When it's time to change the oil in the car, I usually get it done at the dealer or the garage when the car is already in for something else.
However, since the Usurped Toyota was really, really, really, really overdue for an oil change I figured I had better change it since it doesn't belong to me, and, I'm pretty sure my dad would notice if I returned the car to him with the engine locked up. Oh, and there's still the small matter of the Busy Van not having air conditioning that works.
Anyway, I was forced to go to a quick change oil place. I don't like them because I get annoyed that, because I am a girl, they feel they can sell me things.
It's one thing to ask if I want the fancy oil, every place is all about the "upsell" these days, but, it's another thing to keep telling me the flux capacitor is about to blow and that I should really replace it. You know, for the safety of my children.
It is really harder than it needs to be to tell someone that you just need an oil change. But, I suppose they figure that an unaccompanied woman is an easy mark.
I was feeling pretty smug after having obtained just an oil change and thinking that I had perhaps changed their perception of women customers until I drove away.
You see, when I got back in the car, the customer service guy, a bit of a mush mouth, asked me if I had a "service plan" on the car. Thinking he was going to try to sell me one of those, too, I just said, "I don't know, the car doesn't belong to me."
He looked at me quizically and leaned in the window to look at the dash, but, I didn't think a whole lot about it as I drove away.
Then it hit me. My big score for womankind was just invalidated when I realized what he actually said was, "Do you have a serivce light on in the car?"
Yes, I had just told him that I had no idea if there was a big light on my dash that said "needs service".
I can hear them eagerly ordering the Super Deluxue Flux Cacapcitor for my next visit.
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Even though I'm a man, they can spot me as a sucker miles away.
My solution is to ONLY visit the oil change places that do nothing but change oil. They're more expensive, but I save big bucks in the long run.
I HATE HATE HATE Jiffy Lube. HATE. Last time I went I successfuly denied the upsell, and then if they didn't do a bunch of malarky and charge me 50 extra bucks anyway. They heard my rage, but still it was such a frusturating experience. Now I go to a nice place that doesn't sell anything other than what I ask for.
Funny! I often mis-hear what people say to me, too. I love that you told the guy that you don't know b/c the car doesn't belong to you. As though that might be what is keeping you from seeing the engine light. :)
YOu know, I cannot tell you the last time I was in an oil change place - the DH does all our oil changes himself, thank goodness. And your case in point is probably why! They could sell us a hole in the ground!
Stick with the standard Flux Capacitor, the Super Delux is way over-rated.... *big sigh*
You think we're living in an Enlightened Age, until you try and have your oil changed with the handicap of being a Boobed One.
When we were driving cross country this summer, I had to have the oil changed. It was such an aggravating experience that I ended up driving me and Bear OUT of a place after waiting an hour. They had try to 'upsell' me before my van ever got into the shup and up for a look. When I didn't agree to all the add-ons, I guess they decided to punish me by pushing me to the end of the line.
Wait, your blog not mine :)
Don't worry about the service light guy - he's probably used to being misunderstood!
I didn't realize the upsell was gender-specific: I've always gotten it, no exceptions. And I usually fall for it, too, since I tend to go 10K miles or more between oil changes... so I get nervous.
And here I thought you were about to tell us that you actually changed the oil yourself!
Still, taking it in and avoiding the upsell is a Major Event. Mine is overdue. I'm going to go practice now.
"No, thanks. Just change the oil, please."