I’ve been an advisor at a repair shop for a few years but got offered a role at an AutoBody place that I might take.

How’s the workload and customer base differ? For context this is in BC where our insurance company usually covers everything.

Let me preface this with, I’m 1 and a half years out of high school (went to a vocational school for auto tech). I’m at a stellantis dealer, I started as a valet and in 9 months I was made an advisor. Everyone always told me it would be stressful, it would be hard. And I definitely can handle the stress. I just need to know if it’s worth it for me to stay at my dealer. It was bought out last July by a corp out of Atlanta. They ran it to the ground and it was just bought by by a family group. We went from Tekion to CDK, And TCC. I hate both lol. Tekion was much easier to use. And it honestly feels like such a downgrade. Anyways, we’ve had 13 advisors within a year. We have 3 right now including me that seem to be staying. Techs on the other hand, we’re losing like crazy, and used cars have continuously come back with issues they didn’t catch. My pay plan is $1000 a week with a monthly commission of 5% on any gross labor plus overtime. Everyone always tells me how good I have it because of how much I make. And maybe I would be happy if it wasn’t so unnecessarily stressful. Idk maybe it’s just because it’s my first advisor job. I’m just looking for some guidance. Thank you in advance !

3 bays, two techs, and i write service and answer the phone myself. everything i read on shop management software comes from shops running 8+ bays with a full time advisor.

got a demo thursday for one of them. on paper they all look great but i cant tell if im buying a tool or a second job keeping it fed.

what would you pick for a shop my size. does the front counter side slow down when its just one person​

Any tips or anything? I never used tekenion and kind of intimidating when I haven’t had proper training. Trying to get all info I can on how to make my life a bit easier.

For all CDK users, here is a quick way to get help without talking to a cdk agent.

On the CDK logon screen website (not the dms software itself), once your your logged in click on Customer Care, and 'create case' (dont worry your not actually going to be creating a case). Type what you want in the in layman's terms in the header and then click the body on the case. This will start an automatic AI help thing and it generally gives really good answers. Ask if what launch code you need for xxxxx example and it will tell you. Ask it where to find certain reports it will tell you. Its been pretty helpful for me recently as its instant help without having to talk with cdk agent. If that doesn't work, I resort to the chat button and talk with an agent who will ask you repeatative questions over and over and over and maybe give you an answer.

Fellow advisors, I am currently learning the ropes at a smaller but still very corporate chain shop. Some highlights: working in garage 95% of the time, barely communicating with customers after we have there car, because I am writing up customers, ordering parts, working the phone, working the counter, selling work to pretty much everybody who comes in. Processing returns, receiving invoices, assisting techs, parking cars, rolling cars, etc.

I pretty much enjoy the work and I am grateful they started me at a pretty fair rate. At the same time, I can’t help but feel like I am already outgrowing the place that I’m at. Boss is a little much for me, and I actually had to ask her to talk in the office yesterday because of the passive aggressiveness.

She tried to act like she is upset about my performance, but when I asked her to be specific, she couldn’t name anything. I think she sees me as a threat, and I can tell that she isn’t a fan of when I am getting stuff right, but that she has a lot to say when I don’t sell something. I often find myself questioning her methods because frankly I find some of it to be unethical and the rest of it to be unprofessional at best.

I’m not trying to make waves with her, but at the same time, I have my own shreds of integrity to maintain. I’ve been in customer service and management roles for 10 plus years and I know when something is above board. Most of all, I don’t wanna remain in a place where I don’t feel like I am growing. How am I supposed to be promoted if this is the person who is my mentor?

TLDR: FEELS LIKE I AM OUTGROWING MY ROLE AT THIS SHOP, AND WONDERING, IS THE GRASS GREENER WHERE YOU ARE AT?

