After reading the owners manual it was discovered that synthetic oil was not required by Ford. They did not say "no", but they were clear that it was not essential. In the back of the manual on the maintenance schedule they discovered that the oil and filter service was 10,000 miles not the 3,000 miles on the sticker placed in the window by the competitor. After looking at the receipt one more time it was discovered that the last time the Ford was serviced by the competitor the automatic transmission was serviced and the radiator was flushed.
Next stop, back to the Ford dealership to see if they could learn anything more. Sticking out like a sore thumb was "The Works" - Fords synthetic oil change and comprehensive inspection for $39.95. Their inspection was a whole lot more comprehensive that the competitors.
So is the competitor cheaper and more convenient? No on both counts. Here is the math. They can get "The Works" at a Ford Quick Lane facility that is closer than the competitor for $39.95 - synthetic oil change and comprehensive inspection. This would be done every 10,000 miles. Or, they could go get the "Signature Service" for $35.99 nearly $4.00 cheaper than Ford. But, once there, they switch them to synthetic oil with an up-charge of $29.00. They hand a bill over for $67.25 (after tax, 58% more expensive than "The Works") and slap on a window sticker to come back in 3,000 miles. Their computer reminds them and the customer, that they always get synthetic oil. And the counterperson assures them the Hybrids require it. It is convenient but, probably no more convenient than the Ford Quick Lane they pass on their way to the competitor. Over the course of 10,000 miles I'd be reminded to go to the competitor three times. Total cost would be $201.75.....only if they could resist aggressive sales tactics to change the air filter, flush the radiator, flush the transmission and so on. The "Works" would have saved them $159.20 for a single necessary oil and filter change.
Consumer education is a wonderful thing.
Showing posts with label oil change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oil change. Show all posts
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Soap Box 2.0
The number one competitor to the auto dealerships service department is looked on as both cheap and convenient. But are they
At team of independent folks decided to find out using a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid with over 87,000 miles on the odometer. They went shopping to find out.
Their first stop was the local Ford dealer where they asked for a comprehensive inspection to find if anything was wrong with the vehicle. They tagged along with the service technician as he worked on the vehicle. Oil was fine, filters were OK, tires safe, all fluids good-to-go, brakes with plenty of life left, shocks and struts working fine. All they found was a broken license plate light and a cracked windshield. When asked for the bill the dealership refused to charge anything.
Next stop, the competitor. The lube sticker in the car told them they were 1,000 miles past due for a new Signature Service. They parked the car and sat in the waiting room. By the way, those stickers are extremely effective at prompting customers for service. The top prompt for customers was a vehicle performance issue, followed by odometer mileage and window stickers.
The technician came into the waiting room and validated the owners address and said, "you still using synthetic oil?" (Remember, Ford had already told them the oil and filter were OK.) The customer stated they didn't use synthetic oil. He replied, "Well, that's what she's been using." The customer replied that he did not need synthetic oil. The technicians comeback, "Hybrids are supposed to use synthetic oil." The customer inquired as to the price and was told $64.99. So they let them put in the synthetic oil because, "Hybrids are supposed to use synthetic oil." They got the car back 15 minutes later, paid $67.25 and the shop didn't mention the license plate light.
They then went home and checked out the owner's manual.
Tomorrow the I will reveal the results of this study.
At team of independent folks decided to find out using a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid with over 87,000 miles on the odometer. They went shopping to find out.
Their first stop was the local Ford dealer where they asked for a comprehensive inspection to find if anything was wrong with the vehicle. They tagged along with the service technician as he worked on the vehicle. Oil was fine, filters were OK, tires safe, all fluids good-to-go, brakes with plenty of life left, shocks and struts working fine. All they found was a broken license plate light and a cracked windshield. When asked for the bill the dealership refused to charge anything.
Next stop, the competitor. The lube sticker in the car told them they were 1,000 miles past due for a new Signature Service. They parked the car and sat in the waiting room. By the way, those stickers are extremely effective at prompting customers for service. The top prompt for customers was a vehicle performance issue, followed by odometer mileage and window stickers.
The technician came into the waiting room and validated the owners address and said, "you still using synthetic oil?" (Remember, Ford had already told them the oil and filter were OK.) The customer stated they didn't use synthetic oil. He replied, "Well, that's what she's been using." The customer replied that he did not need synthetic oil. The technicians comeback, "Hybrids are supposed to use synthetic oil." The customer inquired as to the price and was told $64.99. So they let them put in the synthetic oil because, "Hybrids are supposed to use synthetic oil." They got the car back 15 minutes later, paid $67.25 and the shop didn't mention the license plate light.
They then went home and checked out the owner's manual.
Tomorrow the I will reveal the results of this study.
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