Phone up the manager and threaten to report him to the Better Business Bureau, or state equivalent.
Synthetic oil change scam?
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Don't blame the "mechanic". The local L.A. CBS news staff sent a female "ringer" with a hidden camera to several quick lube places nearly a year ago to check out complaints about overselling unneeded service. The car she took in was a late model Honda that had been just serviced (oil, filter, brake line flush, and fresh coolant) by an independent mechanic who pronounced all systems were up to nominal operational standards. They actually got one guy on camera willing to admit that they're goaded by corporate to boost sales with as much additional "service" as the customer will fall for, er, "accept". If a particular "service associate" falls two or three percentage points below the shop's average per "service associate" for two weeks, he's terminated. The managers are under the gun, too, and their store's stats are constantly compared to other regional stores' stats. Corporate naturally denied the allegations. Except for the shop where they got the inside from the "service associate", the rest of the shops quoted anywhere from $175 to $550 for additional "urgently needed" service. It seems the mission statement is, "Get 'em in, load 'em up with as many extras as ya' can, and get 'em out." No where does it state it's necessary to tighten the oil filter or drain plug sufficiently to avoid leakage (or even avoid cross-threading).
[ September 05, 2005, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Ray H ]
[ September 05, 2005, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Ray H ]
What kind of car was your Mother driving? If she was driving a known sludge-monster, then what the tech. told her might have some merit.
For example, if I pulled in to Jiffy Lube in a late-model VW Passat 1.8T, the Jiffy Lube tech's advice would have been 100% accurate. Continued use of dino oil WILL eventually kill that particular engine, as well as some others of note.
For example, if I pulled in to Jiffy Lube in a late-model VW Passat 1.8T, the Jiffy Lube tech's advice would have been 100% accurate. Continued use of dino oil WILL eventually kill that particular engine, as well as some others of note.
No problem switching. Ray H is correct, employees are pressured to sell the extra services that may not be needed. They often even lose some good employees over the practice. Expensive wiper blades, engine flushes and treatments, etc.....
Then again Wavinwayne could be correct, too. Some engines must have synthetic only.
Then again Wavinwayne could be correct, too. Some engines must have synthetic only.
At one of those quick lube places in the San Diego area was a 55 gal drum with '30WHD' stensiled on the side. I wonder if they are accidently using the wrong oil. Do you think there are any late model cars or pickups that us a straight 30 weight oil? This barrel was hooked up to the system and looked like it was acutally being used. There was a brand new Mercedes being serviced and several Hondas line up. I was wondering around while my wife was shopping. The kit draining the oil put the drain plug back in while there was still some oil coming out. I guess he was being certain that there was going to be a smooth transition between the old and new oil. I'll bet that the idea of not having to spend more time or put in as much new oil never crossed his mind. He took the plug out of the diff, let some oil out and while it was draining put the plug back. He then put the nozzle in the fill hole and hit the trigger once quickly, stopped and pulled the hose out. It never overflowed and he did not check it, just put the plug in. The whole thing made me nervous and I left. This kind of stuff makes me certain that doing it myself is a good idea.
Unfortunately, it's not just juffy lube. My experience has been the same, if not more blatant, type of "selling" at the brake shops. They all advertise $99 brake jobs for all four wheels...but in reality, a shop would go broke doing that on a consistant basis. I took my wife's 2001 S-10 in for the $99 special. It has 22,000 miles on it, and while the pads were getting worn, i wanted to get them replaced now as opposed to waiting. They hit me with an $250 "estimate". Same with our 99 Saturn SC2...rotors/drums okay, but almost a $300 repair bill estimate.
Just reinforces if you cant do the work yourself, find a good HONEST mechanic and treat him like gold...
just imho, ymmv
darrell
sin city
Just reinforces if you cant do the work yourself, find a good HONEST mechanic and treat him like gold...
just imho, ymmv
darrell
sin city
Terrible. This crap gives synthetic oil a bad name.
I suppose she should come back in 3000 for a change, too
- even a sludger could go at least 5K on synthetic.
I suppose she should come back in 3000 for a change, too
probably the best oil they sell.
Considering how many HS drop outs work there....the guy might think that's the truth about synthetics.
I run into one that pretty often.
But most likely he's trying to upsell.
Quick lubes always have a quota on how many cars a week they need to service and how many services they have to do.
But all businesses are in business to make money, but it sounds like they're going about it the wrong way by giving out misinformation.
I run into one that pretty often.
But most likely he's trying to upsell.
Quick lubes always have a quota on how many cars a week they need to service and how many services they have to do.
But all businesses are in business to make money, but it sounds like they're going about it the wrong way by giving out misinformation.
So the quick lubes and bargain brake shops are doing what garages have done to customers since cars first arrived on the scene?
I have had good luck with the local quick lube and the Denver based Just Brakes.
Tht's probably because I'm a car nut and I talk to the manager first to make sure I get exactly what I want, and no more. I also usually bring in my own perfomance pads and just need them to do a pads slap and mic and true the rotors.
I also stand around and watch, to make sure they don't screw up.
Bear in mind that sometimes you do need a caliper rebuild, or need to buy rotors or calipers. But these shops charge too much, and I ususlly like to pick my own parts carefully. I've seen these shops charge $30.00 for a $4.00 clip.
Lots of major national chains are notorious for stapping brakes with screwdrivers to show the passenger a 'leak' and sell total brake rebuilds.
Most cars that come into quick lubes probably could use a coolant flush, brake fluid flush, auto tranny flush, and power steering flush...but not at the prices these shops charge.
And not with the level of skill of the typical quick lube employee.