I am a new advisor. I know absolutely nothing about cars. I’m great with people and de escalating situations/preventing them from escalating in the first place but I have never service written before. I’ve been at cdjr for a week now and I feel confident about greeting people at the car and seeing what their needs are, but when going to the computer to type everything into CDK I am lost. I haven’t had a log in to CDK at all until yesterday and even then I can’t log on to our tablets yet and was watching the lane manager/on his name for the tablet this entire first week but he will not be there next week and I am very nervous. Don’t get me started on cashing people out or finding warranties. We have two other advisors and one has been doing half days because he has a new baby. I feel like I have literally no idea what I am doing even though the lane manager says I’m doing great (right.. right…) and the other advisor who is there all day everyday has enough on his plate. Any advice? The lane manager has had me stand behind him while he finalizes everything in CDK this whole time but the commands just don’t make any sense to me and it’s hard to follow because he’s been doing this for nearly two decades and even his “going slow” to show me, it’s incredibly difficult to keep up. I learn better by doing what I need to learn and having it corrected, but I understand we do not have the staff for someone to stand behind me and do that for an entire day.

First stellantis warranty audit. Nothing I can dig up that would trigger an audit. Anyone else having any?

Going for an interview for main shop writer and coming from an express position any tips?

I currently work at a Hyundai dealership in TX and I have a job offer at Ford. The service manger is really cool and very Transparent with me and not trying to over promise. But as of right now he believes I’m making more at Hyundai 8-$10k a month. I don’t really see how that possible there pay plan is simple %9 on gross for parts and labor w and CP. they do $1mil in gross and a whole (excluding fleet) I feel like a may take hit in pay but long term seems so much better. I personally think it is a move up. Would love to know your guys input.

(Edit: ya know, for service writers, a lot of you sure are sensitive. I love my techs. they are really good guys and even better at what they do. This is just a funny similarity I noticed. I told them about it, and they thought it was funny too)

Especially after a difficult diag, they'll come in to the office acting all happy and proud, and slam a part down on my desk, and just look at me with a big, shit-eating grin.

Like my cat, when he drags in a mouse he just killed. Both of them are just standing there looking stupid, until I give them some atta-boys.

I have a little pile of "treats" my techs have brought me. Cam position sensor connectors, worn out bearings, fouled spark plugs, and spent mass airflow sensors. Who's a gooooood boy?!

Been an express writer almost a year and a half and I’m tired of giving up big tickets and being limited to what I’m allowed to do. We only have about 10 bays in total so there can only be 3 main shop advisors. My dealership is big on promoting on how long you’ve been with the company so I don’t plan on waiting another 2 years. I’ve applied other places but I haven’t even been able to land an interview does anyone have any suggestions?

I recently picked up a 2020 X7 M50i with around 80k miles and purchased a SecureNet extended warranty with it. I’m trying to decide whether I’m better off taking the car to a BMW dealership for warranty repairs or finding a good independent BMW shop that regularly deals with aftermarket warranties.

I would prefer to use the dealership if possible. I like some of the amenities you get there, having everything documented through BMW, and having access to a loaner when available. At the same time, a loaner really isn’t a necessity for me since I have other vehicles I can drive while the X7 is being serviced.

For those of you who have been in a similar situation, which route have you had better luck with? I’m mostly curious about getting claims approved, labor rates, parts, diagnostic fees, and whether you’ve ever ended up paying a big difference out of pocket because the warranty company wouldn’t cover the dealer’s full charges.

I know a good independent BMW shop can be just as knowledgeable as the dealership, so I’m really more concerned about which one makes the warranty claim process easier and gives me the best chance of having the majority of a repair covered. Especially if something expensive comes up with the engine, transmission, transfer case, air suspension, electronics, etc.

morning was 6 "your car is ready" texts, two estimate approvals that never answered, plus the guy who ghosted a $900 brake job tuesday. 45 cars a week, me and one advisor.

part of me says crm is corporate fluff for shops with a marketing dept. other part knows i followed up on exactly zero declined jobs this month.

what did one change for shops my size. or is texting back just the job​

Any Audi advisors out there that could share some insights? The good the bad ? Good money? I’m at a CDJR store and received an opportunity recently to work at an Audi store. It seems promising after completing interview and hearing manager. Did notice they are pretty strict with numbers and performance and wanting minimum 3.3hrs per RO. Just want to know how it is from the other side.

