Are You Ready for Flat Rate?????

Today's video is on if you are ready to transition from hourly/salary to a flat rate pay system
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[@Blazer02LS]

There needs to be a flat rate Rust belt addition, then it would be better for the techs. Rust can really kill your times on a job.

[@nicke2307]

Agreed!!!

[@Raylude5]

Cant upvote that comment enough

[@skonyc3164]

My opinion is flat rate is killing this profession. It's just another way for the owners to make money and fuck the worker. Also not saying that all flat rate workers cut corners but when you are put in that type of position you are going to do what ever it takes to make money aka (cutting corners).

[@MrErikw26]

SKO NYC especially with warranty and recalls

[@MrErikw26]

2014 explorer cop car, 5 of 6 exhaust manifold studs snapped in the rear head.....I had 30 hours in that POS, Ford paid me 8 for all the work I did including all the recalls I resolved

[@jakek6728]

I believe flat rate is one of the best things about this industry. There are very few jobs where you can get paid for more hours than you work. Having the ability to work harder and get paid more is awesome. Most people get paid the same regardless of how hard they work. Best thing to keep in mind with flate rate is "Take the good weeks with the bad weeks and count your money once at the end of the year". Great video once again!

[@kwd57]

I only worked flat rate in a dealer for about 30 years and had a low of zero hours and a high of 35 hours a day. If the work came in, there was almost no limit on how much I could make, but the sword cuts both ways.

[@flatratemaster]

it does

[@elmecanico4943]

No flat rate. Hourly only plus commission for upselling. Lube techs should get $17 an hour C techs $22 an hour B techs $27 an hour A master mechanics $35 an hour Regardless if shop is busy or not. During slow times, mechanics must continue training. Mechanics unions are necessary.

[@siriusjones6719]

I was hourly for the first 4 years in the field before I went to a flat rate shop. I like flat rate, it separates the men from the boys.

[@everydayfleettech2286]

I was flat rate for years and changed to hourly fleet work. I found the benefit programs at most flat rate places sucked. I was starting my family on flat rate when the recession hit. So here I was with almost no work, poor health care, almost no retirement plan and a very unsure future. I moved across the state for my current job. Hourly, fantastic health care, great retirement plans, steady work and opportunities to grow in my career. In two years I plan on being in management leading the new generations of techs and giving my aching body a break. Now don't get me wrong fleet work isn't for everyone. It all depends on your priorities, shop you work at, experience and life goals. It is a big decision to make.

[@pastorjonc324]

to the beginner techs starting on hourly budget for buying tools and storage. $25 to $50 a week should be a goal. be smart when dealing with the tool trucks and talking about credit lines. 70% of my tools are harbor freight plus storage. A $500 box for storing tools is better than a $5000 box with only a few tools. hang around the wise (not wise *** u know) techs and watch them on jobs. thats how i learned what tools are best for certain jobs. i went flat rate and did not have but half of the basic tools and struggled at first. young and single with no kids build your career young if this is what you choose. great vid FRM.

[@Drunkis1337]

I went from salary to flat rate 8 months ago.(switched jobs) The big thing for me is If I have enough work. Been slow here in NJ with this weather we've had. Last week only did 32.5 hours and this week I'm at 40.5 with two days left on the pay period. My weeks have been up and down for months. I think that is one of the hardest things about flat rate is getting the tickets to make good hours on. Especially if you are in a dealer and trying to beat warranty time. Another large thing I almost forgot is if the person decides to actually do the repairs you recommend. That can make or break a day/week. Also check bulbs. I did 1.3 hours in bulbs just today alone.

[@chrise202]

So you create problems which don't exist, so that you get paid more, and the customer gets fucked?

[@theawesomeguy9999]

@@chrise202 I literally read your comment and the original 3 times just to see if I was missing something. Where in his comment did he say he is ripping customers off?? I know not of all of us are honest but you're way off base here

[@maxseekings4522]

After 2 years of flat rate I walked out and started my own business. I can make on one transmission rnr for what took a week plus at a dealer.

