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Author Topic: Drivers Beware: I strongly discourage anyone from getting an oil change at "The Great Canadian Oil Change" in Lethbridge
TheGodfath-
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Post Drivers Beware: I strongly discourage anyone from getting an oil change at "The Great Canadian Oil Change" in Lethbridge
on: January 17, 2012, 22:42

I apologize in advanced for the length. Though I want to ensure I am thorough, so as to fairly portray what had happened. There is a summary at the bottom. This is my opinion of what occurred. You may contact the owners of the business yourself to hear their side of the story.

I would like to call your attention to "The Great Canadian Oil Change" located on # 1 - 4103 - 4th Ave S. Lethbridge. Alberta. 403 - 394 - 7711.

    * I called ahead to ensure they had my oil filter in stock. Indeed they did. They were aware of what model and type of vehicle I was bringing in.

    * I asked about the price they would charge, and I also expressed my dismay at the cost of my last oil change at Mr. Lube ($150, they work on a commission.)

    * He assured me that they are the cheapest, and that they make sure they are competitive by comparing prices.

    * I was told over the phone it would be about $120-$130 all in. This is typical for my vehicle (Dealer charges ~130.)

    * After driving into the garage, what seemed like only seconds later I think I could hear my oil already being drained. "Hmm speedy," I thought.

    * Then suddenly a shout from downstairs, "He has the wrong oil in here!" Apparently one of the owners has a bionic petroleum analyzing nose.

    * I quickly stated that they are mistaken. I know exactly which oil the vehicle requires, and I have never added anything else. Castrol Syntec 5W30. This suggested oil brand name is also embedded on my OE oil cap. There is no mistaking it.

    * After stating my oil preference, and also expressing my certainty on which oil I should use, the owners spent the next 10 minutes nauseatingly up selling their most expensive oil.

    * I continually informed them that I do not agree with what they are saying, and that I will be sure to cross-check their "information" when I get home. I was already getting nervous as a result of their pushiness and "SUSPICIOUS TO ME" oil standard claims.

    * I noticed on the computer screen they had already input me for 7.5 quarts of the unusually expensive Amsoil product.

    * I kindly requested that they use Castrol Syntec. They only had Mobil 1 synthetic in stock. I said okay that is fine. The two are in fact basically interchangeable.

    * The owner told me I am not allowed to have Mobil 1 synthetic in my vehicle. The owner said "NO". He refused saying that HE somehow is not "ALLOWED." They go on to spew more "info." to me about how I should not be using Syntec/Mobil, and that they will only sell me Amsoil.

    * At this point I am highly irritated and starting to feel like I just drove into a trap. No word of a lie, "**IN MY OPINION, IT *ONLY* FELT**" like I was being "robbed" in an alley.

    * I immediately asked if my oil was already drained (I hoped that what I heard earlier was not actually my oil draining) so that I could leave and go elsewhere. They happily informed me that the oil has already been drained.

    * Finally I give in and tell them I have somewhere to be, so just fill the damn vehicle up with your Amsoil oil.

    * The grand total was $160, this includes a non OE filter for $30. I know a lot about my vehicle and what it requires, what things cost for it etc. Despite expressing my knowledge, the two owners still "TOLD ME INFORMATION I HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT BEFORE" to my face about prices, suppliers, dealer policies etc. I cannot imagine what its like for a less auto savvy customer drives into their shop.

    * Can you imagine how I felt driving out of there? I could not believe what just happened. I was essentially cornered and given no choice but to sit there and be "SOLD TO" by the two owners of the business.

tl;dr: went to get my oil changed at "The Great Canadian Oil Change." I was told by the owner of the business over the phone that they are the cheapest in town. After telling him how I thought Mr. Lube was way overpriced, in the past charging me $150 for an oil change, he reassured me saying it would be about 120-130 at their "The Great Canadian Oil Change" in Lethbridge.

