I have a love/hate relationship with those instant-express-in-a-jiffy oil change shops.
I love them because they’re fast.
I hate them because they’re always trying to sell me something extra.
Wiper blades. Transmission fluid. Air filters. Every time, it’s something new. The problem is, I never know if I really need it or if they’re just trying to milk me for more money. I was once told I needed a new air filter three months after I had installed a new one. Am I really supposed to believe that I already needed a new one?
A few weeks ago, I found myself with a short window to get a long overdue oil change. So I took my car to the local speedy-lube for service. As usual, the tech tried to sell me a set of new blades and a radiator flush. And, as usual, I declined.
Then he told me about the serpentine belt.
The serpentine belt is kind of a big deal. If it breaks, your car’s not going anywhere. And, like most belts, it begins to dry and crack over time.
The service tech told me my serpentine belt was in poor shape.
And I believed him.
Why did I suddenly trust and value his opinion?
Because they didn’t sell serpentine belts.
See, I had been conditioned to not to trust the technicians when they tried to up-sell me. Had the spiffy-lube place sold serpentine belts, I wouldn’t have listened. And I would’ve soon been marooned on a backroad with a busted belt and bruised ego.
It was only when he DIDN’T try to sell me something that he finally got my attention.
Hmmm.
photo credit: MukYJ via photopin cc
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