I signed up to do an oil change at a car manufacturer dealership that wasn't my make because I needed one. The assignment listed my manufacturer as one that could be done. I took the assignment followed the instructions. I phoned the dealership and they asked my model and said yes. When I got there, they checked and told me they had the oil filter. However, when my car was taken in, the mechanics were unable to remove my oil filter cap and after an hour, they apologized and returned the keys to me. Also, it was a good thing I popped my hood to take a look before driving away. The mechanic forgot to put my engine oil cap back on.
When I filled out the report, the mystery shop company wouldn't pay me a visit fee because it was a no fee, reimbursement only assignment. They said the report was unusable because there was a problem with the oil filter cap which is completely wrong as my report states exactly that it was the dealership that was unable to remove the cap to change the oil filter. I knew they had the wrong tool when I was watching through the glass. I emailed to argue the point with the scheduler which eventually he ignored me. I guess that's it for me.

Such is life in the world of mystery shopping. I would suggest taking it to your dealer or a chain that does all brands.

We had a somewhat similar situation of a place being unable/unwilling to do the oil change. We have a hybrid and prior to accepting the shop I called to see if they could service a hybrid that needed _____ type of oil. I was told that they did and they quoted a price not dissimilar from the dealership price. I accepted the job, took the car, sat waiting for close to an hour before the mechanic came in from the shop area to see what I wanted. He told me he would have to call in an order for the oil but assured me that it only took 15-20 minutes for his supplier to deliver it. He called and told the guy he would call them right back. He requoted the price to me and it was now almost twice the dealer price and the shop reimbursement would hardly make a dent in it. I thanked him and left. I explained to the scheduler exactly what had happened and asked how they would like it written up. They didn't want the report. The shop was counted as a 'flake'.

Oil change shops can be a crapshoot...sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

yup

I've never had any problems with my oil changes but all of my vehicles are dealership specific. I have 3 vehicles for the same manufacturer, so I get the shops after they bonus. Sometimes I travel a bit for them, but it keeps me working and getting a buck in my pocket. Works out to my benefit enough to me.

However, this last time was a bit different....How would you grade them? The treatment was straight forward. Nothing friendly, nothing rude, just straight forward. They took my car in, they brought my car out. I was hoping to get my air filter changed this time (last time I couldn't remember if it was on the 'ok to do' list.) Anyway, the service advisor came out and handed me my keys and the cashier my paperwork, thanked me and left.
The cashier stated that there were a few 'recommendations' on my paperwork. I glanced at them. At least two of them I had seen before plus the air filter. The one that surprised me was for my brakes. They said they were metal to metal, the other two included a watts link and lower control arm bushing. All of these were marked "requires immediate attention".

Why wouldn't they stop the change and ask me, or at least make sure to go over them with me and try to schedule something? I was originally offered a car wash, which I accepted, then declined thinking it would mess up the timing or something. I told them that I had another appointment later that day, so maybe they thought I was in a hurry, but they didn't even try to talk to me about scheduling anything. I have already done six of these shops and graded an average of 9/10. This isn't anything that's new to me. I have had the disinterested demeanor previously but this time it just really got to me when there were items 'requiring immediate attention' that were not discussed. If I lose out on bonus money because they don't like what I had to say, I am not going to be pleased.

Thoughts?

I don't see where there is a real problem here and adding that you think they should go over 'requiring immediate attention' is perhaps an opinion you keep to yourself. I have had shops where the list of recommendations seems nothing short of a total renovation of the 'dangerous vehicle' and the next time I need an air filter because everything else is okay. I take the recommendations with a whole salt shaker of grains of salt and indicate I will 'talk to hubby'. In real life he has no concern about scooting under the vehicle to see if there is a problem and there usually isn't. Air filters? I buy them on competitor grocery shops at Walmart :-) I think it is $13 at Walmart and $46 at the oil change place or some such difference. I had one oil change guy honest enough to say, "Our recommendations are based on mileage and what the manufacturer thinks is likely to need repair/replacement at that time. It really has little to do with your specific vehicle."

So just report your timings, the disinterested demeanor, the offer of the free wash and that the cashier pointed out there were recommendations on your bill. Don't report you indicated you had another appointment or that you declined the free wash thinking it would mess up your timings--you just declined it, period.

Wait--it was reimbursement only, right? Did the dealership charge you? They sure shouldn't have if they couldn't remove the cap. And if you weren't charged anything, you can't expect a fee if it was a no fee shop with reimbursement only.

I'd have no problem with the non-pay; it's one of the costs of doing business in our line of work. I would have a problem with a "flake" citation such as in Flash's case.

well for some reason they felt that my answers were unclear. So they called me. Then they told me that since they had to contact me, and said they had to move some of my answers around they were only giving me a score of 7. :/ They better at least pay/reimburse me.

Luckily I have yet to get a flake citation! So sorry for those of you that have!!