Auto repair shop prepares for the worst as nationwide shortage of automotive technicians continues

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

*They are now so desperate for Technicians they have began offering ... **_"Minimum Wage."_*

[@rodvan-zeller6360]

LOL and bad working conditions

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

@@rodvan-zeller6360 LOL and workplace abuse....

[@rodvan-zeller6360]

@@Imnotyourdoormat Abuse? You are downplaying it, more like emotional torture and trauma

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

@@rodvan-zeller6360 Agreed...

[@rodsbbq740]

Your right they still don't want to pay a good wage because it takes away from their profit !

[@GripFreak]

There's not a shortage of techs. There's a shortage of pay with an overabundance of greedy shop owners. That's the reality!

[@StrongerThanBigfoot]

Amen

[@Roaddawg68]

Your 100 percent correct!

[@yhird]

It is NEVER a shortage of workers. It is almost always a shortage of workers willing to work under existing pay scales, benefits, and conditions.

[@seriouscarguys702]

Spot on ✅✅

[@bone3594]

Exactly

[@webguy943]

Need to start a union

[@seriouscarguys702]

@@webguy943 every union worker owns a home every union worker has financing for cars boats RVs, 401(k) lifetime retirement benefits, 70% of people in the workforce today who are not in the union do not own a home

[@seriouscarguys702]

@@webguy943 the only person who would ever have a problem with the union is the head of the company who wanted to keep all that money for themselves companies are making record-breaking profits. CEOs aren’t making one or $2 million a year. They’re making 15 and 25 million a year and people can’t pay rent with anything left over let alone buy a home 🚫🚫🚫🤬🤷🏽‍♂️🇺🇸 In the Tech in medical sectors, construction and trucking, you still have a high percentage of people who own homes for every other sector in America that’s nonunion 70% of those people are renting.

[@Aaron-or6ov]

Former auto tech of 25 years and I left the industry. Best advice to the younger generation is, DO NOT GET INTO THIS INDUSTRY! these owners do not care about you or your pay or anything but their own pockets. Do something better with your life.

[@AldoVasquez-py4ht]

Yup. I got into event industry as an AV and lighting tech and I only need a small case of tools as opposed to $10,000 I invested in automotive tools and I’m already making so much more than I ever did as an automotive tech.

[@JDGS.Sharpy]

I’m currently in a training school to become a certified auto technician. But I’ll take your advice I’d rather graduate and then join the coast guard with this skill.

[@8alakai8]

its not only in the usa in eu its the same only we dont have to buy are won tools the shop buys them

[@iulianc9037]

​@@8alakai8 Not just tools. You have access to free training and all the necessary software is provided.

[@davidturczak7253]

@@JDGS.Sharpyopening up mobile service would be a good bet . Especially with simple maintenance services. These older people don’t like to leave the house unless they have too .

[@shartpampers]

There's not a tech shortage, there's a pay shortage and has been for decades

[@halffast7799]

That's every working class job bud.

[@kaywrench]

Overworked and underpaid.

[@ineedapharmists]

Not to mention we got to buy our own tools

[@Roaddawg68]

You got that right !

[@halffast7799]

Just like every other blue collar job.

[@ryanmedows6072]

The pay for mechanics is trash. And now cars today are coming with all this extra bs or complex repairs. Nobody wants to deal with that.

[@hankbizzle5282]

Poor engineering design on new cars is my biggest hatred. Some cars nowadays you have to remove half the front end just to do an oil change.

[@timothyhandl2223]

Extra b.s. is right.

[@leovargas7045]

@@hankbizzle5282😂😂

[@shaneboyington713]

I have absolutely no sympathy for this problem. It is completely self inflicted by the industry itself.

[@philliphall5198]

I agree

[@michaelwright1602]

My local McDonalds pays better than the local dealership... I wonder what the issue could be?

[@GL0697]

Shop labor rates are not high enough to pay techs, labor hours are not billed correctly on invoices. etc etc etc,

[@MrJ183]

​@GL0697 they are defiantly high enough.. the average dealership is $150 an hour lowest and upward in the 200s for the higher rates. Keep in mind every part they sell to the customer is marked up even if they are oem.

