Where to buy oil?

[wjw]

I was going to start using Mobil 1 in my 2012 Sonata.
The manual says 5w20 ILSAC GF-4 or above.
Mobil 1 is ILSAC GF-5.
The Exxon Mobil distributor will sell it to me at $7.15 a quart.
Walmart has it for $6.49 a quart.
I know about high volume buying, but I have heard that some
items like TV's, golf balls, shotguns at Walmart are a
lower quality to meet there low cost demands.
Should I worry about oil?
Should I go ahead and pay more at the distributor?

 

[DragRace]

You can buy @ Walmart and let your mind be at rest,dont sweat the small stuff.

 

[The_Jeff]

No, walmart's stuff is the same.

TVs will have a different model number, MAYBE different trim, MAYBE a different flash in the "BIOS" to make it behave slightly differently, maybe one less input jack in the back.

Walmart's oil cheaps out by putting 5 quarts in. Real auto parts stores sell 5.1 quart bottles. Therefore you can't cross shop and force price matches.

The oil inside is exactly the same. Even if the label says "bring it back to walmart for recycling". For all we know, exxon prints that on there so third parties don't buy oil for retail consumption at walmart instead of through proper (more expensive) middlemen.

 

[Highline9]

I think the quality of the oil that you purchase from anywhere is the same. Walmart purchases larger volumes so they get a better deal. If you can't sleep from buying from walmart than don't buy it. welcome to BITOG.

 

[DutchBrad]

Walmarts here in Michigan have M1 for $27 or so in the 5 quart jug. That is $5.40 per quart. I use Pennzoil Platinum (PP) from Walmart, have had no issues. I doubt there is any difference in the oil regardless of where it is purchased. You can also look for sales and mail in rebates on M1. I have purchased several jugs of PP in my stash that way. The jugs from Walmart and the jugs from Advanced Auto are marked the same.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Walmart and Walmart only when it comes to buying oil,unless you need a boutique or special rare grade.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: wjw
I have heard that some items like TV's, golf balls, shotguns at Walmart are a lower quality to meet there low cost demands.

That is flat-out wrong; it's totally silly, ignorant, paranoiac, conspiratorial nonsense. Name-brand product sold at Walmart is identical to the same brand product sold everywhere else.

Walmart (and Costco) do get better pricing for the volume they buy, but suppliers do NOT change their formulations for a specific retailer. There are sometimes differences in high-priced product versus low-priced, but original formulation and quality aren't part of that.

 

[InvalidUserID]

I go to Wal-Mart for one reason and one reason only: oil. I usually stop in once or twice a year and buy a bunch of 5-quart jugs for the cars I do oil changes on.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: Tegger
Originally Posted By: wjw
I have heard that some items like TV's, golf balls, shotguns at Walmart are a lower quality to meet there low cost demands.

That is flat-out wrong; it's totally silly, ignorant, paranoiac, conspiratorial nonsense. Name-brand product sold at Walmart is identical to the same brand product sold everywhere else.

Walmart (and Costco) do get better pricing for the volume they buy, but suppliers do NOT change their formulations for a specific retailer. There are sometimes differences in high-priced product versus low-priced, but original formulation and quality aren't part of that.




actually, next time you are there,(walmart) pick out 3 national brand items - examples off top of my head: tide, mr clean,windex; write down the item, price & stated size.
now next time you are at another chain(kmart, target, whatever)look up those same 3 items, try to find same sizes and everything. i can just about guarantee you that the Walmart one will be smaller , even if just a little, and that's how come they are "Cheaper". always figure the per unit cost if you really wanna compare.

 

[tenderloin]

M1 is $5.49 a qt at O'Reilly's thru 2/14

 

[67Customs]

Originally Posted By: earlyre
Originally Posted By: Tegger
Originally Posted By: wjw
I have heard that some items like TV's, golf balls, shotguns at Walmart are a lower quality to meet there low cost demands.

That is flat-out wrong; it's totally silly, ignorant, paranoiac, conspiratorial nonsense. Name-brand product sold at Walmart is identical to the same brand product sold everywhere else.

Walmart (and Costco) do get better pricing for the volume they buy, but suppliers do NOT change their formulations for a specific retailer. There are sometimes differences in high-priced product versus low-priced, but original formulation and quality aren't part of that.

actually, next time you are there,(walmart) pick out 3 national brand items - examples off top of my head: tide, mr clean,windex; write down the item, price & stated size.
now next time you are at another chain(kmart, target, whatever)look up those same 3 items, try to find same sizes and everything. i can just about guarantee you that the Walmart one will be smaller , even if just a little, and that's how come they are "Cheaper". always figure the per unit cost if you really wanna compare.

Well, we are talking about oil and the last time I checked, 5 quarts at Walmart = 5 quarts anywhere else, and Walmart's regular prices are always cheaper than other place's regular prices.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: 67Customs
Originally Posted By: earlyre

actually, next time you are there,(walmart) pick out 3 national brand items - examples off top of my head: tide, mr clean,windex; write down the item, price & stated size.
now next time you are at another chain(kmart, target, whatever)look up those same 3 items, try to find same sizes and everything. i can just about guarantee you that the Walmart one will be smaller , even if just a little, and that's how come they are "Cheaper". always figure the per unit cost if you really wanna compare.

Well, we are talking about oil and the last time I checked, 5 quarts at Walmart = 5 quarts anywhere else, and Walmart's regular prices are always cheaper than other place's regular prices.


well, actually, limiting to oil just illustrates my point about product sizes.(price is still lower, b/c they buy a poop load of everything, and if you want your product in their stores, you will let them sell it for their price..)

walmart sells oil in 1qt, and 5qt jugs. you might find the occasional gallon(4qts) lingering around.

