Independent Dealers vs Retailers

People often ask why they should purchase AMSOIL products from an Independent Dealer instead of going to their local retailer and making a purchase.

Dealers usually have more experience than the staff at your local retailer.

Dealers know the AMSOIL product line like the back of their hand which allows them to make suggestions for things like filters that match your oil choices. Dealers know the right questions to ask about your equipment to help guide you to the right product. As an example, if you have a newer vehicle there are a few API certified oils you may be interested in using to protect your new car warranty.

For most dealers the first step is to look up equipment suggestions for their customers instead of guessing at the counter or in the aisle. I’m of course talking about larger stores where the staff may not have the best training or interest. I’ve had great experiences in smaller non-chain locations and are happy to give them my business. A lot of larger retailers will only carry a subset of AMSOIL products that sell well to the general public – while AMSOIL dealers have access to the full line of products.

Have you ever gone into Canadian Tire the week after a motorcycle oil sale only to find the shelf bare. Dealers try not to let that happen – and if you sign up as a Preferred Customer you can access the warehouse directly at wholesale pricing. It’s the warehouse managers job to minimize the back-orders they have to make.
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A Study of SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oils

In May of 2013 AMSOIL released a study of their Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil tested against synthetic offerings from nine popular competitors by an independent, third party laboratory.

The competitors tested in the report are:

  • Mobil 1™ Extended Performance
  • Royal Purple High Performance Motor Oil
  • Lucas Synthetic
  • Red Line High Performance Motor Oil
  • Castrol Edge® with Titanium Fluid Strength Technology®
  • Pennzoil Ultra™
  • Petro-Canada SUPREME Synthetic™
  • Quaker State Ultimate Durability™
  • Valvoline SynPower® Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Continue reading A Study of SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oils

AMSOIL Motorcycle FAQ

For those thinking about taking the plunge and trying AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil for the first time, you may have questions. You may even have reservations about trying a synthetic oil in your bike. We have put together a collection of commonly asked questions about motorcycle oil.

Some of the questions include:

  • What are the benefits of synthetic motorcycle oil?
  • Are there any downsides to using synthetics in your bike?
  • Is synthetic oil wet-clutch compatible?
  • Do I need to use an AMSOIL Oil Filter with your oil?
  • Read on to see the Frequently Asked Questions about AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils.
    Continue reading AMSOIL Motorcycle FAQ

New Snowmobile Application Tool for AMSOIL Products Released

AMSOIL has released a new online application guide that can help you find the correct AMSOIL synthetic oil and related product information for your snowmobile. It covers Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo, Polaris and Yamaha models from today and back to the 1990′s.

Test out the AMSOIL Snowmobile Product Application Guide

Enter the year, make and model into the guide and it will provide you with following information, specific to your model.

  • AMSOIL synthetic two or four-stroke engine oil
  • AMSOIL chaincase fluid
  • Engine coolant
  • The service life of the fluids for your application
  • Oil filter part # (for four-stroke engines)
  • NGK spark plug or wire-set part numbers
  • Fuel capacity

Amsoil also provides and updates extensive application guides and cross reference tools for auto & light truck, motorcycle, ATV, marine and more.

These are great tools to help you to discover and research the fluids and specifications required for your equipment. As always though the main source of information should be your owners manual.

New Distribution Center Hours Changing Pickup Day

AMSOIL has decided to change the late opening day of the distribution centres. The day has been moved from Thursday to Monday in the week which means I’ll be able to take orders over the weekend and then pick them up for delivery on Monday night.

The down side is there won’t be as many quick turn-arounds for products I don’t have on hand. The common example is someone gathering fluids on Wednesday or Thursday for a job they plan to do that weekend. Now planning needs to happen a week before hand.
Continue reading New Distribution Center Hours Changing Pickup Day

Chris Unavailable Over the Holidays

Lauren and I will be traveling to Australia to visit her sister over the Christmas and New Years holidays. I’ll be unavailable for AMSOIL questions or orders between December 13th, 2012 and January 8th, 2013.

