18 Years & Counting

[2longinparts]

My login name says it all!! 30 years in four different dealerships. All GM. Would have to agree with wct54. GM is going the wrong way. One word for me. RETIREMENT!!!

[johnmc98]

For me, 39 years total in the biz, the first 32 1/2 at a Ford store as counterman straight out of high school until they decided that things were slow, and they could save more by letting me go instead of someone else with less time. After collecting all the unemployment I could from that, found a spot at a GM store and just rolled over 5 years, the last year as manager. Am still getting used to all the differences between Ford and GM, and navigating rim and spac and deciding it all can be a real pain, but it is still what gets me out of the house every day. Guess I just enjoy the challenge.

[always-learning]

16 years for me with two huge dealer groups that are still family owned.

I started right out of high school at a Saturn Dealership in 2000. Moved up the ranks fast and I've managed two Saturn stores at the same time, assistant manager at a large Cadillac store, parts manager at a Chevy Buick GMC dealer and back to a parts manager for a Cadillac Alfa Romeo and Fiat dealer now. It's interesting seeing the differences real time between Mopar and GM..both have good and bad but it's amazing at how having a good working relationship with your dealer rep can make.

[bentwrench54]

i've got 13 years in the industry. i've spent 9 of those years at two chevrolet dealerships, and the other four i worked in parts stores.

the days get stranger and stranger every day.

[rover]

I will have 40 complete January 2017 in the same dealership. 30 in parts, 20 as mgr. I swear I still see things happen that I have never seen. I made the mistake of telling a customer that short of having a police officer show up and verify or witness she was the owner of her vehicle that I would not cut her a key from code. She claimed everything was locked in car. I got back from lunch and sure enough an officer was waiting at the counter for me and her. He waited for her for over and hour. He said it was a first for him too. It was an older vehicle and I ended up taking care of her.

[Denise Trimble]

January 3, 2016 made 26 years for me. Mostly GM, with a few other franchises mixed in over the years. I have held many other positions, within a five-year span, which I considered a truly enriching experience to achieve a more complete understanding of the business/accounting side of dealership life.
I really appreciate the wisdom, those of you who have been doing this for ANY length of time, give to us within this forum.

[ederemer]

38 years and counting....
Pontiac-DeLorean
Buick-Olds-Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC
AMC-Jeep-Renault-Oldsmobile
Chrysler-Jeep-Olds-Porsche-Audi-Mazda
Dodge-Mazda
Honda
Buick-GMC
Cadillac
Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-RAM-ProMaster

No wonder both of my hairs are grey...

Mr. Ed
Sunny Florida

[brparts]

started in this business in 1957 as a parts driver, retired as a parts manager in 2008.

[Impala67]

only 5 years

[possum]

Started as a delivery driver in 1987 at a Chevy store in Jersey. Got laid off and skipped around a year or two between makes as a counterman. Relocated to NC in 93, now 22+ years here as manager.
So, 29 years in biz, some good, some bad. Chevy store, Olds store, Chrys/Plymouth store, Pont-Buick-GMC-MB-VW a little Audi-Suzuki and even Yugo! But for not having completed college, I think I've provided for my family well and saved up a little. Not nearly enough though so I'll probably work till I die, but hopefully NOT in Parts!