$5 upcharge for oil change skid plate removal
 

Went to get my oil changed yesterday and got a nasty surprise: $5 upcharge for removing and replacing the skid plate / splash guard.

I haven't seen this upcharge before at any oil change place, local or national. This was a local grocery store chain in the midwest. Anyone else run into this?

That sounds like some nonsense considering that the lower engine cover takes about 6 to 8 screws to remove and 1 push clip. Takes MAYBE 30 second to remove with a cordless drill/electric impact and flat head screw driver.

That's the tech's or facility's fault for not being prepared for such a simple task on modern vehicle's that come with some form of a belly pan.

Check local laws. If you didn't agree to this fee either up front or by a revised estimate (and phone approval or your signature) ............before you were charged, it may be unlawful.

I didn't catch the upcharge until it was time to pay, so that one's on me. I checked the website beforehand and no mention of any extra charge, and no posting in the lobby. But I asked the tech beforehand to please make sure the clips are secure. She had a perfect opportunity to mention the upcharge at that point and didn't. No doubt they don't bring up a topic that's unpopular to begin with, but getting the customer's shock at the back end is not good service practice either. Might as well be transparent about it.

I complained to: the tech, the separate oil dept cashier, and the manager of the store in person, and to corporate online when I got home. Told them: Not terribly transparent about your fees, are you? Won't be getting my business ever again for an oil change, and I'm seriously thinking of taking my grocery shopping elsewhere. But you made an extra $5 off me today. Congrats to you, but that $5 today might cost you my business over a lifetime, which is sad, because that amount would be easily made back by one trip through the grocery store. Do the math.

you sure do live up to ur name, bargainguy :nod:

Yup, that's my MO.

Leave it off and you won't ever get a surprised charge.

The part I can't understand is having a grocery store do an oil change??? No such thing around here.

I would also not be happy about the up charge.

And worse high speed stability and fuel economy

Great trade off right?

Time is money!

Other shops probably do this but its included in shop fee's or the price of the service.

Lol never heard of a grocery store offering oil changes. Well Wally World does and they sell groceries.

Wow, I didn't know that. How unstable will the Fit get? Will I crash, lose control at 120 mph? And how much less mpg will result without the undercover in place? I thought it was only a splash guard.

If you paid with a credit card you could always contest the $5 charge.

If you're going 120 MPH in a Fit you're putting innocent lives at stake & I hope you lose your license sooner than later.

Yes, you're sacrificing both. No I don't have numbers on either, I just prefer not to remove something beneficial to embrace the laziness of others.

I think that's normal to charge for the skid plate removal.

They have a fixed fee for oil changes and this does not include any extra labor.

An oil change normally involves removing the drain bolt and filter. If they have to remove extra parts that you installed on your own, they can't tell you in advance that you'll get that extra fee.