How bad is working at a dealer

[Steven Rorrer]

Hey my name is Steven and I am wondering how bad it is working for a dealer vs. a chain store (I’m currently at one.)

I have been in the field 6 months, but have more than that working on my own stuff and friends cars. Basically feel like I am being taken advantage of when the shop boss thinks all I’m good for is tires and oil and nothing more. Even though I’ve done a good deal of alignments and brakes in the shop and have just gotten in to suspension work. I’ve done well at all of them so it’s not like Im a screw up.

I just can’t stand the feeling of already being super pissed off before I’ve even stepped in the door knowing what the day ahead of me will be like. Everybody is against eachother, everybody has an ego and if I don’t dumb myself down to feed that ego they get pissed. Anytime I start doing more than tires and oil the tech above me gets real pissed and throws a fit and then they have to please him by making sure he gets the work. Not to mention there is rarely ever any work as we don’t get alot of business. Hate standing around wasting a day to do a flat repair and oil change and go home.

So I guess I’m wondering if a dealership is going to be just as bad as this place or if it’s a step in the right direction. I definitely like working on cars everyday I just hate my current shop and the bs that goes on everyday

Topic

[Kris]

Hey mate,

I’m working at a dealer in Australia as a 4th year apprentice, i started here as a 1st.

Theres alot of politics and egos in any shop, but its really down to your own personallity and how you deal with them as to how the’ll be treated by the others.

In my particulat work shop we get thrown in the deep end as an apprentice which makes you learn everything, i’ve done everything from basic servicing ( bread and butter of dealership work ) to things like engine and transmission replacement.

In this industry in Australia we’re paid a salary instead of what sounds like a job to job bases pay over there, so no mattet what your doing that day your still making x an hour

With a dealer you have warranty and brand backing so its generally not as bad if you break something or need some help diagnosing an issue

[kevin]

sounds like red triangle…chain store suck…indy suck, dealer suck…now..

it is really depends on your dealer principle and service manager and such…everything has to be look all together…ok…even within a same auto group that they can run things so different…you end up scratch your head…

personally…i had been at every crossroad possible…i started at indy shop…probably moved around 60+ times in over 11 year period just for mechanic side things….not even counting body shops…
i tell you what….more move you make more you will learn though…

my policy….if i am not learning new things…i move…not challenged? move…been doing mechanic about 11 years only way to go…

good luck though…u from USA?

[Mike]

A dealer may or may not be the same kind of situation you are in now, as will another independent shop. You can’t really generalize your issue to be a indi shop problem. It sounds like you want to make a change, and you can’t really predict where you will find the shop politics that make you comfortable. You’ll have to start interviewing around, and telling them that you require being allowed to fly and will are not interested in festering and see what kind of responses you get to that.

For the record though, it’s not uncommon at all to be held low level work for 6 months when you are still green. As I recently mentioned in another discussion, most shops have seen enough from clowns that they will take time to vet a new guy even if he’s supposed to be A #1 hot shit before they start trusting them to do risky work. That aspect of your current situation may have very little to do with you personally or your repair record.

[James O’Hara]

[quote=”Fopeano” post=145331]For the record though, it’s not uncommon at all to be held low level work for 6 months when you are still green.[/quote]

It takes time to earn peoples trust. If you have comebacks or mess stuff up it takes longer. We have guys that have been working at our dealership for 8 months and are just now getting trusted with little things more complicated then Preventive Maintenance (Big Rig version of oil change and 21 point inspection), Brakes, and Air/Fluid Leaks. These are guys with 10+ yrs of experience.

It is about trust. If you have few come backs, own up to mistakes and tools you break, ask for help when you need it and offer help when you can it goes a long way.

As for egos you might as well get used to them. Some people think they are god’s gift to the wrench, others think they know everything, others just do not help anyone but themselves. It is part of the buisness. Not all places will put up with big egos but, some places will especially if the technician is really really good or experienced.

As for the standing around part there are certain times during the year it can be really slow it seems to follow the seasons and also finances ie tax refunds and holidays. Normally in the middle of a season to the end of a season it slows down. Increases around tax return time. Slows down before and after Christmas. Increases around thanksgiving because people driving to see family. This tends to be worse in dealerships as they are more expensive but, at the same time you also have more work due to warranties but, are less likely to meet repair times because they are much less for warranty repairs.