[@GL0697]

@@MrJ183 The shop labor rates are not high enough to pay technician sustainable wages. As a shop owner who's shop rate is $225 in CA worked at a Honda and BMW dealership and various independents. Your example $150 if you have and tech paying $40-$50 per hour plus medical and dental that leaves $100 per hour to pay the overhead, brick and mortar, workers comp ins, garage keepers liability ins, business license fees, state fees & taxes, shop tools and equipment, training and resource information inc work orders and such, Oh and guess what YOU HAVEN'T GOT PAID YET! As of me writing this, nationwide there should not be a shop charging less than $200 per hour. A lot of shops in operation are not legalized shops which does not help to raise shop rates effectively.

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

NADA. this is the issue imo

[@automech01]

@@GL0697 Then leave California that’s the problem and not what you charge

[@jackrabbit4383]

No shortage just technicians not willing to work for minimal wages ,litte or no health care. 112+% in a sweat shop in summer little heat in winter.we had to fire up the paint shop bake oven every morning cause cheap shop owners tuning the heat down every nite Paint and other components need hours and days to cure...in proper temperatures.

[@automech01]

Try working in Arizona 114+ in summer and no heat in the winter no fun

[@myboy051]

I’m happy for the shortage. I’m a tech of 21 years. This will help the current techs get the pay and appreciation we deserve. I have well 60k invested in tools scanners and oscilloscopes.

[@Fishseaofcortez]

Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. The auto repair business is full of broken promises. In 2003, a Ford rep told us we would be making 100k in the next few years. It never happened. Instead, my earnings dropped 20k in two years. I had to work harder just to get half of my loss back. If I had stayed, I would still be working harder, continuing to see my earnings decrease. If this shortage results in better pay and working conditions for you and other techs, then I'm happy for you. You guys deserve it. I did it for 32 years and know it all too well. Good luck to you.

[@gainerman]

That's what I said 10 years ago. The market did not correct itself. Now I do structural inspections making double what I did as a 20 year honda dealership tech .and yea baby no weekends !

[@automech01]

@@Fishseaofcortez I’ve been doing this for 46 years and it’s always been the same the mechanic is the last one to get the crumbs

[@Fishseaofcortez]

@automech01 One of the most insulting things I've ever witnessed was seeing just about everyone in the dealer receiving some kind of bonus at Christmas time. But none of us techs received anything. The most galling part was that the money came from Ford Motor Co. I guess they thought we had already gotten enough of their money. Shit definitely runs downhill.

[@jackdaniels2657]

If u didn't spend so much on tools you would be much richer. Imagine if u only spent 10 grand instead of 60 u would have 50k extra

[@BOMBON187]

On top of low pay, you mean people have buy their own tools instead of the company providing them? That's like driving for UPS and you have to pay for the gas to deliver the packages.

[@jasonkoplen2554]

For mechanics it’s more like having to buy the truck to deliver the packages for 10% of the profit

[@MrJ183]

​@@jasonkoplen2554owner operator mechanics 😂

[@Hdhfhhdh]

That’s literally how it works with Door dash , Uber eats

[@gainerman]

And pay for repairs on the truck . Is they still have the nerve to try that .

[@turboimport95]

@@gainerman dont forget you have to buy gas and pay for maintaince for said truck purchase..

[@Number704]

I love cars. I have full certs and BMW training. I make MORE as a school teacher. If the industry will stop STEALING from techs and customers I'll go back. Otherwise go broke.

[@Serpent32776]

Me too! Left my job as an ASE master tech in a GM dealership to teach automotive Technology at a local high school. 4 years in and I’m making over $20k a year more with fewer headaches and better benefits.

[@JakeSanMartin]

@@Serpent32776I’m also teaching at a high school. What’s an appropriate response when a skilled student says they want to pursue this trade?

[@Serpent32776]

@@JakeSanMartin If their heart is set on it, let them run with it. If not, maybe they should look into other things.

[@22mpb]

That wild. I’m a tech and I make almost triple of what my wife makes. She was a teacher but now is the principal. Maybe it depends on what state you live in?

[@smokeskull]

Shops bully their employees and throw them under the bus at every opportunity.

[@halffast7799]

And they still haven't learned.

[@jamesmichael7311]

The sale of the repair is rewarded more than the actual repair.

[@Herefornow-571]

100% true statement.

