Employees of GM dealerships

67Poncho · Uber Guru

Employees of GM dealerships

67BBSD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

interprovincially licensed autobody collision damage repairer-did my apprentiseship at a General Motors Pontiac dealer, left for the security/benefits of a factory back in 1994-so much for security (closed september 2003)-now self employed appraiser

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Worked in a jobber store in a small town starting 1976. Always playing around on cars. Ended up going to the small town GM dealership for parts sometimes, and he had no parts guy at all. One day, I had quite a list so he let me borrow the parts book for my 66 Grande Parisienne. I took it home for the night and made up my list. He started letting me do that often and let me price out my lists as well, even though I got to see his costs when I was doing that.

One day in September 1980 he offered me a job. I took it and worked 5 years there (Pontiac GMC dealer). One night in August of 1985 the owner of an even smaller town Chev dealer called me and offered me the parts manager job at his dealership. After much soul searching (on a solo run to Kansas to visit some Pontiac buddies there) I came back from my trip and accepted his offer. I started November 1, 1985 and in a few weeks it will be 23 years there. At that time, I am turning over my title to my counterman and will be the new "grasshoppa" in the parts department instead of the "massa" as he calls me now! I'm looking forward to the same job with less responsibility but still the same benefits package, and HOPEFULLY maybe reduced hours in the future.

(Why can't my answers to a question ever be short like everyone else's?????)

67Poncho · Uber Guru

Carl, you answers may be longer but it seem you can type a hellafa lot faster than my 2 fingered system can.......Was also asked to do the shop forman thing--HELL NO!!!!!! Not a chance! Just wanted to be the worker bee and not the king puba and all the crud that goes with it.......Especially in the back shop on the mech side! Maybe less benefits doing it on my own, but a lot less headaches for sure! My Dad always said, " The longer I work here, the less I have to know and the more I get paid"! Geez, that's a great system.......

-- Edited by 67Poncho at 01:11, 2008-09-04

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

I started in the parts department of Zephyr Mercury on west Broadway in Vancouver in 1971, and then went to parts in Dennison Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Richmond in 1972.
Later I worked at Dick Irwin Chev Olds in North Vancouver, and then got into the striping business. I've been doing that ever since in one way or another.
I've done a lot of musclecar stripes and graphics over the years.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

20 years at dealerships less 7 working at an autoplant building Geo Metro's! I started in 1988 as a "Tower Operator" (service dispatch) and after working at the auto plant went back to dealerships as a service advisor. I did a 3 year stint as Service Manager for a GM dealer. I left there in June to work for the dark side- Toyota as a service advisor.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

I have lived next door,for 29 years, to a guy ,who was book keeper, for local GM garage.. Does that count?

Ghost Post · Poncho Master!

Been enjoying life away from the car business for almost 20 years now after being a Service Mgr. for M'Benz, Mazda, Volvo also a GM dealer..
Before that I ran shops for aftermarket and independent automotive groups after spending time in collision repair and on the bench..
Previous to that was the job I still dream about...working in the boneyard in the late 70's/early 80's when all the good stuff was rollin' through!.

65Camino · Uber Guru

I started as a scheduler at a dealer when my freelance gig in TV was slow. Worked up to be a Service Advisor but dropped out when TV/Film got busy again. Lasted about a year and a half?? Hard to work regular hours, don't know how everyone does it?

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

It truly sucks. I leave for work at 6:30am and often pull into my driveway at 6:30pm

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

I would not want to be a "smart ass" but thank God you have a job! The TV this morning, had a discusson, about 240.000 jobs lost in Ont in Manf. sector.. You have to keep working, so I can get, my Canada Pension ,next year! biggrin

65Camino · Uber Guru

Carl, Not at all. As many friends and associates in the film community have had to find other ways to make ends meet.

beaumontbill · Addicted!

