why advertise a oil change for 19.95 and fine print says they can charge you 5.00 for oil disposal?

Question

My car has less than 3 quarts old oil to come out when you change it. Several times I got it changed for 19.95. New manager takes over and now the price was 24.95. He told me there was a 5.00 oil disposal charge. It only happened once. I can change it myself for about $12.00 in less than 15 minutes!!

Answer 1

Your the man! I personally congratulate you for your willingness to roll up your sleeves and do the job yourself. A pair of Rhino Ramps, 15mm combination wrench, cup style filter wrench, 3/8 extension, ratchet wrench, catch can and your in business.You can pick up a new five gallon paint pail with a cover for disposal FOR FREE for your own oil. You have the pleasure of letting you oil drain as long as you like. Pick your favorite filter brand of motor oil and the pleasure of doing the job your self with no screw-ups such as double gasket-ed loose filters and pan plugs not clean and tight. Your own eye inspects everything under the car.

Answer 2

If you can do it yourself, problem solved!

The fast lube places are for these applications:

1) your car is a PITA to change the oil
2) you're a woman without a husband to change it for you (im not being sexist I haven't met one woman who even knows what oil does)
3) It's cold, snowy, rainy, and it cant wait
4) Either #2 or #3, but you're going on a long trip and need it changed first
5) you cant change it because of whatever physical limitation

Answer 3

Put yourself in a repair shop owners position. I have worked for Goodyear for over 20 yrs, and have seen many new charges they we ever had to charge, included the one for oil. People dont relalize that 99% of shops are not out to screw you over, but they do want to make an honest wage for an hoest weeks work just like you do. We now payout hundreds of dollars for disposial fees. We have one truck come in for coolant, one for oil, one for oil filters, one for batteries, etc. Its not that shops want to charge you or as people say, screw you as customers over, its to stay in business. Shops that dont charge those fees are probably just draining it down the sewer, which carries major fines across the usa. I am always upfront with customers, I know you can do it cheaper at home, you dont have to pay the overhead as a shop does. If thats the case, take it home and change it yourself cheaper, but most people dont want to hassle.

Answer 4

It's all about marketing.

Next time they try to do this. Look at the bill and tell them that you would like to take your old oil with you and dispose of it yourself.

Do you think they can possibly identify YOUR oil??? I'd love to see their faces

Answer 5

It is called the good, old American shuck-and jive, businesses have been doing it for YEARS, guy! I ALWAYS do my own work, those places operate on the 'get em out quick plan, so do not count on real quality service, that is what cost my father-in-law a differential in his dodge(bought truck new, differential lasted 17 months)

Answer 6

They got you in the door, didn't they? Most shops charge a disposal fee, or an environmental fee.

Answer 7

Cause it looks better than saying 24.95

Answer 8

because 19.95 is cheaper than 24.95!