This past Saturday I went to the Bandera Road Wal-mart in San Antonio, TX. to get the oil changed on my wife’s vehicle. For several years I’ve taken both our vehicles to Wal-mart for oil changes and never had a problem.

Well, this time I noticed right away a price increase to their regular oil change. Their lowest price for an oil change is $30. They no longer have a less expensive service. I said, okay. I can deal with that since it covers lube, checking all fluids, tire pressure and vacuuming aside from the oil and filter change.

I did some shopping while I waited. I didn’t wait long and I went to the register to pay for the service and other items. While the cashier totaled my bill I noticed on the oil change receipt that I was charged $3.84 for an oil filter. I asked the cashier about it and he didn’t have an answer. He called into the work bay for his area manager. I waited and waited , then I asked the cashier who was going to explain this to me.

Meanwhile, another customer was waiting to check out. So, a car tech pokes her head into the window and the cashier asks her about the extra charge for the oil filter. She mumbles something to him. I couldn’t hear. The cashier then tells me that she said it’s a standard charge because they didn’t have a filter in the bay and they had to walk into the store and get one off the shelf. I asked what’s the difference? They couldn’t give me an answer except that it’s “standard”.

Knowing I’m still waiting for the manager, the tech tells him to just void the oil filter charge transaction. After about ten minutes, the other customer still waiting; only one register was open, the area manager comes in and the cashier is voiding the first transaction. He in no way acknowledges me as he comes in. I ask if he is the manager. He looks my way and says yes, but doesn’t ask if there is a problem he can help me with.

He just looks to see what the cashier is doing. The cashier explains that I’m questioning the charge. He then tells me its standard. I told him I understand “standard” but what is the reason since it is the same filter? The manager said that since the items in the bay are bought and packaged bulk and the items in the store aren’t is the reason for the extra charge. I doubt very much that Wal-mart is purchasing oil filters for the shelves individually. I told the manager that shouldn’t make a difference and that the price on the oil change includes an oil filter.

He acted like he didn’t care and didn’t see it as an unfair practice because it is unadvertised policy. Didn’t offer to ask the store manager to look into it or anything. He just walked away after he saw a new transaction taking place. The cashier voided the entire transaction then starts a new transaction minus the oil filter charge. I think it was unfair and bad policy, not to mention a downright dirty trick to make an extra buck off people. Actually, almost four dollars( $4) including tax . It basically amounts to a walking fee. Since, it’s not in the bay they have to walk into the store and pick on off the shelf.

I guess that is what I’m being charged for, a walking fee. Well, let me tell you something , I’m telling everyone I can; and they lost my business as far as oil changes are concerned. It’s no different than having to go to the stock room for an item that is not on the floor so that the customer can purchase it. What else are they charging extra for if it’s not in stock in the bay? $4 may not seem to be much ,but if they do that to everyone that gets an oil change, and it’s probably many, then it adds up to$ mucho dinero $. Hopefully, someone at corporate will read this and change that policy.

Hell, maybe they implemented it and it won’t change.
If you get this email please pass it on to all your contacts. They will be better informed of big store practices and they can protect themselves from this type of dishonesty.

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