[@r.a.p.k.models4160]

I'm a flat rate since July 2018 ,and I don't know how to diagnose hvac,and evap system,but I'm good in almost all other areas my pay is 17 hourly. Came from express tech 13 hourly, and I switched because I was doing like free work in the team,and decided to switch.

[@TheAutoTech]

I took a flat rate position right out of tech school. After a few months of working 50+ hrs a week and only turning 20 hrs I went somewhere else and worked hourly for about a year before attempting flat rate again. It took around 3 years in the field before i really started making money. After that it just kinda took off.

[@skonyc3164]

Good luck in flat rate around the rust belt. .5 for the job, 2.5 to remove the bolt.

[@xephael3485]

No kidding...

[@damontracyvis1017]

Your shop should be compensating for that. I know I shop in my area that charges a rust charge. In case of that type of issue.

[@eliezerramosjr1017]

Hear that but I actually found a way around things like that. Extractors galore and special tools make it very easy and faster and worst there’s my air hammer and/or heat. Works quick every time.

[@cjayjayjay2973]

This is great advice! Your doing us some world of help. Thank you

[@scottpearsontoolsmore185]

Great video thanks brother. I like the information you provided. I hope it helps someone out. Keep up the great work see you in the next video thanks again

[@blakerblaker2550]

I am a Powersports tech (motorcycle, ATV, side by side) and worked at an hourly shop for 2 years making 10 dollars an hour. The most you can make at any shop in my area hourly is 15 an hour even if you are a master tech. I now have been working at a flat rate shop for 4 years starting at 18 per FRH, and now i am in the upper 20's. The good part about flat rate is that since the company "will never lose money on you" they can pay you a higher wage per hour. My point is that even in the winter when I'm only getting around 30 hours I still take home significantly more than when I was hourly. And in the spring/summer/fall it's great.

[@miguelhormazabal7806]

God damm I love your videos man!! They’ve helped me so much I’m in top 2 Techs in a 18 tech shop because of you. Cheers!

[@flatratemaster]

awesome!

[@motomatt8339]

Good video, I switched jobs going from hourly to flat rate at the dealership, I did all the things right except one I believed what the GM and service Manager told me during the interview. They lied and said that all this work but when I started there was very little work and all the techs were suffering, and being the new guy I was the last one to get any work luckily I had a nice savings account that helped me for a few months until I switched to a different dealership

[@ifitsnotbrokenfixit1193]

Thanks for the video FRM. Spot on and very informative

[@ozzstars_cars]

Very good advice Mike. Making haste not waste and gravy jobs help too.

[@wdbland0820]

Another thing about flat rate, when other jobs are getting bonuses like during holidays, mechanics are slow. Christmas for example. Also what I had to deal with is warranty and customer favoritism. Warranty issues, when the insurance companies do not want to pay the manual time for repairs. Customer favoritism when the dealer wants to give a customer a break on costs by shorting your hours, not the cost of parts or the dealers side of the labor rate.

[@matthannah4621]

Flat rate has been good to me. I'm more concerned with my own efficiency than as an hourly tech. I used to hate being hourly, I was always worried about others showing up late, being lazy, taking 30 minute shit breaks every 2 hours... now I don't care about that. Everyone in the shop is flat rate. Hourly has a tendency to breed a lazy tech if not under good management. I'm much happier on flat rate.

[@HowtoAutomotive]

This is a very helpful video for you young tech out there. Like Michael said track your numbers and make the best decision for you.

