$163 Oil Change

Wow! I thought reimbursement would cover the full oil change plus I'd make $30. Instead I ended up paying about $3. Sure, the facility only uses synthetic and includes a multipoint inspection and offered a car wash -which I gladly accepted-, but still, $163?! Just Wow.

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Yep, I did a competitor oil change that was about that much. It was over the reimbursement by about $25 but the msc gave me the difference. That place where I did the oil change has lowered their price by quite a bit since then. Wow was what I thought too.

I'd NEVER trust someone else to do a simple oil change on any of my vehicles. It's so simple to do and I don't over-tighten filters, cross-thread drain bolts, etc. And the time it takes to go to and from the oil change location I could have it done in my own driveway. I also get to inspect my vehicle with my own eyes.

Oh yeah, that synthetic is crazy expensive but should hopefully last longer till you're due for the next oil change.

If it's a Chrysler dealership shop, you are allowed to use coupons.

Thank you, foodluvr. After completing this assignment, I asked the scheduler that exact question! I haven't yet received a response, but I would absolutely use a coupon for this assignment in the future knowing that the reimbursement does not cover the full expense.

I hear what you're saying Maverick1 and, believe me, I'm torn performing these assignments. I'm not really concerned about the Service Technician damaging my vehicle though. Its more that, like you, I sort of enjoy performing my own oil changes too. But ideally, if in return for completing a report, I can drive away with a fully reimbursed oil change plus $30, it's not easy to pass that up and instead pay $30 for oil and filter and for me to get my hands dirty. I also actually appreciate the courtesy inspections from the oil change facilities. They let me know when I need new brakes or something else. Then I go home and replace my brakes or whatever because they are usually correct.

@foodluvr wrote:

If it's a Chrysler dealership shop, you are allowed to use coupons.

I keep eyeing that shop because my car thinks I need an oil change. Its been a year but with synthetic it is no way near the 10,000 miles they say I can wait. But the local Chrysler dealer only takes brands they sell at their dealership. Maybe I need to call them again as its been a few years since they told me that. My expensive oil change was at a dealer too.

My son has a giant truck. I think he paid $200.

Is this the shop that previously said you might not be fully reimbursed but that was recently updated with the specific promise of "full reimbursement?" I read that as full reimbursement plus fee, not full reimbursement eating into the fee. DT, please let us know if you hear back from the scheduler.

If the guidelines were updated with that caveat, I didn’t notice. I’ll definitely update if I find out. I still haven’t received a response from the scheduler. Gee, I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t have a question while completing the shop, eh?

If we're talking Chrysler, in September I did one and the email promoting the shop specifically said "Full reimbursement." The guidelines were silent as to whether all of some of the oil change would be reimbursed. I'd check those scheduler emails and politely follow up again if you find that "full reimbursement" was promised.

same, i thought i was making a good profit and the cost of the change was $50 over the reimbursement!

In the acceptance email, it states, “Expense Limit” of $130. I reviewed the guidelines, but didn’t spot anything relating to full reimbursement. But I did what NinS suggested and checked for emails advertising for those shops and located a recent one that states, “$30 pay plus full reimbursement”. Wow, thanks NonS!! I’ve reached out to the scheduler, included a screenshot of the email but still haven’t received any response.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2024 12:26AM by DT.

@sandyf wrote:

@foodluvr wrote:

If it's a Chrysler dealership shop, you are allowed to use coupons.

I keep eyeing that shop because my car thinks I need an oil change. Its been a year but with synthetic it is no way near the 10,000 miles they say I can wait. But the local Chrysler dealer only takes brands they sell at their dealership. Maybe I need to call them again as its been a few years since they told me that. My expensive oil change was at a dealer too.

Oil degrades over time. That's why, even if the car is barely driven, the oil should be changed every XX miles or XX months.

Update: I never received a reply to the texts I had sent to the Scheduler’s number that had been provided. But, after I sent my question about full reimbursement via email and included a screenshot of the ad, he replied and adjusted my reimbursement to full reimbursement.

Man, THANKS again, NinS. I never would have thought to look back at those email ads!

DT - Don't count on that response anytime soon....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2024 03:07PM by salisburync.

Yea, I thought they made it so convenient by encouraging sending a text regarding any questions. Apparently it was too convenient. But at least I received a reply right away when I emailed.

I actually got charged $130 before tax for a car that takes less than 5 quarts of oil. It took them 2.5 hours also.

I did oil change for long time with that MSC. but they changed the year of car to 2005. It is one year off mine car. So I missed such shops for several years. now I got another car that fits. and it needs syntetic oil..

Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009

Well, like NinS mentioned, the ads do say it is for "full reimbursement" so you could have the oil in your car that requires synthetic to be changed for free plus receive a fee :-)

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$163 Oil Change

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