Top 10 Service Advisor Mistakes & Best Practices to Fix Them
Quick Answer Service advisors often lose sales and customer trust by rushing check-ins, quoting prices prematurely, and communicating poorly. To fix these mistakes, advisors must build genuine relationships, emphasize value using visual proof, and set realistic timelines. Empathetic, transparent, and proactive communication throughout the service process further guarantees long-term customer satisfaction and boosts overall revenue. […]
How Does Flat Rate Pay Work for Auto Mechanics
Quick Answer Flat-rate pay compensates auto mechanics based on a predetermined time assigned to each job rather than the actual hours worked. This system rewards efficiency, allowing skilled technicians to maximize their earnings by completing repairs faster than the allocated time. However, it also creates income volatility, as unexpected repair delays or slow shop days […]
How Service Advisors Should Handle Multi Point Inspections
Quick Answer Service advisors should present multi-point inspections as educational vehicle health checkups rather than sales pitches. They should explain technician findings using visual evidence, simple language, and an urgency-based priority scale. This approach helps customers understand recommended repairs, builds trust, supports vehicle safety, and can prevent costly breakdowns. Are your multi-point inspections failing to […]
How Much Should Car Repairs Actually Cost?
How much should car repairs actually cost? Learn how labor rates, OEM vs. aftermarket parts, and diagnostic complexity determine fair pricing—and how advisors build trust through transparency.
Is “Socialism” Coming to Your Service Drive?
Technicians are demanding fairer pay, structured apprenticeships, and an end to manual dispatch bias. Learn why legacy flat-rate systems are facing pushback—and how service managers can fix shop culture, efficiency, and retention.
Customer Updates Cadence for Busy Service Advisors 2026
Quick Answer Service advisors should use a proactive communication schedule based on repair time. Quick services may require updates every 30 minutes, while complex repairs may need daily check-ins. Each update should clearly explain the vehicle’s status, repair needs, pricing, and expected completion time. Is your service drive a battleground of frantic customer calls and […]
How Benchmarking Reveals Hidden Service Drive Revenue Gaps
Quick Answer Benchmarking exposes hidden revenue gaps by comparing specific operational KPIs against objective industry standards instead of just measuring service volume. This data-driven analysis pinpoints costly inefficiencies such as unbilled labour, outdated inspection workflows, and missed deferred services. Dealerships can then use these precise insights to fix profit leaks and standardize best practices across […]
Why Are You Losing Service Drive Revenue Each Day
Why are you losing service drive revenue every day? Discover how skipped walkarounds, weak inspections, and poor follow-up drain profit and the fixes that boost repair order averages.
Why Choose Hybrid Training for Your Dealership
Quick Answer Hybrid training combines online foundational learning with hands-on, in-person coaching on the dealership floor. This blended approach improves information retention, prevents digital fatigue, and standardizes processes tailored to specific dealership roles. By converting one-time training into a continuous, year-round growth system, it reduces staff turnover and maximizes dealership profitability. Ever wonder why even […]
Can Role-Playing Help Advisors Handle Tough Customers?
Quick Answer Role-playing helps service advisors handle tough customers. It provides a low-risk setting to practice difficult conversations and improve objection handling. Advisors can also build stronger emotional control. Through structured practice, staff learn how to calm frustrated vehicle owners. They also learn to explain complex repair bills clearly. In addition, real-time coaching helps them […]
Why Dealership NPS Matters for Long-Term Growth & Retention
Quick Answer A high Net Promoter Score directly increases dealership revenue by turning buyers into loyal, repeat customers. Positive ratings build public trust and drive free word-of-mouth marketing. Moreover, tracking customer feedback exposes operational flaws so service managers can fix problems and prevent buyers from leaving. You fixed their car perfectly, but will they tell […]
Why Aren’t Fixed Ops Saving Dealerships?
Service Drive Revolution — Episode #374 Official Full Transcript Host: Chris Collins Guests: Adam Krey and Chris Hogland Published: August 31, 2026 Duration: 1:02:11 Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify Across automotive retail, front-end new and used vehicle sales are slowing down, and gross margins are compressing. Historically, when sales drop, dealership fixed operations […]
