On two separate occasions recently at the Automotive Dept in Sears Store located in the Newburgh Mall, Newburgh, NY, both my wife and my daughter were upcharged on an advertised oil change service. On both occasions they went in for a $29.99 oil change/air filter/tire rotation special. My daughter was relayed some very disturbing comments about other work needed, but since I got this information thru her she may have misinterpreted what the salesman said (at least I hope so!) After I arrieved we straightend out that issue quickly and authorized the advertised work. We went shopping and returned a short while later and the car was done, however when I went to pay for her work the price had jumped about $10, when I questioned this he told us that she has a special oil filter with an up charge and needed high mileage oil. Like an idiot and not in the mood to argue I paid her bill and we left quite annoyed since if I had not arrived she would not have had enough money to pay.

Two weeks later I send my wife in, who happens to manage a store in the same mall, and she had the same thing happen to her with what appears to be the same guy. I work in this Sear's part time seasonally for H & R Block and a couple of the guys know me. My wife's car has like 60,000 miles which is NOT high mileage. I have also spoken to a couple of mechanics and they all say the need for "high mileage oil" is a con and unwarrented.

Stop preying on women and ripping people off. I have advised both my wife and my daughter thet the next time this happens and different oil is used and up charged to insist that it be removed and the oil that is included in the special price be used. Yeah it's going to waste a few quarts of oil and a fair amount of the oil changing kid's time...but they might not get burned by the old bait and switch tactics Sears Automotive Salepeople like to use!