This morning, I come to you from the loving arms of my Volvo dealerships service shop. I was due for an oil change and I just had to stop in to try Volvo’s new “Express Oil Change”. Does express generally mean over an hour? I’ve definitely surpassed that milestone already.

I understand that service shops are just like any other company and they need to make a sale to survive, but why do they make you feel like an abusive parent for declining their “Super Duper Mileage” Service? I’m a firm believer in the motto, “you take care of your car and it will take care of you” but that only includes keeping the fluids topped off and maintaining the oil. My parents have had all of their cars for 10-15 years a piece and they have never taken a chance with a “Super Duper Mileage” Service.

Don’t get me wrong, if it was $100, maybe $150 per service to have Volvo scan my car and do whatever it is that this service includes, I wouldn’t hesitate to get the extra work (however possibly unnecessary) done. However, at the price tag of $550, I’ll take a pass.

You should have seen the look on this woman’s face when I told her that I didn’t want to get the “Super Duper Mileage” Service. I could have strangled her dog or possibly taken the food out of her mouth.

How about getting my brakes done? My options are $450 at Volvo, or $175 at Goodyear. Hrmm…the decision is tough folks; Harvey the Volvo guy, or Frank the Goodyear guy. My money is on Frank. You can post all the photocopied certificates you want on the walls here at Volvo, it doesn’t take a heart surgeon to change car brakes. I bet I could do it if I had the time to read-up on the process.

Alright, here comes my service lady. Probably going to tell me that if I do not pay for the service, her son will not be able to go to college.

Thanks,

-Rob

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