Most chains carry oil in 1qt, and 5.1qt(really 5 Liter) jugs, with the occasional gallon(4qts) lingering around.

yes the difference is small, .1qts, or 3.2 oz.

so here, i have chosen 1 product.Valvoline 5w30 conventional. Check descriptions
Walmart
5 qt - $16.47($3.29/qt, or 10.2 cents/oz)($16.80 for 5.1qt[5L])
Autozone
5.1qt(5L)- $23.99($4.70/qt, or 14.9 cents/oz)($23.51 for an even 5 qts)
O'rielly
5.1 qt(5L) - $24.99($4.90/qt, or 15.3cents/oz)($24.50 for an even 5 qts)
Advance Auto Parts
5.1 qt(5L) - $24.99($4.90/qt, or 15.3cents/oz) ($24.50 for an even 5 qts)

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Buy Amsoil from Pablo.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: wjw
I was going to start using Mobil 1 in my 2012 Sonata.
The manual says 5w20 ILSAC GF-4 or above.
Mobil 1 is ILSAC GF-5.
The Exxon Mobil distributor will sell it to me at $7.15 a quart.
Walmart has it for $6.49 a quart.
I know about high volume buying, but I have heard that some
items like TV's, golf balls, shotguns at Walmart are a
lower quality to meet there low cost demands.
Should I worry about oil?
Should I go ahead and pay more at the distributor?



How long of an OCI does the manual say you can run under your new vehicle warranty?
Just asking because if it's shorter than most companies, Mobil 1 may be a waste of money.

 

[crazyoildude]

buy your oil at the cheapest place that has the brand you like anything sm or sn is great oil!
wal mart is not always the cheapest especially lately

 

[wjw]

Thanks for the help. I appreciate everyone's responses.

 

[ahoier]

Originally Posted By: Tegger
Originally Posted By: wjw
I have heard that some items like TV's, golf balls, shotguns at Walmart are a lower quality to meet there low cost demands.

That is flat-out wrong; it's totally silly, ignorant, paranoiac, conspiratorial nonsense. Name-brand product sold at Walmart is identical to the same brand product sold everywhere else.

Walmart (and Costco) do get better pricing for the volume they buy, but suppliers do NOT change their formulations for a specific retailer. There are sometimes differences in high-priced product versus low-priced, but original formulation and quality aren't part of that.


For TVs, and some electronics, yes I have heard/seen of this

Particularly "printers" - the manufacturer (let's say HP) will make 2 identical products.....give one the part number D1660....and then give Kmart, a D1670; Sears a D1680...and so on......as mentioned, it sort of "kills" the price matching, since most stores that honor competitor coupons, price matching, etc.....require the product to be "EXACT SAME IDENTICAL" product.....with the difference in part number, the equipment is no longer "identical" though it may look exactly the same (and usually yes, operates the same....)...


Then you go home and check the manufacturer driver site....and 1 driver fits all 3 different models, say, from D1600 through D1699

Been there, done that, seen it happen said printer is my own printer, and yes, seen it happen Even the Ink cart. reference book next to the printer carts references the printer in the same way

The whole 1600 series takes the same cartridge....


BUT, back on topic.....I would not worry about this "cost cutting" when it comes to motor oil.....motor oil is a little bit more "regulated" and such......buy with no worries from Walmart...

 

[Will41]

In my town, Meijer is currently a little cheaper on M1.

 

[67Customs]

Originally Posted By: earlyre
so here, i have chosen 1 product.Valvoline 5w30 conventional. Check descriptions
Walmart
5 qt - $16.47($3.29/qt, or 10.2 cents/oz)($16.80 for 5.1qt[5L])
Autozone
5.1qt(5L)- $23.99($4.70/qt, or 14.9 cents/oz)($23.51 for an even 5 qts)
O'rielly
5.1 qt(5L) - $24.99($4.90/qt, or 15.3cents/oz)($24.50 for an even 5 qts)
Advance Auto Parts
5.1 qt(5L) - $24.99($4.90/qt, or 15.3cents/oz) ($24.50 for an even 5 qts)

I think you proved yourself wrong. By your math, you evened out the quantities and Walmart was significantly cheaper, which disproves your original point that Walmart has cheaper prices simply because their containers are smaller.

However, like you did say before, Walmart has a cheaper price because they purchase and sell more product.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: 67Customs
Originally Posted By: earlyre
so here, i have chosen 1 product.Valvoline 5w30 conventional. Check descriptions
Walmart
5 qt - $16.47($3.29/qt, or 10.2 cents/oz)($16.80 for 5.1qt[5L])
Autozone
5.1qt(5L)- $23.99($4.70/qt, or 14.9 cents/oz)($23.51 for an even 5 qts)
O'rielly
5.1 qt(5L) - $24.99($4.90/qt, or 15.3cents/oz)($24.50 for an even 5 qts)
Advance Auto Parts
5.1 qt(5L) - $24.99($4.90/qt, or 15.3cents/oz) ($24.50 for an even 5 qts)

I think you proved yourself wrong. By your math, you evened out the quantities and Walmart was significantly cheaper, which disproves your original point that Walmart has cheaper prices simply because their containers are smaller.

However, like you did say before, Walmart has a cheaper price because they purchase and sell more product.


actually, if you read said post, what i was comparing was the sizes they carry.(in my previous post i mentioned they sell most products in slightly smaller sizes)
the comparative maths were just for fun/my own edification/ ensuring an apples/apples comparison.

and honestly it's not just a volume discount they get from the manufacturers, they(walmart) pretty much say, " here's the price we are gonna charge" and if that doesn't work for you, your product is not in their stores.