What does the future look like to you?

[X476]

Business is slow. Phones aren’t ringing. Most days I dread setting foot in the door here. I have a list of issues I could talk about all day, but I doubt it will change anything.

I’m comfortable here for the time being, and I make good (not great) money and really have it pretty good aside from the mental strain.

I’m gonna just keep riding the waves and punch the clock until I find a better opportunity here or outside of the dealership.


I try not to worry about it too much.[/quote]

I'm 53 and cannot agree with you more.

[CHUCKINPARTS]

DOWN DOWN DOWN…….. I have never seen the dis-connect between dealer and manufacturer this bad. After the first of the year something has happened and I can’t put my finger on it. New model parts have always been a pain to get so take that out of the equation. Its the fast moving and common parts that the supply has dried up nationally is what bothers me. The amount of SPAC cases and RIM backorders and the fact they take forever to refill the pipeline. The inability to work with SPAC on getting parts and how come they now have a 20 minute hold warning in their answering machine. You talk to SPAC, Focus Hope, your PDC, APM, you pick the acronym…….Nobody gives a shit. It doesn’t get this bad in a few months unless someone hits a switch, pushes a button, pulls a lever, or hits a key. Who is that person?The logistics and delivery of parts is horrible. Everything has to go through Lansing, Pontiac,Willow Run, and it takes forever to get through these behemoths. I don’t even want to talk about the crossdocks and the referral systems. They suck also!! You can’t get a straight answer out of anyone at GM. Its all canned responses……… The big thing is that without communication we don’t know what to tell the customer. My APM is transitioning into a new role as helping fixed ops sell more…….. I don’t know what. I told him last week I have the answer. Get some damn parts into the system and figure out the logistics to get them to me. You can build the best looking vehicles in the world but sooner or later it will catch up to you when they are all laying around waiting for parts. But they look nice sitting there……….

[ScatterShot]

As a "rookie" in this business with only 6 years in, and still in my twenties, these responses have me looking into the job ads for something different, I always thought becoming a parts manager would have its ups and downs but this is incomprehensible. I think I would be better off finding a government city parts job, or private sector fleet job at this point.

Which manufacturer does have the best relationship with the dealers in everyone's opinion, I am curious.

[Denise Trimble]

You can build the best looking vehicles in the world but sooner or later it will catch up to you when they are all laying around waiting for parts. But they look nice sitting there……….

Well said!
I wonder if there were any "10-year", government arranged deals within some contracts during the reorganization? Maybe those suppliers have said good bye?

[MSInventory]

Which manufacturer does have the best relationship with the dealers in everyone's opinion, I am curious.

Formerly General Motors.
Last 10 years in Toyota. Great relationship.

Difference between daylight, and dark.

[LOKI1]

I am looking forward to retirement in about 4 years. The car business is hard enough without GM making it worse. We are in a small store and it seems as though the new worse "program" they are pushing is designed to at least not help us. Every "program" GM comes out with is better than the next one.

[bentwrench54]

I’m actually trying to formulate my exit plan. I feel like I’m on an airplane that just started to tailspin.

We shall see what happens. Hate to say it, but I’m at the IDGAS point now. I find better opportunities and I’m gone.

GM certainly doesn’t help, especially now that they’re implementing this pase crap. We’re taking bets on how much more our inventory balloons out.

[ehiatt]

I am looking forward to retirement in about 4 years.

A little more than 4 years here but I must agree. I have never looked forward to retirement the way I do now.

[bluepart]

Things do seem bleak for now and have been on the downhill slide for along time, but think about all the programs that have bombed-out in the past, and are no more. I am here to make a profit for my dealer and satisfy my customers. This is a balancing act in itself and has been always. If you can do that and make the manufacturer happy too, well good. If to make the manufacturer happy, while losing money for my owner and the customer is forgotten in the process, forget it. Two things, I do the best I can with what I have to work with, AND do not worry about anything that I have no control over. The bad ideas usually fizzle-out given time. I am 40+years in the GM business and have never seen it this bad. If I were younger starting out now, I think I'd be looking at something else. Not much to look forward to if it stays the same. Sad but true.

[MucketMan]

30 years for me in the auto parts biz. last 23 with Chrysler. the future looks bad. Its impossible to find good people with any interest in this business. stagnant pay, more hours, bad attitudes. I have a plan to change careers in the very near future..I don't have to work anyway...I'm done, had enough.