Things Haven't Changed Much

[WayBackERAC]

Hello to all! I just found this site as I was doing a RAC search. I found it amusing and not surprising that such a site would pop up on the web. And I'm also not surprised at what's being said about working for ERAC. Same stuff, different day (different decade in my case).

I was a BM over 12 years ago. Back in the glory days I guess you could say. I was with one of the major groups (actually, there were only a hand full of groups at the time) and it was a time of growth and opportunity. It was not uncommon to run a branch of 150 to 200 cars (there were some branches with more). It was not uncommon to be a branch manager and make $22000/yr salary with a $35000/yr commission check (keep in mind this was huge money back then). It was not uncommon to become a BM in 18 months. It was a celebration when we hit 1 million cars on rent.

The story is the same now as it was more than a decade ago. Long days, no pay, no respect, bad management, and the same ol' tricks. I left for the same reasons all of you did. They taught us this Mission Statement of Integrity, Honesty, Values, and Customer Service, but we practiced the opposite. I too grew tired of selling the customer on the idea that the tiny rollerskate car was really a midsize, that the DW was a "great value", and "Yes, Mr. Customer, we have your res right here, we'll get your car ready" as you're staring out into a completely empty lot. It compromised my own personal core values, and for that reason, I left.

With the risk of sounding a bit PollyAnna, ERAC was actually important to my future career. Today, I'm still in customer service and still use the fundamental management and customer service skills I learned while at ERAC. However, most of my most useful experiences came from learning what the most ineffective ways were to manage people and how being a good salesperson didn't mean great customer service. I was told as a BM I was Empowered (a favorite catch phrase of upper management) to run my business as my own. So when I gave my members of my team their one hour lunch breaks I was told I wasn't using my people effectively. And when I asked for a 1 week vacation (I hadn't had one in over a year) I was asked, "If this was your own business, would you leave on vacation?". I was the branch that held cars for reservations, told customers, "I'm sorry we don't have any cars right now, I can't make a reservation for you" when we were running tight, and "gave away the farm" when a customer wasn't happy. For being empowered, I was written up 3 months in a row. I quit the beginning of the 4th month. My management self esteem was shot and my conscious was screaming at me. I was considered an ERAC failure.

But I wouldn't change it. Those are the moments that you learn what NOT to do. My versions of Integrity, Honesty, Value, and Customer Compassion, those are the positive things I took with me from a negative situation. Sometimes we learn the best things from the worst scenario.

I'm not sure why I'm writing this. This was all so long ago. I used to tell myself during those times, "Will this matter to me in 10 years." I used to think not, but I guess I was wrong. It's all how you look at it. No matter what, we're still part of the ERAC Frat. We're just on the outside looking in. We survived our deprogramming. :0)

BTW, I think it's funny that their "bonuses" or "gifts" haven't changed either. Call me strange, but I still have my crystal ashtray (1 year gift), my key chain (2 year gift, don't even know if they gave anything after that?), a couple of ERAC watches, a robe, some coasters, a magazine rack, some plaques and awards (yes, I did get awards despite my non-comforming weakness) and other misc. junk. I'm a pack rat.

Best wishes to all of you in your careers after ERAC. It's a whole new world, isn't it?!

What an intersting way to constuct a thought......she tells us there was a ton of money, opportunity, etc... Then in the very next paragraph she says she left because of no pay... I guess I just don't understand??? Also, is it still uncommon for people to run 150 - 200 car branches? Most branches in my group are this size or bigger... Also, I cn think of 4 BMs who were promoted between 18-24 months off hand, so I'm not sure what the point she was trying to make in the forst paragraph

[6figures6yearslol]

Glad to hear your comments. I agree entirely with your code of ethics and now, after leaving ERAC, I can look at myself straight in the mirror again.

Hope your post ERAC career is going well.

[playerchick]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

What an intersting way to constuct a thought......she tells us there was a ton of money, opportunity, etc... Then in the very next paragraph she says she left because of no pay... I guess I just don't understand??? Also, is it still uncommon for people to run 150 - 200 car branches? Most branches in my group are this size or bigger... Also, I cn think of 4 BMs who were promoted between 18-24 months off hand, so I'm not sure what the point she was trying to make in the forst paragraph

He(she) never said they left because of pay..as a matter of fact here is the exact quote : "For being empowered, I was written up 3 months in a row. I quit the beginning of the 4th month. My management self esteem was shot and my conscious was screaming at me. I was considered an ERAC failure."
It doesn't mention pay anywhere...

Nice writing wayback guy/gal. Its funny how some things never change for the better.They only get worse.

One million cars on rent? You are not very informed. You would need ERAC and Hertz's fleet to accomplish this.

[WayBackERAC]

Yes, I humbly bow to my misquote and mistake of saying 1 million on rent. I think I pulled that number out of nowhere. Sorry, my exaggeration.

To clear up any wonderings of why a 200 car branch was such a big deal (because, yes, I know there are many branches with that many cars or more. Also, there was NO SUCH THING as an Airport location.), when I started, our group had just been established and had only been around for less than 3 years. The first office I worked at was number 08, the newest branch of the group. We were in a metro area with millions of people, the potential for growth was astounding. So here are these new college grads that know nothing about management of people or management of a business going out and opening this whole new market. Imagine what it was like to be a brand new manager, opening a brand new branch, running 200 cars right off the bat, and being told to go after the market with full aggressivenes. It was trial by fire. No one knew what they were doing.

I'm not trying to one up anyone here. Or say that I had it worse or better than anyone else. I simply wanted to state that things haven't changed much. Remember, we no longer have to brag about our fleet, we're in the real world now, not in the Land of Oz.

[EX24VV'er]

Good to hear from you, you are no the "yoda" of this site, oh wise ex erac'er. Teach us the ways of the force.