While Monro did only charge tax on the net price of the oil change excluding the $2 labor charge, they did tax the recycling fee and the inflated shop fee.

However, Massachusetts law only provides for assessment of the 6.25 percent sales tax on tangible goods, and therefore not on services, shop and recycling fees, and service plans, particularly when they are itemized separately on the bill. The company expressed confidence in its calculation. We also questioned whether the sales tax was being calculated correctly by basing it on not only the oil change, but also on the environmental/disposal fee and the shop fee. “We disclose the inclusion of a disposal fee and a service charge fee based on the retail price in all marketing materials.” We contacted Monro’s chief marketing officer trying to determine if this was a computer programming error or a deliberate and misleading way to calculate the 9.99% shop fee.

This is similar to a misguided retailer trying to charge sales tax on the regular price of an item rather than on the discounted price when it is on sale. In this case, that is $25 plus $4.99 for the oil filter plus the $2.90 disposal fee, totaling $32.89. In this case, the 9.99% shop fee charge totals $3.29! Where did that come from? Shouldn’t it be about a dollar on a $9.99 oil change? What Monro does is charge the customer 9.99% on the regular price of the oil change. Here is a condensed version of an estimate from a Monro location using the above $9.99 coupon: And then there is that 9.99% shop fee.īut is it really only 9.99% for this oil change? A service shop like Monro is not considered a “retailer” according to the state. The $2.90 waste disposal fee is not required by the state, and retailers are required to take back up to two gallons of used oil sold by them per day per person at no charge. So already, the $9.99 price is out the window. That unreadable fine print says there is an additional charge (where permitted) of $2.90 for an oil “filter and/or waste recycling fee and a 9.99% service charge which represent shop supply and equipment costs and profits.” Tire, Tread Quarters, Ken Towery’s, TireChoice, AutoTire, Tire Warehouse, Tire Barn, TiresNow, and CarX. They also run nine other auto service chains in the Eastern half of the country and in California. But that’s what Monro, an East coast auto service chain, advertised. MrConsumer loves a bargain and to find an offer for a $9.99 oil change these days is unheard of.

Jiffy lube oil change prices 2020