Jiffy Lube ripoff I am highly upset and $50 for 4 minutes work that accomplished absolutely nothing is highway robbery. Saint Louis Missouri
On 04 Sept I called Jiffy Lube #213 about filling my a/c. They quoted a price, $49 + freon, and I warned them there might be a leak. They said nothing about what-if or repairs, and said bring it in. They weren't very friendly or helpful when I came in, but I needed the service.
In 4 minutes at the shop, they closed the hood, told me there was a leak, they did no repairs, and that the bill was $50.20. I argued and mgr. said he'd told me the policy, and wasn't telling me again. He'd told me nothing. Then he said fix it, bring it back, and they'd only charge for the freon. I will not.
I am highly upset and $50 for 4 minutes work that accomplished absolutely nothing is highway robbery. I could have done that myself. I have their reciept and I request communication with corporate headquarters and a refund.
Ronald
St Louis, Missouri
U.S.A.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
Philatanus7
north las vegas ,Nevada,
Youre right
#10Consumer Comment
Fri, May 30, 2014
A/C recovery. charging, and testing equipment is VERY expensive. I do MVAC automovice A/C service (only recover, vacuum, leak test, and charge) no mechanic work. I spent over $1,000 just on my tools and certification (which was only $20 I only charge $20 if i run into a problem and find that the vehicle can not be charged, or will leak too fast. This is to compensate for my time. I usually charge $30 for recovery, vacuum, leak test, and making sure the compressor turns on. and only $15/lb of refrigerant. $50 is pricey, but nothing compared to what actual A/C shops will charge, some people will scam you and actually charge your system and make you pay for the refrigerant, only to haveit leak out the next day. (this is not only bad customer service but also bad for the environment)
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
You got off cheap
#10Consumer Comment
Tue, January 03, 2006
The $50 charge was actually lower than what most A/C shops would charge. Coolant is expensive, as the testing eqipment. Why would you take the car to an oil-change shop to test your air-con? Do they have the equipment that is needed to do the job correctly?
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
What Do You Want Me To Do About It?
#10UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 02, 2006
A customer calls me and asks "Do you put freon in auto a/c's"? I say yes. He says "I'll be right down". I put the freon in his a/c and it leaks out. He's pissed because it leaked out and doesn't want to pay the $49 + freon. I put the freon in his a/c unit. I had to pay someone to put the freon in his a/c, use my equipment, pay for the freon. I did what he asked me to. Is it my fault his a/c leaks. Should I be out the $49+ freon because his a/c unit leaks? What do you want me to do about it? If you could have done it yourself, WHY did you bring it to me? We change oil and do MINOR repairs. We don't do auto a/c work.
Bill
N,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Why should they do it for free?
#10UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 02, 2006
Apparently you're not aware of the procedures required to recharge A/C in your vehicle. First, all the old R-134A (if any) needs to be evacuated from your system. Then we create a vacuum in your A/C system in order to rule out leaks. If we find leaks, there is nothing more that Jiffy Lube can do for your vehicle. Even if we did provide you with an "exact location" of the leak, the service center you bring your vehicle to will want to re-check everything in order to determine whether there are additional leaks- so most of the time we don't bother looking for leaks. In addition, this service requires the use of one of our bays for a significant amount of time. If we provide you with that service for free, we're losing money since we could be using that bay and that time changing someone's oil or performing other services. In essence you are paying a "bay charge." Nobody's going to provide a service for your vehicle for free. If you already knew you had a leak, then you should have called ahead, and I'm sure they would have told you to take your vehicle to someone qualified in fixing A/C leaks. Instead you drove to Jiffy Lube requesting an A/C recharge and stating that there "might" be a leak. How else should we determine whether there is a leak if we don't test it? And why should that test be free?
Bill
N,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Why should they do it for free?
#10UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 02, 2006
Apparently you're not aware of the procedures required to recharge A/C in your vehicle. First, all the old R-134A (if any) needs to be evacuated from your system. Then we create a vacuum in your A/C system in order to rule out leaks. If we find leaks, there is nothing more that Jiffy Lube can do for your vehicle. Even if we did provide you with an "exact location" of the leak, the service center you bring your vehicle to will want to re-check everything in order to determine whether there are additional leaks- so most of the time we don't bother looking for leaks. In addition, this service requires the use of one of our bays for a significant amount of time. If we provide you with that service for free, we're losing money since we could be using that bay and that time changing someone's oil or performing other services. In essence you are paying a "bay charge." Nobody's going to provide a service for your vehicle for free. If you already knew you had a leak, then you should have called ahead, and I'm sure they would have told you to take your vehicle to someone qualified in fixing A/C leaks. Instead you drove to Jiffy Lube requesting an A/C recharge and stating that there "might" be a leak. How else should we determine whether there is a leak if we don't test it? And why should that test be free?
