A Tennessee man's unexpected call from an ex-girlfriend this week turned into a lesson about oil change shop practices and customer service failures. Elevatednarc (@elevatednarc), a retired narcotics detective and Marine who now owns a CBD store in Smyrna, Tennessee according to his bio, shared his frustrating experience at a Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change location in a TikTok that has garnered over 20,000 views since being posted on Nov. 12. The video shows him standing outside a lube shop sharing a story that raises questions about auto industry practices and even gender bias in customer service. An Unexpected Call for Help "I don't know if you can see this behind me, but this is Strickland Brothers oil change," Elevatednarc begins, explaining that he was working when he received an unusual call. "So I'm working on a job and all of a sudden I get a call from an ex-girlfriend and I see it pop up on my phone. I'm like, what the hell is she calling me for?" His ex-girlfriend was stranded at the Strickland Brothers location in Smyrna because her car wouldn't start after an oil change. She purportedly told him the employees insisted they weren’t at fault. What happened next would prove even more troubling. What Happened at the Oil Change Shop? According to Elevatednarc, the shop's response to the situation was less than professional. "She's like, they're telling me that it's not their fault and they can't do anything to it. And that they're calling a tow truck or they're going to have to call a tow truck because it's parked in the bay." OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. The creator's reaction was immediate: "And I'm like, 'what?' And she's like, 'yeah, they're telling me that they're going to call a tow truck and get it towed out of here'. And I'm like, 'or put the mother [expletive] in neutral and roll it 12 feet. Are you kidding me?'" When Elevatednarc arrived at the shop, he discovered that the problem was far simpler than staff had reportedly made it appear. "I hook up my jumper cables to it," he explains. The shop had allegedly attempted to jump-start the vehicle and claimed it wouldn't respond. Elevatednarc says, "I put my jumper cables on. I let it sit for about 30 seconds and it fires right up." Gallery: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 oil change Questionable Repair Techniques His ex further revealed that the methods allegedly used by shop staff to address the battery connection issue left much to be desired. She said they hit it with a tool. Elevatednarc recounts, "He ends up hitting it with the ratchet." Using a wrench or ratchet to loosen and tighten battery terminals is standard practice, and specialized tools exist for cleaning corroded terminals. Professional battery maintenance typically involves using appropriate cleaning solutions, wire brushes designed for terminals, and proper tightening techniques with the correct size wrench or socket—not striking components with tools. The situation was particularly frustrating for Elevatednarc. "This is where I bring my mother's car to have the oil changed. This is the last time I will ever bring my, I will never bring my mother's car," he says emphatically. Gender Bias Concerns Several commenters, including Elevatednarc himself, suggested that gender may have played a role in how the situation was handled. BDPP71 shared, "This is why as a woman I HATE going to any car place! If I bring my brother with my car is fine…if I go alone I practically need a new engine!" Elevatednarc replied, "I agree I told her I think that's why they did it." He later elaborated, "The fact that people try to take advantage of people, especially women, irritates the crap out of me whether it's my mother, my girlfriend, my ex-girlfriend, or just a friend. It drives me insane how places try to do this so often." A 2013 Northwestern University study published in findings from the Kellogg School of Management found that auto repair shops give women significantly higher price quotes than men when customers appear uninformed. The researchers discovered that uninformed women received quotes averaging $406 compared to $383 for uninformed men—what they termed "statistical discrimination" based on assumptions about customer knowledge rather than overt gender bias. A 2013 RepairPal survey found that 77% of respondents believed mechanics are more likely to sell women unnecessary repairs, and 66% believed mechanics charge women more than men for the same services. The automotive service industry continues to grapple with these perception and reality gaps, with women representing only about 2-3% of automotive technicians despite making up over half of all drivers. Community Response and Similar Experiences The video resonated with viewers who shared their own experiences with quick-lube chains and similar establishments. Diane wrote, "These oil change places do not have mechanics. All they know how to do is change the oil." Her observation aligns with industry realities. While some chains like Jiffy Lube have formal training programs that earn ASE accreditation, lube technician positions generally require minimal qualifications and receive 6-12 months of on-the-job training. The focus is typically on speed rather than comprehensive diagnostic capabilities. Strickland Brothers’ training requirements are unknown. Connie added, "I took my car in for an oil change and four new tires. After quite a few hours I go to the garage to ask what the holdup is and they're pushing my car out of the bay... instead of emptying the oil reserve in my car they emptied the transmission fluid and couldn't figure it out." Another added, "I was always told to stay away from Stricklands cause they are a bunch [of] quacks." Better Business Bureau complaints against Strickland Brothers locations include similar issues: incorrect oil filters causing seal failures, damaged oil pans during service, and unresponsive management when problems arise. Such incidents reflect common quick-lube mistakes that can lead to catastrophic engine damage, including improperly installed drain plugs, loose or missing oil caps, and wrong filter installations. Strickland Brothers didn’t respond to request for comment. Elevatednarc is resolved not to frequent the business in the future. "I will go back to doing her car there. I wish I could remember the name of it. But I can't. But Strickland Brothers, you can suck a..." he concludes. Motor1 reached out to Elevatednarc via TikTok direct message for additional comment. We'll be sure to update this if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team