[@ramtrucks721]

How to Automotive Hey, i know you!... Why did you get your daughter a Ford?.. She should be driving a big Dodge RAM! lol

[@TJD293]

I make very good money flat rate in the rust belt!! I’m a dealer tech. Was Chrysler level 3 for 4 Years now Honda master tech for 5 Years. It’s not easy but pays off if your dedicated and have some talent. Hard work is key. You must want this and get the proper tools. I’ve spent a lot of money over the years on quality tools but the past 3 Years I’ve averaged 77k$ a year. That’s good money in the small community I live in. If I were in a city I’d be in the $100k range.

[@robrob7140]

My first flate rate bi-weekly paycheck as a detailer at a dealership was 156hrs, i probably worked about 85-90hrs so i felt confident that was good! lol

[@martinschaffmeir7729]

Great post sir, yeah I get the same amount every week, some days, most days I wish I could make more

[@tracydiller4492]

Totally agree BlazerO2LS living here in Michigan or any rust belt state should have a flat rate time. And as usual keep them videos coming FRM GREAT information.

[@robertramirez908]

Also take into consideration how busy the shop is, is there enough work flow to go around. If at a dealer warranty pay horrible. ie.. Honda paying techs a little over seven hours to re ring a four banger

[@Krinkles-Security]

One other thing to consider is hourly pay vs. FRH pay. I started out at $11 an hour hourly at my current shop. They offered me $14 per FRH as a C tech after a 90 day period. Now I have 6 ASE certifications and a few years of experience. If I went to a better paying shop I could only be 75% efficient and still be making more on flat rate than I did hourly.

[@paulbentley9026]

I worked at a place once which paid you hourly but any work turned out over 30 hours you got an extra £5 an hour so worked for the employer and employee also worked well for the customers as no corners where cut. Back on just hourly now and to be honest prefer it.

[@honda_doc6826]

Great info as always.

[@Itsdazeni]

Or even tools sometime like doing a water pump on a Chevy Aveo you need a special wrench to turn the water pump to remove and install. Going into the job not knowing can kill major time too.(again just my experience and @ a indp. Shop)

[@aaronmaendel9730]

I’m a hourly lube tech and I find that most of what I do is well under book time . Most recently I did vvt’s in my 09 f150 and oil change in 3 hours book time is 4.7 just for vvt’s

[@altonbarbee8864]

My shop is changing us to flat rate starting tomorrow 8/31/19, I guess we will see how it goes or if I stay.

[@jeffmaggard3694]

Been doing it for over 15yrs, still not ready lol.

[@nickhouze8849]

I feel like flat rate can be great for people (I've always done boats or heavy duty,never done it) but it can be bad. I'm hourly and finish alot before time. I feel like a productivity bonus on top of hourly is great

[@jamesu]

Thanks Michael.

[@Rthur450R]

I would like to see some videos of you doing a not so common job the right way and beat the time including diag 😊.

[@mototebbs209]

I’m 21. One year of hourly under my belt. Just went flat rate after returning from covid lay-off. In this dead climate, I pulled 66 hours this week. Most of it bullshit warranty work but that’s good because it’s work. I mean I’m not complaining for an educationless career, at 21 a potential 60-70 thousand dollar job ( before Uncle Sam ) isn’t bad imo

[@catmechanic_Sam]

I've been in all aspects of the diesel pay scale. I started at a fleet shop where I made 12 an hour rebuilding engines working 80 hours a week. Then I went to an hourly kenworth dealer who payed me 18 an hour making 40 hours a week. Lost my ass there. Moved to a flat rate peterbilt dealer where I get 28 per flag hour. After 5 years here, I have noticed that the only time I make a good check is when I'm stationed and get paid hourly. It has been a very hard road being a flat rate mobile tech. Long hours, lots of windshield time (almost all unpaid), ridiculous tool bills (have to own literally every specialty tool since you're working in the middle of nowhere ), and at the end of the week, I've worked 100 plus hours to make 40. I've tried to defend it, but now I'm burned out and looking to get into an hourly heavy equipment shop. It's gets old seeing my checks are the same now as they were 15 years ago when I started.

