What makes SuperTech Synthetic "cheap"

[Rex]

Cheap might be defined differently in this question and the reason I ask. Either its a top rated oil with a lower profit expectation with savings passed over to the consumer, or cheap means oil quality is lowered making it cheaper to manufacturer.

I know the VOA is very impressive with a solid TBN number and other solid factors.

So what makes this oil cost lower than the others?

 

[Shannow]

Walmart's business model.

Made a gallon of pickles cheap as well

 

[Rex]

So then you're saying ST quality is right up there with Mobile 1 synthetics and RoyalPurple which WM also sells. Its WalMarts business model to lower the profit margin on a stout oil?

 

[Shannow]

I said what ???

 

[Rex]

Thats it is "Walmarts business model" which doesn't answer my question, but wanted your attention again to answer my question? Is it Walmarts Business model to sell quality oil with a lower profit margin or sell a lower quality oil at a low price point?

 

[Shannow]

It DID answer your question, with the gallon of pickles.

Mobil (no "e") and Royal Purple compete for shelf space.

Whoever the supplier of SuperTech is on any given day is competing to get the contract to supply quantities of oil with SuperTech on the label.

I'm quietly positive that Walmart would have an absolute requirement on them to have the certifications claimed, or have a pass through warranty/cost.

Does it meet specs ?

Obviously yes.

Is it "up there" with Mobil (no "e") or Royal Purple ?

No idea...not even sure that the latter is "up there" in the first place

 

[Rex]

Thanks Shannow for answering my question and pointing out my crazy spell checker! I'm "quietly" positive also that "up there" does mean differently to others.

 

[Merkava_4]

I wouldn't exactly call it cheap at $17.47 for a 5 quart bottle, but it's less expensive than your name brand oil because you're not paying for a bunch of ridiculous advertising.

 

[zach1900]

Wal-Mart sells a ton of everything =volume. And $18 isn't much cheaper than the big name guys.

 

[Rex]

And thats another good point with the advertising not playing a factor in its cost. So for me 17.47 is a cheap deal when I consider the other options at WalMart. The lack of advertising inflation doesn't get tag to the oil although the quality of the oil still might play in the cost factor. Yes SuperTech Synthetic does qualify for the API requirements but can we say it also offers additional added benefits up and beyond the "standard" requirements that other more expensive oils offer?

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I wouldn't exactly call it cheap at $17.47 for a 5 quart bottle, but it's less expensive than your name brand oil because you're not paying for a bunch of ridiculous advertising.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: Rex
And thats another good point with the advertising not playing a factor in its cost. So for me 17.47 is a cheap deal when I consider the other options at WalMart. The lack of advertising inflation doesn't get tag to the oil although the quality of the oil still might play in the cost factor. Yes SuperTech Synthetic does qualify for the API requirements but can we say it also offers additional added benefits up and beyond the "standard" requirements that other more expensive oils offer?


Well what point are you trying to make? You've pretty much gotten your question answered in more ways than one, are you trying to maneuver the discussion to somewhere it hasn't gone yet?

It's an OK oil just like a bunch of other OK oils out there, it will likely perform acceptably in your application unless you have specific requirements that it doesn't meet. It's less expensive because of the volume Walmart can sell, plus no advertising or sponsorship costs.

If you need and want a decent SN rated oil then use it, right? Or don't. Or do.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Rex
Yes SuperTech Synthetic does qualify for the API requirements but can we say it also offers additional added benefits up and beyond the "standard" requirements that other more expensive oils offer?


All I know is my engine runs the smoothest on SuperTech out of all the oils I've tried. It runs so smooth, I am done experimenting.

 

[crazyoildude]

very little advertising lowers cost sometimes also

 

[Rex]

Hi kschachn,

No point to make nor a manoeuvring whatever, just interested in hearing what the forum members have to say and enjoy finding friendly conversation on my question. But after my question was answered you did offer yet additional useful input so I guess my question is always unfulfilled.



Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: Rex
And thats another good point with the advertising not playing a factor in its cost. So for me 17.47 is a cheap deal when I consider the other options at WalMart. The lack of advertising inflation doesn't get tag to the oil although the quality of the oil still might play in the cost factor. Yes SuperTech Synthetic does qualify for the API requirements but can we say it also offers additional added benefits up and beyond the "standard" requirements that other more expensive oils offer?


Well what point are you trying to make? You've pretty much gotten your question answered in more ways than one, are you trying to maneuver the discussion to somewhere it hasn't gone yet?

It's an OK oil just like a bunch of other OK oils out there, it will likely perform acceptably in your application unless you have specific requirements that it doesn't meet. It's less expensive because of the volume Walmart can sell, plus no advertising or sponsorship costs.

If you need and want a decent SN rated oil then use it, right? Or don't. Or do.

 

[wemay]

ST Syn is as good as any other oil that meets the same certifications (API SN/ILSAC GF-5...). Go by specs met, not the name of the brand.

 

[Falken]

How do you make cheap oil expensive with Marketing?

Ask Castrol.

 

[RedOakRanch]

The sell price.

 

[fdcg27]

I'd doubt that there is as much cost in this oil as there is in a jug of M1, PP or any other name brand.
There is also likely a more optimal basestock blend used in those oils formulated by companies that actually produce basestocks as opposed to those who have to buy all they use, but the differences in use would be very subtle.
ST is no doubt still a solid oil and would work just fine in most of the applications people put M1, PP or any other name brand in.
There are other house brand oils with what appear to be very similar formulations that are often priced even lower on sale, like the synthetics from Meijer and Rural King.
None of these store brand oils are bargain priced M1 equivalents IMHO but all of them meet current API specs and will work just fine in the engines that most drivers have.
One counter that you'll get from many members is that when you spread the marginal cost of a name brand oil over an OCI, the savings to be had with a store brand are nugatory.
XOM also recommends any flavor of M1 you'll find on the shelves at Walmart for at least 10K miles of use.
No such claim is made for ST or any other house brand oil.

 

[jeepman3071]

WalMart buys the oil in huge quantities so they can get a better deal from the manufacturers, which is what Shannow was hinting at with his pickles example.

This is why a 5qt jug of Pennzoil Yellow Bottle 5w30 is a lot cheaper at WalMart than it is at say Advance Auto. Plus like others said the marketing costs add up. Mobil 1 is fairly expensive, but I wouldn't call it the best oil. It really depends on your application as well. I think SuperTech Synthetic is a really good oil, especially for the price.

 

[HerrStig]

The economist would call it "economy of scale" meaning they contract for it by the rail car load, and it's THEIR shelf space. Economics 101, which apparently doesn't get taught anymore, although "big corporate hate" does, covers this in the first semester.
The small indy car parts place buys oil by the case, not by the freightcar load.