different oil quality?

[labman]

So who feels strongly enough about this to buy some oil from Walmart and the same brand from maybe NAPA have a VOA done on each? I lean towards Mobil refusing to release an inferior product with the Mobil label. Brand names mean something. Look at the way Conoco-Phillips is trying to exploit the old Kendall name. Look at the people here trying to find Wolfs Head.

I do know some stuff has a different model number and perhaps different features from one store to the next. I figure it is part of protecting the stores from the price match guarantee.

 

[doitmyself]

Good idea Labman.

I understand kcfx4's concerns. This idea that the discount stores offer lower quality products with "almost" identical i.d. numbers is discussed on the professional trades forums all the time.

But, there must be some difference between a water heater that gets a plastic drain valve vs. metal and a chemical product that has a certification to meet standards.

Interesting topic. But I can't pin point the difference why oil would be a more sensitive product to cheapen up.

 

[kcfx4]

i do understand supply and demand, and buying power. i have listed a few specific examples (none of wich are oil related) such as Lincoln being a trusted welder company name sales the EXACT same model welder in homedepot as they do in a welding store, but the seial # has "HD" in the number, you will not find that in hd in the serial number of any welder sold at your local welding supply store, once again Lincoln is a trusted name in welders. Theres no doubt in my mind that is not a coincidence. I gave another example of Troy-Bilt (another used to be trusted name, name purchased by mtd currently) whom is doing it. Hobart, ill give a specific model number on this...the handler 140 mig welder is sold at numerous discount farm supply type retailers with "cheaper" electonic components found inside, than the units sold at welding retailers. Hobart is a trusted name, owned by a very trusted company Miller. So are you absolutely sure that a comany such as mobil (used for example) would not maybe drop a certain additive or something, to even further the cost cutting for a huge company such as walmart?

 

[kcfx4]

and guys im not a chemical engineer or anything, just a person who tries to take very good care of things that i have. and i feel like this is a great question, with alot of great responces. not being a chemical engineer i know nothing to prove or disprove my question. but i know gas doesnt look or even smell like it did a few years back (wich i dont know if thats good or not) and i know thats true in all gas stations i visit (mobil and bp included). I know that gas stations/oil companies are ripping us off (im not a tree hugger by no means) wich affects us on every level down to a kid buying gum. so whos to say that oil companies that some guys on here hold to a higher standard for some reason, are not breaking it off in us again by supplying a sub standard product at a discount price? im not saying they are because i dont know? but im certinally not thinking mobil or whatever else oil company would never do it as to a risk their reputation! Not trying to start a fight here, but even a company as big and as powerful as GM had to have a bailout, think about it.

 

[Norm Olt]

"Toyota: WAY too profitable to do anything to, but FINE!"

On another note:

Let's see: if you bought/refinanced more home than you could afford you are a "victim" and there is a "PROGRAM" for you...

If you spent WAY, WAY more money than you earned, over-max'ed your credit cards you now are also a "victim", and there is a "PROGRAM" for you...

If you didn't bother to pay your taxes, you are now ALSO a "victim", and there is yet ANOTHER "PROGRAM" for you...

WAH! Wah! GROSS Irresponsibility now = VICTIMHOOD

 

[kcfx4]

my point was that many companies make huge mistakes/ take risks, why are some people just assuming that oil companies would never do so?

 

[kcfx4]

id love to see someone do a test on this labguy

 

[Panzerman]

Originally Posted By: Norm Olt
"Toyota: WAY too profitable to do anything to, but FINE!"

On another note:

Let's see: if you bought/refinanced more home than you could afford you are a "victim" and there is a "PROGRAM" for you...

If you spent WAY, WAY more money than you earned, over-max'ed your credit cards you now are also a "victim", and there is a "PROGRAM" for you...

If you didn't bother to pay your taxes, you are now ALSO a "victim", and there is yet ANOTHER "PROGRAM" for you...

WAH! Wah! GROSS Irresponsibility now = VICTIMHOOD
I agree with you 100%. But what does that post have to do with anything? Are you on of those off topic exit rampers?

 

[FL_Rob]

Why is it only certain brands and certain grades with the W/M logo? THATS the suspicious part to me.

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: Thomas34
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Anyone ever buy the 5+ quart jugs from Autozone? I bet they`re a pita to measure off to fill a car with a 4.5 quart capacity.


the outside of the jug has hash marks incremented into quarts to make it easier.