[Matt]

I have worked at both so hopefully I can give you some good advice.

Both have their pros and cons:
Dealerships: You will have access to better equipment and better technical information. The Shops will be cleaner. You can do the factory training programs to further your education. Pay might be a little higher per hour but will generally turn less hours than a chain store. Cars will be newer so you won’t generally fight things that are rusted together or have been rigged by four other shops. You not only have to deal with the service manager but you have your service consultants, sales consultants, sales managers, and other higher ups that will tell you how to do your job.

Chain Stores: Are normally busier therefore you tend to turn more hours but pay is a little less per hour. Generally the equipment is older and on its last leg. Chain stores are corporate owned so it’s hard to get new stuff approved. Shops are in old buildings with concrete floors that have been soaking up oil and other fluids for the past 60 years. You have less people to deal with inside the shop. You see a wide variety of cars so you gain a broader knowledge of vehicles compared to 1-2 brands at a dealer. People wait until their POS vehicle has completely broken down and then bring it to your shop. The vehicles will be older and have more rust. people will try to fix it themselves, then take it to 3-4 other cheaper shops that rig the crap out of it and then bring it to you to properly fix. You will generally have more comebacks. Not necessarily from workmanship, but from cheap parts, frugal customers, and those that start off with “ever since you worked on my car….”.

Sorry about that, the pros and cons are mixed together. For me the biggest pro of a chain store is insurance. They are corporate owned so insurance is better and cheaper. I have awesome insurance. Half the price of when I worked at the dealer. Deductible is 1/3 of the dealer. For around $300 a month, I have health/dental/vision for me, my wife, and daughter and a health savings account. 401K is a percentage of what I make which is company matched.

The people and their attitudes will vary from shop to shop. Some of them are good and some are bad. This business can bring out the worst in people. For me, I work to provide for my family. I don’t care about other people’s egos or personalities. I don’t go to work to make friends. Yes the shop environment will be better if everyone gets along, but you will never make everyone happy. I have one good friend in the shop and we are always working with each other and helping each other out. I try to help anyone that needs it but If I piss someone off because I turned more hours than them or got a better job, then oh well. They don’t pay my bills. Working in a shop is like a big brother episode.

Of course most of this is just general and doesn’t apply to all shops. Chain stores are different than indie shops so there’s that whole part of it too.

It’s hard at first. I clashed with a lot people because no way in hell I was going to feed into someone else’s ego. But after a while, you just ignore them and they will leave you alone. Just work your ass off and try to better yourself. That’s all you can pretty much do. You won’t be able change people or how a shop is ran.

Sorry for the long response lol.

[Jason White]

I currently work at a dealer. Got my start on independently franchised chain stores. Goodyear Service Centers. I would not go back, not for a while.

As far as dealerships, you pretty much know what to expect. They keep up on the equipment better, have better equipment, have specialty tools, a lot of resources. Having education credentials and certifications are very important. Training is much better. Best place for a new tech. The standards are much higher though, so accountability is going to be greater. It’s the most professional enviroment. Now, politics are very strong. Policies galore. More paperwork. Of course, is the dealer privately owned or by a big corporation?

Corporate owned Chain stores. My only experience was really pep boys and Sears. Like a dealer, you have the politics, and policies. However, equipment is lacking and standards are much lower. One thing was safety protocol, meaning safety glasses, the chains across the doors, all kinds of crap like that. Unrealistic. They have all these rules and standards but nobody follows them. A dull rock can shine here. Working here, I remember having a lot of fun but not really working on cars much. lol

Privately owned Chain stores/Franchises: I did the Goodyear Swing for a long time. They have a unique format, and you get used to it and it’s hard to adapt to anything else. You come in as a GS (general service) and there are different skill levels. You can make okay money as a good GS. Learn from the techs and such, but there is this HUGE gap to get to the tech level. They will almost never promote a GS to tech, they rather just hire someone who is already a tech. Worse, yet, you are basically the tech’s bitch. You are treated lower than sales guys. Attitudes galore and people talk to you like you are an idiot all of the time. No respect. Mainly because most techs there are sub-par so they have to pick on someone else to feel important. I was fortunate to become a assistant to a very good technician, apprenticeship. When the economy slumped I went back to being a GS for the hourly pay. Was good at first. However, I worked there 4 years with them promising me a promotion and never got it.

