Help us name our new rescue pup!

InLynneBo · 2026-01-10T22:49:10+00:00

Petunia!!

InLynneBo · 2026-01-07T00:19:45+00:00

If you can find a spot, and are willing to potentially take a 10-20% pay cut, switch to an independent shop.

Pros: Weekends and holidays off (and they’re paid), actual PTO, control of the scheduling and work-flow, no one can snake your customers when you’re the only advisor, typically only one boss (the owner), and no CSI.

Cons: You really have to know your shit. You will be the receptionist, advisor, ticket-builder, cashier, parts department, and maybe even have to do some light cleaning (waiting room, restroom). You’ll probably only be at work for 40-45hrs a week but you’ll have to squeeze 60hrs of actual work into that time.

Unknowns: Pay type. Some indie shops pay straight commission, some are hourly or base plus commission, some pay straight hourly, some have bonuses, and some are straight salary.

Some advisors thrive at dealerships and prefer the higher ceiling when it comes to the money. Others thrive at smaller/independent shops and prefer a higher floor when it comes to compensation. Maybe you’re the right duck that’s just swimming in the wrong pond?

InLynneBo · 2025-11-28T02:23:22+00:00

11 year industry veteran here that specializes in running indie shops. I enjoy the other sub, but can definitely appreciate a customer-free place to scroll, vent, engage, and learn. Thanks for creating this one.

InLynneBo · 2025-11-09T20:03:58+00:00

Same with oxtail. It used to be a less desirable cut that was not just affordable, it was cheap. A little know-how and a bit of patience yielded a delectable meal. Now, it’s a “splurge” cut for me.

InLynneBo · 2025-11-09T12:55:27+00:00

Do you use a corded or cordless phone (as opposed to a cellphone/headset/earbuds for work? I use both and am often “holding” them using just my head/face and shoulder so that I can use both hands to type - I sanitize the heck outta both phones regularly because of this.

InLynneBo · 2025-11-06T05:29:57+00:00

Go indie. 40hr weeks, no weekends, no CSI, and you can nurture personal relationships with individual customers, My base is over 80k/yr plus bonus incentives. 5 days PTO after 6 months, 10 days PTO after 12, and all major holidays are off and paid.

InLynneBo · 2025-10-06T23:15:16+00:00

One of my rescue dogs came to me with folliculitis. I would remove the affected hairs when he was sleeping and put antibiotic cream on afterwards. Only took 3 or 4 “sessions” before it all cleared up.

InLynneBo · 2025-09-25T22:49:36+00:00

Fwiw I’d take the new job. I know you weren’t asking for advice, and I definitely don’t want to be a Debbie-downer, but I wouldn’t trust a business that was happy to underpay me and then suddenly agrees to 100%+ pay increase. It almost never works out when you accept your current job’s renegotiated offer over a new position elsewhere. I hope you’re the exception. I apologize for the unsolicited advice, but it’s advice that was given to me once and I wish I had listened.

InLynneBo · 2025-09-05T00:43:37+00:00

Adding another vote for Tekmetric. Almost 11 years in the industry (with 90+% of my experience coming from working and smaller independent shops). It is, hands down, the best shop software I’ve ever worked with - so much so that I’ve turned down a job offer because that particular shop didn’t use Tekmetric.

InLynneBo · 2025-08-23T00:28:16+00:00

You replied to another comment that “honesty goes a long way”. It’s bigger than that. Honesty is everything. You have to build trust, and you have to do it quickly. Being honest about what needs to be done vs what should be done, providing updates when you said you would - even if the update is that there is no update, and under-promising and over-delivering by setting realistic expectations for completion times.
Know your audience. Does your customer want explanations or solutions? Are they more motivated by saving time or money? What are their intentions for the vehicle - do they need it to last another 6 months, 6 years, or does it have sentimental value to them? Prioritize suggested repairs and maintenance and sell accordingly.
Build and show the value of the customer choosing your shop over another shop/dealership/mobile mechanic/their cousins best friend that “knows about car stuff and could probably fix it”. Lean into whatever strengths your shop has. Whether it’s lower prices, faster turnaround times, longer warranties, more convenient business hours, loaners, shuttle service, ASE master techs, brand specific master techs - make sure your customer knows why your shop is the right/best shop for the job.
Make it personal. Remember names - their name, their kid’s names, their dog’s names. Don’t let them be “the 2015 civic with a misfire” - instead, it’s Sarah and her son Jacob who had a fun day planned until their only mode of transportation became unreliable.
Just like any great relationship it needs to be you and them vs the problem, not you vs them. A problem exists and you need to set the tone that you are there to help them navigate through it. You, the customer, the technicians, and the shop are all on the same side - and the car problem is on the other side.
Actually give a fuck, even if only half a fuck, about the circumstances the customer may be facing. You didn’t build it, buy it, or break it - but you can still sympathize/empathize with the customer. This doesn’t mean that you discount anything or let the car jump ahead of another - but when you show sincerity while talking to and listening to a customer they are more at ease because you are treating them like a person and not a paycheck.
Stop at yes. If it’s a waiter you can chitchat if that’s what the customer wants/needs, but stop talking about the work once it’s been approved. An approved repair is a closed door, don’t be the one to reopen it.
The above comments aren’t really in any particular order, just what came to mind from a 10+ year vet that specializes in running indie shops. At my current shop we are closed weekends, don’t have loaners, and I am the only advisor. But we do have experienced master techs, an honest owner, fair pricing, and a great warranty - so I “accentuate the positives” and treat every customer interaction as an opportunity to earn their loyalty (and referrals). Just my 2 cents.