Make it "easier" but it still isn't easy. Have to pour a little in, set the bottle down and look at the side, maybe pour some more in and then repeat.

 

[kcfx4]

i also recall a few years back that the havoline quart bottles found in discount stores were made entirely diffrent than those found in places such as petroleum stores. at first i thought it was maybe older stock, but i found the same thing in numerous stores, so i dont know. has havoline been bought from texaco? a guy told me that a couple days ago

 

[Panzerman]

I didnt think anything of the different labels on the jugs for Walmart. That is simply added during the printing process on the jug. Some little plus Walmart threw in on the contract, to have the jugs sold at our stores labeled with our logo deal. I am sure the oil makers are not going to switch mix designs and total bottling of oil, just to save money at Walmart. The oil supplier is still selling thier oil. Wether its at Walmart of Adavnce or wherever, they are not going to short change their product and lose reputation on their Product bearing thier name, if the oil maker wasnt on the jug, such as on Super Tech, I would be more curious.

 

[kcfx4]

panzerman, stating what you think or know here?

 

[Panzerman]

Purely opinion from my observations. Just what I think, I think people are reading way too much into the printing on the jug, its relatively simple to label on the jugs or add something like a certain customers name. It would be alot more trouble for the manufacturer to blend a entirely different product just to save money. Walmart oil is cheaper, but not incrediably cheaper. I (think) its just mass purchasing and large orders, that present the savings and cheaper prices. You will see the same thing on other products in Walmart from Oreos to spray paint.

 

[kcfx4]

have you read the numerous examples on other products? im not targeting wm, i think its highly possible, and based on your last sentence, i think maybe you should reread the posts, may take some of the "theres no way" idea out of your mind

 

[Panzerman]

I went back and read the posts, I can believe you on the lawn equipment and some heavy large purchase items being different or lighter, but even that I would have to say is isolated istances at best. But Motor oil is a item that is relatively cheap, its not something that would be profitable for them to switch around and its not all that much cheaper at Walmart, sometimes not at all when Advance runs specials with filters. There are alot more conspiracies, alot more believable. I am convinced the quick lubes do the switcharoo, but I feel quite safe with bottled oil at Walmart. The additional labeling may also be for security purposes so it stops exchanges from non-Walmart stores.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Panzerman
I didn't think anything of the different labels on the jugs for Walmart. That is simply added during the printing process on the jug. Some little plus Walmart threw in on the contract, to have the jugs sold at our stores labeled with our logo deal. I am sure the oil makers are not going to switch mix designs and total bottling of oil, just to save money at Walmart. The oil supplier is still selling their oil. Wether its at Walmart of Advance or wherever, they are not going to short change their product and lose reputation on their Product bearing their name, if the oil maker wasn't on the jug, such as on Super Tech, I would be more curious.


+1

Too much risks for suppliers and WM and too little gain for either one. No way supplier like XOM will have two versions of M1, one for WM and another for someone else. If they do and someone find out they and WM would be in deep trouble.

 

[river_rat]

If your worried, just don't buy it at WM. I shop there for some things, but I'd rather get oil at an auto parts place.
Oil and filters is a steady income for parts places, and I want to help keep them in business and handy.
Plus I can park right in front and run in.

 

[jorton]

Originally Posted By: postjeeprcr
Originally Posted By: Thomas34
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Anyone ever buy the 5+ quart jugs from Autozone? I bet they`re a pita to measure off to fill a car with a 4.5 quart capacity.


the outside of the jug has hash marks incremented into quarts to make it easier.


Make it "easier" but it still isn't easy. Have to pour a little in, set the bottle down and look at the side, maybe pour some more in and then repeat.


99 tracer holds 4.5 quarts
I think the AZ jug I bought held more than 5.2? qts because I poured out 24oz into an empty quart bottle and ended up overfilled by 1/4". New hand pump tube doesn't fit in dipstick tube.

 

[cp3]

I asked Ashland about this topic too. Same type of response - "For the Walmart issue, we do not have to meet any particular demands on pricing. There are many factors that are involved in pricing, however most of the time, containers sizes, etc. can cause this change, as Walmart may suggest that the oils are produced in different container sizes that the regulation quart size, such as 5 quart containers. However, no matter the size or price, as long as the Valvoline label is on the front of the container, the quality of the oil will be the same, as we do not change quality of products, by who buys them."

.......but what else are they going to say I guess? Personally, I do find it hard to believe that any of the majors would play this game.