Finally, the true indepenents “Joe’s Garage”. Mom and Pop set ups. You don’t know what to expect here. They can be really great, or they can be really horrible. I know of guys that have it made working for these shops, but I have heard horror stories about them. I worked for one once. It was okay. However, there is no “policies”, the owner is the dictator. Equipment? Just LOL, if t
hey have it just be glad it somewhat works. Special tools? that’s up to you. Training? Better already have it.

To ADD: I now work at a Nissan Dealer. I’m a chevy guy honestly, I don’t really like Nissans. However in the Japanese Import Tech world, Nissan/infiniti guys are always in demand. They made me start just changing oil even with my experience. I was their best oil changer, set records. Then they moved me to Recon/Used cars for about a year. Now they decided because I do what they want and have proven loyalty, they pulled me back down on the Nissan end, and are sending me to school, about a class per month to get me fast tracked to Nissan Certified Specialist and in the end, Master status. I have ASE Master Status now, so I could go anywhere. However, when I get my stripes with Nissan, especially if I get Sr Master status, I will have something no independent tech can have. I can go to any Nissan dealer anywhere and get a job. “I’m a Sr Master Tech” “When can you start”. I can go to a different make if I want, because I have proven I can do it with Nissan, they know I can do it anywhere. If I had to, I could go independent. Independents would love a dealer technician.

There is another guy at my work, he’s about the same age as me. He started there when he just turned 18 and was still in HS. 18 years later, he’s still there. He knows his stuff, makes good money, and I really wish I knew what I know now, then.

[kevin]

[quote=”Jasonw1178″ post=145775]I currently work at a dealer. Got my start on independently franchised chain stores. Goodyear Service Centers. I would not go back, not for a while.

As far as dealerships, you pretty much know what to expect. They keep up on the equipment better, have better equipment, have specialty tools, a lot of resources. Having education credentials and certifications are very important. Training is much better. Best place for a new tech. The standards are much higher though, so accountability is going to be greater. It’s the most professional enviroment. Now, politics are very strong. Policies galore. More paperwork. Of course, is the dealer privately owned or by a big corporation?

Corporate owned Chain stores. My only experience was really pep boys and Sears. Like a dealer, you have the politics, and policies. However, equipment is lacking and standards are much lower. One thing was safety protocol, meaning safety glasses, the chains across the doors, all kinds of crap like that. Unrealistic. They have all these rules and standards but nobody follows them. A dull rock can shine here. Working here, I remember having a lot of fun but not really working on cars much. lol

Privately owned Chain stores/Franchises: I did the Goodyear Swing for a long time. They have a unique format, and you get used to it and it’s hard to adapt to anything else. You come in as a GS (general service) and there are different skill levels. You can make okay money as a good GS. Learn from the techs and such, but there is this HUGE gap to get to the tech level. They will almost never promote a GS to tech, they rather just hire someone who is already a tech. Worse, yet, you are basically the tech’s bitch. You are treated lower than sales guys. Attitudes galore and people talk to you like you are an idiot all of the time. No respect. Mainly because most techs there are sub-par so they have to pick on someone else to feel important. I was fortunate to become a assistant to a very good technician, apprenticeship. When the economy slumped I went back to being a GS for the hourly pay. Was good at first. However, I worked there 4 years with them promising me a promotion and never got it.

Finally, the true indepenents “Joe’s Garage”. Mom and Pop set ups. You don’t know what to expect here. They can be really great, or they can be really horrible. I know of guys that have it made working for these shops, but I have heard horror stories about them. I worked for one once. It was okay. However, there is no “policies”, the owner is the dictator. Equipment? Just LOL, if t
hey have it just be glad it somewhat works. Special tools? that’s up to you. Training? Better already have it.

