Experience - must read.

about 3 weeks back my camry engine was dead as the drain plug fell out while driving. All the oil leaked out...... My mechanic told me that whoever (Jiffy Lube) changed the oil last time, did't tighten the drain plug properly. I went to Jiffy Lube and they gave me 50-50 offer. I called them back after a couple days later, there manager said that - "since you did not accept the offer at first, the offer is no loner valid". :-(

Reply to
sanjay
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Take them to court and sue their asses off. Your in the US, there are a dime a dozen lawyers there.

Reply to
Car Guy

I'd be calling a lawyer.

Josh

Reply to
Joshua Smeltser

You are actualy lucky, they Addmitted their fault by making you an offer. Call the boss back and record the conversation, dont tell him you are recording it. You dont need a lawyer for this except to maybe write them a letter and get advise . Take them to small claim if the maximum amount in your state will cover it, if not reg court

Reply to
mark Ransley

Go back in person, not by telephone. Bring copies of your receipts for Jiffy Lube and the mechanic who found the missing drain plug. Start over with them. Sounds like you just caught the Manager on a bad day, or he's tired of hearing about it. If the original 50-50 offer was rescinded, then any offer can now be renegotiated, including full compensation, since neither is bound by prior offers. The notion that they are absolved of any responsiblity is not reasonable. Try again, patiently at first. Explain the problem and request their assistance. Forget about any prior offer. Just try to reach agreement with them. Once you have an agreement. Put it in writing. Even if you just write a few sentences on a scrap of paper and have them sign it.

Reply to
Daniel M. Dreifus

Was the offer in writing? Generally any agreement over $500 must be in writing to be enforced (called the Statute of Frauds).

For the sale of goods, there are general rules for how long an offer must remain open. A firm offer (which is in writing) must remain open for a "reasonable" amount of time, unless an expiration date for offer was explicitly given. (Uniform Commercial Code 2-205). Not sure how this would apply to an offer to settle a claim.

If the offer was not in writing and was for more than $500, you are on shaky ground, but I would take it Small Claims Court anyway. As others have mentioned, the fact that an offer was made may be an acceptance of fault in the eyes of the judge. Of course the Jiffy Lube manager may perjure themselves and claim that no offer was ever made, so it would help if you had a witness or some other evidence to substantiate the existence of the offer.

But even better would be to contact the consumer affairs reporter at a local TV station, and then make sure that Jiffy Lube corporate headquarters knows about the situation. If the reporter is willing to put the case on the air, Jiffy Lube will likely settle. They might even settle when the reporter just calls them.

If you are really upset about it, you can also get your friends to picket the business and warn other customers.

Reply to
Mark A

Apparently this is not all that uncommon with Jiffy Lube. Happened with a company car I was using; when our president called them they rolled over instantly and paid the whole deal, including towing and rental of a replacement.

Since they've already admitted guilt (though that may be tricky to actually PROVE) this should be pretty easy. Call their national headquarters and climb the ladder as far as you can. You'll probably wind up at Customer Relations.

I doubt VERY much the company's policy is to make "50-50" offers; they should either pay up or fight it. The local manager was probably trying to keep it quiet AND cut losses. I don't know if Jiffy is corporation owned or franchised, but either way, there's recourse.

Finally, don't muddy the water too much yourself. If you've talked to a half dozen people and gotten nowhere, DO contact a lawyer; it may not be as expensive as you fear. You'd be surprised what a single letter from a lawyer will do; they know the process and the wording.

Oh, do NOT record a phone conversation without notification; that's a crime in itself and would at least not be admissable, and at worst get you in more thouble than a blown engine.

Reply to
Scott Schuckert

Recording a conversation without notification will not get you in any trouble. It will be your only proof of his offer, should he deny it. You can use it as leverage. You are in my opinion intitled to a rental, and a motor of same quality, hopefully you can get the company to agree without court.

Reply to
mark Ransley

Say good, I'm going to do the 100-0 one. Call the corporation, they will get it taken care of I bet. They do have insurance to cover this stuff.

Reply to
MDT Tech®

I am not so sure they will pay without some pressure from the news media, etc. I knew someone who had their transmission fluid changed at Jiffy Lube about 10 years ago. He had one of the older Fords with Type F fluid (Ford changed to same fluid as all other manufacturers about 15-20 years ago) and Jiffy Lube used the wrong kind, and ruined the tranny. They refused any responsibility.

Reply to
Mark A

Do they have a public sidewalk out front? Carry a sign that sais: "They destroyed my engine, ask me how, are you next"?

Reply to
MDT Tech®

You could play the game if negotiations fail. I knew someone who bought a new Cadillac years ago at Chicagos largest dealer downtown. He got screwed with a lemon. Parked it out front with a big sign on it , with his buddies, the dealer complained to him he was ruining their business. By the end of the day he was home with a new better model Cadillac, at at no additional cost. Id still record his previous offer then deal with corporate, and media, you should prevail.

Reply to
mark Ransley

Might be a good idea to apply for a parade permit first.

fluid (Ford

refused any

Miller

country.

Reply to
Art Begun

My sister in law took her new Trans am or Camaro or some like space car to Jiffy Lube and they charged her for draining her oil. (They forgot to put new oil in, and neglected to change oil filters) As a result they offered free oil changes for a year. Probably not equal compensation for the damage done to the car during the 25 miles she drove around with no oil, but she accepted and absolved them of any further responsibility...

Reply to
Matt Massie

In all fairness, I read Sanjay's tale elsewhere, where the added information appeared, that after the low pressure oil light came on, he continued driving, hoping to go the "short distance" to his mechanic. Of course the problem seems to have originated with Jiffy Lube negligence, but who's to say the ending wouldn't have been different if the engine had been switched off immediately when the oil warning light appeared.

Reply to
Daniel M. Dreifus

Where alot of people drive it is impossible and unsafe to " Just Stop " Unsafe because of other cars as on a highway or a bad area.

Reply to
mark Ransley

I don't know about the state that you live in, but recording any conversation without notification in Iowa is definitely illegal.

Josh

Reply to
Joshua Smeltser

I think it depends on whether the conversation is on the phone or in person. Not sure the rules are the same.

Reply to
Mark A

It is illegal , but if its for your protection , or an agreement you are trying to verify, you wont get into trouble. Ive done it to many times. Murder is illegal, but you wont be prosecuted if its a burglar.

Reply to
mark Ransley

Im in illinois and Indiana it is illegal here, I deal with alot of contractors who want to change orders and screw me with the old, I Never said that on the phone, bs. Ive never had a problem from a judge in 20 yrs. I dont care what it is if its for your protection , as is the Jiffy deal Record it or he will deny it.

Reply to
mark Ransley

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