r/serviceadvisors

Ive been a tech for 10 years. An "opportunity" came up to swich over to service writer. As a tech, i deal with the shortcomings of service writers on a daily basis. I have been interested in the position for a while, if for nothing else but to raise the bar in my shop and fix some of the bottle necks, but i might just blind to their challenges. I expect a pay cut moving over, but dont actually know what the norm is as far as percentage on commission and what to ask for if i did move to this position. Im not being forced into this position, im one of the highest techs and asked about the position when it opened up. Smaller shop, only 2 service writers total and 6 techs incleding me, 5 if they dont replace me, which they shouldnt as we have too many techs for the work that comes in. Any way, what should i expect as far as pay and commisiom, should i fight for a certain number, or should i stay where im at? Im ok with a dmall income loss due to personal events has lowered my bills, but i cant loose half my income.

I’m about 4 months into my service advisor role, and I’m really struggling. Even though I’m not handling a huge number of ROs each day (usually around 5–8 since I’m still new), my stress level is higher than anything I’ve dealt with before.

The shop hours are 7:30–5:30, Monday through Friday, and it feels like I have no free time. When I do get any, I end up falling asleep almost immediately because I’m completely drained—both physically and mentally.

On top of that, my manager seems to only really care about money and doesn’t doesn’t seem to show much empathy towards customer issues. Just always pushing the sell sell sell idea. So many people come in talking about how great he is, but I've always had a knack of reading people's true character and I've always gotten "off vibes" from him.

I also just recently started my pay plan (first 3 months was training flat pay) and pretty sure im getting screwed. $547 base pay, plus 6% individual commission, and 3% split between all 3 advisors. I did the math and my first paycheck only worked out to 3% individual. I've only got one paycheck so far on my pay plan so I haven't yet been able to see if it all adds up correctly.

Another big thing for me is the pricing. I understand the need for markup, but some of what we charge feels excessive to the point where I’m not comfortable with it. It’s been weighing on me because it doesn’t sit right with me ethically.

I personally also hate telling person after person bad news about their vehicles.

Maybe I'm just over reacting to everything, maybe it's definitely not a role that's for me.

Been applying to other places but out of probably 200 applications had nothing pan out

They let go all but 16 employees yesterday

Honda/Acura here.

If/can anyone has/post a list of CDK codes they include in every service, please list them here. and whether its IPS or not, e.g. I use MULTI and BTST on every service and IPS it. Please list service codes too like oil change for LOF and what not, trying to compile a list of useful CDK commands.

Thanks Community!

Hey everyone I've been writing service for 4 years and I hate it. I work for a slower independent shop, was promised 75k a year and I'm barely hitting 60k. Not feeling it in the rush season either as my boss just watches me do 90% of the work and threatens that if I ask for help he will start taking my commissions away so I write and sell 20-30 cars a day alone when it's busy. Right now we see on average 5-10 cars a day in the slow season. I'm tired, man. I'm only 26 growing gray hair already from the stress.

I have a possible opportunity as an auto insurance claims adjuster work from home position that would be paying equal to what I make now. I don't know much about the company, but what experience do you guys have? I know it would be 90% on the phone, so I'm comfortable being on the phone as that's already more than half my job, I just can't stand working with people in person anymore and being fake day in and day out for a paycheck. Any experienced claims adjusters out there that could provide some insight? Is it "better" than service writing in the sense that you are not overwhelmed with work and making not as good of money? What should I look out for as a red flag?

Hi guys. I’ve been advising for about a year and a half. One thing I have been finding difficult lately is trying to absolve myself and the technician of responsibility when components break, or are seized on very old and poorly maintained cars.

How do you eloquently explain that to a guest with the caveat that we don’t know what else might be fragile or frail or seized or rusty until we attempt the repair. Any word tracking would be appreciated and helpful.

I’ve been in my position for about a year and as much stress as the role carries I do feel pretty good about the job and fulfilled at the end of the day and with the management I have it works out for me. The older guys around me all have been at it for +5yrs and all have blood pressure issues. I find my self calling out sick every 2 months or so because I don’t want to show up and deal with the circus I know is waiting for me

Can anyone give insight on avoiding burning out and loosing interest in the job?

Is it me or is the system over complicated? Why must you jump around an RO what feels like 25 different ways to achieve one task of closing an RO. Am I over complicating this? Also when trying to track your cars in shop view does anyone know a way to have it display in quadrants like CDK and Tekion to track where a car is and its status?

I'm seeing a lot of negative comments, and I'm really starting to doubt things. I can work from home for a few hours a day and make $30K a year with a remote job + day trading brings me in around another 30K. The $1K a month health insurance bill for only working part time is what stings the most. Also, I've been trading for 20 years so I know that day trading money can be unstable. There's been years I make less than 10K on that. I have never been a SA before, but the dealership really wants me, and I know I can learn the job. But should I? Is 2026 a good year to start this career?

Have any of you worked at heritage Toyota in Catonsville or passport Nissan in marlow heights? Have offers from both and trying to decide which is best route. I’m used to ignite but one place has tekion. Please share if you worked at either places your experiences

I know there’s type of posts happen frequently, and I apologize for that, but I can’t do this anymore. I have the same complaints everyone else has. This shit is taking a heavy toll on my mental health. Bottom line, I’m looking to get out. I’ve seen a good amount of people say they became warranty administrators and worked remotely. Any suggestions (company-wise) from anyone here regarding that?

As a manager, what do you think of this pay plan for the advisors?

15% CP and W parts and labor

3% internal parts and labor

$500 if CSI above district

$250 if video view about 75%

+ random spiffs I think of

Anything you’d change?