When Diane Larson started working as an auto service center manager 25 years ago in Peabody, Mass., it was "outrageously stressful," she said.
Clients would line up outside the door each morning, wanting to get their cars serviced and always in a rush.
Service technicians clamored for the parts they needed to make repairs. Larson had to figure out how to get the parts from suppliers quickly.
The Internet has helped reduce some of the pressure by providing a place where clients can schedule appointments and check on repairs and where she can expedite and track orders for parts.
Still, auto repair is a very competitive business. It's easy to lose a customer to the garage down the street.
Generally speaking, managers like Larson tend to get paid well for all the madness. The median salary for auto service managers is around $60,000.
