Jiffy Lube #1308 rip-off! They hustled my 17 year son into services not requested. Ended with a bill for $152.00. Norwood Massachusetts

First off The 17 year old should have been told by the customer service advisor what each service was and what the associated cost was. That IS their job. Do not feed the consumers any line about service recommendations. Jiffy Lube polls the severe service recommendations not normal conditions, I have seen many a Customer Service Advisor omit that information. These will differ from dealers as their service intervals are based on manufacturer R & D and normal driving habits.

Second off for you to post Yay another person looking for a freebie, says noting for your customer service score. That sounds almost like some one does not want a claim filed with JLI so they can get bonus for the month. You need to revisit JTSS because your post only shows people that Jiffy Lube indeed hires less than qualified people to preform services on a something that someone had to work really hard to save money to purchase. So after paying thousands of dollars for something that someone depends on as a life line they should be ok with some one working on their car after they conduct themselves in a less than professional manner like you are?

So yeah, I work at a Jiffy lube, usually as a lower bay tech, but occasionally as a customer service adviser.
What never fails to amaze me is how sexist people are! I keep hearing people complain about jiffy lube "preying on women." What, are we supposed to skip over reviewing manufacturers recommendations because, "well, she's a girl and she just won't understand it. Better wait 'til her man shows up to tell her what's what."
At Jiffy Lube, we treat people equally. Which means that, man or woman, teenager or adult, if you come into our shop with your vehicle, we're going to tell you what the manufacturer recommends and how much it will cost if you want us to do it for you.
"He's only 17" is not a valid reason for wanting a refund. If you think he's not capable of understanding that more services = more money, then maybe you should handle vehicle maintenance for him. (And perhaps reconsider whether he should be allowed to drive.)
Also, if you don't trust your wife/girlfriend/mom/sister/daughter to understand that they can, at any point, say no, then maybe you should bring the car in. Or really man up and do your own oil changes.
Jiffy Lube recommends services based on the vehicle manufacturers "severe service" recommendations. Not sure what that means, read your owners manual. Most cars actually do fall into the severe service category. Frequent, short trips; frequent stop-and-go travel; driving through hilly/mountainous terrain; frequent operation in extreme temperatures; towing; etc, etc.
Bottom line, the guy trying to sell you services doesn't care if you actually buy them or not. He doesn't get an extra dime whether you spend $30 or $230. He gets paid by the hour and tries to sell stuff cause it keeps the boss off his back. He's not trying to rip you off or scam you, he just wants to get through to the end of the day without getting yelled at by the boss or being accused of "preying" on people.

Jiffy lube uses the auto manufactor rec. for extreme conditions.and they got the sales ticket over $120.00 the techs. probably gave high fives after the "kid" left the store. always remember some fluid may look dirty even if it still has 10,000 miles or more to go. If jiffy did not do it previously they will always recommend you need the service that is what "they do"--stay in your pocket book.

sounds to me like your son learned a cheep leason . next time he won;t be so foolish

Actually, I graduated from college with a completely different degree, and am currently pursuing positions in that field while I work at Jiffy Lube to (barely) pay the rent.

Now...

You took what I posted completely out of context. I posted the procedures as they are SUPPOSED to be followed. If you came across a "bad apple," well then I'm sorry. I don't care about your gender, race, ethnicity, or age. I get paid to tell you what your specific maintenance schedule is. Frankly, I don't really care if you don't buy anything. It's your car, after all. I may laugh at the situation if you choose to again and again neglect your vehicle's maintenance needs, foreshadowing a situation where you are sitting on the side of the road wondering why your car doesn't work. But after a couple seconds of internal laughter, my concern for your car is done and it's on to the next vehicle that's driving in.

I don't make a commission check if I sell you a service, so neglect your car all you want. It won't bother me, really.

I'm an ethical person and believe that education is the best sales tactic. I'll reach my sales goals simply because I'll tell you what your vehicle requires and WHY. Most people do actually want to maintain their vehicles, considering it's typically their second-biggest investment.

I can't comment directly upon the original poster's situation, or anyone else's for that matter. However, I was called out in front of a crowd by Alma, and thought I might defend myself in this manner.

As for the last poster, why is it so out-of-the-question that your manual trans fluid was topped off? I personally did a manual trans drain and fill on a Honda today (Yes with the genuine Honda M.T. fluid....)

