Why you should avoid places like Jiffy Lube!

Forum for Infiniti M35 and M45, and Nissan Fuga owners.
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szh
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sub9lulu
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i dont understand why people go to jiffy lube in the first place

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Andrew224
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My Jiffy Lube horror story:

The morning of the day I sold my '01 Cavalier, I took it to Jiffy Lube (first and last time I've ever been there) because it was slightly overdue for an oil change and didn't want to stick it to the girl buying my car. I had no time to spare and only went there because I didn't need an appointment. Wound up costing me about $15 more than what I normally pay and I think they spilled about 1/4 quart on the engine and exhaust manifold. She came to pick up the car and there was an oil spot on the driveway and you could still smell the oil burning on the exhaust manifold. I was so embaressed and pissed at the same time. I assured her that everything was fine. Fortuneatly, she had driven it previously and knew that I took meticulous care of the car and had every receipt for maintenance ever performed and still bought it.

Jiffy Lube seemed like they could care less when I complained. Corporate wasn't much better. They sent me a crappy letter saying they will address the issue. I will never go there again nor will I ever recommend anyone go there. I'm still a little pissed about it and that was almost 2 years ago (this post is evidence of that).

Bad reputations are earned.

Andrew

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CakeDaddy
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Well, I've taken numerous cars of mine to jiffy in the past ( ack legend,Datsun 510,Pathinder, etc..) and never had an issue. I seriously doubt if I'll ever take the M there, but..........

Jiffy Lube is never my first choice for oil changes, but they seem to be the most convenient
Modified by CakeDaddy at 2:58 PM 12/4/2007

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szh
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Unfortunately, no longer a Nissan or Infiniti, but continuing here at NICO!
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You have been lucky.

Yes, the convenience factor is nice, but given that you have to use their oil, their filter, etc., and the problems that they do seem to create, I'd avoid them.

Far easier to just drop in to an autoparts store, buy your own oil, and get it done either yourself, or at a local shop that has a competent tech. The Precision Tune and Goodyear Tire Center near my work fit that role just fine!

One of my colleagues uses a small hole-in-the-wall shop in Santa Cruz for his work and is very happy too. If you develop a good working relationship with a place like that, then you can get good service and prices for sure!

Z

MattB
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I only take my car to Infiniti dealers for oil changes. The local dealer here in the greater Boston area takes good care of me (I've been servicing my cars there for the last 5 years), they don't try to sell me needless extras, and if they find anything needing maintenance during their check of the car they take me back in the aby and show me the problem. Jiffy Lube sucks and I will never take a car there, especially not after all the horror stories.

dernawe
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Car: 2007 M45 Sport

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Although I agree for the most part about whats been said, I do have to say isn't this a bit like complaining that your fries were cold at McDonalds? We all know what to expect when we go to McDs, and I think you should approach places like Jiffy Lube in the same way. They are clearly a quantity not quality type of business, and thats why people go there. Not justifying mistakes, simply restating the obvious.

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MaxGig
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good insight dernawe, my wife suggested that I take her car to our local jiffy lube because I said I would change her oil on Sat instead of right away like she wanted.

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Pashdut
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Well I don't go to Jiffy Lube, but I do change my oil at EZ Lube (Southern California)

They use Mobile 1, and I have never had problems with them before other than them trying to sell me extra services I don't need, but other than that they get the job done.

Is there something I should be worried about with EZ Lube or is it just Jiffy?

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Andrew224
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It really depends on the culture of that particular shop. It comes down to: who is running the shop (the actual person) and what is expected of their employees? Some shops are run by incompetent managers and the employees aren't held to any type of standards. That's why the work is shoddy and the customer service is bad. Some shops are quite the opposite.

If you are happy with the service and you are comfortable with taking your car there, it's probably fine.

I'm sure there are many good Jiffy Lubes out there, I'm just not willing to give them another chance.

I'm happy paying a little more and having my Infiniti dealer do the work. I'm treated well, they don't push extra services I don't need or aren't necessary, and they have always fixed my problems the first time I've brought it in. Also, they get to know you and I feel that they tend to be a little more lenient when it comes down to warranty work or repairs down the road if you've been a loyal customer. I've never paid the $50 deductable that's required for work done under my extended warranty. I like to feel that it's because they value me as a customer and strive to take care of me. (Something I didn't feel from Mercedes which is why I don't own one anymore)

Just food for thought.

Andrew

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szh
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Excellent points, Andrew.

I also get excellent service from my dealership - Frontier Infiniti in San Jose. Having bought three cars from them in the past 16+ years also has a lot to do with it too, though. While I do every other oil change (the "in-between" 3750 intervals) at other places - my car always goes to the dealer for the 7500 mile interval work. My Service Rep knows about this every-other-oil-change at other places and is fine with it.

Yes, the dealer rates are higher, but that is relatively less important than having people knowledgeable about the car and model, give it a regular look-over.

Z

Tony407
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Car: 2007 Diamond Graphite Infiniti M45 Sport

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Interesting. I only take my car to Jiffy Lube and I've never had a problem.

I always take in my own oil (Mobil 1) and filter (Nissan).

I stand right in front of my car the entire time and watch them. I like being able to see them put my oil in, put my filter on, see if they spill oil anywhere, remember to put the filler cap back on, etc.

I never drop my car off to have the oil changed. I don't like to leave my car with anyone if I can avoid it. I can't see any advantage at all of having a dealership do this.

Tony


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Eyedea
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Andrew224
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Awesome link!

Tony407
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Eyedea wrote:more reasons

http://mfile.akamai.com/12924/...k.asx
Wow. Great video.

I myself don't trust mechanics any more than I trust anyone, so I still stand behind my Jiffy Lube method of being able to watch them the entire time they work on my car.

Makes me want to install a camera on my car when I have to drop it off somewhere, though.

Tony


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