[@MrErikw26]

Sam amen, 15 years of getting raped by flat-rate and scumbag managers, I'm working on getting into Caterpillar as we speak, waiting for the interview time

[@tonyptroz2]

Keep your head up and keep pushing brother

[@catmechanic_Sam]

anthony trozzi thanks dude, I'm trying, but it's not easy when you give 200% at work and make less than the kids just out of school.

[@tonyptroz2]

These are the cards we’ve been dealt believe me I wish I could be doing something else just need to roll with the punches and keep it moving. It sucks when we physically need to earn out dollar but just know there are other people out there just like you earning that buck that appreciate you. Like I said brother just keep your head up

[@blazebox71]

I dont know about where you live but most heavy equipment shops down here in texas pay hourly i make really good money and i dont have anywhere close to 15 years experience but its places like caterpillar, and machinery companies or hell even rental companies pay good money for mechanics hourly just dont go to a big truck dealership

[@chrischiampo7647]

Also Service Info and Shop Equipment Plays a Big Role in Flat Rate Time if The Shop is Lacking Service Info on the the Job it can Kill Your Flat Rate Time 😎🙁😐

[@THX-bh7dn]

Chris Chiampo been there done that!

[@genawilcox9039]

Flat rate is only good for small jobs but if you have a big job it's not worth it . Flat rate is best for master tech who could do it all kinda of work.

[@donaldpainter628]

I always time myself and even if I beat the time by alot I still think if I can do something different to get better

[@jackmendez8579]

The foreman at one of my first shops told me dont worry about flat rate you're not going to beat time for a while. Just do it right.

[@flatratemaster]

good advice!

[@gordonfreeman5434]

Are you accounting for the rusted out and seized fasteners?

[@NoPrepFans]

I’m getting out of the Army and I’m looking at a few jobs that pay flat rate with 90 days Hr pay before going to flat rate all the jobs are in auto body shop just trying to get a idea of how it’s going to work out for me I feel that once I get in there and get going I’ll be good when I was in class I was pretty good staying with in 30 to 45 min below the hrs for the job any input would be nice thanks

[@isorozco511]

Flat rate was good but warranty work started killing the hours. Thats why i quit, too much warranty, writers always “helping” customers at my expense, weeks started going down. My dream job was ruined thanks to warranty.

[@mattnosal2727]

Bingo

[@johngibson3594]

Great advice

[@shuaisong2422]

Hi Mate can you make a video talk about hot tips when you doing electrical diagnosis? And the tools u use? I think there’s many other people want to know that too. Plenty thanks

[@flatratemaster]

sure will!

[@daquanbrown7886]

The one thing that i don't think you said was the boss always trying to pull you off your jobs to help the other guys and you don't get paid for that when your the lead tech.

[@MrErikw26]

Daquan brown my old boss used to give me 5 hours a week for that, I was teaching 2 kids and fixing all the fuckstories that came in.

[@quinnsteeves295]

I just got hired at a dealer and was told I would be hourly. After two weeks the service manager quit and I was thrown to flat Rate. Lets see how this goes.

[@dillonv4298]

So it's strictly commission with no backup. I'm on commission as well but the shop I'm at also offers subsidy for the lower productive techs or the ones who can't "break".

[@flatratemaster]

Full flat rate is full commission, no base, Some shop do have a minimum that they provide on bad weeks.

