Oil Change Fraud.

[JP4RNR]

Well I normally change the oil myself but was feeling lazy today and went to one of those quick 20 min oil change facilities called Valvoline-Quick Change. I have a 2006 4Runner V8 2WD. When doing my own oil changes I use OEM filters

I caught them ripping me off. They changed the oil but not the oil filter and they charged me for a filter.

The tech guy was basically lazy because he did have an oil filter wrench in his hand and a flashlight in the other hand I presume he was looking for the oil filter and could not find it and so he gave up or he did not want to deal with unbolting the skid plate.

So after the tech closes the hood I pull out of the service bay stop and pop open the hood, get out and I show the guy that the oil filter was not changed and he thinking I am a moron says the filter was changed and says see look at the receipt. I quickly point out that the filter installed is a Toyota stock OEM which they could not have installed and not only that the filter was very dusty on the outside.

I start yelling at the guy who claims he knows nothing about this that he just writes up the customers and so I confront the actual grease monkey who tells me my engine does not require an oil filter which really pisses me off and I proceed to tell him that he is full of shit and I was not made with just a finger. He then changes his story again and says he did not have the oil filter in stock for my vehicle. I scream for my money back which I did get back and then the guy has the nerve to tell me after I get my money back hey atleast you have clean oil. What a freaking idiot.

I am going to file a complaint with the BBB regarding this place

 

[G.I.G.]

It sucks to hear stories like this and I'm glad that you were able to catch them. That is such BS and the reason why I don't go to those quick change oil places anymore.

At least you did the right thing and checked their work. When I would ask for Mobil 1 at a quick oil change joint, I would stand by the window in the waiting area and make sure that they were opening up new bottles of Mobil 1 and putting them in my car. If there was another car in the way, I would walk outside and look through the door. Knowledge is power my friend and you were observant enough to notice, kudos!

I would definitely report them to the BBB and also call their district mangager.

On a side note, I used to live in Long Beach....good times.

 

[boston_kevin]

Jiffy Lube and other big name oil change shops have been getting busted for this over the last couple of years. I now avoid them and use a trusted local mechanic or the dealer if I cannot do it myself.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune...

 

[Jacobzky]

get a good synthetic oil and filter like Amsoil and you can be lazy for 1 whole year.

I'm glad you caught them, filing a complain to BBB should teach them a lesson.

 

[owen4runner]

I had the Stealer replaced my oil several times. Prior to bringing in my Rnr, I etched a mark on the oil filter, check the level and color of my oil and place distinct markings on each of the wheels. When the service is completed, the kid basically delivers my Rnr in the front door of the waiting area. Before I drive off, I popped the hood and inspect the filter and oil, and check the markings on each individual tires making sure they were rotated. I have never been disappointed. The kid gives me that "WTF" look whenever I do this. But you can't trust any service stations this day, even the Toyota ones and especially NOT the Quicky ones.
After you write the BBB, write to the company too.

 

[Even Steven]

I used to work at a Toyota dealership, and some of the mechanics were known to occasionally rip off customers by not changing their oil filters during an oil change.

It's an easy way to get a "free" oil filter for their own Toyota vehicles. Pretty sad, if you ask me.

 

[<<<<]

All of above are the reasons I change oil on my own. I got time, garage and tools, so hell with those monkeys out there. Most Jiffy Lube places are closing here in KC. I'm sure due to widely televised scam they were caught in California.

 

[hoggy]

I always worry that they (dealer or quick change) places put in regular oil when you pay for synthetic. It's the easiest way there is to rip you off without you knowing. I would change my own oil and do the maintenance but am scared of screwing up the warranty somehow.

 

[RamThis]

I always worry that they (dealer or quick change) places put in regular oil when you pay for synthetic. It's the easiest way there is to rip you off without you knowing. I would change my own oil and do the maintenance but am scared of screwing up the warranty somehow.

You cannot screw up your warranty as long as you keep reciepts for your oil and filter and a list of the mileages of each change. Simple as that. You can keep an envelope in the glove box, throw the reciepts in there, and the list of dates the oil/filter was changed. The reciepts will have a date on them too. This is all you will ever need to keep your warranty requirements fulfilled.

I too, will NEVER let a lube shop touch my vehicles. I used to work for Kwik Kar, actually three different ones, as a State Inspector and a topside lube tech. I was not liked too well because I did things right and was honest with the customer, meaning I didnt sell a bunch of shit they didnt need, and I acutally did what I charged for. No one else did that. So I had a lower profit margin. Basically was run out of two Kwik Kars because of it, the third, was a great guy, said I was BRUTALLY Honest, and respected it. We got along great. One of the few places I enjoyed going to work everyday even if I was only making peanuts. We had a crew of folks that were like-minded, honest, and did what they said they would. And we had clients that noticed it and complimented on it every day. His shop was a true diamond in the rough.

