Behind The Wrench- Interview with Kevin, Service Advisor Extraordinar
NAME:
Kevin
How long have you been in the Industry?
Since 2000 so about 12 years
What is your current job title?
Service advisor
What were you doing for your first automotive job?
oil change boy
Do you currently work at a Dealer, or in an aftermarket shop, do you prefer one over the other?
Dealership
Walk us through what you do on a daily basis.
I fix more people than cars. Pretty much meet and greet, dispatch work into the shop, make status calls and advise on what repairs are needed. create the final bill and then see the customers on there way. I’m also a therapist for the techs, and customers 😉
When you are not working on or with cars, what do you like to do?
I spend time with my girls and play pool and golf
What kind of car do you drive?
2001 VW passat It is a pretty sweet 01 Passat too! **HM**
What was your first car? It was a awesome
1994 mercury villager mini van. And I still got girlfriends
What made you want to work on cars?
I actually couldn’t afford to get my car fixed so I figured I would teach myself so I didn’t have to pay anyone. After some trial and lots of error’s the rest is history, never looked back
What is the weirdest thing that you have found in a car, that should not have been there?
I was doing a recall on heated seats and found a GIANT bag of weed and a gun. He forgot to mention that it was his car! LOL kidding Kev **HM**
Do you have much customer interaction?
I have more interaction with customers then I do with my family or anyone else that I know
What is your favorite part of your job?
Getting to know and make relationships with a melting pot of different people. Also making a difference. If I can be someones hero or save there day it makes all the bad times worth it. I agree 100% with that **HM**
If giving the chance, what would you never do again at work?
Have a negative attitude. Keeping a good attitude would have saved me so many headaches in the past
The auto industry has a really bad rap, what do you say to someone who thinks you are trying to take advantage of them?
Well I treat everyone’s car like my moms. Give me 1 opportunity to earn your trust and fix your car the right way, you wont be disappointed.
Of all the maintenance that cars need, what is the ONE that will keep my car healthy the longest?
CHANGE YOUR OIL ON TIME!!!! Don’t be lazy and neglect your car. Its a huge investment and needs some lovin every so often just like everything else. You be good to your car and it will be good to you
How important is reading your vehicles owners manual?
Depends on if you have trouble sleeping! Honestly….. I bet %50 of people would save money or time if they looked in the manual first before coming in for service. There car will also last longer if they follow the maint schedule for there vehicle.
Have you read the owners manual to your car?
Thats a negative. But I’ve worked with VW since 2003, There’s not much about my car I don’t know
What tool in your tool box do you use the most?
My mind……all day
Is there a brand of tool that you prefer?
Snap on
If you could only use 3 tools from now on, what would they be( and why)?
- Snap On pocket screw driver (if you work on cars you know what I mean) And they are free! **HM**
- Adjustable wrench
- Scan tool. I can pretty much disassemble and fix most cars with those 3
If you were building a “James Bond” car, what is the one thing you would add it?
A sweet tea maker
You are sending your kid off to college, what car would you buy for them?
2.0 jetta, prob one of the best/reliable cars ever made
We really are here to help, not rip you off, I promise if your nice and give me the chance I will work my ass off for you.
Attitude is everything. It can solve problems and prevent them. It makes you a good employee, a good co-worker, a better supervisor and a decent friend.
Too bad so few folks understand that.
Good work Kevin and HM!
Thanks Mustang,
Attitude is such an important part of this job, and you pretty much said is best!
It’s too bad you can’t just tell people having a good attitude helps, most of the time it has to be learned!
I still have my Honda truck but I’m getting the 2012 Beetle turbo in about a month or so. I take my truck to 2 Honda service centers and I have a good re-pore with all the service advisers at both centers. They always tell me what I need or what I don’t need and somtimes go the extra mile. So yes, Trust and Honesty played a big part with me, so I agree with Kev fix my truck right the first time, keep it healthy and I’m good.
Good article, all I have to say is..sweet tea..really? When I go down to the States I always forget your iced tea is cold tea and water. Ick.
I wish I was able to bring my car to be serviced by you guys. Seems like a big VW family over there.
Damn right. I love my tea.
How do I get a free Snap On pocket screw driver? From the company or did you mean because he works at the dealership?
Usually you can “sweet talk” the tool guy into giving you one. Of course, that comes with spending BIG dollars on tools.
My wife knew I spent a fortune when I came home with a “free” iPod touch. All I had to due was buy a new tool box. 🙂
Good to know for my future 🙂
Matt, I am just thinking out loud, but there might be a give-a-way thing coming up. You think some Snap-On swag would be cool to give?
Hahahahahahaha, all the great advice, cool interview and what gets the comments?? FREE SCREWDRIVERS and SWEET TEA!!!!!!
I love it! It’s just like being at work!!
Seems with any job done right the best tool is the one between the ears. kudos for recognizing it and giving credit where it is do.