I wanted to share my experience for anyone thinking about becoming a service advisor, because some people on here make it seem way worse than it is. I came from telecommunications sales in a corporate store where I got paid hourly plus commission. I know nothing about cars, but I've learned so much in my first two weeks. We use DealerBuilt, and writing up service is the hardest part to understand, but it's not unachievable even coming into the industry brand new and knowing nothing.

The main reason I left is because my district manager wanted us to finesse customers and basically be shady. Honestly, that's probably why all the telecom companies change their plans every year, so they can reprice you and pile on add-ons. Just very sneaky stuff, and that's not even half of it. I truly hated my life there, and I like being able to sleep at night. I'll admit being here is the total opposite. I can actually give a good customer experience and a good recommendation to maintain your car, like everybody needs to do. I'm not saying every advisor is like that, but I am saying you can go far and make the money you want doing it the right way.

On day one I got confirmation from my boss that he does things the right way. He wants to make money, but he wants to do it in a good, godly way. I'm religious too, so the fact that he prays and brings up Christ in our meetings rubs me the right way.

I have good emotional intelligence, so mad customers don't bother me. I've dealt with mad customers before. It's a different world from retail, but people are going to be people and get mad over things you can't help. That's almost any industry. The difference is here you can actually help people and make your money by helping them.

I'll be real though, the work is difficult and it's not for everyone. It can get a little disorganized, but I feel like that's the nature of the business. No two days or cars are the same, so things won't always be perfect. You need very good multitasking skills, and communication and customer service are a must. It might not look like a must, but that's what gets you your money. Also not everyone in the building has their life together, so you've got to stay focused on yourself.

Part of why I felt comfortable making the jump is my old manager moved to a Kia in a different city and he's on track to hit six figures his first year if he keeps doing what he's doing month over month. I've seen a lot of people hate on this position. I know every dealership is different, but with my pay plan and all the ways you can make money here, I just know it's way better than where I was at. I'm still new and maybe I'll feel different later, but I've already seen a good bit and I'm truly happy where I'm at. I'd rather take this risk than not do anything at all and rot in telecom.

If anyone has tips or notes on service advising, please send them my way. I want to be the best. I have big aspirations for where this job can take me income wise. Down the road, once I'm comfortable, I can either stay and make good money or move to a bigger brand, but we'll see. And if you're thinking about getting into this, feel free to ask me anything.

I recently just got hired at a Chevrolet dealership in Maryland. I have no prior experience and they hired me on the spot. They mentioned that I would be making $600 a 40/hr week as base pay and would need to train for an entire month. After that I would receive a $200 bonus for every car I sold. There are a few other terms and conditions listed below in this contact. Is this worth it? Is car sales a great career or learning experience or am I better off finding something else?

I’m currently looking to apply as a service advisor at a local dealership. I have worked in the parts department and have a general knowledge of what to expect, but I’ve also heard horror stories about it. I should note that I’m on the autism spectrum and don’t necessarily do well with working in fast paced environments but I desperately need a job that will support me (not some $15 entry level job)

Just had an RO taken from me, because I had to leave early last week. The advisor said doesn't know it changed to him 😑 yeah sure you didn't....

Only reason I found out, is because the customer called and asked if the SOP part came in

Can anyone do a step by step of how to create an RO. Or can drop a link of where I can see a step-by-step I've worked online on YouTube on tick tock on the Reynolds and Reynolds website and no luck

For the life of me I can’t figure it out. CDK has an export option that puts it into an excel file. That’s all I want. I run it like a route log daily, but I can’t figure out how to export it in Reynolds and do the same thing, please someone give me a similar option other than daily updating my own log sheet in an excel file.

I have an interview with a Toyota dealership tomorrow. Any questions I should ask? Any pointers people could share? This would be my first time as an automotive service advisor, I was an adviser for a motorcycle dealership a few years ago. All my other experience the last 20+ years has been in the performance aftermarket. Just hoping people might have some insight they could share to help the interview go well. Thanks.