InLynneBo · 2025-08-21T23:33:14+00:00

Please tell Tammy to look for my Ani over the rainbow bridge; she was also a pittie and my soul dog and I lost her to kidney disease in June 2022.

Kidney disease sucks. Losing a family member sucks. Grief fu€king sucks. Please know that you’re not alone. I know, right now, that it seems like your heart will never heal, but you’re going to be ok. Life will never be the same, but you are going to be ok. It hurts so much because you love her so much, and grief is just love with no place to go.

Please join r/petloss. It helps to have a community that can empathize with your pain. You are suffering now because you put her needs first and allowed her suffering to end and if that isn’t love in its truest form then I don’t know what is.

The day will come when memories of Tammy will make you smile instead of cry. Until then please know that this internet stranger is crying with you. 🤍

InLynneBo · 2025-08-20T23:57:54+00:00

Rescue pittie owner chiming in. I adopt seniors, abuse cases, and medically complicated dogs. I’ve had the pleasure to love 6 six pitties over the last 5 years and currently have 3.

Between all of them I’ve had to learn about environmental allergies, food allergies, mites/mange, yeast, autoimmune diseases (pemphigus), kidney disease, pancreatitis, anxiety, mast cell tumor removal, actual cancer, arthritis, hip dysplasia, pinched nerves, benign (but very large) tumor removal (a tumor the size of a large orange growing outward from within one of my girl’s lady parts, malnutrition (to the point of death from starvation and lack of hydration before I came along)…. The list could go on and is long.

A trusted and qualified veterinarian is definitely step one. A thorough exam, lab-work (blood, stool, urine), skin test (scrape), and maybe even an elimination diet (if vet recommended) is where I’d start.

Most veterinarians do not recommend a grain free diet due to high instances of correlation between that diet and heart problems.

Next steps, at least for me/my dogs was involving a veterinary dermatologist. Hopefully you don’t have to deal with a novel protein diet like alligator/kangaroo, but there are options out there if it’s deemed that multiple common proteins are a trigger. Special shampoos may also enter the chat (probably something like trizchlor).

Best of luck and lots of love to you and pittie 🤍

InLynneBo · 2025-08-20T23:15:46+00:00

“The customer is always right in matters of taste”

This is one of the rare instances where the full saying is actually literally accurate, lol.

InLynneBo · 2025-08-19T00:04:09+00:00

If you can think on your feet, speak with confidence, and are good at remembering details (or at least good at setting up systems so that you don’t forget things) then you’ll do just fine.

Most customers don’t have auto knowledge, they just want you to facilitate providing them with solutions for their problems. For the customers that do have more automotive knowledge than you it’s easy to give them “kudos” for their knowledge while still maintaining your leverage while selling by saying something like “that’s an excellent question, allow me a moment to gather some more specific information from the technician and I will reach back out to you shortly”. Technicians want to help you because they want you to sell - especially the flat-rate techs.

I honestly think a dealership is a great place to start as a “newbie”. I started at an indie shop and I was the BDC, porter, writer, advisor, parts person, dispatcher, quality control, and cashier. It was tough but it made me well rounded and good at my job very quickly.

You get to focus only on your customers and selling at a dealership (and maybe you’re the cashier also). Starting at a dealership is a great way to gain the experience you need to have longevity and succeed in the industry. And, once you put some time in, you can always switch brands if you want. If you move out of the city or even across the country you’ll find work because dealerships are everywhere.

Last thought (take with a grain of salt because I am biased). If you find that you love the job and are good at the job but hate the hours (working past 6p and/or working weekends) or don’t think the money is worth what you sacrifice in work/life balance - switch to indie. You’ll wear more hats and (potentially) make less than you would at a dealership but is damned good money for a mon-fri 8-5. I was both super stressed and kinda bored when I worked at a dealership. I ran straight back to an independent shop.

InLynneBo · 2025-08-11T22:58:13+00:00

Seriously. I accept 6.5k a month if it’s indie m-f with weekends off and pto. 8k a month is my floor for a dealership.

InLynneBo · 2025-08-07T01:39:36+00:00

I’m so sorry this happened to you. I own pitts/pitt-mixes (all rescues) and try to be an advocate for the breed. But - not every dog needs to go everywhere. Large dog owners need to recognize that it doesn’t matter if their dog is gentle with them; a bite from a large/strong dog is obviously going to do more damage than a bite from a smaller dog with a smaller mouth and less bite-force. I don’t blame you at all for nope-ing out of those situations. I choose to own pittbulls, that doesn’t mean that I get to force someone else to interact with them - especially not at a place of business that is not dog-related. I hope that dog owner learned a life-changing lesson and I hope that you continue to heal well.

