Emergency parts driver

[cain12]

I would like to add an emergency parts runner for the service department. Iam actually the service director, not the service manager. Does parts pay half? Service pay all?

[Flash_John]

I too am a Service Director and had the same idea about a year ago. It took 10 months to implement, at best it works intermittently. That person is used to plug other spots in parts to cover absentees. With that in mind parts pays 100% of the salary. It is a good idea that needs much nurturing.

[Gran Sasso]

Howabout instead of an emergency driver...get a parts manager that will stock the parts your service department needs instead.

That said... is this a job that a porter, or shuttle driver could do from time to time?

[scotstrong]

I would think that it depends on the carlines you have and what manufacturer's accounting methods used. If the gross profit on parts sold on repair orders is split between parts and service (as with GM accounting); then it would be a strong case that the expense should be split between those depts. If using accounting where the parts dept. retains all the gross profit on parts sold on repair orders, then it would be a strong case for parts to bear the burden. It would also be a strong incentive for the parts manager to review stocking parameters and processes to minimize the need for such a driver (as gran sasso alluded to). I have seen stores that had such an employee in the parts dept; and at several this person also ran parts out to the techs to (A)increase efficiency of techs and (B) help eliminate bottlenecks at the tech parts counter.

Scot Strong

[fburrows]

Adding an employee is a huge expense. Have you considered other options like using the local taxicab or delivery company to pick up and deliver the parts? The expense might seem high but if you consider the cost of an employee, it is cheap. There are probably lots of other alternatives depending on where you are located and what is available in your town. A long time ago I worked for an independent shop that was open until 9 PM and there was a jobber who stayed open until 8 PM. We used a taxi to make evening runs.

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Frank Burrows
fburrows@absdata.com

[Old Irish]

We have several semi-retired "dealer trade" drivers who are always "on call". They can be used for emergency parts runs, delivering customers cars, etc.

This is much less costly, as you pay on an "as needed" basis

Cheers
DD