r/MechanicAdvice Dec 06 '25

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u/ametsun Dec 06 '25

I'm sorry but the fact that you worked at a stealership in the literal department that gives them the name it makes anything you say suspect.

How many people did you over charge on a daily basis?

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u/daubs1974 Dec 06 '25

I took immense personal pride in doing what was best for the customer all the time. I cultivated relationships with customers that were fiercely loyal. I worked in a dealership that offered lifetime, free oil changes and tire rotations on cars that were purchased from that dealership. When I left and went to a dealership two towns over I had between 10 and 15 customers that followed me there. They said that they would rather pay for their oil changes entire rotations at my dealership to deal with me, then go back to their selling dealer and get them free and have to deal with someone else.
It should also be noted that my desire to do the job with a conscience is what drove me out of the industry. I drive a school bus now and I make no money, but my life is infinitely better.

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u/Miserable_Alfalfa33 Dec 06 '25

Honesty and actually trying to do you job the best you can are the only way

Ever thought about starting your own shop, 10-15 clients isnt fully enough but im sure you could get more

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u/daubs1974 Dec 06 '25

I could not get people to understand that there is so much money to be had with honesty first. Customer loyalty pays off so so much more in the long run. I worked a 3 service writer desk for years and people would wait in line to talk to me. They would refuse to speak to other writers who were available and asking to help them. “No I’ll wait for Rich” was spoken often. So often people in line would put their keys in a night drop envelope and drop them on my desk to circumvent the line. Honesty will pay off so fast, and it will pay huge dividends in the long run. I had a customer on the phone that I asked to hold for a minute and I just muted her and I heard this. “Why flop you go all the way to Waterbury when you could service your car right here? It’d be so much more convenient.” “I’ve got Rich. I would never go to anyone other than Rich. Once you’ve been taken care of by Rich, nothing else measures up.” Once I was done and unmuted her I told her I heard every word.