At South Richmond CDJR, the service department feels less like a workplace and more like a family. As Service Advisor Jacob Ellington describes it, you’ll find “shop moms” and “shop dads” who look after the team and set the tone for how customers are treated. That supportive culture shows up in the details—how advisors de-escalate stressful moments, how technicians collaborate, and how everyone communicates with clarity and respect. The result is simple: customers feel genuinely welcomed, not pressured. When the team treats one another like family, it becomes second nature to extend that same care to every driver who walks in. Inside this department, relationships drive better outcomes—from faster decisions to clearer explanations—so you leave confident that your vehicle was handled by people who care.
Daily collaboration and care create a genuine, welcoming environment.
A respectful, team-first mindset leads to clearer communication and smoother visits.
The goal is to de-escalate stress and make the experience better from start to finish.
Shared responsibility and trust help expedite repairs and decisions.
“They make you feel like home… especially with how long we work together, you know, every day, it turns into a family-like situation. We got the shop mom, we got shop dad, and it is what it is.”
Jacob Ellington
Some service departments run on transactions. South Richmond CDJR runs on relationships. Inside our shop, people look out for one another—veteran techs coaching new hires, advisors checking in on the back shop, and leaders who act like “shop moms” and “shop dads.” That’s not a slogan; it’s how the team actually describes the culture: “They make you feel like home… every day, it turns into a family-like situation. We got the shop mom, we got shop dad” . When a workplace feels like family, customers feel it, too.
Automotive service is a team sport. The right diagnosis and the right repair often rely on quick huddles, open communication, and mutual respect. In our lane, advisors start by preparing for busy days and aligning on customer needs. Then we keep the temperature down—because people don’t usually visit service for fun. As one advisor puts it, the job is “to try to deescalate it and… make their time coming here… better,” even when they arrive for “unfortunate reasons” . That mindset lets the team focus on solutions instead of stress.
A family-like culture shows up in small moments that matter: greeting guests by name, explaining why a recommendation is necessary, and never pushing work that isn’t. Our advisors emphasize that we’re here to help and to keep your vehicle performing the way it should. The intent is transparent communication, not pressure. That’s why the conversation is often about priorities, safety, and timing—what needs attention now, what can wait, and how to fit service into your day without surprises. When customers feel respected and informed, trust follows. And when trust is there, service feels easier for everyone.
Support isn’t abstract here—it’s practical. Technicians share insights across bays; advisors translate technical findings into plain language; and leadership ensures that the shop has the right tools and structure. That support accelerates outcomes. Customers sometimes walk in expecting the worst, only to find “some great guys back there” who make sure the issue “wasn’t as bad as they were expecting,” and then “expedite the entire process, start to finish” . When teammates trust each other, they solve problems faster and communicate more clearly with customers.
If you’ve avoided the dealership because you expect stress or pressure, let us change that experience. Our goal is a calmer, kinder, and clearer visit—where people treat you the way we treat one another. You’ll notice it in the way we de-escalate tense moments, in our commitment to explain the “why” behind recommendations, and in the simple, human feeling of being welcomed. That’s what a family-like culture delivers: better service, better communication, and a better day for you.
No. The team’s focus is on clear, respectful communication—explaining what matters for safety and performance rather than pushing unnecessary work. Advisors aim to de-escalate stressful situations and make the visit better, not harder.
It means you’re treated with care and honesty. Internally, teammates support one another; externally, customers feel that warmth through straightforward explanations, timely updates, and a welcoming front counter experience.
Collaboration speeds up accurate diagnosis, keeps communication tight between advisors and techs, and helps the team handle surprises without drama. That’s how issues get resolved faster and with less back-and-forth.
That’s normal—and expected. Our advisors are trained to lower the temperature, listen first, and guide you through options so you feel heard and supported from the moment you check in.
Yes. We believe in transparency. We’ll walk you through what we found, why it matters, and what can wait—so you leave confident, not confused. This clarity is a core part of our culture and the customer experience described by our team.
Ready to experience a service department that treats you like family? Connect with the South Richmond CDJR team to schedule your visit or ask a question today. We’re here to help—from the first hello to the final handoff.
