Synthetic Oil Changes at Quick Lubes.

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stchman

stchman

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I have perused some quick lube websites and there seems to be a common theme.

Synthetic oil change has an approximate $40 up-charge.

Most quick-lubes charge ~$34.99 for a conventional oil change. This includes a new filter, checking tire pressures, topping off fluids, check air filter, cleaning windows, etc. Pretty much all these places are up to 5 quarts.

The EXACT same service, with the EXACT same oil filter runs anywhere from $69.99 to $79.99.

Now, I've been in enough Walmarts and AutoZones to know that a 5qt jug of synthetic is about $7-$10 more than a 5qt jug of conventional.

I cannot believe people pay $40+ for what amounts to $10 more of value!!!!! I would bet that the quick lubes pay very little for the synthetic oil they buy in bulk. Pure profit.
 
$34.99 for conventional, $64.99 for Havoline synthetic at my shop. I will say this though, the profit margin on synthetic isn't nearly as large as you might think.
 
Originally Posted By: RamFan
$34.99 for conventional, $64.99 for Havoline synthetic at my shop. I will say this though, the profit margin on synthetic isn't nearly as large as you might think.


Indeed, they usually don't sell a lot of syn so they buy them in 6qt packs like m1 for example which is around $45 for the 6qt pack. when you consider the $500 for 55 gal of conventional and that profit margin, their price on syn becomes a little less criminal, food for thought though.

The question is how much are people with higher end cars that spec syn only willing to pay? apparently sub $100 is not a big deal to them.
 
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Originally Posted By: Brenden
Originally Posted By: RamFan
$34.99 for conventional, $64.99 for Havoline synthetic at my shop. I will say this though, the profit margin on synthetic isn't nearly as large as you might think.


Indeed, they usually don't sell a lot of syn so they buy them in 6qt packs like m1 for example which is around $45 for the 6qt pack. when you consider the $500 for 55 gal of conventional and that profit margin, their price on syn becomes a little less criminal, food for thought though.

The question is how much are people with higher end cars that spec syn only willing to pay? apparently sub $100 is not a big deal to them.


Shops most likely get their synthetic oils at reduces prices, not at the $45 schmuck price you see at auto stores. I'm sure the majority agrees synthetic oil menu prices at most quick lubes are a rip off. The only time I think it would be worth it is if you have a Benz or BMW with 8-10 qt engine capacities and expensive fleece filters, and the oil change shop is running a special.
 
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Everything has a markup. However, since SOPUS owns Jiffy Lube, you'd think maybe they'd want to create an incentive to get people to come there.

As it stands, if I wasn't inclined to change my own oil and I owned a Honda that spec'ed 0W-20, I'd try to find a local dealer with the $40 special. There have been some claims that it might be the HGMO semi-syn, but others claim that Mobil 1 0W-20 can be really cheap in bulk drums with a wholesale account.

I found a wholesale seller of 55 gallon drums of Kendall GT-1 Synthetic.

http://www.petroleumservicecompany.com/kendall-gt-1-fs-w-ti-0w-20.html
http://www.petroleumservicecompany.com/kendall-gt-1-fs-w-ti-5w30.html

$818.95. Not bad.

Heck - an independent could buy from Amazon. Their price for Mobil 1 is through the roof, but I'm guessing they don't actually sell a lot and might even order from a distributor to ship to their customer. They've got lots of Mag1.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=55%20gallon%20synthetic%20motor%20oil

41iL9fHVPPL.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: mclasser
Originally Posted By: Brenden
Originally Posted By: RamFan
$34.99 for conventional, $64.99 for Havoline synthetic at my shop. I will say this though, the profit margin on synthetic isn't nearly as large as you might think.


Indeed, they usually don't sell a lot of syn so they buy them in 6qt packs like m1 for example which is around $45 for the 6qt pack. when you consider the $500 for 55 gal of conventional and that profit margin, their price on syn becomes a little less criminal, food for thought though.

The question is how much are people with higher end cars that spec syn only willing to pay? apparently sub $100 is not a big deal to them.


Shops most likely get their synthetic oils at reduces prices, not at the $45 schmuck price you see at auto stores. I'm sure the majority agrees synthetic oil menu prices at most quick lubes are a rip off.


This is the error in thought. Quart prices of syn are barely reduced, in fact, Walmart on rollback is often cheaper.

In regards to how much the market will handle, I find that if the car requires syn not too many people say to use conventional. Except for GM owners and 0w20 owners who get sticker shock because they don't realize their cars call for syn.
 
Originally Posted By: RamFan
mclasser said:
In regards to how much the market will handle, I find that if the car requires syn not too many people say to use conventional. Except for GM owners and 0w20 owners who get sticker shock because they don't realize their cars call for syn.