 

[JP4RNR]

I always worry that they (dealer or quick change) places put in regular oil when you pay for synthetic. It's the easiest way there is to rip you off without you knowing. I would change my own oil and do the maintenance but am scared of screwing up the warranty somehow.

Usually if you choose synthetic the oil will be poured directly from the quart bottles rather than pumped out of the tanks for conventional oil. With the oil coming out of the bottles you can see what is being poured in

 

[juneau92]

...Most Jiffy Lube places are closing here in KC. I'm sure due to widely televised scam they were caught in California.

NEVER go to Jiffy Lube. This is the third time in three years (after being caught three separate times) that they've said they're going to clean up their act.

My neighbor across the street just last month had his oil drain plug stripped by them.

Here is a link to the forementioned story and video links: Jiffy Lube Caught

 

[Uneek]

It's an easy way to get a "free" oil filter for their own Toyota vehicles. Pretty sad, if you ask me.

What a shame... risking their jobs over a $2 part.

 

[OSUCHAMPS15]

what a bunch of bums, i've had issues with my local "quick stop" and i only go to my mechanic now. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[inscarguy]

I had something similar happen to me with my company vehicle. I can only go to these quick lube places. I was watching what the shop did an I knew my washer fluid was empty. the guy doing the top fluids did not refill it. when I asked if it was done he said yes and he is the tech here. I just laughed and called corporate. next thing I have a district mgr on the phone. he apologized up and down and sent me a coupon for what would be a complete synthetic oil change and one addl service.

 

[Ralph Blake]

This happens a lot years ago KMart service center guy, charged me for a young lady who they knew filter and oil, i was getting some brake work done on an old Auto.
I also have heard of them quick change joints, not even changing the oil and filter and still charging, hoping people will never check it themselves.

For over the past 25+ years i change my own oil and filters, On my 98 Maxima i even have to remove the right front wheel to reach the filter.

I don't trust the Toyota non service bunch and don't trust them quick change joints. Both hire anyone who applies for the job, and give them zero training or any useful instructions.:smokin:

 

[bamma]

I used to live in apartments where they did not allow you to work on your vehicle in the parking lot, so I took my amsoil oil and filter to a local mechanic.

I had a 07 Tacoma at the time. I checked under the hood when I got home and the oil filter they put in was some chinese no name brand. I assume they did not put in the Amsoil oil either. I drove back and my oil and filter had magically disappeared. I demanded cash for the value of the amsoil products plus a refund for what I paid them, which they did.

It is unfortunate that there are dishonest mechanics that make me distrust all of them.

 

[Ralph Blake]

I used to live in apartments where they did not allow you to work on your vehicle in the parking lot, so I took my amsoil oil and filter to a local mechanic.

I had a 07 Tacoma at the time. I checked under the hood when I got home and the oil filter they put in was some chinese no name brand. I assume they did not put in the Amsoil oil either. I drove back and my oil and filter had magically disappeared. I demanded cash for the value of the amsoil products plus a refund for what I paid them, which they did.

It is unfortunate that there are dishonest mechanics that make me distrust all of them.

Sadly today it's fact there are a lot of dishonest mechanics, and many just really poor mechanics.
At major dealerships you never see the mechanics who do the work on your 4Runner, you just see that smiling service advisor.

 

[RonJR]

Jiffy Lube here charges $41 for an oil change + filter. If I go to the parts store and buy regular oil and a decent filter I'm at over $35, so even assuming they get their oil cheaper in bulk, they make very little money on a basic oil change, even less if you bring in a coupon. Their real money comes from upselling you on other services.

Bottom line, they don't have much incentive, or wiggle room, to do a quality job on oil changes - that's pretty much just a loss leader service, so you need to be watchful as to what you actually get.

 

[wadle5]

Bottom line, they don't have much incentive, or wiggle room, to do a quality job on oil changes - that's pretty much just a loss leader service, so you need to be watchful as to what you actually get.

Right that is why they have monthly training on upselling you stuff you dont need. Because god forbid you go in for just an oil change, and thats all you wanted? Service advisors and the service departments suck and are no longer there for the consumer or vehicle, but are there to meet quotas for corporate. Just sad.

 

[Atlanta_man]

I knew a guy who worked at Jiffy L and he said he quit because all the folks there were high on something all the time. Low pay, minimal background check, 10 minutes of on the job training...high turnover...

not for me.