Audi Service Advisor Job Offer

[Max Von]

I've been unemployed since early 2008 and just got offered a job as a Service Advisor at a large Audi dealership. I've worked in automotive for 15 years as a parts consultant and some sales early in my automotive career so I'm familiar with dealerships and how they work.
The pay is decent but the hours are long. I've said in the past "you couldn't pay me enough to do that job" regarding dealing with the public and their cars, but my funds are running low and options have been few.
Anybody here worked at that end before? Audi? How bad could it be?
Any opinions or advise are welcome.

Max

[Dueller]

No direct experience, but I'd rather have a job while looking for one rather than unemployed and looking for a job. Besides, once you get your foot in the door another/better position may open up.

[Rikao4]

always easier to to look for dream job ..
when you have one..besides it get's you out there..
fresh network..
don't wait..
should have , could have..wanted to..
= your broke..
and you said..
funds are running low..
there are folks who would walk over you body NOW..
besides Audi folks most often have $..
you just tell them open wide..

Rika

[svandamme]

cash is king
getting a better job when you got a job is easier then getting that better job when you're unemployed.

[Max Von]

Good advise Jim. I'm 51 years old and the job market has been very tight to say the least. My background is in technical sales and my automotive knowledge should play well into this.

[rfaust6024]

Take the job, you can always quit if it gets too much. Like Jim says, it's better to look for a job while having a job. Give it a try, whats the worst that can happen? Best of luck.
Robert

[McLovin]

Well, with Audi, as a service adviser you'll have good job security.

Doesn't seem like a bad job. You're just one of many cogs in the machine, do what you do, if a customer gets too bent just send him to whoever is above you in the chain. Most of the cars you'll be putting into the system are under warranty, no biggie, fill out the paperwork. Collect your paychecks, which is better than not collecting paychecks.

Obviously not a dream job for most, and the turnover rate seems pretty high. Seems like most don't stay at any particular SA job for more than a year or so. But certainly no harm in giving it a try.

[GH85Carrera]

Just develop a thick skin. Most customers think you OWE them everything, and it should be fixed under warranty.

[Max Von]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Just develop a thick skin. Most customers think you OWE them everything, and it should be fixed under warranty.

"Ay, there’s the rub!

I don't do really well with confrontation to begin with. Add on to that I'm on a medication, Prednisone which makes my fuse about as short as my attention span at times. Guess I picked a bad time to stop drinking too!
Better to develop a thick skin than to starve and have my thin skin show my bones eh? I'm going for it!

Thanks for all the great advise guys!

Max

[svandamme]

give it a try, worst case scenario, you are out of the house for a week, and you get a weeks worth of pay

Hell, when the IT bubble popped in 2000, i tried all sorts of things... even went to go to Dublin for over a month for a dingbat job ....
Dublin is nice, for about a long weekend, anything more then that is sh11te to say it in their language... But i got payed, and bailed with cash

[Rikao4]

take snipe with you..
if they don't like your answer..
he will discuss

good luck..
look forward to your ..
not going to believe this stories..

Rika

[jyl]

Doesn't really seem like a question, does it? If you've been unemployed now for going to 2 years, seems to me you're in danger of becoming permanently unemployed and intrinsically unemployable, at least in the eyes of potential employers.

(I know that, if someone applying to work for us had been unemployed for 2+ years, I'd consider that a major negative.)

So, even though that job is not your favorite, if its the only one you're offered, what is there to ask?

[vwbobd]

If it is a good dealership, you can make a good deal of money in this position. As a service manager I had 3 advisors working for me , and throughout my 10+ years in that position I never ever had an advisor make less than $55K. This position is also a good springboard for a mgr position too. Just remember that you have to present every upsale opportunity to everyone everytime. Never assume they will or cannot buy the upsales. And present the estimates like they have already said yes and you are just going over the details and youll do fine . Oh, and dont try to sugar coat the repair estimates either, just put it out there and after you told them the price...stop talking and look at them and wait for the answer.

[Max Von]

Originally Posted by jyl

Doesn't really seem like a question, does it? If you've been unemployed now for going to 2 years, seems to me you're in danger of becoming permanently unemployed and intrinsically unemployable, at least in the eyes of potential employers.

(I know that, if someone applying to work for us had been unemployed for 2+ years, I'd consider that a major negative.)

So, even though that job is not your favorite, if its the only one you're offered, what is there to ask?

That's my biggest fear. It may be realized, they gave the job to another guy. Snooze you lose. I've been keeping my head above water by doing what ever I can for odd jobs and flipping a few cars as well as doing repairs on neighbors cars.
Like my grandpa used to say "Have a plan or plan to fail".

Thanks again for the advise and common sense wake up nudge.

Max

[Vintage914Racer]

I say go for it. Worst case scenario you don't like it and you can look for something else while you are employed.

I spent 10 years working at an Audi dealer, a year or two were spent as a service advisor. Sure the customers can be a PIA sometimes, but what I liked about it was that I was always busy and always working with new people.

Now I'm stuck in a cube staring at a computer screen all the time, which reminds me I should get back to work...

[TGTIW]

I think he's saying that he hesitated and they've already given the job to someone else.

[Rick Lee]

I was offered a service advisor job for an Audi dealership around 2002. At that time they said I'd never make less than $60k. I used that to get a huge raise at my then job and my boss matched it on the spot. Still, the perks for that job would have been cool. I was about a year into owning my first 911 and I could have used the dealerships garage and tools on weekends, get parts at cost, same guy who owned it also owned the local BMW and Porsche dealerships. Could have been a good career move.

[vwbobd]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I was offered a service advisor job for an Audi dealership around 2002. At that time they said I'd never make less than $60k. I used that to get a huge raise at my then job and my boss matched it on the spot. Still, the perks for that job would have been cool. I was about a year into owning my first 911 and I could have used the dealerships garage and tools on weekends, get parts at cost, same guy who owned it also owned the local BMW and Porsche dealerships. Could have been a good career move.

I forgot to mention that little perk

[9146racing]

i work for Audi R&D in california,
great company with the right ties and a great product, call me if you need help,
805-338 5198

[Netspeed]

I say take the job. Having worked (and managed service advisors) before, I can tell you that your customers are what you make of them. True you will get the few that nothing makes them happy, but if you treat them right and respect their time (probably the most important item for service cutomers) you should plenty of loyal and friendly clients.