# Should I make a call to Jiffy Lube with a minor compaint? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 21, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188 "2011-04-21T05:28:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/21 "2011-04-22T12:36:31Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I wouldn’t call. I’d be too afraid that the person would assume that I was calling to get a free oil change or something. It’s OK to tell them up front, “I’m not looking for a freebie…” They won’t assume you’re looking for a free oil change if you explicitly tell them that that’s not why you’re calling. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/22 "2011-04-22T12:50:34Z")
I thought that this was going to be a thread about the[text messages](http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/commerce/2883.html). I got one last night from Jiffy Lube where I used to take my car for oil changes. The text said “**Jiffy Lube customers 1-time offer: Rply(sic) Y to join our eClub for 45% off a signature service oil change! Stop to unsub msg&data rates may apply T&C:jiffytos.com**” The other thing that bothers me about Jiffy Lube is that I have taken my Prius to get its oil change there for the last 9 times. Each of those times, I’ve had to turn off the maintenance light myself (it pops on when it’s time for an oil change) and I’ve had to show them how to turn it off. I’m paying not to have to do that kind of work much less training. Now my BF is changing my oil. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/23 "2011-04-22T20:50:58Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I thought that this was going to be a thread about the[text messages](http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/commerce/2883.html). I got one last night from Jiffy Lube where I used to take my car for oil changes. The text said “**Jiffy Lube customers 1-time offer: Rply(sic) Y to join our eClub for 45% off a signature service oil change! Stop to unsub msg&data rates may apply T&C:jiffytos.com**” I actually found this thread because of a Google search about the text messages. Grr. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/24 "2011-04-22T21:23:47Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > You will get the manager, you will say you had dirty fingerprints, he will apologise and ask for details, you will say you dont want anybody to get in trouble, he will think to himself “well WTF do you want then”. This. Only lodge a complaint when you are seeking some action. Otherwise all you are doing is venting. Nothing helpful can come from that. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/25 "2011-04-22T23:23:55Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > And yes, **Shakes** , I do have a very nice life. I consider myself blessed to have such minor problems. I own a front loading washing machine. Consider what that implies…I have a steady source of clean water. I have electricity. I have more clothes than what I’m wearing. I have enough money to buy a washing machine for my home, not to mention that I could buy a front loader. > > . Hey **Rigamarole** made the snark, not me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/26 "2011-04-22T23:42:47Z")
Yeah, I’m a big complainer, and I wouldn’t even bother mentioning it unless it was an actual persistent problem. Of course, my car is dirty enough that I’d never notice greasy fingerprints, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/27 "2011-04-23T00:26:53Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I might, however, anonymously leave feedback on their website. If this is possible, it’s probably the best option. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/28 "2011-04-23T01:38:12Z")
Complain. Tracking and trending customer complaints is an integral part of an effective quality system. Just, please, don’t waste everyone’s time apologizing for complaining. Complain, get the extra coupon for 20 % off, thank the guys for the great job the next time you’re there. > [@Rigamarole](#): > > Oh, please. Because he thinks he’s doing some kind of public service by calling? That’s just silly. No, it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Jake\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/29 "2011-04-23T02:23:09Z")
I’ve never met anyone with such benevolent feelings towards a Jiffy Lube. Most peculiar. > [@](#): > > I can’t remember the name of the place across the street, but they let customers sit in the car while service is happening and hands the customers a copy of the newspaper. Is this supposed to be some kind of indictment against the guys across the street? This is standard practice, but I never get the newspaper. That’s kind of a nice touch. I don’t want to sit in your uncomfortable chairs and drink your shitty coffee. Furthermore, you should have my oil changed _and_ be done offering to sell me a bunch of overpriced shit I don’t want or need _and_ putting a sticker I don’t want or need on my windshield instructing me to come back and pay you again at 2/3 the manufacturer recommended service interval before I can even _finish_ a cup of coffee. I’m just fine sitting here in my car, thank you very much. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/30 "2011-04-23T03:14:34Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > happen, but it did. There are several other oil change places in the same block. I can’t remember the name of the place across the street, but they let customers sit in the car while service is happening and hands the customers a copy of the newspaper. > > I want MY place to thrive and do well. > [@Jake\_Jones](#): > > Is this supposed to be some kind of indictment against the guys across the street? This is standard practice, but I never get the newspaper. That’s kind of a nice touch. I don’t want to sit in your uncomfortable chairs and drink your shitty coffee. Furthermore, you should have my oil changed _and_ be done offering to sell me a bunch of overpriced shit I don’t want or need _and_ putting a sticker I don’t want or need on my windshield instructing me to come back and pay you again at 2/3 the manufacturer recommended service interval before I can even _finish_ a cup of coffee. > > I’m just fine sitting here in my car, thank you very much. I took it to mean the opposite: that there are plenty of other competitive lube places that offer nicer additional services so she wants to make sure her favored place doesn’t slip behind via grubby fingerprints. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/31 "2011-04-23T05:25:08Z")
☹ > [@Shakes](#): > > Hey **Rigamarole** made the snark, not me. 🙂 I am really sorry. I didn’t mean to snark at you, **Shakes**. It was my mistake, you were being the nice one and I grabbed the wrong name. > [@needscoffee](#): > > I took it to mean the opposite: that there are plenty of other competitive lube places that offer nicer additional services so she wants to make sure her favored place doesn’t slip behind via grubby fingerprints. As usual, **needscoffee** has it right. I don’t want a coupon, I didn’t care about the fingerprints. They wiped off and were gone. I just want my favorite place to be there when I want to use them. Another question…when I mentioned this to my boss, she complained about the new tip jar at her favorite oil change place…the one with the newspapers. Are we now expected to tip the oil change guys? Boss said that I should call, she also said that she would start using my place because the tip jar offended her. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/32 "2011-04-23T05:55:07Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > Another question…when I mentioned this to my boss, she complained about the new tip jar at her favorite oil change place…the one with the newspapers. Are we now expected to tip the oil change guys? Not if they leave greasy fingerprints on the tip jar. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188/33 "2011-04-23T06:25:46Z")
cracks up irl 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-make-a-call-to-jiffy-lube-with-a-minor-compaint/579188.md?page=1)