[@curtisgyorfi5462]

When I started at my new job boss wanted to do flat but I said let go hour and recheck in 6 months to a year and well at the one year make I asked about flat rate and out right said no he will have to pay to much haha but hourly with bonus works good for me 👍

[@Itsdazeni]

Great topic and points.I'm at an independent shop rn, on hourly. But a bigg time killer is parts always waiting on parts or getting wrong parts. Sometimes waiting 2 days for parts and can't finish the job but again this is an independent shop not a dealer

[@MrErikw26]

Davion Martinez check the car out, order the parts, park the vehicle and get the next one in, do the same thing, keep doing it until parts start showing up

[@Itsdazeni]

MrErikw26 can't always work out that way. Sometimes it's the only car we will have or they. Are waiting for it. And there's time I'll take a car apart and I'll push it out of the bay and do the next so it's different but at my shop most time killed is wrong parts or trying to get a part

[@Itsdazeni]

MrErikw26 like last Friday I had 3 cars apart one was a cat. Conv. One was the radiator, and the other was a tune up had all of them apart and still had to wait on parts

[@MrErikw26]

Davion Martinez believe me I get it, you rip the car apart, wait 3 hours, parts are wrong/defective, go home with zero pay. Flat-rape is a scam

[@Itsdazeni]

MrErikw26 I know some shops do a guarantee and pay you 35 hrs wether you flag 35 or not if it's slow

[@wongscp1701]

Flatrate is Great! But how do you deal with the gravy techs who dodge diag? Or the guys that ask for more time because they are incompetent and then get paid more hrs than a smart tech for the same problem who figures it out in the standard 1hr?

[@B.E.Long.63]

Where i live the rust will sometimes kill ya..Flat rate does lean to the owners and corporate side of things..Peace, God Bless America... Informative though...

[@nutz4gunz457]

If I lived in Arizona then I might consider. Here in Chicago, no way!

[@2tone492]

Whats Your opinion on being flat rate as a lube tech/express technician at dealer, is it worth it or is hourly better ? Im currently a lube tech hourly at a small shop but moving to a dealer but its flat rate would this be a smart decision? Considering how much how a ticket is worth for basic maintenance and ect.

[@ericgunter45]

Plus make sure the place you are going to go flat rate actually pays you book time. And not the dicounted billed hours the front counter charges the customer.

[@MrErikw26]

Eric Gunter you mean like every chain shop ever? LOL. ".8 covers the brake pad replacement AND machine the rotors" ummmm NOPE

[@JMKady76]

If you're not doing your own estimates as a flat rate tech, you're getting screwed.

[@MrErikw26]

Justin Kady some places dont allow you to

[@jimbike8064]

How about changing the flat rate where front brake pads and rotors arent $400-$500?

[@XXGunzNClipzXx]

I just hope I can get 40hrs every week so it can feel like my hourly but I'm sure I'll get more

[@MrErikw26]

Yeah, big cut. And then the manager decides to scumbag you with oil changes and flat tires all day. Flat rate needs to go, it gives the boss and writer the ability to dictate your income, I've had several writers over the years not sell my recommendations, because their buddy that's another technician, wasnt making any money that day, week, month. There's no way they should be able to keep you in the shop 60 hours, and only pay you 35

[@Olhighclass]

Sadly some jobs wont allow a hourly person to do tech work duch as a water pump etc only oil changes and tire jobs i based my Efficienty based off those small jobs

[@MrErikw26]

"They dont have the time to learn" Learning is a constant in this industry, getting your ass kicked by even basic problems is guaranteed as a rookie, and even sometimes as a senior technician, that alone makes the case for abolition or at least some updates to the pay system

[@Blazer02LS]

So very true, and with all of the tech that will be on the roads soon it is only going to get worse.

[@THX-bh7dn]

MrErikw26 training? What's that?

[@DOYLECLEVERLOBE1]

Some people, even if they have the skills, just don't like pushing themselves.

[@TheSnapOnToolReview]

I don’t know any different. I’ve been flat rate since I finished my apprenticeship.

[@wdbland0820]

Must be nice to have a choice about going flat rate.

[@montestu5502]

If a shop requests you to switch from hourly to flat rate, my guess is that it wouldn’t be to your benefit at all.

[@JMKady76]

The only time I've seen it happen was to people who were dead weight on an hourly pay scale (Getting significantly more than the business was making) and their manager or shop owner was too chicken shit to just fire 'em. If you're efficient and billing a bunch of hours, they usually fight a tech going from hourly to flat rate.

