Cheap oil changes

I'm constantly finding coupons for cheap oil changes at Jiffy Lube and EZ Lube in the mail. (The one in my mail pile advertises a $19 oil change with all kinds of extras.) The major chains send them out frequently and they can be a great deal - if you can pull it off. A colleague advises:

An employee might say they don't recognize the deal, but insist that they do if it is a corporate coupon that has not expired. Once they accept the deal price, keep your tab low by not adding other services. They'll often push you to buy new wiper blades, a new air filter, or a transmission flush.

Stick to a basic oil change and before you leave the parking lot check that they have actually done that. Open the hood, pull out the dipstick, and look at the tip. Is the oil dark and...oily smelling? Or is it amber colored and...not as oily smelling? A while ago the chains got in trouble for not performing some services so it's important to check.

New oil will be lighter colored and not very smelly. If it they haven't done the work, time to get bossy (in a polite way).