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Bob_Skurka · 07-10-2005, 12:06 PM

I think that I am somewhat unusual, but I buy my oil & filters at the dealer.

I probably could save a bit by going to AutoZone or a discount retailer, but my logic is pretty simple. If I put in the brand of oil the manufacturer recommends, and if I use their filters, then there is no way they can blame a 3rd party and end up screwing me just in case something goes wrong. ALSO, by showing up at the dealer even once in a while it keeps my name recognition up, so if I ever call with a question, they know me. If I call to buy an implement, they know I am a repeat customer and give me a great price. If I need help, they help me. Just a simple relationship. But it seems to work with both of the dealerships I work with on both brands of CUTs I use.

So while I might save about a dollar, maybe $2 on the price of oil each year by hitting a discounter, and while I might save the same amount on a filter or two, I know my dealer has saved me HUNDRED$ of $$$ on the snow blower I bought. And when I priced out a mid-mount mower last year, his INSTALLED price, including pick up an delivery back to me, was about $400 lower than the prices I got from distant dealers who would ship one to me.

Me, I'll pay the extra couple of bucks to support my dealer. I know he needs a profit. He knows I support him. He also knows he can't blame Shell or BP, or Fram, or WIX, or whoever if there is an oil related engine issue.

07-10-2005, 12:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bob_Skurka Super Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 7,505	Re: Noob oil question I think that I am somewhat unusual, but I buy my oil & filters at the dealer. I probably could save a bit by going to AutoZone or a discount retailer, but my logic is pretty simple. If I put in the brand of oil the manufacturer recommends, and if I use their filters, then there is no way they can blame a 3rd party and end up screwing me just in case something goes wrong. ALSO, by showing up at the dealer even once in a while it keeps my name recognition up, so if I ever call with a question, they know me. If I call to buy an implement, they know I am a repeat customer and give me a great price. If I need help, they help me. Just a simple relationship. But it seems to work with both of the dealerships I work with on both brands of CUTs I use. So while I might save about a dollar, maybe $2 on the price of oil each year by hitting a discounter, and while I might save the same amount on a filter or two, I know my dealer has saved me HUNDRED$ of $$$ on the snow blower I bought. And when I priced out a mid-mount mower last year, his INSTALLED price, including pick up an delivery back to me, was about $400 lower than the prices I got from distant dealers who would ship one to me. Me, I'll pay the extra couple of bucks to support my dealer. I know he needs a profit. He knows I support him. He also knows he can't blame Shell or BP, or Fram, or WIX, or whoever if there is an oil related engine issue.