Consumers love convenience. That’s the reason why they always choose retail stores that offer virtually everything. From fresh organic produce to highly personalized services, people love the soup-to-nuts experience because they know there is a place where they can get everything they want, wherever and whenever, for an incredibly affordable price.
Costco is one such shop, and people loved it. As one of the largest retail stores globally, Costco has everything you need, from the choicest foods and quality electronic items to personalized services such as same-day delivery. The retail shop even offers members auto repair discounts, much to the convenience of its patrons.
On the matter of automobile repair and maintenance, a lot of people ask if Costco provides oil change services. Patrons also wonder which Costco branch offers this amenity. The long and short answer to that question is this: NO, Costco does not offer this type of service anymore nor do any of its branches throughout the country.
When Did Costco Stop Offering Oil Change Service?
Though Costco previously did offer oil change services to patrons and members, the retail store stopped doing so back in 2016. However, they continue to provide other services related to automotive repair and maintenance to members since Costco has partnered with different automotive service shops all over the country. You can also purchase regular engine oil brands, such as Castrol, Kirkland, and Mobil.
What Gives? (Reasons Why Costco Ceased Oil Change Service)
There have been reports that the reasons why Costco decided to stop providing oil change services to customers revolved around several factors. One of which involved an increase in the price of oil change service, while another had something to do with an insufficient shopping space.
Apart from that, it was said that the service conflicted with Costco’s business model. Furthermore, there were also reports of multiple negative customer feedback as a result of bad service.
However, these causes were mere speculations and do not provide a clear picture of why Costco had to discontinue the service. In fact, some Costco branches, such as that in Canada or Miami State, for instance, still offered this service way until 2019. Nevertheless, we chose to elaborate on the issues that might have culminated to the wholesaler in ceasing the said amenity.
- Oil Change Price Hike Narrative
Back when Costco still offered oil change service, the cost ranged from roughly $30 for a standard conventional oil change to $50 for full synthetic. During that time, oil change service costs nearly the same, whether you’re having it done at a dealership or an independent automotive store.
When the chain store decided to increase the price to nearly $60, the public expressed dissatisfaction toward the move. However, this eventual price rise could have been attributed to several factors, such as additional service related to but separate from the oil change service itself, among others. Whatever it was, Costco had not disclosed the reason behind the increase in oil change charges which might have had led to its discontinuation.
- Insufficient Shopping Space Excuse
While the smallest Costco outlet measures around 80,000 square feet, and 230,000 square feet for the largest, the average size, meanwhile, takes about 146,000 square feet. A building with that floor space may appear considerably huge until you start putting in the different items you’d typically find in a warehouse store. Not to mention the space required for conducting other automotive services, like tire replacement as well as the other services that the wholesaler offered to its clients.
- Does Not Conform With the Business Model
Costco’s business model specifically focuses on selling products wholesale or in bulk, not on providing personal services that meet the exact needs of a customer. The chain store’s tire replacement and repair service align with this approach, so Costco continued to offer this amenity to interested clients.
- Negative Feedback from Clients
The bad reviews regarding the chain store’s oil change service revolved in delayed appointments for oil change service. That was even though Costco had an online booking appointment for customer convenience.
Apart from that, clients expressed their dissatisfaction toward the staff’s poor workmanship and lack of quality service. Because of this, several customers, including former patrons of the wholesale giant, chose to have their tires replaced at a dealership or auto shop even if it meant paying a higher fee.
So, What Now? (Alternatives to Getting Oil Change Services)
With Costco having discontinued its oil change service, the only options people have are to either have their oil changed somewhere else or purchase the required supplies—oil jugs and filters—and change the engine oil in their cars by themselves.
Some people choose the latter instead of going to a dealership or auto shop because they find that more cost-effective. Besides, with several online video guides on how to do oil change like a pro, you might want to put Costco’s discounted bulk prices to your advantage in case you want to go down that road. Some of the popular Mobil and Kirkland full synthetic motor oils that you can find in Costco are as follows:
Mobil
- Mobil Full Synthetic Motor Oil (Grades: 0W-20, 5W-20, and 5W-30) — 6 packs of 1-quart bottles for only $29.99
- Mobil Full Synthetic High Mileage Motor Oil (Grades: 0W-20, 5W-20 and 5W-30) — 6 packs of 1-quart bottles for only $29.99
- Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy Full Synthetic Motor Oil (Grades: 0W-20 and 5W-20 to 30) — 6 packs of 1-quart bottles for only $41.99
- Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil (Grades: 5W-30 and 10W-30) —6 packs of 1-quart bottles for only $41.99
- Mobil 1 FS European Car Formula Full Synthetic Motor Oil (0W-40) — 6 packs of 1-quart bottles for only $41.99
Kirkland
- Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic Motor Oil (5W-30) — 12 packs of 1-quart bottles for only $38.99
- Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic Motor Oil (Grades: 0W-20 and 5W-30) — 12 packs (6 packs of 0W-20 and 5W-30) of 1-quart bottles for only $38.99
- Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic Motor Oil (Grades: 0W-20 and 5W-20) — 2 packs of 5-quart bottles for only $34.99
- Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic Motor Oil (Grades: 5W-20 and 5W-30) — 4 packs of 5-quart bottles for only $64.99
If you prefer to choose a cost-effective oil change service similar to Costco, several wholesale chain stores still offer this service at a reasonable price to clients all over the country. Walmart is one such example. Another is Jiffy Lube. Meineke and Pepe Boys are ideal places to get your oil change as well.
As of this writing, Walmart charges clients $32.88 for a standard oil change and $42.88 for high mileage. Moreover, semi-synthetic and full synthetic oil costs up to $35.88 to $52.88, respectively. Check out Walmart’s website for more information: www.walmart.com/cp/auto-services/1087266.
Meanwhile, with Jiffy Lube, a conventional oil change service costs $39.99. Alternatively, high mileage costs $60.99, while synthetic blend at $64.99. Furthermore, full synthetic is priced at $76.99. You can visit Jiffy Lube’s website at www.jiffylube.com/auto-services/oil-change.
Regarding Pep Boys’ oil change fees, a conventional oil change can cost around $32, $44.99 for high mileage, and around $75 for a full synthetic. On the other hand, Meineke charges its clients a reasonable price of $69.95 for a full synthetic oil change, $54.95 for high mileage, and $34.95 synthetic blend.
For more information and to request further assistance, you can check Pep Boy’s website at www.pepboys.com/auto-service-repair/oil-change. On the other hand, the link to Meineke’s website is www.meineke.com.
Final Word—Costco’s Cessation of Oil Change Service
As a wholesale store chain, Costco changed the way we viewed personalized services through the diverse amenities that it provided to its clients. However, as a store that knows where its strengths lie, it is regrettable that the wholesaler had to discontinue the service.
Whatever the reason is—whether it was indeed the lack of space, a conflict with its business model, negative customer feedback, or a combination of all of these factors—we would never truly know. Moving forward, though, what matters is that patrons as well as other potential clients still find reasonable options from the store chain’s inventory.
