Precision Tune Canister Oil Filiter Scam, Rip-Off Alabaster, Alabama
I went to Precision Tune in both Pelham, AL 96 Hilltop Rd and in Alabaster, AL Both were offering a cheap oil change....one for $12.99 and the other for $19.99 At both places I was advised that the KIA Sedona has a "special" canister oil filter (which is true) and that there would be an additional upcharge of $13.00 for the oil filter. I refused and took the van elsewhere. I researched the filter on the web and found that it is indeed a canister style filter and all that needs to be replaced in the inside filter, average price $5.99, which is cheaper than a regular oil filter. I am not sure what they were trying to sell me, unless it was to replace the entire canister, which is not needed. I went down the road to a Goodyear that was offering an oil change and tire rotation for $19.95 and they did the oil change for the advertised price and never said anything about the "special" oil filter. I asked them about this and they told me that in order for these places to offer a cheap oil change they had to find other things to bring in money to offset the loss on the oil change. This appears to be a scam from Precision Tune. Be wary of their cheap oil changes.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
therainmaker
Irmo,South Carolina,
United States of America
Canister filter bait-and-switch!
#3General Comment
Sat, January 19, 2013
It's a class bait-and-switch scheme that Precision Tune has going. Get you in the door with a great low price offer, then inform you that you do not qualify. The so-called 'canister filter' mentioned is not only easy to find, it is not marked up to the degree that Precision Tune would have you believe. This is just an easy and legal excuse to charge you extra for an oil change that otherwise would not be profitable. They want you in the door, unless you are not going to put as much money into their pockets as they deem necessary. Some drivers aren't going to get extra services like wheel balancing and rotation at every oil change - some only want a simple oil change and nothing extra. In this case, the shop may decide to stick it to you, possibly in the hopes that you will not return. If you have seen hidden camera news shows on tv, you may need to be worried. Many of these Precision Tune shops are simply pretending to change your oil if you do not purchase extra services. So the lesson is clear - stay away from these corporate monsters, if you really want to take care of your car. The canister filter mentioned costs well under $10, and can be bought for much less in bulk (and that is exactly how a shop like Precision Tune would buy them, so they get a maximum discount). I'm speaking from experience. I no longer visit Precision Tune, and I'm sure they don't miss me. I do my own oil change, and find it very satisfying to know for sure that the work has actually been done, and done correctly.
Ralph
Alabaster,Alabama,
United States of America
precision tune
#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, June 15, 2011
I just wanted both sides of the story to be told,we do offer a low price oil change and most of the cars fit into the low price category,there are some that filters cost more than average,this is by no means a scam,which is the reason we make the customer aware of any extra charges that may occur before we perform the service.I assure you that we do 12.95 oil changes all day which is a great value consideringthe high cost of a gallon of oil.We have made a lot of great customers offering the low price oil change and i am very sorry that a customer left unhappy,I hope we have the chance to service them in the future,and let them know that these service centers in Alabaster in Pelham will have no part of any kind of scams.Precision Tune Autocare is a national franchise with a great reputation,It is not a scam to use smart marketing to get customers into your shop,the low price oil change,Its just plain good buisiness.