Dealer service coupon issue / question

[Nolarola]

I had a coupon for $39.99 oil change \ tire rotation at a local dealership. I understood that there would be additional charges for additional oil and a fee to use synthetic. Last time I used the same coupon, it cost $60. This time over $70. They attempted to increase the labor rate from the standard rate to a higher rate without explanation except that it is used when the customer has a coupon. This, I gather, is to cover the savings covered by the coupon. They, because I said something, corrected it, but I still probably won't go back on principle alone.

No, I won't change my own oil.

Is this common? Am I totally wrong and misguided? Talk to me.

 

[SR5Bart]

Can't speak for other dealers but my 5qt synthetic is $39.95 and 7qt is $49.95 all day every day

I did however call a firestone for fun to get a quote on an oil change with 7qt synthetic and dude told me $76

 

[flyrv9]

Our dealer here quotes 2 prices in their ad - one for synthetic and a lower one for non synthetic.

 

[(none)]

Usually the coupon will say how much oil (usually 5qts) and if synthetic is included.

But, if it's for a Toyota dealer and synthetic is now standard on all Toyota models, I'd question them when they started to charge you more.

 

[mike5]

We need to see the coupon because it's all spelled out. Normally they charge extra for 2 things: synthetic and more than 4 cylinders. If they don't spell things out then they could get in trouble for false advertising.

Maybe they were trying to rip you off, but we need the coupon first.

 

[Nolarola]

Thanks, y'all. Look, I don't know how to post a pic, but here are the details directly from the coupon on Toyotaowners.com - I understood from reading this before going in that synthetic and additional 2 quarts were going to increase the cost. Another wrinkle, the cashier initially tried to tell me that the increase from the previous purchase was because I got my tires rotated this time and not last (this was just a really bad guess, and was wrong).

--------
39.95
Oil and Filter Change Plus
Offer Valid
01/01/2017 - 03/31/2017 [yes, i was close, but there will be an identical one tomorrow]
Lakeside Toyota
3701 North Causeway Blvd.
Metairie, LA
Tel504) 833-3311

Service Includes
Genuine Toyota oil filter
Up to 5 quarts of conventional oil
Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
Rotate tires and check oil pressure
Check installation of driver's floor mat
Multi-point inspection complimentary

Toyota Owners Official Web Site

One offer only per customer. Please present coupon when order is written. Plus tax. Reference your owner's manual for your vehicle's scheduled maintenance intervals. Synthetic oil additional. Toyotas only.

OFFERID:10019439

 

[mike5]

I found the coupon on Toyota Owners site using your zip. Basically it covers an oil change and tire rotation. Oil limited to 5 quarts and conventional. What it doesn't say is how much it costs for additional quarts or synthetic.

I'm pretty sure what they did is wrong. If they were going off labor rate then coupon wouldn't be needed. So yes they tried to make a quick buck. Depending on consumer protection laws in your state you could threaten them with that or threaten to report them to corporate on the next survey.

I would get an estimate in writing next time to avoid all this. But unfortunately dealers are not always the most trust worthy.

On a side note, when I go in for 5k service at the dealer for basically oil and tire rotation it costs $100 in SoCal. Pretty standard regardless of dealers I've visited.

 

[flyrv9]

Some of the dealers here are have ads to try to get oil change business from all makes of vehicles; hence the disclaimer covering oil amounts and types. They pay some kid minimum wage to just change oil and garner a big profit. Another reason to change your own.