Bill
N,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Why should they do it for free?
#10UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 02, 2006
Apparently you're not aware of the procedures required to recharge A/C in your vehicle. First, all the old R-134A (if any) needs to be evacuated from your system. Then we create a vacuum in your A/C system in order to rule out leaks. If we find leaks, there is nothing more that Jiffy Lube can do for your vehicle. Even if we did provide you with an "exact location" of the leak, the service center you bring your vehicle to will want to re-check everything in order to determine whether there are additional leaks- so most of the time we don't bother looking for leaks. In addition, this service requires the use of one of our bays for a significant amount of time. If we provide you with that service for free, we're losing money since we could be using that bay and that time changing someone's oil or performing other services. In essence you are paying a "bay charge." Nobody's going to provide a service for your vehicle for free. If you already knew you had a leak, then you should have called ahead, and I'm sure they would have told you to take your vehicle to someone qualified in fixing A/C leaks. Instead you drove to Jiffy Lube requesting an A/C recharge and stating that there "might" be a leak. How else should we determine whether there is a leak if we don't test it? And why should that test be free?
Bill
N,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Why should they do it for free?
#10UPDATE Employee
Mon, January 02, 2006
Apparently you're not aware of the procedures required to recharge A/C in your vehicle. First, all the old R-134A (if any) needs to be evacuated from your system. Then we create a vacuum in your A/C system in order to rule out leaks. If we find leaks, there is nothing more that Jiffy Lube can do for your vehicle. Even if we did provide you with an "exact location" of the leak, the service center you bring your vehicle to will want to re-check everything in order to determine whether there are additional leaks- so most of the time we don't bother looking for leaks. In addition, this service requires the use of one of our bays for a significant amount of time. If we provide you with that service for free, we're losing money since we could be using that bay and that time changing someone's oil or performing other services. In essence you are paying a "bay charge." Nobody's going to provide a service for your vehicle for free. If you already knew you had a leak, then you should have called ahead, and I'm sure they would have told you to take your vehicle to someone qualified in fixing A/C leaks. Instead you drove to Jiffy Lube requesting an A/C recharge and stating that there "might" be a leak. How else should we determine whether there is a leak if we don't test it? And why should that test be free?
Mike
Radford,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Did they tell you WHERE the leak was?
#10Consumer Suggestion
Thu, September 09, 2004
If you paid them to check for a leak, $50 isn't too far out of line if they tell you correctly where it is. In that case they have accomplished something.
But you shouldn't have anyone work on the A/C unless they are qualified and equipped to fully troubleshoot and repair it. Just putting freon in and seeing what happens usually won't accomplish much. It may even be illegal since that freon is likely to just leak out and (allegedly) damage the ozone layer. The repair tech needs to take a total system approach.
Anne
Iowa City,Iowa,
U.S.A.
Employee's are told to "push" for sales and managers get upset when the sales aren't high enough
#10Consumer Suggestion
Wed, September 08, 2004
I have witnessed work not being done on cars and still being charged for them. Many times, just getting the sale is all that matters.
Employee's are told to "push" for sales and managers get upset when the sales aren't high enough. Stores compete for the highest sales and corners are cut in the acctual repairs to move the cars through faster.
Jiffy Lube does not let you drive your car in and has you wait in a lobby where it is hard to see the work being done. Many customers leave the store thinking that their car is better when nothing was done.
My advise to anyone getting their car serviced at Jiffy Lube is: DO NOT have any extra services done. Go to your dealership where the mechanics are certified. It may cost more, but will save in the long run. Check your owners manuel. Your car does need these services at regular mileage intervales.
Ask to be able to watch the work being done on your car and ask a lot of questions. This will keep them a little more honest. And educate yourself.
Read the owners manuel front to back so you at least have a laymans view on what your car does. Especialy women.
Jiffy Lube will take advantage on your ingnorance. Keep bugging them for your money back. There was no repair done because you had a leak. They should have done a leak test BEFORE the started. This may only cost $10 to $20 not $50! Good Luck.