Working for aholes.Do you

[a8 tech]

AMKFDCAELB0EACAB5313ZCAWDZVA7CAVDPGZGCAXLREBACA2FQ8QZCABJISR5CA7OHXWCCA1YKET6CAND8FS0CA3YOQDNCALBEGMI left school at 16 and was pushed towards the mechanic game,i must say at 35 i have never looked back but now i think the time has come to move on or start up on my own.I say this as i now have come to the conclusion that the problems with the motor trade are caused by none technical people who dont love cars and are only there(sales)to fill there pockets and exploit technicians.What do you lot think or am i cracking up

[audiowner]

Cracking up, as usual.
No change there

[audiowner]

Originally Posted by a8 tech

as i now have come to the conclusion that the problems with the motor trade are caused by none technical people who dont love cars and are only there(sales)to fill there pockets and exploit technicians.

More seriously

You have a very good point due to businesses today frequently being run by people who have little or zero product/technical knowledge/experience of their particular company product(s).

A clear example, setting aside the motor trade, is the NHS. Previously run by consultants, doctors, matron etc supported by clerical staff but now run by non medical staff.

With Audi, specifically, I note there are now just a few companies/groups owning many dealerships. For example, Essex dealerships are now owned by ONE company whatever the name above the dealership door. The MD of the group is only interested in SALES and not a clue about cars, by his own admittance to me. He has his sales plan called MARS. Scarry isn't it

Thus, in my view, for the customer it creates a conflict of interest as you have little choice of whom to buy from.

Oh.....and the MD is a twat who employs salesmen who have no PASSION about Audi's which you just got to have to do the job. Not look at each customer with "cash register eyes"
And the SERVICING ..........don't start me off on that one.....the techs have lost complete heart!

Why?
Are you looking for a good secretary/pa??

[Stealth55]

Hi A8!
Being new to this site, you seem like the ideal person to ask this question.
Got an A6 on a 55 plate just about done 18500 miles. Should I take it to my main dealer at a cost of £312 for the long life service or should I go to an independent who specialise in VW and Audi at a cost of £182 + optional £20 for the pollen filter. Had a Volvo before this and my experience of main dealers wasn't particularly the best. They missed faults whereas an independent garage pointed them out to me. I've heard that Audi main dealers ain't the greatest.
What do you suggest?
And you are right, there are too many suits who haven't a sodding clue what they are talking about. Bring back the true car lovers...


Stealth

[a8 tech]

Hi stealth,providing your vehicle is serviced by a certified audi technician at the dealer then its good value,if technician who isnt certified then its not and the indi is best.Cant say to much on this subject but can only advise you to ask for a service technician or A6 licensed technician to service your car.ALSO KEEPING YOUR MAIN DEALER history can also benifit you with repairs outside of the normal warranty period,and you should recive first class service if not complain as the price tag demands the best.

[Badger61]

a8 tech, keep the faith and do what you do on a great product, I understand your pain, we would both have seen massive change in vehicle technology over the years, (for me it's 30 ,GULP),and the changes are more and at the blink of an eye nowadays. Unfortunatly in this country we still have the garage culture as 30 years ago no matter how you fluff it up with flash showrooms and aluminium. Audi's vision for customer satisfaction and first time fix can only be achieved by rewarding people for quality and attention to detail rather than hitting unrealitic targets based on time saved bonus schemes, an outdated system for the motor trade these days. Well thats my rant over for a bit!

[a8 tech]

Thanks Badger,i sometimes feel that if i dont put the extra effort in that the whole thing will fall down on me.I was off yesterday and returned today to 4 problems that were left for me by my kind workshop not so in control controller,the sales manager was waiting for me to inform me that at least two of them had to be rectified today.This pressure on master techs is not just me but i wonder if the job role fits the pay and i spend more time dealing with customer issues than faults these days as no one wonts to take responsibility for ie bluetooth not working and oil consumption and .So i will going with my head down but hopefully soon we master techs will get the respect we are due for dealing with inhouse lack of product knowledge(thats what we pay you for).

[Badger61]

It certainly is a difficult role within the dealership and I bet at least 50% of what you take on is not in your job description. In your position you take on so much including sometimes taking verbal abuse from customers who have a perception of how a system works and come in for advise then don't believe what you tell them! You do it for one reason which is quite rare in this trade "YOU CARE" because you have, like me, a passion for the brand. I am fortunate to have a line manager, also a friend, who trusts my judgement and knowledge, this kind of back up is rare but at the end of the day you can only do what you can do to the best of your ability. There is still something very satisfying about knowing you have managed to fix something others cannot. I have a way of dealing with people saying it needs fixing within a certain time span and that is, "The vehicle will be ready when I am 100% happy with it and not before, if you would rather someone else,who you think, can repair it better and quicker than me, then take your pick" I have also, at times, thought is it worth all the aggro?

[a8 tech]

Thanks badger,i feel a bit better but it would be great if i had any of the techs i work with anywere near master tech as the next tech in my workshop that is anywere near master tech training level is a6 licenced and a service tech,as there are 15 lads and only 4 of them are service techs you can see iam up against it from both sides with only tech support as assitance(diss)of which all the old boys are leaving .Its great to speak to yourself and r8 rob as we all can relate to the daily tasks.

[Stealth55]

Cheers A8!
I appreciate that. I've got a lot of respect for you guys. I personally wouldn't know where to start under the bonnet apart from filling up my washer fluid. I think you do a brilliant job. Keep fighting the good fight!