Am I crazy......

[Ironchild]

Been the parts manager (IT admin, light bulb changer, etc...) of this small family run dealership (Nissan and VW)for 13 years now. No other automotive experience previously. Our service manager will be done end of this week. I Just approached our GM about taking on the role of parts and service director/manager. Our previous SM hasn't grown the business and I have ideas. I'm content where I'm at but considering taking on a few extra responsibilities. Am I nuts? Anyone else made this type of transition and if so do you regret it? Curious for others thoughts, ideas, and opinions.

[Whiner]

YES - you are nuts!!!

You will need help. Small store - maybe not enough help. I don't know about your franchises but from a General Motors point of view there is too much for one person to do. You simply cannot wear all the hats and get everything done - correctly. Can you get it done "good enough" - maybe.

As you know (from your previous post) once you begin doing it all you will never be able to NOT be responsible for it. So if you do go for it - you will be the "PERSON" forever - even if you don't retain the position later.

Take it from been there - done that ------------------oh and yes I am still doing it, with help.

[Ironchild]

Thanks for the reply Whiner. Part of what I discussed is bringing in 2 extra people. One would be full time service/parts advisor to float between the 2 departments as needed. The other would be a part time parts counter/delivery person with extra misc duties as needed. I know we've been short staffed over the years which has prevented some aspects of growth. Even with just 4 techs, it can be very hard to keep up with things in both parts and service with 2 people in parts and 2 in service total. I know the ratio looks pretty darn good but throw that out the window in a small dealership setting when you need to wear many hats.

[pyota1845]

You may very well be. I was a long time parts manager who kept taking on responsibilities as the previous SM gave them up. I had a very well run parts dept that took very little time daily to keep running smoothly so I started spending more time in service. The previous SM wanted to spread his wings and he left. I took over the service dept and promoted a very good counter guy to PM.

We are a medium size dealer. 6 writers, 14 techs, 10 lube guys, 6 parts guys. To be honest, doing it correctly is a huge pain in the ass. I went from honestly 2-3 hours a day of real work to 10. My staff expanded 10 fold. Profits went through the roof. Net profit went up 93% and has held for three years. Still not worth the roughly 30k a year increase. I had it easy as a PM and was payed very well. I would take the pay cut and go back to my old position today if I could. Don't get me wrong, I love the challenge and the ability to do whatever I need to to make it happen but the juice aint worth the squeeze.

[Bailo1]

Agreed, you are nuts. Found myself in the EXACT same position about 15 months ago. I definitely understand where pyota1845 is coming from. I took what I thought was a substantial pay raise to manage both departments but now often wonder if I wasn't better off just being the PM. Made a decent salary and had 1/4 the headaches. That being said, I've got a decent feel for what needs to be done and how to get it done now...took me the better part of the year to adjust. My advice would be: if possible, don't let the money make the decision for you and be prepared to devote a lot more time to work.

[MovingForward]

Ironchild, I don't think you are crazy. If you are motivated by challenges then go for it.

I started in the business 10 years ago as a service advisor. After 14 months I was promoted to parts manager with zero experience. After about 4 years in that position we then purchased another store and I was given the parts manager position in that store as well so I was traveling between the two stores.

After about 1 1/2 years and 2 service managers later at the new store I was offered the Parts & Service Director position. I accepted and now 4 years later I am happy with the decision I made.

It is definitely challenging but it also makes it much easier to make Parts & Service work together as one.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

[Ironchild]

Input appreciated. I don't mind challenges but if it will be a losing battle I'd rather stay where I'm at. We'll see how the talks go and what we can get changed to make it work for everyone. Thanks again!!

[Richard]

Yes.

That said, if I could get the position, I'd take it. I hate the fact that the FOM here is nothing more than a short-sighted service manager, he couldn't give a fig if the parts dept makes any profit, and makes sure we stay understaffed at all times.

[Ironchild]

Anyone looking for a parts manager?? Was told this morning that they are going to promote one of our service advisors to service manager. The icing on the cake is that they are also taking our guy that floats between the 2 departments (and he's excellent on the parts side of things) and making him a full time service advisor. Which now leaves me alone to fend for myself and try to get someone hired. Not happy.......

[Richard]

SOB! Are you kidding????