I like going to different jiffy lubes just for the laughs. I've been a mechanic for years and don't like changing oil anymore so why not have fun and watch them try to sell something. Of course when they step out of bounds watch out. The best was taking my daughters 69 VW bettle. They said they did everything on the list. Changed oil filter( has a strainer), checked fluids(forgot to open trunk lid in front of car to check), Transmission fluid topped off (manual/clutch). I had fun with this one including that change and the next 2 for free.

Oh Bill,
you are either a very new employee or a very naive one.
You wrote:

"Every recommendation that Jiffy Lube makes is based off of your vehicle's manufacturer's recommendations. Jiffy Lube doesn't make this up- it's Toyota, or Honda, or Pontiac's recommendations. If you don't follow these recommendations, your warranty will no longer be valid because you choose not to maintain your vehicle."

Please, do NOT tell me, that Toyota, Honda, etc. have DIFFERENT recommendations based on the PERSON who takes the car to your shop. Or there are DIFFERENT warranty requirements based on the PERSON who takes the car to your shop.

I DO read all the recommendations and I DO hear all the bs from car service employees. And yes, somehow the bs always disappears when my husband arrives .....

To Joe:
do not send your son to uncharted teritories...

I understand you're being upset, however, sending your 17 yr. old, with a lack of car knowledge, even for just an oil change, was a bad mistake, on your part. That's equivalent to sending someone into battle unarmed.
Is this Jiffy a location that you normally do business at? If so, you should have called in advance, telling them your son would be bringing the car in & exactly what you wanted done to the car. I would think that you have knowledge of their routine of trying to run the bill up by offering additional services. The coupon for "signature service" is normally their "full service", not just an oil change.
More times then not, this procedure is normal for what most women must deal with on a daily basis, or anyone that has a lack of car knowledge. Hopefully, your son has learned a lesson from this, & will know that next time he goes for an oil change, he will stand firm & just say no.
Business locations like these, are there to make money, & will do so, by using this same technique over & over again. The person whom takes a car into a business like this, must stay in charge of the situation & not allow additional work done to the vehicle. Additional work, means additional charges, which is a fact, that apparently you have failed to clue your son in on.
Again, I'm sorry for the situation, but this is normal business practice for this type of business. Here's hoping this is a lesson in life, well learned.

How come the usually only try this crap with old folks, women and young kids? Because guys usually know it's a line of crap and will tell them where to get off. Tried to sell me an aftermarket airfilter for $28 that I can buy at the parts house for $9. Tried to sell me aftermarket windshild wipers for $12 that I can buy for $3. Tried to sell me a headlight for $24 that I can buy for $6. If you've read some of my posts, I usually don't have problems with companies selling something to make a profit. They have the knowledge and the skill. But come on. Putting in an airfilter, windshild wipers and in most cases, a headlight isn't too tough. If you say no, on the airfilter, they just blow it off and reinstall. To their defense, there are some cases where some additional parts ARE needed. I take my 88 Dodge RamCharger to Jiffy. The last time for an oil change and a state inspection. The young lady tried to rip me royally, the manager overstepped her and did an excellent customer service job. I'll leave it at that. The first quote was $29.95 for an oil change plus $12.95 for the state insp. He did the whole shabang for $29.95 and passed on the headlight and the wipers. Took it back the next day with the new headlight and wipers. I've found some jiffys to be good, some to be bad. It depends on who's working there.

Yay. Another person trying to get something for free.

This is like yelling at the waiter for offering you dessert.

Jiffy Lube provides oil change services. They are also a business, which means that they will promote the "other" services that they provide to EVERY customer. Every recommendation that Jiffy Lube makes is based off of your vehicle's manufacturer's recommendations. Jiffy Lube doesn't make this up- it's Toyota, or Honda, or Pontiac's recommendations. If you don't follow these recommendations, your warranty will no longer be valid because you choose not to maintain your vehicle.

In most states a 17-year-old is a minor and cannot enter into a contract. Jiffy Lube chose to disregard that provision of law and took advantage of your son.

My suggestion: file a lawsuit in your small claims court asking for rescission of the contract as your son did not have the legal capacity to be a party. The court will have little choice except to rule in your favor.

I'm sorry to hear about your son's experience. The bad news is this happens to women every day. My wife's daughter took her truck into Jiffy Lube last Jan. they had her half way into the same situation when I pulled up, walked up to the bay and said"WHAT"S UP", "DON"T EVEN", they cut it off right then and there. I'd start calling everyone in the Jiffy food chain on up until you get some satisfaction including the local TV stations. Fax a copy of this report to Jiffy and keep posting and keep faxing. Good luck.