Buy in bulk

 

Maybe they just change it from your truck to the next guys, and so on it goes.

Actually:

• Buy in bulk
• Use generic quality oil, not the premiums
• Add-on sales of air filters and such to build the profit margin
• Loss leaders to get get you in the door, and upsell to a higher cost service
• Etc, etc.

 

Yeah dude, my old dodge had a drop in K&N filter. I dropped it in, and no joke drove across the street to get the oil changed (I was on lunch break, and decided to be lazy and not do it myself for a change). I was trying to get it all done in the same day, and I knew they charged way too much for a paper filter at the local oil-change place and it was about that time to replace mine. So I just went with the K&N at Autozone. So back to the story, I went across the street and got the oil changed. The dude came back and said "Your air filter is really dirty, but luckily we can change it for only $30. Would you like me to go ahead and take care of that?" I busted out laughing and told the guy I just bought a reusable K&N filter and I asked him if he even opened the air box. He honestly told me that he did not, and just assumed it was dirty. He also said they get a percentage of each additional thing they do to a car or truck besides the oil change.

 

They charge you for coolant, washer fluid, etc.

 

punch holes in your ball joints...

 

After working at a garage for several years, not one of those national chain places but a simple garage. The owner never had oil change specials. It was always $29.95 plus tax and waste disposal. Which came out to be around $35. All fluids where topped off if needed at no addition cost. As well as tire pressure. When doing oil changes myself I even checked for nails in tires if air pressure was low. There are decent garages out there, but normally they are overlooked do to higher prices.

 

Alot of times they change oil at a loss or break even on them, with the hopes of getting additional business out of you. Brakes, tires, mufflers, "weak tie rods"...

 

Pure and simple, loss leaders.

They can do the oil change for a loss simply because they will charge out the *** for 'fixes' like changing the air filter, filling the windshield washer fluid, etc.

Even if they only get 1 person to fall for a few other fixes they can pay for the other losses of only oil changes...plus they have sub-standard mechanics doing the work for minimum wage.

 

I know how they can do it. They hire migrant workers who barely speak English and literally pay them nothing.

Either that, or it's all about volume as some people alluded to, along with low quality oil and filters.

 

Avoid the cheap oil change places like a case of herpes. Why are their oil changes so cheap?

1: They badger you into buying meaningless crap like injector flushing. Even when you tell them that you just want oil, they will randomly bring out something drippy and say it needs changed... even though what is dripping is just fine ATF fluid.

2: They screw up, and then charge for "repairs". A close acquaintance had one of those places manage to bust an automatic transmission hose. Total cost for an oil change? $450. Add in the cost of taking the vehicle to a real mechanic, near a grand.

3: They get the cheapest help they can find.

4: Their QC isn't that great. We all know people who either had to sue for engine replacement, or have a replacement engine installed due to failure to tighten an oil drain plug tightly.

My opinion: Stay the hell away from the cheapie oil change places, at all costs. Change it yourself, or take it to a mechanic or dealership. Yes, it may be significantly more in cost, but I vote with my dollars, and would rather pay for service at a reputable place than contribute to the race to the bottom when it comes to service quality.