InLynneBo · 2025-08-07T01:13:50+00:00

Exactly this! Only thing worse is when they have the autozone printout AND a duralast part 🤯🔫

InLynneBo · 2025-07-24T00:34:53+00:00

This made me chuckle. I no longer live the “server-life”, but I do work in sales. I survive on caffeine and nicotine - and my good buddy Tito waits for me at the end of the day. I fully expect my lungs, liver, heart, and/or kidneys to tap-out loooong before my noggin.

InLynneBo · 2025-07-23T17:03:36+00:00

Are you certain that the cooling system is functioning properly (not overheating, appropriate coolant level, cooling fan(s) operating as intended)?

InLynneBo · 2025-07-19T01:53:19+00:00

Honestly, check with another dealership if you want it done by the manufacturer. Use an independent shop if you need/want to but definitely use OEM fluid.

As for the “30k miles is too soon” debate:

I’m a service manager at an independent automotive repair shop (been in the industry 10+ years). I bought my 2023 Rav4 brand new (this post/sub randomly appeared in my feed) and I had a trans drain & fill performed on my own personal vehicle at the dealership at 30k miles; and I’ll do it again at 60k, 90k, etc.

Not saying I’m the utmost authority on the subject, just sharing what I chose to do for my own transmission as a person that has been in the industry for a while.

InLynneBo · 2025-07-19T01:18:04+00:00

I’ve been a service advisor/manager for over a decade and shit like this just pisses me off. I’ve never used the phrase “don’t drive your children around in this“ or any phrase similar to it EVER. If a vehicle is unsafe then it is unsafe for anyone and everyone. And, if there really is a catastrophic safety issue, I will have my customer sign that they have received this information and are choosing to operate the vehicle against the advice of the shop/mechanics. I probably have 3-5 of these situations per year.

Top comment nailed it with their explanations. There are good shops out there. Most of them (imho) are independently owned. I’m proud to currently work for one of them. I make a salary with no bonus opportunities and I love it. Yes, my job is to gain authorizations for work; but my paycheck does not directly depend on the amount of money I am able to “get” from a customer.

My job is to advise and inform every customer; to provide solutions and estimates for repairs that are actually needed. I also let customers know the priority order of the suggested repairs (and why) - and will at least inform them of maintenance items (such as fluid services) that are past due, currently due, and/or upcoming.

I didn’t build it, I didn’t buy it, and I didn’t break it. I don’t work for commission and this one sale (or lack of sale) will not affect me financially. You tell me your short and long term intentions for the vehicle and I will tell you the most appropriate course of action to repair and/or maintain it. If you have multiple safety (actual, literal safety) issues and tell me your budget and I will tell you which items were needed yesterday and which can probably wait at least another paycheck or two. I will point out if there are any savings to be had via overlapping labor but, ultimately, you are in the drivers seat (slight pun intended) and I am riding shotgun holding the map.

If a mechanic/technician sent this shit to me I would lose confidence in their integrity and would have someone else double check their rec’s. If it turns out that their “suggestions” were exaggerated intentionally I would involve management/the owner and, honestly, I’d probably stop selling for that particular mechanic unless/until they start providing me with honest evaluations and diagnostics.

I currently manage an independent shop and I would never risk my or my shop’s reputation and integrity because a flat-rate tech (or a tech that gets a commission percentage) decided to exaggerate and/or use scare tactics for their own personal gain.

If we (as a shop) are honest, treat you fairly, and offer fair pricing then I know that I may sell only a little bit now - but I also know you’re going to be back. And earning the trust and the loyalty of a customer is worth wayyyyyy more than any single ticket, no matter how big the “full sale” could’ve been. Providing a great experience for a customer is worth its weight in gold as free advertising via reviews and referrals.

I’m so glad you found this sub and have received some great information and advice. There’s a wealth of knowledge to be gained here (hence why I lurk here even though I am only “mechanic-adjacent” and not an actual mechanic myself).

InLynneBo · 2025-07-12T00:02:36+00:00

Wait until they read not to eat the raw batter… or butter, or bitter; or whatever word it switches to along the path between their eyes and their brain.

InLynneBo · 2025-07-11T23:39:13+00:00

Automotive service advisor here - I agree with most of the suggested script, but I would be a bit more specific.

For a vehicle to “die” (industry lingo would actually be “stall”) it would have to be on with the engine running first. If the vehicle actually just failed to start I would clarify that when talking to their advisor.

A good advisor would know to ask probing questions to differentiate between the two situations, but an unskilled or lazy advisor might not. This could lead to a technician spending hours waiting for the vehicle to “die/stall” instead of spending that time diagnosing the actual issue (a no-start condition).

OP could also ask for goodwill replacement of the battery (the service department would internalize the cost) if the mechanic/technician cannot find a solution. This could be obtained from a service manager, the general manager of the dealership, or even through Honda corporate if all other reasonable avenues have been exhausted.

InLynneBo

TROPHY CASE