If you have any questions or issues while I’m away my direct jobber Marc Roden will be available @ 1-800-748-5781. Let him know you are a customer of mine when you call. Marc is located in Saskatchewan and has great product, equipment and AMSOIL policy knowledge but won’t be able to help with any local Toronto order pickups.

Marc Roden @ 1-800-748-5781

AMSOIL products make great Christmas gifts for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life. The toll-free order line @ 1-800-956-5695 (M-F, 8am – 6pm) and the AMSOIL online store will be available – be sure to quote ZO# 1950160 with your order. Allow 2-3 business days for delivery – which is roughly December 18th.

For the really hard to buy for a 1-year AMSOIL Preferred Customer Membership makes a great gift and can be purchased right up to the 24th of December either online or by phone. If you purchase online you can print the receipt and put it in with a holiday card.

Dog Days of Summer

Are you loading up the vehicle and breaking out the toys for a few weeks of vacation this summer?

While the heat of the summer isn’t the best time for preventative maintenance, sometimes you just don’t have the choice. You can use AMSOIL products to extend your oil change interval to twice a year or less and plan to do the work in the spring/fall to avoid the unbearable heat and cold of the seasons.

This year we’ve pushed our holiday back to December which means I’m available all summer and fall. The weekends are packed this August and early September doing road trips around southern ontario for fishing, weddings, BBQ’s and more. Which means I’m probably not available on weekends by phone to talk about AMSOIL orders – leave a message and expect a returned call late Sunday night or Monday evening.
The best way to contact me is by email and I’m still scheduling my regular Thursday trips to pickup local customer orders throughout the summer.
Continue reading Dog Days of Summer

Fathers Day PC Membership

Still trying to figure out what to get Dad for Father’s Day this year?

If he is interested in vehicles, lawn and garden equipment, powersports like motorcycles, ATV’s, dirt bikes, boats or other motorized equipment he may appreciate an AMSOIL Preferred Customer membership as a gift this year.

Simply add either the 1 year membership ($30 CAD) or the 6 month trial membership ($15 CAD) and checkout from the online store. When you create a new user account use your Dad’s personal information – but not his email address. Use your own, he’ll be able to change the email address later so you don’t ruin the surprise.

For those who wait until the last minute you can sign up through the AMSOIL online store right up until the very last second. You can also order a membership over the phone during business hours on week days at 1-800-777-7094. Renewing a membership is best done over the phone.

Don’t forget to print a copy of the confirmation to put in with his Father’s day card on Sunday.
If you need help creating an account contact me.
Continue reading Fathers Day PC Membership

Price Adjustments

Two announcements that will affect the pricing of AMSOIL products have come out recently.

  1. The Eco fees for all lubricating oils (except 2-cycle oils) and fuel additives in the province of Ontario will increase. They have almost doubled going from a nickle per quart to $0.09/quart. AMSOIL does not set the Eco fee pricing but is required to collect it for “Stewardship Ontario” on behalf of the province of Ontario.

    See the chart below for the updated pricing based on the size of container.

  2. The second announcement is a minimal price increase on July 1st, 2012 due to the rising cost of raw material costs for the following products: Continue reading Price Adjustments

New Canadian Freight and Handling Rates Effective January 2, 2012

AMSOIL is implementing new Canadian freight and handling rates effective January 2, 2012. While rates have increased slightly for some provinces they have decreased for others and overall, enhance convenience for Dealers, Preferred Customers and accounts.

The old rates depicted estimated freight and handling costs only, meaning the actual cost is unknown until orders are shipped. This prevents Dealers from giving accurate quotes and sometimes causes price discrepancies for accounts and customers. The new rates depict actual freight and handling costs, allowing Dealers and customers to know the exact freight and handling charge prior to placing the order. Shipments to a small minority of outlying areas remain subject to additional interline fees.

The listing of Canadian Freight and Handling Rates is available on the AMSOIL website.
Continue reading New Canadian Freight and Handling Rates Effective January 2, 2012