Hi guys,
I am lucky enough to be the General Mgr of Paddock Chevrolet. We are the largest volume Chevrolet dealer in the United States. I have been with the dealership 17 years. I started as a salesperson and worked my way up through Finance , Sales Manager, General Sales Manager and six years ago GM. It is a very rewarding job that proves to be a constant challenge. I am very lucky to be in a place that I enjoy coming to work everyday.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

WOW ! WOW! WOW! I am impressed! Even though most of us, are more concerned, with the good friends, we are making here. It is cool, to have a guy (as a member) working, with the largest volume CHEVROLET dealership in USA.. There are times when "name dropping" makes us feel good.. When you get time, could you post some Dealership photos,and stuff... If you want, we could get a petition going, and make you a "On Line" Canadian eh? biggrin

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

I asked our General Manager how he liked his job. He said "It's better than being service manager!". He was SM for a long time.

sixtywagon · Uber Guru

You guys are all so smart! All I do is work in NAPA's Warehouse. But, I worked at Canadian Tire's Warehouse for 9 years, then at a couple Newfy Speed 'n' Sports stores as a partsman for 4 years.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

How long have you been at the Calgary NAPA warehouse?

I had a friend who was there a few years, but that must be at least 10 years ago.

sixtywagon · Uber Guru

Only been there for a year. There are a few people who have been there for 10 + years, Whats his name?

-- Edited by sixtywagon at 07:44, 2008-09-05

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Ken Sommer.

He is long back here in NAPA Winnipeg doing some type of managing in the DC on Ellice Ave. I forget his actual title.

forespeed · Poncho Master!

Okay, the subject of the thread is GM dealerships but does GM plant operations count??
I started in 1964 at Chevrolet V-8 engine, Flint, MI. Worked on the assembly line and in inspection. I helped to build all those 283, 327, in-line 6 and occasionally the 4 cyl motors used in auto's and the marine industry.
After a stint in the USMC, it was on to Chevy's first disc brake plant, a Chevy service parts plant, the Chevy grey iron foundry (blocks, heads, manifolds), the Chevy Nodular iron foundry (knuckles, rotors) and finally 14 yrs at SSG (Saginaw Steering Systems) steering gears, hose assemblies, pumps, steering columns, steering racks and half shafts. I have seen it all from the molten iron, to machining to final assembly of these suspension and driveline components.
After 35 yrs, I took a pension and started hauling antique and classic cars all over the U.S. and most of Canada. While hauling for other people, I was able to find time to buy about 70-75 cars for myself, haul them back home and resell them during my down time of Dec. Jan. Feb.& Mar. When I learned not to fight the elements, parked my truck and worked on selling parts and cars.
This year, my wife took her pension, so I'm supposed to be officially retired but if your a car guy that doesn't happen.
I have meant several of the site guys this year but it is tough to meet and greet living in the states. If I can ever use my experience and knowledge gained over the years to help anyone on this site please do not hesitate to contact me.

Elroy · Poncho Master!

GM Partsmanager from 1979 to 1986 in Alberta. I took my Journeyman Parts as well at SAIT in Calgary

67Poncho · Uber Guru

Elroy wrote:

GM Partsmanager from 1979 to 1986 in Alberta. I took my Journeyman Parts as well at SAIT in Calgary

Yourself and C1 should get along just fine!!!

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I think we already see eye to eye on a few things

Lemans64 · Poncho Master!

69Laurentian wrote:

20 years at dealerships less 7 working at an autoplant building Geo Metro's! I started in 1988 as a "Tower Operator" (service dispatch) and after working at the auto plant went back to dealerships as a service advisor. I did a 3 year stint as Service Manager for a GM dealer. I left there in June to work for the dark side- Toyota as a service advisor.

LOL, I work for Toyota from 81 to 96 as a tech, then moved to Gm as a tech for nine years, now back at Toyota as Tech since 2005.

Elroy · Poncho Master!

You bet we do ! Ifn I grows some fins I'll come and see you sometime !! lol

Still sending prayers your way there bud !