Your Automotive Service Department

Most tire shops I've seen have a window into the bay and I always stand there staring at the guys doing the work. I've actually been impressed by what I see in most cases - cause and effect? They work competently and quickly, but carefully. You can't shoot bull, crack inappropriate jokes or treat the customer's car with disrespect when you're being watched.

Granted, that doesn't sound like a great work environment for them, but welcome to modern life. Cubicle cattle don't have it any better.

In the larger shop environment I can understand that not every area of the shop could be viewable and building layouts will vary. But I agree that it's not pleasant to never actually interact with the tech who's touching your car. For the shop that's just a matter of workplace efficiency tho - a mechanic talking to customers is a mechanic not working on cars.

Carolyn at Luscious Garage seems to have made it work tho, so it's not impossible!

- D

 

Don McGill Toyota of Katy:
older, knowledgable service reps
Glass window/door view of the service bays
Waiting area with WiFi
Coffee, no cookies (used to be Starbucks ... no more)

I view service reps as the "firewall" between customer and mechanic. Not always a bad thing. A good mechanic may not always be the best customer relations person. A good service rep get the answers and makes it right.

I have always been well treated by DMTK.

 

It's obvious that most of you have never been a serviceman or women of any type. The worst thing a serviceman....carpenter or plumber or your Toyota technician needs or wants is someone hanging over their shoulder asking questions about everything.
Whenever you have a specific problem with your car...don't pass it on to the service writer...ask to talk directly to the tech that will be working on the car. I remember being in a shop once that had a labor prices posted...Reg Labor $65.00 per hour, If you watch $85.00 per hour, if you help $185.00 per hour.

 

if you supply the parts, $250. per hour.

 

If you do it yourself, $0 per hour.

 

I just wish there was a window too. I just want to see it actually happen.

Last oil service visit my Toyota dealer recommended an alignment.
When it came time to pay the kid with the paperwork I asked to see the wheel alignment sheet and he could not find it. I was just curious how far it was off if at all.
Long story short it went back on the alignment machine again and they were sure to supply the proof prior to payment.