Dealership positions?

RacerX8
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RacerX8
I’ve been helping out at a local dealership a couple times a week for a couple months doing unit set-ups and unloading crates and other deliveries from trucks. I would like to know what other dealers do process wise. In addition to these main duties the service writer has me running outside to unload all units brought in for service as well as collect keys and serial numbers. From a efficiency standpoint I find the constant interruption frustrating as set-ups don’t happen in a concentrated manner. I enjoy the work, maybe that’s just how it is but I’m used to working and completing tasks in a focused manner at my full time job. I know full well that interruptions will always happen but thinking to a lesser degree. Typically the service writer followed through on that end in my experience. I was just wanting some ideas from how other guys do it, thanks.
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Falcon
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Falcon 11/12/2020 8:26am
11/12/2020 8:26am
Every dealership is different. Typically, larger dealers have a lot kid whose job it is to wash bikes, load them for customers, help with drop offs, go on coffee runs, etc.
Smaller dealers may not have the manpower to spare. It would be cool if the service writer did that part of the job himself, though.
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Richter415
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Richter415 11/12/2020 2:17pm
11/12/2020 2:17pm
I run a couple of decent sized dealerships. Generally the guys just building units, not doing preps are lower on the totem pole and would be pulled to unload semis and do random jobs. In our stores, and how I feel it should be, the service writer will assist the customers in loading and unloading units. This is done this way so that they can gather miles, VIN, check the general condition, and possibly up sell more jobs for the machine. Now the world isn't perfect, and sometimes they get busy and/or lazy.
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RacerX8
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RacerX8 11/12/2020 4:31pm
11/12/2020 4:31pm
Thanks for the replies fellas! I’m by no means a kid, (mid forties), I’m close with the dealer and they were losing their set-up boy so I said, “what the heck” I think I’d like to come in and work in an environment that I’ve always liked. I was just caught out by the constant interruption and wanted some input from other dealers or employees at dealerships. From an efficiency standpoint I’m just thinking there must be a better way. Today I started to PDI a SxS, I think I installed eight bolts in two hours, very frustrating when you’re used to beginning and finishing projects to completion at my other job. Just lots of different hats worn and trying to excel seems impossible.
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tcannon521 11/12/2020 4:33pm
11/12/2020 4:33pm Edited Date/Time 11/12/2020 4:35pm
Richter415 wrote:
I run a couple of decent sized dealerships. Generally the guys just building units, not doing preps are lower on the totem pole and would be...
I run a couple of decent sized dealerships. Generally the guys just building units, not doing preps are lower on the totem pole and would be pulled to unload semis and do random jobs. In our stores, and how I feel it should be, the service writer will assist the customers in loading and unloading units. This is done this way so that they can gather miles, VIN, check the general condition, and possibly up sell more jobs for the machine. Now the world isn't perfect, and sometimes they get busy and/or lazy.
I agree with this. The big issue often overlooked is building machines comes with a lot of liability and when there are distractions, the risk of error increases. The last thing a DP wants or needs to deal with is a lawsuit because a unit was assembled incorrectly and resulted in bodily injury to the customer. Unfortunately, it is a risk most are willing to take or they haven’t thought of the consequences yet.
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RacerX8
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RacerX8 11/12/2020 4:44pm
11/12/2020 4:44pm
Richter415 wrote:
I run a couple of decent sized dealerships. Generally the guys just building units, not doing preps are lower on the totem pole and would be...
I run a couple of decent sized dealerships. Generally the guys just building units, not doing preps are lower on the totem pole and would be pulled to unload semis and do random jobs. In our stores, and how I feel it should be, the service writer will assist the customers in loading and unloading units. This is done this way so that they can gather miles, VIN, check the general condition, and possibly up sell more jobs for the machine. Now the world isn't perfect, and sometimes they get busy and/or lazy.
tcannon521 wrote:
I agree with this. The big issue often overlooked is building machines comes with a lot of liability and when there are distractions, the risk of...
I agree with this. The big issue often overlooked is building machines comes with a lot of liability and when there are distractions, the risk of error increases. The last thing a DP wants or needs to deal with is a lawsuit because a unit was assembled incorrectly and resulted in bodily injury to the customer. Unfortunately, it is a risk most are willing to take or they haven’t thought of the consequences yet.
This is part of it, I’m close with all the guys and have mentioned this to some of the techs. When I build something in eight different segments throughout a day I think it’s a recipe for disaster at some point. I suppose it’s second nature for those that have set up units for years. I just feel that it’s counterproductive to have to refresh constantly because you can’t get in a state of flow. I just wonder why I’m being pulled off a 30K SxS multiple times a day in order to “help” two guys unload a CRF50???
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lostboy819 11/13/2020 4:11pm
11/13/2020 4:11pm
RacerX8 wrote:
This is part of it, I’m close with all the guys and have mentioned this to some of the techs. When I build something in eight...
