i usually change my own castrol but was too cold so i got it done at a shop, when i take it out, i smell something burning, i figure they just spilt some oil on the v.cover and its burning off

then i hear a strange soft hiss when i accelerate, and eventually around 10mins after the alternator light comes on (dim at first), but now on fully. i look under the hood and there seems to be oil spilt around the alt+belt area

could this slight oil spill have caused this?
and my battery is good, so im guessing my alty is about to go?
also can i make them buy and install one for me since they did this?
fyi its a 00 d16y7 with 120K miles on it

 

perhaps it spilled on the belts?

 

My thoughts exactly.

But to answer your question about the shop paying for it, it's a coin flip. Realistically you should have gone right back to the shop after you realized that something wasn't quite right with the car, and you should have FOR SURE gone back after you noticed the oil in the belt/alternator area.

It depends on the shop though...some will admit that their mistake and correct it, others won't.

 

it did spill a little on the alt belt but i used brake cleaner on it to get rid of the spill and even pressure washed the engine bay but still the alt light is on, so its definately the alternator then,
advice for everyone, let no one touch your car unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, this oil change is gonna cost me $200

 

That's a bit of a stretch dude...just because one shop makes an error doesn't mean all shops do.

Did you even ask them about it?