[@alexanderavila563]

That makes me wonder. Because I was hourly. And 3 tech's quit or got fired within a month. And they gave me a raise and switched me to hourly. My paychecks are now almost double of what I made on hourly.

[@joshbarth9469]

Remember too, that a lot of places are going to away from flat rate, and to a base pay with bonus system. Only like 40% of shops still pay flate rate.

[@johnclintonmusicandmore]

good video

[@jkguitarfreak95]

Honestly, i am not a huge fan of the flat rate system. I made money with it back when i was a flat rate tech, but the guys i worked with were hacks to get to the next dollar. the current shop i am at pays on a salary + commission pay scale and it honestly promotes a lot less hacks. This might be just the shops i have worked at being that i am only 23, but i have heard the same from a lot of people in my area.

[@WatchWesWork]

Are most flat rate mechanics considered employees or independent contractors? I've never worked in a flat rate environment. All the truck and equipment shops in my area are hourly.

[@JMKady76]

Employees, at least everywhere I've been flat rate.

[@flatratemaster]

employees, if they want to hire you as an contractor run the hell away!

[@williamhorvat8224]

Flat Rate Master , What is a flat rate of 1 hour in terms of pay ? $15... 20.... 30...? Great Video. 👍 I'm thinking about Toyota tech school... then work Lexus dealer.

[@christopherkassner8894]

Car count is very important . Another thing is watch out for political crap. A good and fair service manager is key. A biased service writer is hard to deal with. The one that hires his best buddy to work in the next bay will hurt your wallet. And maybe you back at the same time. We’ve been through several of those A-holes.

[@chrischiampo7647]

Christopher Kassner Agree Completely 😎 Very Valid Point

[@MrErikw26]

All the more reason to abolish flat-rate. Scumbag managers and writers have cost me thousands of dollars over the years, I want that power taken away from them

[@smitty2jones]

We get around that by having tech teams. There's 4 or 5 techs on a team and they all split it. Different hourly rates and different percentages for our different levels of techs, but it helps prevent service writers from just giving gravy to their favorite techs.

[@haldooley4940]

Before going on flat rate every one was watched like a hawk

[@eric-tr7gf]

most new techs dont have the tools needed to be efficient enough for FR

[@dylankinch2735]

What about flat rate is the rust belt. Shouldnt there be a difference. I know here in ny a job that takes 2 hours in florida or where ever can take 3 or 4 hours here. Do they account for where your at. If not then thats really sux

[@Blazer02LS]

In most places book time is book time, doesn't matter that you have to torch out the bolts because of rust.

[@MrErikw26]

Blazer02LS this^

[@craigtomczyk3452]

You have to kind of predict issues your going to have or see them coming depending on what you have to do. If you are going to be removing rusty components you should make sure you estimate the extra time you are going to need to do the job without braking things. If management can't understand that and refuses to cooperate with you then it's time for a new shop.

[@MrErikw26]

Craig Tomczyk or of the car is so butchered, that it should've been scrapped 50k ago lol.

[@Blazer02LS]

The problem is that flat rate doesn't allow much leeway in that. The service writer just looks at the list and adds up the times listed per job. If you run into rust or similar you don't get extra and they don't care.

[@billbeckett1021]

Do you change your hourly dollar rate when you go flat rate? In collision repair the flat rate dollar per hour amount is different.

[@automedic9781]

bill beckett Typically all the shops I’ve worked at have had a 5 dollar an hour difference between hourly and flat rate but every shop is different

[@MrErikw26]

The dealership I work for has a $6 differential between hourly and flat-rate as a low level technician. $12 for an hourly lubie $18 for a C tech.

[@r.a.p.k.models4160]

TheMillennialMechanic me to switch from 13.50 express tech to flat 17

[@mattmenendez721]

I have a question. What gets you fired/reprimanded on flat rate? What are the requirements to get fired?

