They have a very high employee turnover rate. moreĪs soon as I began my orientation, I immediately noticed problems. I have learned that to be an effective Store Manager, I am not really ever "off." Even on my days off, I am "on call" because I have to put my 20. There is not a time throughout the day that I stand still (usually eating my lunch on the go) as I am busy with a mixture of assisting my techs, making inventory orders as needed, maintaining customer relations (especially during any rushes) solving employee disputes, repairing shop equipment, answering questions, training newbies, satisfying any claims, promoting any discounted specials to increase car count in slow times or to meet goals and preparing all the paperwork for my District Manager. (And a no is just as well received as a yes). I then inform the customer(s) and sell services at prices both reasonable to the customer as well as to my employers. I spend the day CSRing most of the time (exposed to whatever elements are outside because we have to keep the doors open at all times in all weather) as my technicians look over the vehicles and inform me of any services that are required or recommended.
After greeting them, I head inside to count the drawer and to do the beginning of the day procedures quickly (seeing as most if not all of my employees will show up late and I will most likely be required to work on these customers' vehicles myself until someone shows up). moreĪ typical day at work would involve me showing up 10 to 15 minutes early with customers already lined up outside the bay doors waiting for us to open. You where expected to check and if you failed to come in or call in you'd get written up and, many times, they'd use it as a grounds to fire employees. It doesn't tell you if your schedule changes, no one will call or even email you. You used to be able to check your schedule on your phone, as it updated through the VIOC Point of sales system. As a tech, I can't even tell you how many times I would have a certain day off, only to find out the night before that said date, that I would be working. I don't believe I went one day without an issue and that could range from cars breaking down to oil spills you name it. SCMs, even on their days off will be called and hounded by techs as issues occur throughout the day, and there is always an issue. I mean that's great for your paycheck, but not your health or sanity. If you're understaffed it can be well passed 50+ hours. If you are a store manager (SCM) you will be expected to work 50+ hours a week, on the low side. Some where nice and had 0 idea what to do, but some had severe attitude issues. Some where very nice people who knew what they where doing. All different in how they operated things. I worked with 7 different managers over my 7 year tenure there. Especially if your store manager has a temper. You'll always get a few bad apples, but at this job it literally will ruin the whole bunch. I really enjoyed my customers, and I really enjoyed most of my teams.