Jiffy Lube Hard Selling and Overcharging Euless, Texas

Yesterday, I went to the Jiffy Lube in Euless, TX. I asked for an oil change, and a state inspection.

Five minutes later, I was led to a computer screen, with a list of oil change options for my 1999 Ford Ranger with just over 100,00 miles on it. The service technician tried very hard to steer me to a high mileage oil, and didn't even mention the lowest priced, standard oil service, which is what I've been using for the 12 years I've owned this truck. I smiled, and told him that this was the option I'd like. His response indicated that this was the wrong choice, but OK, if that's what I wanted to do...

He flipped to a new screen, with a large number of charts on it. Each chart represented a service that my truck supposedly needed. He said I was overdue for a fuel filter change at 15,000 miles---which would have been the first year I owned the truck. I told him it had been done 11 years ago.

Next was a radiator flush. No, I don't want that done, either.

Next it was an automatic transmission service---except my truck is manual transmission. When I pointed that out, he replied that manual transmissions need service, too. Yeah, but not by guys who don't check before trying to sell me automatic transmission service.

Next was a new air filter. I have to say that every single time I go to any Jiffy Lube, they try to sell me a new air filter. Even when it's brand spanking new. The guys at the Quaker State oil change place just blow the filter out with compressed air, and give me a heads up if it's looking worn out. Jiffy Lube always tries to sell me a new filter. I declined this offer, telling the guy that I change my own air filter. He smirked---probably because I'm a woman.

Finally, he asked if I would like my windshield wipers changed. I declined this, too, saying that I change my own. I restated my request for a simple oil change and a state inspection, and he said he was only suggesting things that I might want to get done while I was there. I thanked him, declined again, and went back to the waiting room.

A few minutes later, another guy came in, and said that he had inspected my truck, and that I needed new windshield wipers, so he couldn't pass me. I asked if Jiffy Lube sells windshield wipers, and he said yes. I asked how much he wanted to charge me to do this service so I could pass my inspection. He said wipers are $16.95. Each. I burst out laughing, and asked him if he was serious. He seemed apologetic, and said that was the price. I told him that was crazy, and that wipers are $10 a pair at Walmart, a block away. He apologized, and said he couldn't pass my truck's inspection unless I replaced the wipers. He offered to check with his manager (the guy who originally tried to upsell me all those unnecessary services) to see if he could make me a better deal, and I told him I would agree to paying $16.95 to get both wipers changed. He went out to see what he could do.

Of course, a few minutes later, he came back, and said the manager would take $8 off the pair of wipers, bringing the price to $26. I told him that was still crazy, since wipers a block away are $10. I asked if I had to pay for the inspection if it failed, and he said yes, but I had a few days to make repairs and bring it back for reinspection at no additional charge. I told him to fail me, since I was going to Walmart next anyway---I could buy my own wipers there, and change them out in two minutes.

This is not the first time I've received the hard sell from Jiffy Lube. They have consistently tried to sell me a bunch of services I don't want, and probably don't need, simply because I look like a woman who doesn't know much about cars. I wonder how many trusting women who don't know which questions to ask have fallen for this shady routine?