I avoid auto trans as a rule, but I have machine flushed the transmissions with fairly good results.
Normally though I just pump the brake fluid or power steering fluid out and replace it.
I know I should bleed the system to get rid of stuff down at the calipers. If I took the cars to track days I'd bleed and refill before and after.
Suprisingly, just replacing brake fluid with a top quality fluid twice a year or more seems to hold up for long term service in my cars.
I'll drain and refill the auto transmission 4 within a few hundred miles, and change the filter.
It's nice to have a drain plug on the pan and torque converter... or to tap the pan and add a drain plug.
Cooling systems I drain and flush a few times over the course of a day or two with water , then distilled water, and finally top off with coolant to 40% / 60% or 50% / 50%.
I have had good luck with the local quick lube and the Denver based Just Brakes.
Tht's probably because I'm a car nut and I talk to the manager first to make sure I get exactly what I want, and no more. I also usually bring in my own perfomance pads and just need them to do a pads slap and mic and true the rotors.
I also stand around and watch, to make sure they don't screw up.
Bear in mind that sometimes you do need a caliper rebuild, or need to buy rotors or calipers. But these shops charge too much, and I ususlly like to pick my own parts carefully. I've seen these shops charge $30.00 for a $4.00 clip.
Lots of major national chains are notorious for stapping brakes with screwdrivers to show the passenger a 'leak' and sell total brake rebuilds.
Most cars that come into quick lubes probably could use a coolant flush, brake fluid flush, auto tranny flush, and power steering flush...but not at the prices these shops charge.
And not with the level of skill of the typical quick lube employee.
I avoid auto trans as a rule, but I have machine flushed the transmissions with fairly good results.
Normally though I just pump the brake fluid or power steering fluid out and replace it.
I know I should bleed the system to get rid of stuff down at the calipers. If I took the cars to track days I'd bleed and refill before and after.
Suprisingly, just replacing brake fluid with a top quality fluid twice a year or more seems to hold up for long term service in my cars.
I'll drain and refill the auto transmission 4 within a few hundred miles, and change the filter.
It's nice to have a drain plug on the pan and torque converter... or to tap the pan and add a drain plug.
Cooling systems I drain and flush a few times over the course of a day or two with water , then distilled water, and finally top off with coolant to 40% / 60% or 50% / 50%.
To me if i didnt do any oil changes i would pay for the synthetic price but go every 6k for an oil change. Jiffy lube over sells their product which like someone eailier said gives synthetic oil a bad name. When i took my soon to be wifes jetta in for an oil change i asked the (kid) behind the counter about their Q forumula and he told me that you still need to come in every 3K I about laughed in his face. I told him about amsoil and that i change my oil every six months to a year and it costs the same price. He didnt know what to say. Its sad that people get ripped off but thats business.
winton11
All of them will try to sell you as much service as they can. It's just some of them are not as bad as the others.
I know one guy who used to work as a service writer at one of the better multiple brand dealerships.
So the guy happened to be "too honest" for this kind of a business.
He just couldn't blatantly lie to each and every customer, trying to sell totally unnecessary services like transmission or differential flashes.
Therefore he couldn't stand up to the rest of the service guys, wasn't meeting the sales goals and had to quit after about a year on the job.
I doubt that. It's the nature of the auto repair/service business. He has some goals to meet and is constantly being pushed by his shop manager.
All of them will try to sell you as much service as they can. It's just some of them are not as bad as the others.
I know one guy who used to work as a service writer at one of the better multiple brand dealerships.
So the guy happened to be "too honest" for this kind of a business.
He just couldn't blatantly lie to each and every customer, trying to sell totally unnecessary services like transmission or differential flashes.
Therefore he couldn't stand up to the rest of the service guys, wasn't meeting the sales goals and had to quit after about a year on the job.
Unfortunately, women are targeted far more frequently for this type of scam than men. Many oil change, brake places and even dealerships see a woman come in the door and they immediately see dollar signs. I agree with this advice: find someone you trust and go nowhere else, even for the simplest services. BTW, always beware when your auto shop changes owners or managers.
Hey, it doesn't necessarily mean that he has never heard of Amsoil.
Do you know that he runs a risk of getting fired for not promoting the 3K intervals as vigorously as they manager wants it to be done, or being in agreement with you in the front of the less educated customers?
I was visiting my Mother last week, and in the course of our conversation she tells me that a "mechanic" at Jiffy Lube talked her into using synthetic oil for her oil change. She spent over $65 dollars for this service.
And here is the part that I feel is the scam,
After It was done the "mechanic" tells her that once you put synthetic oil in your engine you must continue to use the high priced synthetic, because standard engine oil will than ruin your engine. Sounds like a scam to me.
Can anyone confirm my suspicions?
And here is the part that I feel is the scam,
After It was done the "mechanic" tells her that once you put synthetic oil in your engine you must continue to use the high priced synthetic, because standard engine oil will than ruin your engine. Sounds like a scam to me.
Can anyone confirm my suspicions?
yep
i would make sure she never goes back to that palce ever ! and be sure she tells all her friends.
i would make sure she never goes back to that palce ever ! and be sure she tells all her friends.
Ask one of these places about AC service. You will be in for an earfull. More if you aske about R12 retro-fits!
Quote: For example, if I pulled in to Jiffy Lube in a late-model VW Passat 1.8T, the Jiffy Lube tech's advice would have been 100% accurate. Continued use of dino oil WILL eventually kill that particular engine, as well as some others of note.
Dino oil will not kill this or any other known sludger if it's changed at reasonable (3-4k) intervals!
Dino oil will not kill this or any other known sludger if it's changed at reasonable (3-4k) intervals!
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