To ADD: I now work at a Nissan Dealer. I’m a chevy guy honestly, I don’t really like Nissans. However in the Japanese Import Tech world, Nissan/infiniti guys are always in demand. They made me start just changing oil even with my experience. I was their best oil changer, set records. Then they moved me to Recon/Used cars for about a year. Now they decided because I do what they want and have proven loyalty, they pulled me back down on the Nissan end, and are sending me to school, about a class per month to get me fast tracked to Nissan Certified Specialist and in the end, Master status. I have ASE Master Status now, so I could go anywhere. However, when I get my stripes with Nissan, especially if I get Sr Master status, I will have something no independent tech can have. I can go to any Nissan dealer anywhere and get a job. “I’m a Sr Master Tech” “When can you start”. I can go to a different make if I want, because I have proven I can do it with Nissan, they know I can do it anywhere. If I had to, I could go independent. Independents would love a dealer technician.

There is another guy at my work, he’s about the same age as me. He started there when he just turned 18 and was still in HS. 18 years later, he’s still there. He knows his stuff, makes good money, and I really wish I knew what I know now, then.[/quote]

i am not sure…everyone is different…some people are ok with staying one place for 18 years but, some don’t…

whatever you have for experience and where you are…situation is always different….i wish i started when i was younger but, it was not possible…i was still trying to finish high school on time…make the best out of our circumstances.
that’s all

[Lee Ann]

I love my job at my dealership. I have been there 3 weeks…kind of a Newbie still, I know.

I shared with my bosses during the interviewing stages that I am motivated (kind of need) to keep learning something new. I also stated that training/obtaining my ASE’s and earning Master Tech Certifications were very important to me. So far, they have kept me challenged. I guess it is all in how you communicate your needs. If your needs match the needs of the business, they will be more likely to accommodate. But that is just my guess based on observations.

[Rick]

[quote=”IndianaTech” post=145565]I have worked at both so hopefully I can give you some good advice.

Both have their pros and cons:
Dealerships: You will have access to better equipment and better technical information. The Shops will be cleaner. You can do the factory training programs to further your education. Pay might be a little higher per hour but will generally turn less hours than a chain store. Cars will be newer so you won’t generally fight things that are rusted together or have been rigged by four other shops. You not only have to deal with the service manager but you have your service consultants, sales consultants, sales managers, and other higher ups that will tell you how to do your job.

Chain Stores: Are normally busier therefore you tend to turn more hours but pay is a little less per hour. Generally the equipment is older and on its last leg. Chain stores are corporate owned so it’s hard to get new stuff approved. Shops are in old buildings with concrete floors that have been soaking up oil and other fluids for the past 60 years. You have less people to deal with inside the shop. You see a wide variety of cars so you gain a broader knowledge of vehicles compared to 1-2 brands at a dealer. People wait until their POS vehicle has completely broken down and then bring it to your shop. The vehicles will be older and have more rust. people will try to fix it themselves, then take it to 3-4 other cheaper shops that rig the crap out of it and then bring it to you to properly fix. You will generally have more comebacks. Not necessarily from workmanship, but from cheap parts, frugal customers, and those that start off with “ever since you worked on my car….”.

Sorry about that, the pros and cons are mixed together. For me the biggest pro of a chain store is insurance. They are corporate owned so insurance is better and cheaper. I have awesome insurance. Half the price of when I worked at the dealer. Deductible is 1/3 of the dealer. For around $300 a month, I have health/dental/vision for me, my wife, and daughter and a health savings account. 401K is a percentage of what I make which is company matched.

The people and their attitudes will vary from shop to shop. Some of them are good and some are bad. This business can bring out the worst in people. For me, I work to provide for my family. I don’t care about other people’s egos or personalities. I don’t go to work to make friends. Yes the shop environment will be better if everyone gets along, but you will never make everyone happy. I have one good friend in the shop and we are always working with each other and helping each other out. I try to help anyone that needs it but If I piss someone off because I turned more hours than them or got a better job, then oh well. They don’t pay my bills. Working in a shop is like a big brother episode.

Of course most of this is just general and doesn’t apply to all shops. Chain stores are different than indie shops so there’s that whole part of it too.

It’s hard at first. I clashed with a lot people because no way in hell I was going to feed into someone else’s ego. But after a while, you just ignore them and they will leave you alone. Just work your ass off and try to better yourself. That’s all you can pretty much do. You won’t be able change people or how a shop is ran.

Sorry for the long response lol.[/quote]

Summed up perfectly.

[Author]

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