My son called me last night saying the Nissan dealership he works at is starting to put the feelers out for a parts dept guy. He was plugging me in. I'd start off at only $8 ish an hour but move up quickly and have incentives too. Its inside ordering parts, handling customers and some inventory work. And its a 5 min commute, right now its 25 min with tools and traffic!

Im not a certified mechanic but I know my way around a car OK, cant tell you what all I look at is if under the car or such. Still I do have a good to fair knowledge and suppose the PC would help. As far as the pay, right now Im doing body work and detailing for 12 $ hr FLAT rate Which means no work and stand around doing nothing . I ve been there since may and have only brought home over 400 (week) twice. In fact this payday is my 2nd 250 do9llar paycheck.

Im not the most skilled body guy but I do love it and (for now) the shop ios training me on it. Still, I get the feeling that if it slows much more Im axed.

Just wanted to know if anyone has info on parts guys and how tough/easy their job is.

Thanks

 

well green, my experience is that the majority of the parts guys, motorcycles or cars, don't know that much either, because there's just too many parts. So you tell them what you have, they start looking it up on a pc and then either order it or pull the number from stock. You'd learn as you go. I really don't think it would be a big deal. if you love body work, then you can always take a votech school class for fun, and maybe work that into the dealership, but only you can decide that.

I would say that depending on how good your current shop is wrapped into the insurance companies that there will always be accidents, but to me it sounds like you have a small shop relying only on basic walk ins, so that's not particularly fruitful.

Good luck with whatever you do and decide.

 

If you do jump in, let me know which dealer you affiliate with.

I work in the NPRC (Nissan Parts Redistribution Center), and we are the global PDC for service parts and accessories.

We feed 13 smaller (but still huge) PDCs around the nation, and those feed the dealers. Our facility is 750,000 sq ft.

I'm the Supplier Compliance Administrator, so any gripes from the dealers about parts being wrong, damaged, dysfunctional, etc. come straight to my desk, then I go after the supplier directly.

Good luck!

 

Thanks guys

Yes, our shop mostly relies on walk ins and whatever progressive gives us. Our director talked about 2 more big ins companies coming on line but talk is one thing...

One good thing is its so slow our painter is doing a killer job of real flaming my engine cover in his down time.

 

I work at BMW and I know that those parts guys make a good living...You probably work harder doing what you are doing now...I think it wouldn't hurt to try it out...If it doesn't work out you still have the skill to go back to what you already know

 

very good point Noles. I wish Green the best of luck. Find what you like, and like what you find. I think the interesting route is to take the opportunities when you see them, and find out where they lead.

 

I was in the parts business for years. Knowledgeable parts people who have the chance to make commissions and/or bonuses can make some pretty good money. Then again, a good autobody tech can do pretty well too (although, not as much these days as in times past).

The business is changing a lot. I'd say right now, you'd probably do better over the long term as a body tech.

 

With the internet getting a good piece of some of the action, the business is changing. I do notice that when I take my car to the local Chrysler dealer, there are always two parts guys working and they seem to be busy most of the time.

The questions are Curtis,

Is the shop you would be going to doing better than the one you are at?
Who treats customers better?
Who is more likely to get repeat customers on a regular basis?
With insurance companies, you can get a preferred status with them, but is their company good enough to survive in the area.

I'm sure there are more intelligent ones others can ask, but you know the drill. Write down those pro's & con's (like you did when deciding to move back East). Then throw in the family factor, then the what am I going to be more happy doing and what is going to give me stability to live the life I want.

Let us know how you come out.

 

I think the dea;ership is a better avenue. They are well established and do great. The work would be inside and more professional atmosphere. 5 mins from home and my son works there

Right now Im the low guy on the food chain, Ive only been doing body work for 6 months and detailing cars when winter comes will suck. The seasoned techs tell me the buisness is really going down and its not like it use to be. Heck, they arnt even making a decent wage lately either. I just feel that the shop isnt making it and I'd be the first to get laid off. The other guys even are talking of jumping ship soon.

I will be dropping off a resume today and filing out the app. Thank you all for support and input

Curtis AKA Pooly

 

Generally speaking, it doesn't bode well when the veteran employees are greeting you with grumbles. I can't speak for that dealership in particular, but sales volume of Nissan Service Parts has been very strong lately. Have there been some changes in the last five years? Sure. Does this mean that things aren't quite as footloose as they were? Perhaps.

I'd shy away from the negative Nancys. Those are present in any job.Try to get plugged in with some of the more positive folks, and start making a name for yourself.

 

I love it when I call or go to a dealer and get the straight skinny on parts. My dealer has always been fair, honest and actually directs me away from the dealer parts purchase if he can't make a competitive price offer on a part. That keeps me coming back even if they are a little more expensive. With computers, it's easy to find and price parts now and people appreciate someone else doing the leg work for them.

On the personal side, steady work with opportunities for advancement, especially in today's market is a big plus. Sounds to me that's the direction you are heading.

Good luck.

 

I love it when I call or go to a dealer and get the straight skinny on parts. My dealer has always been fair, honest and actually directs me away from the dealer parts purchase if he can't make a competitive price offer on a part. That keeps me coming back even if they are a little more expensive. With computers, it's easy to find and price parts now and people appreciate someone else doing the leg work for them.

On the personal side, steady work with opportunities for advancement, especially in today's market is a big plus. Sounds to me that's the direction you are heading.

Good luck.

 

I interviewed today and found the position is an addition to the 3 people already there. Its somersworth nissan in NH. Ironically my boss talked to me today concerning my lack of hours and how he will work on getting me more time to resolve it. He's new to our shop (one week in) and seems to have his act together. So it appears, for now, that my situation can only improve