Customer refuses to pay for oil change, demands mechanic put old oil back in: 'His truck might last another year at best'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Sep 11, 2024 10:00 AM EDT

It's always important to be weary when money is involved, and the fact that everyone has heard a tale or two about a scamming or dishonest mechanic adds to their apprehension when facing a service bill. The problem with thinking everyone is trying to get one over on you all the time is that you'll blame everyone for everything and find yourself constantly at odds. 

Typically, these types of demands from customers are a way of avoiding footing the bill or in the hopes that you might knock something off the top, counting on the fact that it won't be worthwhile to you to spend the time undoing the work you've already completed. It's a more common tactic than you might think and one anyone in mechanical servicing grows tired of pretty quickly… As a rule of thumb, mechanics are prone to strong reactions and have little patience for customers in the first place, so if you decide to go this route in your "negotiating," don't be surprised if your mechanic tells you to "jog on."

Still, while it's important to make sure the customer knows the expected costs upfront and is notified of any complications that are adding to that estimated quote. These disagreements don't usually go as far as the mechanic having to rip out their work and put the old (often faulty or worn) parts back—but it certainly can and does happen.

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  • 01
    -6470 取付要告 フィルターのガスケットが溝に入ってい ことを確認しながらエンジンオイルを ぬって下さい。 12. ガスケットが取付面に当ってから さらに3/4回転専用工具で締付けて 下さい。 3. オイル注入後、エンジンを3分 して油もれのないことを確認して下さい
    via Jimmy Nilsson Masth
  • 02
    140$ that's expensive for an oil change, take it out put the old oil back, aight bet. S 140$ seems steep but keep in mind this was a 22 year old Chevy SUV. No only did it need a oil change but its already suffering from bad piston slap which we documented. It got dropped off for overnight oil change and first thing in the morning the customer
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 03
    showed up for his truck. When he heard the price he got upset and said he wasn't paying that and to put the old oil back he doesn't care how after explaining it wasn't possible. He gave off huge Cunty vibes, and judging from the condition of his truck he's always been a When he left I had a talk with the other tech and he was confused about how we're putting the old oil
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 04
    back when it was so bad it looked like burnt oil. I told him we're gonna pump the top of waste oil enough to fill his truck. All the waste oil is mixed synthetic, axle, and standard oil is mixed was waste and generally not a good idea to reuse it but he insisted when he said he didn't care how.
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 05
    We put his old filter back and put desert heat aged old oil back in it and as added measure one of the off put axle techs he grease on the top of his catalytics (doesn't damage anything or smoke, it's smells horrible when it's heated). We put his truck down and put it outside and gave the keys to the owner of the shop. When he came
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 06
    to get his truck the owner was outside waiting and told him not to come back again. The boss is still worried we might be on the hook for his engine if it blows and we showed him all the paperwork and the documented piston slapping. We figure his truck might last another year at best if he changed the oil by now.
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 07
    Edit for those wondering about the break down in cost 12 Quarts of T6 70ish (you keep the extra) Oil Stabilizer 10$ filter 12$ Oil plug 12$ (only part he left with for free) plus labor and disposal fees
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 08
    Revonin 2d ago • Had a friend who worked at Valvoline some ten years back and I went to pick him up and hung out in the waiting room. This old dude comes back to get his car and went BALLISTIC at the...50? Dollar price tag. "I won't pay it put my old oil back!"
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 09
    "Sir, drained oil is placed in a barrel with all other used oil for disposal, we can't do that" "I don't care put it back! PUT IT BACK I SAID"
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 10
    At this point I am trying so hard to bust out laughing at this old , my friend is trying desperately not to laugh after seeing me in the room shaking uncontrollably, and the manager walks in and tells the guy if he doesn't pay and leave they'll call the cops. Finally the guy pays.
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 11
    and throws a giant fit yelling at everyone while he gets I to his car, which he peels out into a busy intersection and slams into a truck. I've never been in a room so loud from laughter, and not one of us felt all that sympathetic whatsoever.
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 12
    pyromaniac1000 As someone who works in parts at a dealership, Im scared for your boss. How many quarts did it need?
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 13
    speculatrix Why wasn't customer aware of the price beforehand?
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 14
    cthompson07 To be fair, thats outrageously expensive. I get mine changed at a dealer and it's still only $90 for 10 quarts of full synthetic.
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 15
    CaliforniaNavyDude For a 12 quart change, that's a reasonable price, and you even had some extras on top. I'd still do it myself and save the $50 or so, but I like to see the oil since the color, smell, look, and texture of it all give you some great indicators of engine health. That customer deserved whatever happens
    via ZZZ-Top
  • 16
    to him going forward. I have a feeling he'll assume that you didn't actually put the old oil and filter back in and he's gonna blow that motor running it as it. But hey, you documented everything, if he tries to sue, he'll lose.
    via ZZZ-Top

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