DealersEdge Professional Forums

Looking for some good old fashioned insight:

I've been in the business for 14 years, all with the same manufacturer, all in parts, the last 5 as manager. I'm still young, late 30s. I'm looking for a new challenge, and have always had an eye on working as a service advisor. I've already heard all the horror stories about working the service drive, my co-workers tell me to stay in parts, but the reality is, I need a new, different challenge. Parts isn't boring, but I think I've lost interest over the last few years. The thing I miss most from my days as a parts advisor is the customer service. I used to love solving a problem, or getting the client what they needed to fix their vehicle.

Any ideas, suggestions I can use to help prepare myself for that potential move into service? One thing I know for sure is, it's likely not to happen at my current location, where I've been flat out told, "We can't let you move to service, you're too valuable in parts."

Thanks in advance.

My best advice to you is to stay in parts. I was in the service side first, and now parts. The daily grind of the service advisor position definately takes it's toll on you. You have to remember when people come in for service, they are there cause they have to be, i.e. going to spend money. Most people are not pleasant in that situation and they believe it is ok to take all their frustrations out on you.

Just my 2 cents.

I can certainly understand wanting more of a challenge, but please think seriously about making this move. I see Service Advisors burn out fast... not so with Parts Managers. Does your dealership have any other stores, where you might get some cross product experience? I always suggest some cross training to the dealers I work with. Have the SM and the PM work together to cover for each other. Gives you a good insight into the day to day operations, but doesn't put you in that position 100% of the time. Also strengthens the team for fixed ops.

Best of Luck,

Linda

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Linda Graham Hansen
Auto Dealer Focus
www.autodealerfocus.com

i spent 15 years in the parts dept then went to service .. every day i wish i was back selling parts .. in the service it is not black and white there is a huge grey area with every problem .. i guarantee you will regret the move .. service customers are not like parts customers .. think long and hard on this move ..

Stay in parts. You will live longer, be happier, enjoy life. Did the service director route----never again-----just my 2 cents.

I help at the service desk when we are short handed or when the Advisors are in a meeting. All I can say is they can't pay me enough to do that job full time. Yeah sometimes I miss the counter but I take a few of the phone calls every day and talk to customers they like it and it helps me to break the stress. Also maybe try to go out and talk the techs, find out what you are doing right and if they have any ideas for improvement that will give you some challenges for a while, ask your wholesale people if you're making it easy for them to do business with you. But for the love of God stay away from the Service Advisor job

The service advisors job is tough, no question about it. Establishing a good relationship with regular customers will minimize the headaches.

The scary part is that you're looking not only to change positions, but to also change dealerships.

If you are so valuable where you are(assuming they are putting their $$ where their mouth is) and otherwise happy with your current dealership, perhaps you could find ways to find some new challenges in your current position. Perhaps by going out to the svc drive on occasion to discuss a parts situation, or helping out on the drive during peak times.

If you're more valuable to them in parts than in service make sure you're paid more than the advisors.

OH, Just go for it. Your young! What do you have to loose? I started out in parts first than got into service. Parts Dept was ok, but not exciting. Service can be exciting. It is what you make of it. You will have your headaches. Thou, you will also have the appreciation of a satisfied customer. I will not disagree with the other comments, it is the hardest job in the dealership. Only the strong will succeed.

Best of luck in your decision.

From a 25+ years as a Service Manager.

Go for it! But do so with the intent to learn as much as possible and use it as a stepping stone to your next move, possibly service manager or fixed op's director. Sure there will be times when you second guess your decision, but tough times never last, tough people do.
I made the exact move approx 8 years ago and now as fixed op's director am having move fun then ever.