Oil Change Prices for Oil Can Henrys

I am a firm believer in duplicating successful businesses and not attempting to re-invent the wheel if possible.

While the mobile oil change business serves an entirely different niche than the fixed quick lube locations they still offer the same services and therefore I would recommend you adjust your prices to meet theirs.

Who is "theirs" exactly?

The leaders in the the oil change industry.

Where I live it would be Jiffy Lube and Oil Can Henrys. I do not pay attention to anyone else. Whatever they make their prices is what I would make mine.

Here is a price list for the services of Oil Can Henrys in the Pacific Northwest. They may be slightly different depending on where you live but they will not be too far off. Keep in mind that oil change prices are based on five quarts and the oil used at this particular place is Castrol.

Conventional Oil Change $38.99
High Mileage Oil Change $58.99
Synthetic Oil Change $78.99
Synthetic Blend Oil Change $58.99

Cooling System Flush (Coolant Exchange) $89.99
Automatic Transmission Flush (up to 14 quarts) $119.00
Power Steering Flush $84.99
Engine Flush (removes gunk from your engine) $59.99

Fuel Filter Replacement $59.99 and up
Gear Box Service $49.99 (extra charge for synthetic and additives)
Cabin Air Filter $44.99 and up
Air Filter Replacement $12.99 and up
Serpentine Belt Replacement $79.99
Wiper Blade Replacement $12.99 each
Wight Bulb Replacement $7.99 and up installed
Additives and Treatments $13.99 and up

Now one think that I really like about Oil Can Henrys is that they offer a slew of packages. Customers like options and this particular fixed location offers just that. They have five "Value Packages" for a person to choose from that gives him or here a discount because he is purchasing multiple services.

For instance for $146.98 you can get the "Value Package 3." This combines a full service conventional oil change and automatic transmission flush in one price. The customer ends up saving $12 versus if he bought those services separately.

So what is my point? what am I getting at?

I am recommending that mobile oil change operators do two things.

1. Set your prices where Jiffy Lube and Oil Can Henrys set theirs. Go an get an oil change at one of these places. It will not be that expensive and see what they process is. Write down all of the prices and put your prices where theirs are. These places specialize in oil changes, have done extensive market research, and usually charge what the market will bear for these services. Do not base your prices on Wal Mart, Sears, or Midas! I view those places as something totally different altogether.
2. Offer value packages. Customers love these things. Have at least three of them. When I was at Oil Can Henrys most people picked a value package. Individuals like myself love the idea of being able to get several services taken care of at once and save money on them at the same time. Give the customer an incentive, via discounts, but you do not have to go overboard on them. Make it so that they save anywhere from $5-$20 by choosing one of your value packages.

For your mobile oil change business to succeed you need to be creative. Operators with no imagination will not stay in business for long. Nevertheless, when it comes to pricing these companies know what can be charged and you will do well to follow them closely.

Be Professional in Everything You Do

When it comes to owning a mobile oil change business it is imperative that you be professional in everything you do.

From your van, oil change stickers, clothing, and personal appearance you need to have a clean and well kept look.

Why do I harp on this so much? Its because this industry has a bad perception.

When you tell someone you have an oil change business here is what they are thinking: a grease money coming to my home or business in a truck with some oil pans on the back.

Many of my clients were worried that we were going to spill oil in their parking lot, that we were not insured, or that we were not able to handle their vehicles.

People like doing business with legitimate companies. People feel comfortable spending money with professional businesses.

You want to close a giant fleet account? If you walk into an office or company neatly dressed, your shirt tucked in, a nice portfolio of clients you already service, and your insurance information (they love it when you have this!!) then you will have a high chance of closing the deal. The key is not to look mickey mouse.

Mobile companies of any kind have a hard time of getting respect. They do not have a fancy office, no lobby, no cash register, and no offices. Its a person operating a business from a vehicle. You may have a warehouse or office but that is not what the customer sees.

If you want your mobile oil change business to be respected then you need to go out of your way to make it look like an established and respectable company. Have business cards, a nice oil change van, receipts with your logo on them (I print them out), and uniforms with your logo on it.

Branding is very difficult with mobile quick lube companies and it takes work. Jiffy Lube, Sears, Oil Can Henrys, and all the other major quick lubes not only have large signs that thousands of people pass by every day but they spend millions of dollars sponsoring race car drivers and other products.

They have become a household name not matter if they are sometimes unethical or not (some are and some are not). People feel comfortable going to them even though most quick lubes are run by a bunch of kids getting paid less than $10.00 an hour.

Be professional at all times. You want to get the large fleet accounts, charge premium prices, and have a good name in the area then act like it. Many of you are but I have seen many mobile oil change business owners operate their businesses in a very unprofessional manner.

They act like your typical "ma and pa" operation and I hate that! When you are a moms and pops operation you get mom and pops prices and customers.