This is part of it, I’m close with all the guys and have mentioned this to some of the techs. When I build something in eight different segments throughout a day I think it’s a recipe for disaster at some point. I suppose it’s second nature for those that have set up units for years. I just feel that it’s counterproductive to have to refresh constantly because you can’t get in a state of flow. I just wonder why I’m being pulled off a 30K SxS multiple times a day in order to “help” two guys unload a CRF50???
Unfortunately you are on the very bottom of the totem pole so you get to do all of the shag jobs, sounds like your service advisor is on the lazy side too and makes you do a lot of his jobs.
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RacerX8
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RacerX8 11/13/2020 5:19pm
11/13/2020 5:19pm
I was under the impression that I’d be setting up units/PDI/accessory installations as well as operating a bobcat to unload units and deliveries from trucks. The reality is I’m performing these duties as well as utilizing a bulk of my time loading and unloading units throughout the day for customers, towing units in for techs to perform service work on, maintaining cleanliness/organizing the shop, wash bay, inventory shed and yard. Trying to juggle all these duties daily is what made me want to ask, “how do other outfits operate?”cause this can’t be the status quo, it’s the most inefficient system I’ve ever been a part of...My feeling is you can’t stretch a guy so thin that you’re only able to commit a small percentage of time to productivity in any area. I’ve never been one to half ass any job but this system almost forces you to do so...🤷🏻‍♂️
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tunedlength
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tunedlength 11/13/2020 8:20pm
11/13/2020 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 11/13/2020 8:20pm
You may have too much Introspection for your current position.
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lostboy819 11/14/2020 9:50am
11/14/2020 9:50am Edited Date/Time 11/14/2020 9:55am
RacerX8 wrote:
I was under the impression that I’d be setting up units/PDI/accessory installations as well as operating a bobcat to unload units and deliveries from trucks. The...
I was under the impression that I’d be setting up units/PDI/accessory installations as well as operating a bobcat to unload units and deliveries from trucks. The reality is I’m performing these duties as well as utilizing a bulk of my time loading and unloading units throughout the day for customers, towing units in for techs to perform service work on, maintaining cleanliness/organizing the shop, wash bay, inventory shed and yard. Trying to juggle all these duties daily is what made me want to ask, “how do other outfits operate?”cause this can’t be the status quo, it’s the most inefficient system I’ve ever been a part of...My feeling is you can’t stretch a guy so thin that you’re only able to commit a small percentage of time to productivity in any area. I’ve never been one to half ass any job but this system almost forces you to do so...🤷🏻‍♂️
Quit if its not what you thought it would be and ruins the relationship you had with the dealership on both ends, and I still believe the service writer is lazy, unless he is too busy himself.
1
RacerX8
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RacerX8 11/14/2020 3:33pm
11/14/2020 3:33pm Edited Date/Time 11/14/2020 3:36pm
RacerX8 wrote:
I was under the impression that I’d be setting up units/PDI/accessory installations as well as operating a bobcat to unload units and deliveries from trucks. The...
I was under the impression that I’d be setting up units/PDI/accessory installations as well as operating a bobcat to unload units and deliveries from trucks. The reality is I’m performing these duties as well as utilizing a bulk of my time loading and unloading units throughout the day for customers, towing units in for techs to perform service work on, maintaining cleanliness/organizing the shop, wash bay, inventory shed and yard. Trying to juggle all these duties daily is what made me want to ask, “how do other outfits operate?”cause this can’t be the status quo, it’s the most inefficient system I’ve ever been a part of...My feeling is you can’t stretch a guy so thin that you’re only able to commit a small percentage of time to productivity in any area. I’ve never been one to half ass any job but this system almost forces you to do so...🤷🏻‍♂️
lostboy819 wrote:
Quit if its not what you thought it would be and ruins the relationship you had with the dealership on both ends, and I still believe...
Quit if its not what you thought it would be and ruins the relationship you had with the dealership on both ends, and I still believe the service writer is lazy, unless he is too busy himself.
That’s where I’m at, just trying to figure out if I’ll keep on keepin on or even suggest potential tweaks and see how that’s met...I should mention that their are two gentlemen at the service desk. One fella started a couple weeks ago and came from 30+ years in the automotive industry. I’ve had some convos with him, good guy, he immediately recognized that I have a lot on my plate and asked how I did it, I just laughed and said sporadically. He’s tried to handle some of the customer interaction stuff during drop off/pick ups but the longtime service guy insists that I’m the one who should do that, he doesn’t get it either. If it’s not busy he literally walks back, tells me about said customer out back and walks back to his desk to sit down and possibly await the phone to ring. I could be in midbuild on a unit with three crates sitting at the end of my bay awaiting set-up/PDI but I should go? I’m a no job is below me kinda guy, it’s just the fact that I don’t have enough hours in a day to handle all these tasks. The sales guys might come back to see how a units coming along and I’ll tell them I basically uncrated it and have been dealing with customers the rest of the time.
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