How to help your customers avoid the ‘application bear-trap’ when choosing engine oils

After the avalanche of publicity and advice surrounding the issue in recent years, you might think that nobody could nowadays get it wrong when selecting engine oil for any given application. Surely, everyone knows by now that demanding, manufacturer-specific requirements make it essential to use only the recommended products, right?

Regrettably, not so. It’s apparent that there are still some folks out there who are not referring to accurate, up-to-date application data – as they always should – when making their own selections from your premises.The danger is that any incorrect selection runs the risk of damaging engine, turbocharger or exhaust emissions components. Worse still, it could invalidate a vehicle warranty, with all the costly consequences that such a mistake implies.

In such a situation, and without coming over all Big Brother about it, there are good reasons for tactfully intervening to protect everyone’s interests; not least yours.

Simply use the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) look-up function at www.CommaOil.com to confirm that the oil they have selected is the right product for the vehicle. If it’s not, explain why they should change it for the one that is, and print out the relevant vehicle-specific guarantee report. This identifies not just the recommended engine oil, but all the other correct products for that vehicle.

In the unlikely event that your customer insists on taking the oil that is not recommended, emphasise that only recommended products are covered by Comma’s guarantee, and make sure to indicate on the invoice that parts supplied were not recommended. This is your insurance that if problems do subsequently arise and you will not be liable.

You should also ensure that if you are generating an invoice that shows other parts for a specific vehicle, or if a vehicle registration number appears on the invoice, then any incorrectly chosen oil must not appear on that invoice. If it does, it will imply that the oil is suitable for that application.

Comma’s performance guarantee exists to protect everyone in the chain from supplier to fitter to motorist. Once your customer fully recognises its value, he’s unlikely ever again to choose the incorrect oil.

To download a pdf version 'How to Help' and 'How To Avoid' the garage focused article please see Secure Area, Supplier Promotional Leaflets, Comma Folder.