Quantcast
Jump to content


Technician/Service Writer Dual Role


Recommended Posts

I was offered a job today. My service manager asked me if I would like to be a service writer AND a technician at the same time. I asked him, well how would that work?? His suggestion was to spend this amount of time in the shop, and this amount of time at the desk...."we will work some kind of schedule out." I have worked on cars for about 14 years now, I don't want to turn wrenches forever. I do want to move up in the world, and his suggestion was to get exposure in all areas of the service department. Has anyone done this before, or just any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Brian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I second and third the above

There is so many things to be taken into consideration, close to impossible to recommend...

 

I'd say, ask yourself why did he offer it to you. Who will benefit the most from the "transition"? I recommend getting your C1 ASE first, shadow the writer for couple of hours a week (2-3 weeks), so it does not negatively affect your earning ability. Then start saving and stashing the money away. That way if you make any kind of move, you fell safer, bolder and more confident at whatever you end up doing.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the input. One of our service writers hit the road. I would fill in when the other writers had days off. I'm just not a sit behind the desk all day kind of guy. There is deffinetley more pay involved, and If it was easy everyone would do it. Maybe I'll give it a test drive for a few weeks! Thanks again everybody!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cars don't talk back....people do. Keep that in mind when you're in the service writer side of things. Ya get used to it, but it's a lot easier to bitch at a stubborn bolt then deal with a "bitch" in the lobby.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Working two positions in the shop is like playing two positions on a ball field. It's hard to be great at both. My fear is that your technical expertise may interfere with the service advisor role. I am not saying this is not a good opportunity, it can be. I am saying that techs have a very difficult time making the transition onto the service counter.

 

We took an ASE master tech and moved him into the service dept. He excelled and now he managers the company. So, it can be done.

 

Learn all you can about sales, building relationships, the key numbers of the business and about business in general.

 

The most difficult part, at least for me....putting my tools down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's a good point, I have always feared being a service writer and being too "technical" with the customers. Building relationships with customers is what I have been trying to work on the past year, but its kind of hard to do that in a dealership, but I have left hundreds of business cards in customers dashes! And yes, putting wrenches down is hard, it's almost a pride thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guess I'm the weird one in the group, but I can't wait to put my wrenches down! ASE Master Certified, blah blah blah, I'll take a desk job with slacks and a Polo/button down shirt any day over bending over a fender and busting knuckles! However, I have always been very social, told I have the 'gift of gab', etc. On top of that, service writers USUALLY (not always) make better money. And they don't go home with cuts on their greasy hands, a snap-on bill, and a bad back.

 

Sure, 'wrenching' might be fun, but for a career, I know what I want! That's like choosing between playing football and golf. Football might be fun, but golf isn't gonna beat you to death. I'm sure not everyone will agree with me, just thought I would give my opinion.

 

Brian, I would go for the opportunity, work your butt off, read some books on relationship building & friend making & sales, learn to shave daily, smile, and put the wrenches down. Worse case scenario, you unlock your box again, and pick the wrenches back up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         13 comments
      Most shop owners would agree that the independent auto repair industry has been too cheap for too long regarding its pricing and labor rates. However, can we keep raising our labor rates and prices until we achieve the profit we desire and need? Is it that simple?
      The first step in achieving your required gross and net profit is understanding your numbers and establishing the correct labor and part margins. The next step is to find your business's inefficiencies that impact high production levels.
      Here are a few things to consider. First, do you have the workflow processes in place that is conducive to high production? What about your shop layout? Do you have all the right tools and equipment? Do you have a continuous training program in place? Are technicians waiting to use a particular scanner or waiting to access information from the shop's workstation computer?
      And lastly, are all the estimates written correctly? Is the labor correct for each job? Are you allowing extra time for rust, older vehicles, labor jobs with no parts included, and the fact that many published labor times are wrong? Let's not forget that perhaps the most significant labor loss is not charging enough labor time for testing, electrical work, and other complicated repairs.  
      Once you have determined the correct labor rate and pricing, review your entire operation. Then, tighten up on all those labor leaks and inefficiencies. Improving production and paying close attention to the labor on each job will add much-needed dollars to your bottom line.
  • Similar Topics

    • By ASOG Podcast
      Free Diagnostic Time: Is It Worth It for Auto Repair Shops?
    • By carmcapriotto
      Recorded Live at Vision 2023, we are with 3 trainers that describe training as a lifestyle, not a job. Today's technicians must have an engineering mindset in order to repair vehicles and that requires a continuous commitment to learning, improving, and teaching for both the trainers and attendees.
      Ryne Thomason, NAPA Trainer
      Bill Weaver, NAPA Trainer. Listen to Bill's previous episodes HERE
      Curt Eigenberger. NAPA Trainer
      Show Notes
      "Job of a trainer isn't a job, it's a lifestyle." Knowledge is sort of a burden, once you've accumulated it, it's your burden to distribute that back out to the field. Daytime training generally works better given the time in the environment as far as you can do things more hands-on than in the evenings  Invest in training, keep a training resume. Teaching or taking, it doesn't matter. You're always learning something new if you have an open mind. If you come back after training and you show me you've improved your skills and your profitability, then everybody wins. If you can teach somebody else a skill that you have, you have mastered that skill  Connect and interact when you're teaching in class Make a commitment right now for the rest of this year, you're gonna put your guys out in training and give them opportunities. Measure it after an entire year If you're spending time, money, and the investment to grow your technician, but then not allowing the technician to grow, that's a management problem. Your technician has to be an expert in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and an IT expert to diagnose and repair a modern vehicle. To be an automotive technician now, you need an engineering mind. And you have to develop your own way of understanding critical thinking because you have to blend the real world of mechanical, with the engineering world of electronics that's in there. 
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA AUTO CARE Learn more about NAPA AUTO CARE and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting www.NAPAAutoCare.com Connect with the Podcast: -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
         
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By ASOG Podcast
      Opening a Shop? Don't Make This Critical Mistake!
    • By carmcapriotto
      During Today's episode #104 The crew from SMP and I Talk About:
      What is a Chicken Flicker? Behind-the-scenes dirt on Kim & Brian from SMP What's the best part of your work day? What's the difference between a successful client and one that isn't? What would your advice be for a shop starting out that isn't able to hire someone like SMP? How cute is Dutton? Favorite Cartoon Character? What did you want to be when you grew up? What book are you reading now, if any?  
      This episode is sponsored by AutoLeap. AutoLeap is a cloud-based all-in-one automotive invoice software that helps you supercharge your mechanic shop. Their customers have experienced:
       
      30% increase in revenue by improving transparency and trust 50% reduction in time spent researching and ordering parts 10% increase in profit margins through robust reporting  
      Click here to learn more about AutoLeap and schedule a demo: http://bit.ly/3GRgO88
       
      Don't forget to rate and review us!
      Connect with Chris:
      [email protected]
      940.400.1008
      www.autoshopcoaching.com
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching
      Youtube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By ASOG Podcast
      It's Time To Break Up


  • By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...