DealersEdge Professional Forums

Having some battles here at our GM store. I know this isn't really a parts question, but I am also the fixed ops manager, in addition to handling parts. Our GSM wants to hire his own PDI tech and have the PDI $ go to the new car department. He feels that "Pre-Delivery Inspection" can/should be handled by new car dept. Do you ask parts managers know of any stores who do this?? Have you heard of this? Before I approach the dealer, I want to have some facts on paper. Maybe it does occur and I am just unaware of it. We are a small to mid-size dealership with about 85 employees total.

Thanks in advance

What a complicated proposal!

Is he going to submit his own claims, install LPO's, take all the Certification training, etc? Even if your Warranty clerk is going to handle the paperwork, his/her salary is paid by that tech's income to the Dealership. Seems like an accounting nightmare, separating techs into another department. I'm just a humble Parts Manager but I've never heard of such a thing.

I'm with possum--what a nightmare. I'm a fellow fixed ops manager, and on one hand the idea of not having to mess with PDIs is somewhat appealing to me because often times they fall to the bottom of the priority list until the owner starts yelling at me to get them done. However, when times are slow it is nice to have the PDIs to hand out to guys so they can make a little extra scratch. I think if he's dead-set on doing what he's proposed, he needs to be aware of all that comes with it, like possum mentioned.

Another question that needs to be answered the one of where will this work be performed. If this tech will need to use shop space, will the new car dept rent that bay(s)? Seems like too much of a hassle just for the owner to have money transfer from one pocket to the other.

...but that's just my two cents.

thanks for all the replies. Yes, they would be paying their own rent for the space needed. Ya I thought about the warranty clerk part, obviously there is no way I would allow them to not take part in her pay as well, because someone has to process those claims. I know a lot of you deal with struggles between departments, this one really rubbed me the wrong way, but it sounds like from you all's comments it perhaps wouldn't be unheard of...

Sounds like the GSM wants all the gravy but to do none of the cooking... there is more to it than a stall and a tech.

I worked at a store in Phoenix where the UCD/NCD had their own tech. As far as I know, it worked out well. But most of his job was fixing the used cars.

Is your GSM going that direction too - used cars as well? If it's just for PDI's, then I would fight for him to take it all or nothing

Nope, already has a used car tech too....

If the GSM does this they will need access to things in the OE system as well as the DMS. Can the person be trusted with that level of computer access?

What will happen when his tech goes on vacation/flu/quits who will they come to for help. You may want to prep a process/charge ahead of time if it moves forward. What is the reason that he wants to do them?

This is all about building towers and walls. Sheer greed and the want of power is behind this.

Parts - sells parts
Service - sells maintance and repairs
New Car Dept - sells new vehicles
Used Car Dept - sells preowned vehicles.

All the money goes in the dealers pocket. Continuing down this slippery slope is just a waste of time, and further divides the team.