Free oil changes

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ May 21 2007, 05:52 PM) [snapback]446991[/snapback]</div>

Some Service Writers try to upsell, some don't. Does your dealer offer personal lube services and does the local vice squad know about it? There's nothing to lube on a Prius. Follow Toyota's maintenance schedule or listen to Galaxee (file attached).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ May 21 2007, 09:11 PM) [snapback]447059[/snapback]</div>

This is similar to rebates. 50% or less actually send in rebate forms. When a sales person tells you something like "free oil changes, car washes and tires for the life of your ownership" it just tips you over the edge. The tires will last 50,000 miles or so, chances are you will move, trade or die before they have to honor it. I am sure there are VERY few situations where they will have to honor this. The few times they do are made up by the many sales they will get with the promise.

 

You are getting a free lesson in Sales 101.

Promotions like this are all about getting you to keep coming back through the revolving door. Once you are in a dealership, they know that they will have a captive audience for a certain period of time. Of course you'll look at the new models on the floor and maybe show some interest. Next thing you know, the service advisor informs you that some additional repairs are needed and hey, that new car doesn't look so bad after all.

The bottom line is that free oil changes, car washes, etc. are a nothing more than great way to get you back into the dealership. To them, it is a cost of doing business much like advertising.

 

My dealer gives the first oil change free. After that it is pay as you go.

I had a Jeep Wrangler that the dealer offered free tires for the life of he car. The catch was they had to rotate the tires every 5,000 miles (not a bad idea) but you also had to have them align the front end every 10,000 miles. They charged for the tire rotation and alignment. It was way cheaper to buy tires.

I have had vehicles with over a 100,000 miles on them and never had a front end alignment and no front end tire wear.

 

I am surprised more dealerships dont do free oil changes for life. It seems it would be a great way to get referrals and repeat sales. The reality though is that the service dept is probably the most profitable for the dealer. And they hate giving away something that they make alot of money on. What does the avg oil change cost these days anyway, I have always done mine myself. Usually costs me <$25 w/ the castrol syntec.

 

I get free oil change flyers from my dealer ever few months - for my Rav4EV. After the frst few, I finally called to ask them to stop wasting the money and energy to send them. I was told there was nothing they could do - the "computer" automatically generates them. I then asked what they would do if I brought my car in for the free oil change, and the guy thought that was the funniest thing he'd ever heard.

:sigh:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ May 22 2007, 04:34 PM) [snapback]447612[/snapback]</div>

Darelldd, take in your free oil change coupon and redeem it for "cash" or a free alignment if you bring in 3 coupons, hahahah

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morpheusx @ May 22 2007, 04:34 PM) [snapback]447578[/snapback]</div>

The going rate around here for an oil change is about $20. For about that, Firestone will also rotate the tires as long as I use their credit card. The oil change is a loss leader. Once you are in the store there is a chance you can be persuaded to buy something. If it didn't work often enough it would be discontinued. I don't know what the wholesale price of a filter and oil is but I don't think anyone is making money on an oil change. (The mechanic with nothing else to do is probably ahead.)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ May 21 2007, 05:52 PM) [snapback]446991[/snapback]</div>

There is nothing free! You paid for it and the rest of us are helping to pay for your oil changes. I wish someone was paying for mine!