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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> The Lounge -> Tomorrow is my last day....
Post Info TOPIC: Tomorrow is my last day....
4SPEED427


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RE: Tomorrow is my last day....
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I would agree with the statement about change, but there has been a lot of good changes in the GM parts system in the past 10 years or so as well. GM has shown a desire to take back some of the business that has been lost to the aftermarket.

The AC Delco line of chassis parts, brakes, shocks, u joints etc has been a tremendous plus for our business. I no longer have to hang my head in shame when I quote on shocks for example. As a matter of fact, our Delco shock price is so competitive, I seldom lose the sale because of price. I enjoy being able to look up a Ford u joint in an AC Delco book. Who can argue with me when I tell them the new engine they are pricing includes a 3 year 160,000 km warranty? Or their new top of the line AC Delco battery has free replacement if it fails in the first 50 months? I sound like a GM salesman, I know, I could go on and on. It is all so much improved since I started as a GM parts manager at a different dealership in 1980. GM had no interest then in being competitive at all.

One thing that drives me crazy has been the change in how much documentation, paperwork etc there is involved in parts warranty claims, parts returns, stuff like that. It is sickening how much time is spent on that stuff. And when I am filling out the return claim form, why do I have to enter in the order type that I originally used to order the part in THREE different places on the same line? And one of the things that picks my case the most is lets say that GM recommends I stock a part. In a nutshell, I can disagree and not do it, but I have to agree with 85% of what they suggest. Then, less than a year later, they see the part is not moving and they give me credit for it. If the part is cheap enough, guess what happens? Yup, they issue me credit and I destroy it! If they would have listened to me in the first place, I never would have bought it, they never would have had to pick it, ship it, invoice it, track it for a year in my system, credit me for it and then tell me to shred it! How much did that all cost them because they know best???!!!

Sorry, my good and bad rant is over now!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
67BBSD


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Now you can go to work tommorrow (oct 1st) take your 10 o'clock break and complain about how the parts manager handles these situations !

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4SPEED427


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I can't wait for my first irate customer---"Hang on, I'll get the parts manager for you!!!!"

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Canadian Poncho


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We don't get many irate customers where I am. We had quite a few at the GM store when I first took over but that was mostly due to a complete lack of policies and procedures. For example a customer would come in asking for a "tune up" and the advisors would simply write a repair order for a tune up. $400 later the customer picks up the car and goes nuts because he really just "wanted an oil change". It was crazy.

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4SPEED427


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Actually, I likely don't deal with more than 1 or 2 really angry people a year. But I also know almost every person by name when they come through the door, too. That helps a lot.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
69AKDN


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Good move Carl....time to kick back a bit.  I tell ya...and I'm sure I can speak for other car guys, it sure is nice to call the GM parts counter and get a guy as knowledgeable about the classics as you are.  Enjoy!

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Craig
455gto


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Nice move Carl. Thinking about your family first. Leave the stress for the other guy. Hope it all works out well for yousmile

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4SPEED427


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I'm having a lot of fun with it today. I used to call him "Grasshoppa" and he used to call me "Massa". Changed the names around today. He's also razzing me cause I had trouble finding a block heater part number in the catalogue for a 6 liter Avalanche. He says that is ok, cause it's my first day!!!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Stephenzone


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biggrin So Grasshoppa biggrin

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sTevE

55 GMC, 70 Pontiac 2+2 rag
4SPEED427


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Carl Stevenson wrote:

While I am not retiring, I am giving up some of the stresses. I will be able to give some of the not-so-fun stuff to the parts manager.

Also, I am opening the door to more time off when it suits.

Not sure how the $$$ will work out, but it always has for me so far, so I hope it continues...

My dad dropped unexpectedly at 62, when I was a young boy (11). Yeah, I know, late addition to the family. Anyway, I think his death has a lot to do with my decision to do this. It also helps to have the most supportive wife in the whole world. Just one of the million good reasons why I married her.


And as far as the $$$ part goes, update to follow tonight.winkbiggrinbiggrinbiggrin

 



-- Edited by Carl Stevenson at 22:04, 2008-10-02

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
67SD396


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It sure sounds like you are going to have more time for fishing too.... wink.gifwink.gif

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4SPEED427


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A little history:

I made up my mind to give up my parts manager title 5 years ago. I never discussed the fact with my boss that I would have to take a pay cut. I just knew that with a decrease in responsiblilty would come a decrease in pay. I have worked for him for almost 23 years, and he is the hardest working, most generous and fairest boss I have ever known. I trusted he would treat me fair, but as the day came close, I was getting scared. What if he took so much from me that I struggled with payments?

Today we sat down in his office and he basically told me there was no way he wanted to pay me so little that I would be job hunting. Also in not so many words, he was not interested in running his business without me there. I know he has a number of employees he values very much, and it's just nice to be one of them. Talk about a boost when I had been dreading this moment!!!

Had to share...................!!!

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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427carl


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God Bless him!     It wonderfull to hear, of such a boss!   If I had one like that, he would have found me, a less stressfull job, in the organization. Instead, he just threw me away.   IF EVERY BOSS valued his employess, they would all be blessed..   GOOD NEWS C1

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