Upon arriving my oil was immediately drained, then after my request to use the oil recommended by the manufacturer of my vehicle, I was told "NO." The owners said they were only "allowed" to use their suggested product. In the end I was charged $160, and "SOLD" into purchasing their most expensive oil, including a non OEM filter for $30.

To me it felt like the two owners were also very forceful in communicating to me. They told me a lot of "INFORMATION I HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT BEFORE" about synthetic oil. What they were saying was did not sound correct TO ME. IN MY OPINION a certified automotive tech. would have agreed it their information was incorrect, however I am only speculating as I have not actually asked a certified automotive tech. what their opinion on the matter is.

This experience was nauseating. Had our communication been documented/recorded, I would casually conversed with a legally informed person what their opinion on the matter was. **(I AM NOT SAYING THE OWNERS OR THE GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGED DID ANYTHING ILLEGAL.)** It was that bad. To me it was a blatant "PUSH".

NOTE: My intention is NOT to harm the business called THE GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE in LETHBRIDGE, or either of the owners of the business reputations. I am NOT implying criminal behaviour by the business or owners, NOR am I declaring the owners unfit to preform their jobs adequately.
I am simply stating my opinion and experiences with the business on January 17 2012 at ~2:30pm. My intention is to let others know how I felt personally.

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admin
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ulethstudents.com
Post Re: Drivers Beware: I strongly discourage anyone from getting an oil change at "The Great Canadian Oil Change" in Lethbridge
on: February 18, 2012, 22:58

FROM user "RG" -

I’ve also had a very disturbing experience at the Great Canadian Oil Change in Etobicoke ON. If it happened to me and to you, it’s happening to a lot of other people. The actions in my case are beyond careless and irresponsible, and could be considered sabotage. And no direct head office access to contact the company (except a generic email address). From what my mechanic tells me, it’s an oil change industry-wide issue.

On October 31, 2011 – visit to Great Canadian Oil Change

I had what I thought was an oil and filter change. I normally have my car serviced by a very trustworthy service centre but he was closed for the weekend and we were making an unexpected long distance trip. Dropped into a Great Canadian Oil Change centre instead.
While I was in the waiting room, the ‘technician’, a young kid, walked in with an new air filter in a box and the air filter out of my car, explaining that it looked like I could use a new one. In fact, my car is well serviced and mine was a fairly new (barely discoloured) filter from my last visit to my mechanic. I stated that I’d asked only for an oil and filter change and had not given him permission to take my car apart. He was very polite and apologized explaining that they do these checks as a courtesy.
My bill was $43.58 +tax (no special deal for an oil and filter change).

Fast forward to January 25th, 2012 – when my oil light started flashing.
I was due for another oil change, but I’ve never seen it flashing before I go in for the next oil change.
My mechanic’s findings –

1. The invoice reads ” There was about 1 litre of oil in the engine…was very very low!!!!!!!! ” ( Exclamation marks are his, not mine.)
2. He also told me that the oil filter was the the same one he installed the last time I brought my car to him.
3. He also had to do a transmission fluid flush because the transmission fluid was so low – in fact it was so very low that he looked for leaks, but found none.
In further discussion, he said that he didn’t want to defend them, but he knows there is a tremendous amount of pressure put on these kids to upsell. He’s attended a meeting for a similar oil change service to see what was going on in that industry. The kids are told that any bill processed under a given dollar amount is a failure.

I tried this morning to track down this company’s head office to speak with a manager and try to at least get my money back but – another red flag – it’s not possible. There’s a general email address only, and other than that it’s a login process for restricted access to any further information about the company. Here’s the site – http://toronto.gcocltd.com/franchises/contacts.aspx
In short,

1. I paid for an oil and new filter at Great Canadian Oil Change that I didn’t receive, likely because they were ticked off that they couldn’t upsell.
2. It appears that they may have even sabotaged my car by draining the transmission fluid. There is no other plausible explanation.
3. There is no access to company information, so no way for me to pursue the issue and/or get my money back other than by a generic email address.

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