[@vintagebikewurx3730]

Matt Menendez To many comebacks or major component failure due to technician negligence. Safety related slip ups. Same for hourly.

[@flatratemaster]

what lance said, or being late too often etc

[@localfreight4222]

I please need and advise from u I work on diesel trucks hr pay 40 guarantee, recently I applied on CarMax ( I don’t even wan the job ) I go to the interview and guess got the job they ara paying me 1$ more than what I make now but they offer me flat rate with the same benefits and everything what would u recommend me

[@flatratemaster]

Carmax is a good company to work for but very corporate, plenty of money to make repairing HD

[@localfreight4222]

Flat Rate Master what do u mean by repairing HD

[@NewLevelAuto]

Nope

[@skonyc3164]

What's up keith... let him work on flat rate over here. See what he thinks about it then..😂😂😂

[@epicragegaming2016]

the real question is, is your shop ready for flat rate workers lol.

[@mikethemobilemechanic2683]

What’s the ideal flat rate % for employee?

[@flatratemaster]

the most you can get ;)

[@johngibson3594]

How do you deal with multiple interruptions??? ie I am not paid for that

[@flatratemaster]

you mean most of my days;) from the other techs. Some times you just have to be direct, and say I am not getting paid for it get the lubby to do it;)

[@UNEEK_LOGIK]

Only made 1.7 hrs today... f**k yea flat rate!!..

[@sanchocloset5987]

Why work for someone else if your over 100% efficiency? Wouldn't it be better to open your own shop and keep more money?

[@BigBennettTV]

Its not really are you ready to go flat rate, its when your licensed you have to become flat rate and if you can't make flat rate you go somewhere that doesn't have flat rate.

[@Makinen420]

Flat rate can lead some tech to press hard on their pen by billing more hours then needed...unfortunatly yes these mechanics still exist. They taste the money with 50-60+ hours and they want more. Sad but true ! But yes you can make good money, honest money, on flat rate. Cheers

[@dgross361]

started flat 2day may 1 18

[@joehyundaitech7961]

NO. im to old and move way to slow for flate rate . so I would never make any money.

[@Luke-id1cp]

Flat rate is not good if you have a family to take care of. If you're not the service writers buddy you will get the jobs with the least potential in efficiency. If you let the management know you can do the difficult work you get stuck with difficult work while others get to turn hours on front ends and brakes.

[@justinballard7242]

Flat rate makes people cut corners

[@Luke-id1cp]

The industry is broken. America needs to pass legislation on a mandatory certification to repair vehicles or even an apprenticeship would work well. It would weed out the hacks, drive the wages up, and promote a better public image of technicians.

[@fuckjewtube69]

We have that in Canada and it doesn't do shit. You need 5 year experience to get a license. 90% of idiots who shouldn't even be touching cars get their license working at a tire shop doing tires, balljoints, and brakes all day. They can't do fuck all and they're slow.

[@a_roddmv2314]

But it’s not a bad idea if the new Tech out of tech school already has experience. They just went to tech school for the certification

[@Krinkles-Security]

Tech school is not a substitution for real world experience. I know HOW to do lots of jobs, but since i haven't DONE them I'd struggle on flat rate. Repetition is how you get more efficient

[@Blazer02LS]

Unless they went to a crappy school just for the paperwork. I've seen more than a few folks that are ASE certified from a school that haven't a clue how to actually do the hands on work because the school was teaching 90's technology.

[@Krinkles-Security]

Blazer02LS you only get to do jobs once in school to get exposure and learn how the system works. You can't expect someone to kill it on flat rate after an 8 week class doing each job only once with instructor help

[@Blazer02LS]

That isn't the issue, what is would be things like going through the school and not knowing the basics of what tools to use or not being able to even use the basic tools like a test light or meter. I have been around folks who came out of state run schools that could barely manage to do a good complete oil change and service check!

