I typically go to Valvoline. I like to wait on a coupon or a Groupon but I was overdue for an oil…read morechange and my Dad suggested a Groupon for this business. (He went to the Hurstbourne location and said they went above and beyond with his service.) So for the $18 Groupon, I figured it was worth a try. The Lyndon Lane location was on my way home from work and by my favorite Korean kimbop shop, so what the hay, right?
I went at 6:45 on a Thursday evening. According to my car, it was about 90° outside. When I arrived, there was no line, no cars in the bay and two workers, Chris and Sean were sitting inside, very relaxed, with their legs propped up. I have no problem with them relaxing, there weren't any cars and they popped up as soon as I arrived but after that, things started to go south...
The greeting was somewhat lackluster. Chris disappeared, I assume under my car, and Sean sort of fuddled around before finally asking me what they could do for me. (No hello or welcome). I told him "an oil change" and complimented him on his U of L tattoo. He then opened my hood, unscrewed the oil cap, and proceeded to drop it somewhere inside the engine. This was followed by a string of profanities and yells down to Chris, under my car, while they tried to find it. I get it, it's hot, you just dropped an oil Cap down inside a hot engine, and that sucks. But the cursing and unprofessionalism continued.
He asked me if I knew what kind of oil change I wanted, I told him whatever the Groupon covered. He told me it would be $2ish to cover the taxes. After taking my credit card his computer started acting up. Another string of profanities followed.
I've never been to the National Auto Lube before, so it seems they would want to take my information and get me in the system, but he never asked for any of that. In fact, he didn't even ask if I had been there before or if I had a sticker. I noticed later on my receipt that he just wrote "n/a" for all of my information.
After running my credit card he handed me a greasy, slightly sticky, pretty disgusting clipboard and asked me to sign. Though I appreciate that he didn't try to sell me a whole bunch of services I didn't need, he also didn't go over what I was being asked to sign.
He left me sitting in my car, holding that disgusting clipboard for the minute or so that he was pumping oil into my car. He came back to collect the clipboard, and proceeded to check my oil level. Then he shut the hood and leaned over my window and said, "you're all good" as he handed me the sticker to put on my window. (Valvoline asks if you'd like a sticker and then puts a printed sticker in your window for you. This was handwritten.)
After taking my sticker I said, "do you guys not check the air in the tires? Also, may I please see the dipstick". Honestly, I was a little concerned that my engine may not have gotten a sufficient amount of oil, they're supposed to show you that it falls within the appropriate levels. Him shutting the hood so quickly made me nervous, and maybe me feel like they were just trying to rush me out.
He somewhat begrudgingly filled the tires with air, and said "OK you're good". I really wanted to ask "don't you check the washer fluid? And all of those other extras the Valvoline always provide??". But honestly, I was starting to feel more and more uncomfortable and ready to get out of there. I can replace my own washer fluid. And you know what, come to think of it, he didn't check my air filter either! Good thing I change that myself. I hope they changed my oil filter! Surely they did..??
What started as a potential for 4 stars. Quickly slid down to one as I recollect the entire interaction. Maybe I'll try the location on Hurstbourne (if there is another Groupon), just because my Dad had such a great experience. But I can say with confidence that I will ever return or send a friend to the Lyndon location.
Once I got home, I checked the oil level myself .. it was slightly high. Oil changes are really important -- it's like a vital blood transfusion for your car. Worrying that you might have been scammed or that someone took a shortcut while messing around with your engine isn't a good feeling. In fact, I may drive by the Hurstbourne location to have them double check it. This isn't a good feeling. I should be able to trust the oil change guys.
National Auto Lube, you guys failed at your one shot to win me as a customer. But, you'll never know who I am because your employees didn't even bother to get my name.
