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Posted

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

Posted (edited)

If you believe you can handle t then go for it. Just know that wrenching is by far the easiest job in the shop.

Edited by phynny
  • Like 1
Posted

If you believe you can handle t then go for it. Just know that wrenching is by far the easiest job in the shop.

AMEN! Don't ever expect to complete a job on book again doing both jobs! lol

 

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

Posted

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
Posted

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!

Posted

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
Posted

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.

Posted

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.

Posted

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.

Posted

I have been letting my son do more of the "wrenching" and I am TRYING to stay out of his way. It is tuff...especially when I can hear him having trouble with something. What has become so simple for me can still be a challange for him. But he is learning and is already a pretty good mechanic, having hung out with ole dad all these years. Onward and upward!!

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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