 The True ERAC & Group 42
I can't believe I'm wasting a Monday night on ERAC but here we go... It all started when they recruited me out of college. I was told I controled my own income and in 5 years I would have worked my way up to an Area Manager and from there in no time I'm a millonare. So they sucked me in and there I was a hungry MT ready to go. So I bought into the system of CDW, PAI, SLP, selling cars, getting corporate accounts, recruiting new employees, ESQI and renting cars. (Good thing I didn't have a family.) I was living the dream and bleeding green. I lead the group in sales my first month and was told I was on the "fast" track to the top. I pushed on and completed my MT requirements in just a few months. So I at my 8 month point I was able to go for my MQI and Sales Grill. Here I was 22 and about to become a MA and onto a BM not far after$$$. I scored well on all my test and became a MA and a few weeks later I was an assistant manager. At this point was when I started to really realize some of the lies with ERAC. My check was still about the same because as an MT and MA your hourly and from then on you are salary plus commision. I guess it was our fault when that weekend special customer left the car in the parking lot with the hood smashed in and no wheels. Anyways a few months later I was talked into becoming a BM at a 60 car branch that was an hour and 20 minutes from my house. The big boss came to me and told me it was in my best interest so I had to do it. I went there and my second month I had things going in the right direction. The branch went from a 60 ESQI to 71 and we came into season and the fleet jumped 20 vecs not to metion triple digit OP etc... So out of all theses great numbers I was ready for my first BM commision check. So I cleared about 400$. What happen to me making at least 40K as a BM, at least that is what the recruiter told me. So time comes for the employee survey, we get the results and pay is at the bottom of the chart along with many other items in Group 42. So the change they make is giving part-time help time off. While at the survey review an HR rep says "give us some pay ideas so we can make changes." We gave about 50, none of which will ever see the light of day. So from that branch I went to two others before I had enough of the BS. It all really became clear during the 3 hurricanes that hit Florida. Group 42 was right in the middle of all of them, so we were expected to be in 7 days a week and be on call 24hrs a day. So we busted our ass for a month or so. Crazy hours stocking State Farm and local power companies. After the second one I was at my branch when the all mighty big boss showed up. Here I am with power back for the first day my fleet has doubled from the storm and in comes king prick. We figured he was here to say thanks for all your hard work during the storm but instead he called straight for the sales book. Now remember at this time I was running a 100 car branch with myself and a full time car prep. He flips through the book and ask me were I saw myself going with the company. So instead of taking the opportunity to boost the troops he came by and pretty much kicked me in the mouth. The whole problem with ERAC is they always want more more more but they don't want to give more. They think by maxing you out at 6 or 7% you are getting all you deserve to be worked to death. I saw so many great leaders come and go at ERAC. One employee was tops in Net Profit nearly every month and he was scooped up by another company. ERAC is like a factory, If you quit or want to leave it's no problem because they will make another employee right behind you to do your job. This works if you are replacing quality with quality, but if not it will slowly catch up and bit you in the ass. At my final branch I was running 180 cars and I finally broke 40K. I had myself, an MT and car prep. Over worked well under paid and not appreciated for @#%$. I recently spoke to a buddy of mine who is still with the company and he said a Area Manager was saying I was the reaseon the ESQI was down at my old branch that I left nearly 5 months ago. Hey I guess if that's what it takes then keep holding the City Managers pecker while he pee's and one day you may make it. Bottom line, if you are ever thinking of working in Group 42 or for ERAC period, don't expect too much. Believe 1/4 of what your promised and expect 1/10 of the pay you are predicted. The only thing the head of Group 42 cares about is the Car Sales Dept and seeing his wallet grow. The previous head there cared about his people and was willing to throw extra incentives to help his employees. You have to call your employees hands and pay them a little more than they can make anywhere else so they know in the back of there head they better perform because they can't get what they are making here anywhere else. ERAC theory is a horse may come along and really blaze a trail but a turtle is cheaper and is willing to just following a cut out path. It is scarey to think were Group 42 would be today if they would have kept the horses. A great friend of mine was a BM over one of the biggest branches around and a bodyshop deal went bad for him and he was racked through the coals for it. Not to mention it was a deal to one of the owners. You know the typical 15.99 BS rate for a large SUV. The deal that if you said no too the owner would call your Area or City Manager and get your ass rolled for it. I know jobs have there ups and downs and no job is perfect but if you want spend everyday unappreciated and under paid then ERAC is for you. But take my advice don't waste your time on the dream because that's all it is.  | 
2005-02-21 
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