[@Krinkles-Security]

Blazer02LS I'm only taking about beating flat rate. Not the ability to do the job. I doubt anyone could beat flat rate if they've only done a job once and just got out of tech school. Doing the job, yeah. Doing it efficiently the first time and beating flat rate? Doubtful

[@markd6637]

You should absolutely not go flat rate right out of tech school you need at least two or three years experience and in my opinion you must be able to do a timing belt by yourself and understand how to check resistance in wiring before going flat rate there are four texts in my shop that should not be flat rate they have no idea what they're doing and it only takes the good work away from us

[@thatmechanicguy8773]

Nope. Lmao!

[@ridds777]

If the shop puts a guaranty in place of 40 hours a week... Sure

[@joshbarth9469]

Flat rate is such an ugly system. I'm genuinely curious though, are there any other industries that pay employees this way? I have friends that are plumbers, electricians, carpenters, welders, etc., and they all seem to get hourly paid a righteous hourly wage. Which seems weird because being a tech is AT LEAST as involved as any of their jobs.

[@darrenogorman121]

Roger that!

[@jakek6728]

For all the people talking about rust, CHARGE THE CUSTOMER simple as that.

[@THX-bh7dn]

The devil is in the details, I can beat book times but I need a shop that is well equipped and organized as well as decent work assignments and an intelligent well informed service desk that will among other things adjust my flag hours for mission creep ie broken, missing, damaged components heavy rust etc. without that all bets are off. O. F. F. OFF. Call me a hot house flower, go right ahead.

[@flatratemaster]

true!

[@darrenogorman121]

Very funny

[@350munrohome]

In a civilised country where mechanics have formalised qualifications no one would work flat rate unless they were absolutely desperate or an illegal immigrant.

[@fearless6175]

350munro Really?? Hope you're joking. Cause flat rate would be about as American as apple pie. The harder you work the more you are capable of making. In the right market your hard work could up to double or more an hourly pay checks possibilities if your efficient. Also worth noting you are actually commenting on a video you watched of someone called "Flat Rate Master". Just saying. Well I will leave those 2 cents there on the table and slowly walk away.

[@MrErikw26]

Spooky Hillbilly LOL that's laughable. It allows the management and writer to fuck the employee at will, it's been done to me countless times over the years, cars evolve, the pay system should too. And the bullshit these bosses push about hourly pay not giving employees incentive to work is just that: bullshit. They still have your job over your head, 100% efficiency or GTFO. Or perhaps an hourly + commission system to award those high achievers, Strauss had that system, was far easier to make a living, and you weren't screwed completely on a bad week

[@fearless6175]

MrErikw26 good and valid points. First off. Sorry for your terrible experiences. I by no means am trying to dis credit what you have experienced. But it appears from your response I should have elaborated more on the "right market". I was mentioning above. Should have included that it also would depend on your shop/team/management/writers/individual effeciency Yes you are correct. All the stars would have to allign but when or if it does you can make some good money. And totally not all to the extreme as the first comment was about it.

[@MrErikw26]

Spooky Hillbilly I've been in this 15 years, I've yet to make a living wage, 50k in tools, plus training and continuing education etc. I was the foreman at my last job, making $6 per flag hour LESS than the "master technician" while I was doing his job, then when gravy came in, I was the last, or just didnt get any at all. And that's the story of my life for the most part, shop to shop, same story over and over. Flat-rape should be illegal. I'm going into the heavy equipment/fleet side now, hourly, union, pension etc. Waiting for stars to align isnt a long term plan, and you can only "shop hop" so much

[@MrErikw26]

Spooky Hillbilly and no need to apologize, it's not your fault

[@jasonsanchez3441]

I'm sorry but sometimes these jobs don't pay enough. no matter how many Times you do it you cannot beat book time.

[@madmechanic7976]

I hate flat rate