Parts Department Charges

[Former PM]

The issue started out as non-OEM parts or aftermarket parts. I don't feel there is any question about them going into inventory. They shouldn't.

[partsman103]

There is a simple solution. As long as parts are returned in "re-saleable" or "returnable" condition, there shouldn't be a problem.
However since the part was "soiled", it probably failed to meet any of the 2 return ctiterias.
I have no problem taking "SOME" parts back that are not needed unless they can't be resold or returned.

[MGARNOLD]

AS FORMER PM AND SM THE REAL ANSWER IS ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE PART OF THE TECH. IF HE WANT TO "TEST" OR "TRY" A PART HE NEEDS TO KEEP IT IN MINT CONDITION OR HE SHOULD OWN IT. ON THE RARE OCASSION WHEN A GOOD "A" (MASTER) TECH FIND HIMSELF IN THIS POSITION AND WE ALL KNOW IT'S RARE FOR A PRO
I JUST EAT IT AS THE COST OF DOING BIZ...

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MIKE A.FROM THE BEACH

[bigfootlives]

i really dont see any reason why the parts department will not take the part back, its called teamwork do you believe the customer should pay for the labor that was wasted in this failed attempt, if so your customer will catch on and you will loose more than what the part cost. if your pm argues over this type of issue just ask him nicely how come you always bill one or two gallons of anti-freeze to those water pump and flush jobs when they really dont use both. the real competition is down the road not under the roof you work at.

[Parts Guru]

Big Foot I think you are missing the point. It seems like everyone in this forum is part of a team but you. I'm glad we don't work together because it would be ugly. If a tech makes a part so it is not able to be returned or we can't sell it. Any good service manager would relise he is buying it. As a parts manager I will order in and return a part for you to try(which costs us money) all we want is service to be careful and keep it clean. As for your comment about Anti freeze any dealership I have worked at, the parts dept bills out whatever the tech takes so the real issue is under your techs benches not in the Parts Dept.

[scotstrong]

parts guru:

You hit it on the head. The "I want your department to take the loss so that mine doesn't have to" mentality does not equate to teamwork. No one has a problem dealing with situations that are the occasional exception. It is when this type of thing becomes a continual and/or ongoing pattern that a higher level of accountability is definitely in order.

Scot Strong

[robc]

All good discussions and points ... but now that we are more or less totally off the original question and to really stir the pot so to speak, I wanted to chime in with totally new, but related thoughts.

Thought #1 - while we are part of the team, whose department is there to support whom? Is service there to support the parts or is parts there to support service?

That's not a anti-parts statement as much as it is time to wake up to the fact that like it or not there is a clear chain of responsiblity here.

Thought #2 - I don't nickel and dime anyone until they do it to me. The last thing in my mind in this situation is the money as much as is it the process. I mean what the heck is service going to do with the part?

Thought #3 - Profitability - service makes 70% gross, the parts makes 40% gross. Who really has the "ability" to absorb the mistake or expense more?


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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

[Old Irish]

"No one has a problem dealing with situations that are the occasional exception. It is when this type of thing becomes a continual and/or ongoing pattern that a higher level of accountability is definitely in order."


Ok, now don't go trying to confuse the issue by throwing in a dose of common sense and reasonable thinking (grinning here)

If a problem is continual or flagrant, the managers involved really need to sit down and find the root cause(s) and nail down a new process to prevent reoccurances. When all parties can get past the "blame game" then progress can be made.

I think that, all too often, decisions are made with regard only to what is good for a particular department, not what is good the the *dealership*.

Cheers
Doug

[This message has been edited by Old Irish (edited 01-05-2005).]

[BWaggoner]

I am just glad that these situations have never been an issue here. I was PM for 5 years before taking over as the Director. My right hand from parts took over for me when I moved up. This should not be much of an issue for anyone who works togather and makes sure they do not have "parts hangers". But when it does happen, we put it on the shelf and tag it for service policy in 9 months if not sold.