I recently moved into XXXX XXXX and when it was time for my 1996 Ford Explorer to have it's oil changed I decided to try Jiffy Lube as it was closer than my normal oil change place where I had lived prior. My Prior oil changes never exceeded $45-50. Dollars even with a new air filter so I figured I would be spending that much at Jiffy Lube. When I pulled up I was greeted by a team member and was directed to the waiting area.in the waiting area I looked at the Price List and packages offered. I was called into the shop area and spoke with Ben who went through the checklist and "recommend" services. Ben offered special High Millage oil for the vehicle due to my mileage 86,461. I declined and opted for a standard oil change. He also recommended my air filter to be changed and I agreed. He also showed me many other "recommended" services all of which were quite expensive. I told Ben I was not interested in these services as I didn't have my repair records with me and my previous oil change shop may have preformed some of them prior. Here is the next part which I found extremely interesting... Ben said let me just check your vehicle to see if it takes more than 5 quarts of oil because the oil change covers only 5 quarts. He checked on the computer and said ok its 5 quarts. I was directed back to the waiting area. When my car was finished the bill was $70.22 for an oil change and filter! I asked the cashier why the bill was so high; it was not what was discussed inside the shop. He explained the oil change was $41.99 the price board in the shop said $38.99 so the price on the board was incorrect to what I was charged, next he told me my truck took 6.5 quarts of oil and that only 5 quarts were included in the oil change, that was an additional $8.24. I said that Ben said my truck uses 5 Quarts; the cashier said that’s the manufacturer recommendation. He then said some times vehicles use more. Lastly the air filter was $19.95 again very expensive I though. Reluctantly I paid my bill and left. Later when I returned home and looked at the bill I called Ben back and asked him about the extra 1.5 Quarts and he told me that vehicles often take more oil especially with a new filter. I would like to see an oil filter take 1.5 quarts of oil, I am no mechanic but I am no idiot either. I told Ben that my cars owners’ manual said that 5 quarts was the recommended amount. I looked at my previous oil change records and Never Ever was more than 5 quarts put in my vehicle before. Was this Magic Oil? Also the air filter was only 12.99 a $6 dollar difference. That’s steep, and the oil change price was only $29.99 and yes they check all the fluids and provide all the same inspections and checks that Jiffy Lube performs. Coincidently the person before me was told his vehicle took an astounding 7.5 quarts of oil. Unless its a giant engine on a big rig that’s almost impossible.
So even with a discount of $5 dollars that was given to me I still paid $70 bucks for an oil change. I felt it necessary to let you know that at this price point and the felling of being scammed for extra oil and wrong signage in the waiting room I feel like I was lubed instead of my vehicle. I will return to my old oil change shop which is a half hour drive, there I am treated like an educated customer, I am not told lies that my car needs more oil than Ford suggests, nor am I mislead with incorrect signage, or overpriced filters and I get a free car wash to boot!
I will be sure to tell my family and friends to steer clear of Jiffy Lube and find other alternatives. "First impressions matter in business as they are often the last memory the customer has"
Sincerely,
A disgruntled first and last time customer.
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