tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405576651020920367.post160643472858074709..comments2024-03-09T05:53:46.954-08:00Comments on Bernard's Blog: Shadow and SubstanceBernardLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09722619048888613647noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405576651020920367.post-27682620758634885922009-11-27T06:16:43.319-08:002009-11-27T06:16:43.319-08:00'I seen local guys like yourself come in and c...'I seen local guys like yourself come in and clean out our inventory of certain oils.' <br /><br />Yep, I do that myself on oils like Valvoline Max Trans oil and the new ATF 4. I use only Motorcraft Synthetic Blend oil and AC Delco oil filters from my distributor for the engine oil changes though. I didn't mean to infer your anecdotal story wasn't true. It's only that I haven't seen the same thing happening around here from the oil changer chains. They're more apt to leave an oil plug loose or leave the oil out all together by mistake. I always tell my customers who use me for major repairs and diagnostics to check their oil level before leaving a bargain oil change place and check for fresh oil under the car when they get home.BernardLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09722619048888613647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405576651020920367.post-28606258637193132962009-11-26T23:28:05.386-08:002009-11-26T23:28:05.386-08:00I can't speak for Jiffy Lube but when I toiled...I can't speak for Jiffy Lube but when I toiled for Walmart auto, I seen local guys like yourself come in and clean out our inventory of certain oils. Talking to them, it seemed that they got a better price from Walmart than they could get from the local wholesale distributor for oil. I know my view is anecdotal and anecdotal examples are not to be trusted, but I would bet significant money the oil in the dentist vehicle was not new.whydibuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10101676402335591169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405576651020920367.post-38550408321961678692009-11-26T05:24:40.780-08:002009-11-26T05:24:40.780-08:00In this area the Jiffy Lubes and places like them ...In this area the Jiffy Lubes and places like them actually do the oil and filter changes for that kind of price. They buy in big time bulk. Granted, they don't make much per car but they do a lot of them. In loss-leader specials, they try to sell wipers, drive belts, air filters, cabin air filters, and fluid flushes, etc. They're not crooks out here in my neck of the woods, whydibuy. They do the service. It's not always done by a mechanic, but they've tightened up their standards a little over the years. I can't compete with them though, and I don't try. :) Thanks for commenting.BernardLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09722619048888613647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405576651020920367.post-17107273813432310772009-11-26T00:27:27.258-08:002009-11-26T00:27:27.258-08:00Oil changes, Now there is a subject for psychologi...Oil changes, Now there is a subject for psychologists.<br /><br />I have a neighbor, a dentist, who faithfully went to the 17.99 oil change shops. He asks me to look at his front end since the car was making a squealing sound on turns. I look and notice that the tie rods appear to be bone dry. I don’t think they have been greased in years. <br /><br />After greasing up the car, I examine the oil. Black as tar. I tell the dentist its time for a change and he tells me he just went 10 days ago.<br /><br />Really??<br /><br />And he proudly states that he goes to this 17.99 place for the great deal. I ask him with oil and a filter being about 19.00, how does this place stay in business? Here is where the psychology comes in. In his mind, they must get oil at .50 qt or filters for 1.00. And I ask him even if they could get those supply prices, which they don’t, can a business with employees really survive making 14.00 per car? Would that even cover the days wages much less the overhead? I ask him if he could run his practice with 20.00 cleanings ( his fees; 110.00 ) Of course there he cites all the costs that go with the practice. Not possible to survive on 20.00 but he has a selective blind spot for other businesses overhead. As they say, a man sees what he wants to see and disregards the rest. He, like a lot of people seem to want to believe those numbers are reality. <br />And then I show him his oil compared to mine also recently changed. Mine is Crystal clear, with a hint of yellow. <br /><br />I then flatly state my suspicions that this oil change place, aside from never lubing the car also never gives new oil. They recycle old oil back into folks cars if they bothered to change it at all. It’s the only way they have a chance to stay profitable. There is no other way to last but to scam the old oil. But try convincing the dentist that hes being scammed. Good luck to ya.whydibuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10101676402335591169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405576651020920367.post-7309499901882068052007-08-28T16:22:00.000-07:002007-08-28T16:22:00.000-07:00Glad you stopped in for a laugh, Summer... I mean ...Glad you stopped in for a laugh, Summer... I mean Jordan. :)BernardLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09722619048888613647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405576651020920367.post-24460764117575683242007-08-28T15:48:00.000-07:002007-08-28T15:48:00.000-07:00Okay Rod *cough* I mean Bernard. *ggg*Okay Rod *cough* I mean Bernard. *ggg*Jordan Summershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00437563784716604402noreply@blogger.com