I noted that a lot of Honda dealers in my area are only charging $40 - or maybe a $10 additional markup for 0W-20 "full synthetic" oil change. The ones I see will up that to around $60 for any other synthetic motor oil weight. I'm guessing that with the 0W-20 factory spec they are ordering bulk drums. Not sure if they're going with the OEM-label oil. I generally wouldn't because it seems overpriced.
Click to expand...
 
Originally Posted By: stchman
I have perused some quick lube websites and there seems to be a common theme.

Synthetic oil change has an approximate $40 up-charge.

Most quick-lubes charge ~$34.99 for a conventional oil change. This includes a new filter, checking tire pressures, topping off fluids, check air filter, cleaning windows, etc. Pretty much all these places are up to 5 quarts.

The EXACT same service, with the EXACT same oil filter runs anywhere from $69.99 to $79.99.

Now, I've been in enough Walmarts and AutoZones to know that a 5qt jug of synthetic is about $7-$10 more than a 5qt jug of conventional.

I cannot believe people pay $40+ for what amounts to $10 more of value!!!!! I would bet that the quick lubes pay very little for the synthetic oil they buy in bulk. Pure profit.


And then there are the places that fill used Mobil 1 containers with bulk oil after hours.

I do not go into quick lube places often, but when I have for a quick NYS inspection, the expensive oil comes from containers like we would buy at Walmart.
 
Holy smokes if you buy a 55 gallon drum of MAG1 full synthetic, that comes out to $2.70 a quart.

I see that MAG1 is dexos1 licensed.
 
Our prices :

Conventional Oil Change : $18.95 + Oil Filter Disposal + Tax
Syn Blend Oil Change ( Maxlife , 4 T rotation for free ) : $ 29.95 + Oil Filter Disposal + Tax
Synthetic Oil Change ( Synpower , 4 T rotation for free ) : $ 49.95
+ Oil Filter Disposal + Tax

All the above said services include 29 point inspection, fluid top offs , Chassis lube and free alignment checks ( customer request ). Upto 5 quarts of oil + Filter. Additional oil extra.
 
New quick lube just opened by me...MOBIL HM... $45; KENDALL FS... $55; ROYAL PURPLE (the street legal stuff)... $79. (There was something bet. KENDALL and ROYAL PURPLE @ $65.. ALL BOTTLES. NO CONVENTIONAL OIL. Oh, and their carwash rocks !
Gonna hit the MOBIL HM next change in December.
 
Originally Posted By: stchman
Holy smokes if you buy a 55 gallon drum of MAG1 full synthetic, that comes out to $2.70 a quart.

I see that MAG1 is dexos1 licensed.

Only the 5w30, and that's more expensive than their 0W-20 or 10w30. Still - it's made by Warren and they've got a pretty good reputation on BITOG.

I mean - who could claim to be the ultimate home mechanic? I'm wondering who's gone to the lengths of building a fluid change trench and installing bulk oil reels? I've heard of plenty of people who installed lifts, but they sort of double as the means to double park vehicles in the same space.
 
Originally Posted By: y_p_w
Originally Posted By: stchman
Holy smokes if you buy a 55 gallon drum of MAG1 full synthetic, that comes out to $2.70 a quart.

I see that MAG1 is dexos1 licensed.

Only the 5w30, and that's more expensive than their 0W-20 or 10w30. Still - it's made by Warren and they've got a pretty good reputation on BITOG.

I mean - who could claim to be the ultimate home mechanic? I'm wondering who's gone to the lengths of building a fluid change trench and installing bulk oil reels? I've heard of plenty of people who installed lifts, but they sort of double as the means to double park vehicles in the same space.


What all wives want to see in their garage, a fluid change trench.
 
Do not forget to deduct electricity, wages, insurance, water bill, disposal of oil, keeping stock, taxes or heat/AC from the oil change price.

I wonder how any money is even made!
 
What did PT Barnum say?

Remember, a fool and their money are soon departed if they dont understand and accept the price structure that they are buying into.

Some stuff, like this, to me is just highway robbery. Because the "value added" of syn oil is worth the value that we see in retail price delta, and youre exactly right - everything else is EXACTLY the same.

Its grounds to haggle and then walk. Someone will be hungry enough for the business. The rest can starve.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What did PT Barnum say?

Remember, a fool and their money are soon departed if they dont understand and accept the price structure that they are buying into.

Some stuff, like this, to me is just highway robbery. Because the "value added" of syn oil is worth the value that we see in retail price delta, and youre exactly right - everything else is EXACTLY the same.

Its grounds to haggle and then walk. Someone will be hungry enough for the business. The rest can starve.

Back when I needed to get an oil change done and didn't have the means to change the filter on my wife's Civic, I passed by a local general service shop. I asked how much for a standard oil change for a 2002 Civic.

This takes 5W-20, right?

Yeah.

Uh. $55.

I walked away without any regrets. A dealer wouldn't even charge that much. Most dealers wouldn't even charge that much for 0W-20.
 
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