REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - Official RS: "I work at a car dealership" Thread

BallPeenHammer2 · 09-19-2010, 07:56 PM

I would like to clear a few things up with service advisors.

1: You do NOT need formal education. All that's required is that you possess good C/S skills and that you know the basic workings of a vehicle. All cars more or less operate the same way, with some small details that work differently (ie: AWD system in an Audi is different than in a Volvo).

You usually start as an apprentice, a tech who cannot go on due to injury/boredom, or a wash kid, and move up. I was lucky and I was able to talk my way into a SA job (I do have the mech knowledge).

2: A crappy dealer or a non brand specific shop (IE: crappy tire) will pay by the hour or salary. The usual dealer always will pay an advisor salary, with profit sharing to start. They're in 2 categories:

a) By department profit - Total profit of the service/parts department, customer pay portion only (no warranty claims). The advisor will receive a set percentage of that (0.5% of total profit, ie $150,000, etc). This method is good because the advisors don't need to worry about quota, but the earning potential is less.

b) By per-advisor quota - Set quota for each advisor, all uniform, and different at every dealer (I worked at mitsu, it was 20k/month, while Ford was 30K). The advisor will receive, usually 5% of total customer pay sales at every end of the month, as long as he/she passes the quota. They're pretty easy to pass, given that you know how to push products. (At mitsu I was making EASY 1200-1800/month on commission based on that). The drawback is though, if the advisor misses too many customers, or the shop is slow, they won't make quota. But honestly, it's pretty damn easy. These quotas are pretty easily achieved.

also, There are such things as SPIFFS, which are bonus programs an advisor can earn. They're usually different every month, such as tyre sales, or system flush sales, or if an advisor sells a car, they get money out of that too.

I've never earned less than 45k a year at the least, and the most 65K/year. And that was just my first 2 years as advisor. For maximum profit, it really depends on the dealership, too. I rememeber the top grossing advisor at BJBMW cleared about 60-65K/year, which translates into about 90K gross.

Hope that answers some questions =)

On that note, I would also like to say that what JGresch said about SAs making less than lot boys is completely inaccurate.

09-19-2010, 07:56 PM	#23
BallPeenHammer2 Where's my RS Christmas Lobster?! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: vancouver Posts: 827 Thanked 184 Times in 106 Posts Failed 9 Times in 7 Posts	I would like to clear a few things up with service advisors. 1: You do NOT need formal education. All that's required is that you possess good C/S skills and that you know the basic workings of a vehicle. All cars more or less operate the same way, with some small details that work differently (ie: AWD system in an Audi is different than in a Volvo). You usually start as an apprentice, a tech who cannot go on due to injury/boredom, or a wash kid, and move up. I was lucky and I was able to talk my way into a SA job (I do have the mech knowledge). 2: A crappy dealer or a non brand specific shop (IE: crappy tire) will pay by the hour or salary. The usual dealer always will pay an advisor salary, with profit sharing to start. They're in 2 categories: a) By department profit - Total profit of the service/parts department, customer pay portion only (no warranty claims). The advisor will receive a set percentage of that (0.5% of total profit, ie $150,000, etc). This method is good because the advisors don't need to worry about quota, but the earning potential is less. b) By per-advisor quota - Set quota for each advisor, all uniform, and different at every dealer (I worked at mitsu, it was 20k/month, while Ford was 30K). The advisor will receive, usually 5% of total customer pay sales at every end of the month, as long as he/she passes the quota. They're pretty easy to pass, given that you know how to push products. (At mitsu I was making EASY 1200-1800/month on commission based on that). The drawback is though, if the advisor misses too many customers, or the shop is slow, they won't make quota. But honestly, it's pretty damn easy. These quotas are pretty easily achieved. also, There are such things as SPIFFS, which are bonus programs an advisor can earn. They're usually different every month, such as tyre sales, or system flush sales, or if an advisor sells a car, they get money out of that too. I've never earned less than 45k a year at the least, and the most 65K/year. And that was just my first 2 years as advisor. For maximum profit, it really depends on the dealership, too. I rememeber the top grossing advisor at BJBMW cleared about 60-65K/year, which translates into about 90K gross. Hope that answers some questions =) On that note, I would also like to say that what JGresch said about SAs making less than lot boys is completely inaccurate.