installing a new air filter at every oil change. She knew the OIL filter was supposed to be changed every time, so it was reasonable to her that the AIR filter should be, too. My buddy went there and made them refund the unneeded filters.

My point is that places like this prey on the elderly/ignorant/uninformed knowing that even if they're caught once in a while, it's still worth it for the dozens of times they AREN'T caught.
 
When you consider everything a shop has to cover, no the prices aren't crazy at all. In fact, I'm often suprised it isn't more.

I had to get OC's done on the Cavalier at a shop b/c the filter was plain un-reachable, and I didn't have patience for it. I used coupons to get a few $$ off, but it was still well over $40, no matter where you go.

Now that OC's are easier on my Tribute, I can do them for about $20 worth of oil and filter. Considering this, it stuns me how many people DON'T DIY oil changes - QL places are always busy, and they always open more.
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy

Now that OC's are easier on my Tribute, I can do them for about $20 worth of oil and filter. Considering this, it stuns me how many people DON'T DIY oil changes - QL places are always busy, and they always open more.


Because 90% of drivers aren't like the average BITOG reader who care enough to DIY. A lot don't have the time or inclination. Some don't have the tools or know-how. Many just don't want to 'fool' with it or don't want to get dirty.

In many cases they live in an apartment or condo that doesn't allow work on cars. Heck, even some HOAs don't allow you to change your oil in YOUR OWN driveway.
 
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
I realise this is slightly off-topic, but my colleague was helping out his grandmother and discovered that JL was installing a new air filter at every oil change. She knew the OIL filter was supposed to be changed every time, so it was reasonable to her that the AIR filter should be, too. My buddy went there and made them refund the unneeded filters.

My point is that places like this prey on the elderly/ignorant/uninformed knowing that even if they're caught once in a while, it's still worth it for the dozens of times they AREN'T caught.


Its [censored] that stuff like this happens but places like Jiffy Lube don't typically know their customers and they don't hire people to think and interact. The guy at Jiffy Lube writing up the ticket just follows prompts on the computer to try to sell air filter, wiper blades, and who knows what else to customers before the car goes in for oil change because that's the company policy.

Its still up to the customer to know the maintenance schedule and say yes they need new air filter. In the long run a new air filter every oil change may be overkill but it certainly didn't hurt the car.

I'm not defending this practice because when I met my wife she was getting 3/3 oil changes on a Mazda3 and a service package done every spring that included oil, tire rotate, filters, coolant exchange, and some other basic stuff. It was overkill but her car never had problems and in her mind it was the right thing to do. She put 15-20K a year on the car and I didn't touch it until we got married.
 
Since I work at a quick lube here in scandinavia I though I'd chip in. Talking about pricey oil-changes here are a few examples:

Volvo 5-cylinder gassers:

5,7 liters (6 quarts) of Mobil 1 0w-40 17,40€/l = 99,18€
Waste disposal fee = 4€
Crush washer = 2€
Filter = 15,90€
Total 121,08€ ($166,32)


BMW 6-cylinder gassers:

6,5 liters (~7 quarts) of Mobil 1 0w-40 17,40€/l =113,10€
Waste disposal fee = 4€
Filter (includes washer) = 16,55€
Total 133,65€ ($183,58)


As you can see, we are not exactly a cheap place, but the oil change is done properly. My two co-workers have worked there for over 15 years (god knows why) and they know just about everything there is to know about oil changes (all the tricky models, engine-specific oil consumption etc.)

We also change air filters and cabin air filters on the side, but don't push them aggressively or lie to customers. If a filter is in good condition we put it back on the car unless the customer insists on a new one. Since many people are unaware of the existense of cabin air filters, they are genuinely pleased that we take the time to check them and inform the customer.

A few years ago a survey was conducted to determine the level of customer satisfaction and it turned out 97% were satisfied with the service. Guess we are doing something right.
 
Originally Posted By: someguy
Its still up to the customer to know the maintenance schedule and say yes they need new air filter. In the long run a new air filter every oil change may be overkill but it certainly didn't hurt the car.
Of course it didn't hurt the car, but it's unethical regardless. Most Americans, perhaps naively, rely on the quick-lubes to be professional and give them valid advice, not prey on them as easy marks. I do agree that when one makes a major purchase like an automobile, one *should* take a little time to RTFM and to learn its proper maintenance schedule. Most American don't, so you can argue that they get what they deserve, but I guess caveat emptor applies...
 
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: someguy
Its still up to the customer to know the maintenance schedule and say yes they need new air filter. In the long run a new air filter every oil change may be overkill but it certainly didn't hurt the car.
Of course it didn't hurt the car, but it's unethical regardless. Most Americans, perhaps naively, rely on the quick-lubes to be professional and give them valid advice, not prey on them as easy marks. I do agree that when one makes a major purchase like an automobile, one *should* take a little time to RTFM and to learn its proper maintenance schedule. Most American don't, so you can argue that they get what they deserve, but I guess caveat emptor applies...


Great handle RF Overlord I totally agree with you too and unfortunately there are dishonest people out there. The industry has led the general public to believe that vehicle and service related things are complicated and difficult.
 
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The price between a synthetic oil change and a conventional oil change should not be much more than the difference between the price of the two oils. But it is! Much more!
Assuming a conventional oil change is $35 and the price for a quart of conventional is $3, then they price of a synthetic change should be about $50. This assumes synthetic oil price of $6 per quart (5qts x $3 more per quart equals a $15 difference). Come on, it really doesn't cost $40 more in labor to pour a different oil in the crankcase.
That said, I know that oil changes are a losing proposition. The dealership where I worked charged $32-$35 for an oil change. Of this, $9.70 was labor. Oil change guy got paid at least $10 per hour. Time to pick up customer's vehicle at work or home, average about 15 minutes. Two guys to go get it, 30 mins (15 mins x 2 guys). Bring it back, 30 mins. Now, you've got two hours into an oil change (oil change guy and the two guys to get vehicle and bring it back). At $10/hr, that's $20. Very minimal mark up in oil and filter. The only way the dealership makes money is if they find a needed repair during the inspection process and make some addtional profit there.
For many oil change places, particularly dealerships, a "loaner" is expected. How much do you think is lost there in fuel and/or mileage in this "expected" courteousey? Then, many customers complain because you didn't wash or vacuum their car. Really?
 
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Now that I am back working at a local dealership, I have use of the shop and tools. Recently, I actually PAID for an oil change. Not that I have use of a shop, lift, and disposal, I can do my own oil changes much more easily. Bought a case of Napa Gold filters on sale for about $3 each. PP or Mobil 1 oil, under $30.
 
Just paid to have an oil change done at a shop that does a lot of business. The car needed an alignment, and they were running a coupon for $19.99 for an oil/filter/lube. Its tough to beat that deal, the service tech said they use mobil bulk oil.
 
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