Any ladies that work at the counter at a shop/dealership?

[skydragoness]

I just got offered a job position for a fairly big, independent auto repair shop in my area after talking to one of the female service advisors.
They know I want to become a service advisor but they offer an entry-level position that's more like what a secretary would do at the front counter: greet people, answer phones, schedule appointments, etc. After x amount of time and if I like how stuff is going .. vice/versa they would then send me off to be trained as a service advisor. Only bad thing is they're offering me a starting wage that is 1.25 less than what I am making currently. So I know I should ask for more, but I don't know what the average wage is for such a position. They're "offering" 12/hr. Definitely need more than that to make such a big job change (bills.. y'know.. but this is something I definitely want to pursue!)

Any inputs?

[Joe]

dont do it

service advising/managing SUCKS. you do basically nothing but take advantage of people.

repair shops blow.

[skydragoness]

Uh thanks. Didn't answer my question though.

Have you done service advising?
I'm under the impression that dealerships fit that m.o. as this is an independent shop that's been around for 25-30 yrs that has good customer reviews (shrugs)

[tigersharkdude]

Uh thanks. Didn't answer my question though.

Have you done service advising?
I'm under the impression that dealerships fit that m.o. as this is an independent shop that's been around for 25-30 yrs that has good customer reviews (shrugs)

fixed that for you

[skydragoness]

Thank you... (I see you've earned that badge!!)

[numbnuts240]

if you booked my appointment, that shop would be taking me to the cleaners

ok, creepy flirting aside, $12/hour is about right, quite honestly. that's what i was making when i was an emissions tech/that position/oil changer/brake job dude/general shop gopher.

[maxhopper]

Not a chick, but I am a service advisor. For what you'd be doing starting out, the pay is probably about right. I'd see if they'd be willing to match what you make presently. I'd also try to nail down a time frame on when you could start training, don't leave it open ended.

The job itself is ok. You get some real ***holes, but you also get some really great customers. As far as "taking advantage of people," that's crap. You can chose how you deal with your customers. I give my customers the best information I can, and any options that are available, and let them make the decision. Also, if a customer requests to have something done that isn't needed, I'll tell them.

[Encryptshun]

Try this:

Like maxhopper said, nail them down as to a time frame to start training. If they don't agree outright to match your current wage, propose that if they match it for the length of time you're working the front desk, you'll work for that much less than normal service advisor rate for the same amount of time after you get promoted -- at which time you require them to bump you up to the normal rate, plus any merit increase you'd be eligible for.

[Jesda]

Friend of mine did it until the dealership went out of business. He started as a porter. It was an interesting job, but being the liason between customer and technician means that you have to have really sharp communication skills (seems like you do). He earned a s*** hourly wage but got commissions, so he was reasonably satisfied with his income.

They also worked him like a dog, pulling 50+ hours a week.

Maybe the workload is lighter at an independent shop? I think I'd hate doing the kind of work that forces you to be the servant to multiple parties with varying interests.

Regardless, unless you have something better going, you should do it. I say, have as many different jobs as you can when you're young. Its like getting paid to be educated.

[elwesso]

I would imagine your compenation would vary on where you are.. I've used www.salary.com to find out what you should expect for certain jobs in certain areas...

I would start there and that might be some good pulling power.. if they're offering you whats less than average and you say "well, the average is $xx.xx" they might be willing to work with you...

Or you could always try and get them to offer some paid vacation off the bat... I might just call them and ask "is that the best you can do" and see what they say... Its not like they'll take away your offer just because you asked...

[Joe]

Uh thanks. Didn't answer my question though.

Have you done service advising?
I'm under the impression that dealerships fit that m.o. as this is an independent shop that's been around for 25-30 yrs that has good customer reviews (shrugs)

yes. i was a service adviser, and service manager in a repair facility for long enough to know its a s*** a** backwards industry and the only people who are "good" at it take advantage of people.

im not just speaking of 1 shop, im speaking for the entire repair industry. ALL repair facilities and dealerships.

[Mr1der]

being a crack dealer would be more rewarding to me than a service writer i think.

[Dattebayo]

Jaded Joe speaks again.

lol, I don't mean to ride you, man, but that just isn't true. I worked as one for a time with a independent shop, and the only real problem with it was scheduling. Sometimes you had to pick names out of a hat on who to screw over for a time slot...

[skydragoness]

Friend of mine did it until the dealership went out of business. He started as a porter. It was an interesting job, but being the liason between customer and technician means that you have to have really sharp communication skills (seems like you do). He earned a s*** hourly wage but got commissions, so he was reasonably satisfied with his income.

They also worked him like a dog, pulling 50+ hours a week.

Maybe the workload is lighter at an independent shop? I think I'd hate doing the kind of work that forces you to be the servant to multiple parties with varying interests.

Regardless, unless you have something better going, you should do it. I say, have as many different jobs as you can when you're young. Its like getting paid to be educated.

Thanks. Believe me, I am a honest and ethical person and that's something that's gnawing at me as I consider something like service advising.

Well, currently I'm a manager of a dept at a health food store, I like it-- but it doesn't have anything higher than it (the general manager and the assistant manager are BFF and are not going anywhere so I doubt I'll get to where they are). I'll be coming up on my 5 yr anniversary at my current job, will be getting a raise, and my vacation time will bump up to 3 wks paid. Already get 1 wk paid sick time, paid holidays, and the health plan isn't the best (high deductible..but I like HSA's) but at least I have something! Super good benefits for a retail jorb.

The place that is offering me a job is offering a 40hr work week (which is what I work already). They are a big shop: 8 bays on one side, 5 on the other. Dealership-style waiting room and very clean place with friendly staff.
I'll be starting all over again in terms of benefits, but they are similar.. the health ins. is seemingly better. Crappy sick time (2 days? Really?). I dunno.. I'm going to call the manager tonight and see what he'll do on the wage and if there is a deadline I can get in writing where I will be trained as a serv. advisor. It's definitely a change but I already have the ability to deal with customers. I walked into the place to just talk to the lady service advisor there and I must of made some kind of impression if they're offering a job. I don't have anything to lose by asking for more $$ IMHO.

Thanks for your feedback guys.

[Jesda]

I know this is just a job prospect, but what's your ultimate long-term goal? Every step should inch you towards that.

[Joe]

Jaded Joe speaks again.

lol, I don't mean to ride you, man, but that just isn't true. I worked as one for a time with a independent shop, and the only real problem with it was scheduling. Sometimes you had to pick names out of a hat on who to screw over for a time slot...

right. cause the repair industry got the reputation that it has for no reason, right?

[srpowered240sx]

right. cause the repair industry got the reputation that it has for no reason, right?

the repair industry has its "reputation" that you seem convinced of is because of so many shops not explaining the work to customers. they tell them that part A is broken, costs X amount to fix, and thats it. when shops treat their customers like people, people that dont work on cars, and explain and show customers what work is being done, they leave knowing whats involved, and what they are spending money on.

Im a service writer myself. i used to sell performance parts and do service writing specifically for performance parts, those people understand, to and extent, what work is involved. the new shop i work at, as a service writer, does all repairs on foreign cars. we see a ton of people that dont know how their car works, so its all about how you treat them. explaining what the part does, how its mounted in the car, and whats involved with fixing it makes a big difference. being good at customer service goes unsaid, knowing how to schedule and manage an office goes unsaid, but knowing cars, and how to explain to someone who doesnt know cars the issues makes all the difference.

12 an hour sounds low, unless its stated that you will get a meeting to agree on a higher wage in a few months once you get the hang of it and show how you work. you cant judge the work in the first few weeks because your head will be spinning figuring out the whole process.