[@biometal770]

After being a certified mechanic for many years, I realized that I have an engineer-level knowledge, but I was getting fast-food pay. So I quit and went to college to become an engineer. I shouldn't have needed to do that.

[@niyablake]

Then they say but no one wants to work. Or they tell kids don't waste your time going to college learn a trade

[@turbodog99]

That’s what everyone with a tiny bit of knowledge thinks. Let me know if you still agree with your statement after you’ve gotten your masters degree in mechanical engineering.

[@biometal770]

@@turbodog99 I have now worked as an engineer and with other engineers for the past 10 years. I also now have a master's degree (albeit in a life science, not engineering). I still stand by my statement. Until you really understand the nuances and intricacies of accurately diagnosing and repairing of modern automobiles (e.g. having done the job for many years), you really can't comment on what level of knowledge and ability is required.

[@evanhandelong7685]

​@@turbodog99you engineers can't even design something to be serviced easy!

[@RossGoneRogue]

@@biometal770 great success story man. I hope you're doing well

[@jasonkoplen2554]

This is the direct result of all the wage fixing and gate keeping that’s been happening in all trades the past 2-3 decades . Wages for labor froze 20 yrs ago while the door rates of shops, and cost of licensed contractors have went up over 50%. Anyone who’s smart enough to work a skilled trade, is smart enough to do simple math. Who’s going to invest in tools, work in hazardous conditions, and risk personal injury for $30k-$50k a yr when other low risk jobs pay that much and more with vacation and benefits? Good luck when the last of the boomers retire, you did this to yourselves.

[@halffast7799]

This is true. And they still are treating people like shit and keeping the pay down, all the while blaming everything and everyone else.

[@somedude4805]

Schadenfreude is the word of the day. I feel no sympathy for the industry, as a tech who spent 12 years at the top of the industry with the likes of Mercedes Benz and Ferrari. We are the absolute bottom of the barrel to our customers and our bosses, they see us as servants that they can berate and slander as if we are their property. Well F that, we're taking our skills and going elsewhere. I'm out of the industry altogether and in college to become a physicist. I'm too damn good at what I do to continue doing it in this industry, it can rot and collapse without me, I'll just keep enjoying videos like this. Seeing the dumbfounded look on shop managers' faces when interviewed about it is entertaining to me. You all did this to yourselves, now eat your sh*t sandwich.

[@joebrenner4428]

Somewhat just like that.Service writers being paid an average 20k more than the techs and no investments in tools or school.We have three retards that can't even type their own name right and spend half their day out front smoking some type of substance.They think my pay is at their discretion rather than what I agree to and they are obligating me to free inspections.They only have a shortage of people dumber than they are.

[@joebrenner4428]

Writer writes "Lo koolunt temp lite on and the breaks skweek" but is too fucking stupid to do his own free inspections.

[@joebrenner4428]

"The air intamitantly blos"

[@wepyk6552]

Great comment! I just want to know your take about starting your own mobile shop?

[@GL0697]

@@wepyk6552 Automotive techs are not the best business owners. If you decide to go out on your own, you have to ask yourself do I want to be the best tech, or business owner?

[@andreybondarenko3042]

This "technician shortage' is the best thing that could have happened to this industry. The root of all the problems techs where whining about for decades is that there is way TOO MANY of them. This is what made them so cheap and widely available. Thanks God, this changes now and techs of the future will get pay that reflects how demanding this job truly is.

[@RizzyGyatt]

t. lame duck sales associate. The REAL problem that techs were and are RIGHTFULLY COMPLAINING ABOUT is flat rate pay. But you'll never address that.

[@MelonHead894]

I agree I’m seeing younger techs (myself included) being able to ask for over $30 hr and get it

[@bluelightguy1]

@@MelonHead894 you should be making 50-80 / hour

[@zachroberts1988]

flat rate, poor pay, poor management and ridiculous cost of tools... yeah the auto industry brought this upon themselves!

[@Redawesomeoby]

Pay sucks for hard work for not a lot of hours and having to pay for your OWN tools. Like why would I pay to enter a career after spending money on education and training just to be paid 55-60k a year starting.

[@halffast7799]

That's actually not bad pay.

[@Redawesomeoby]

@@halffast7799 True but there's not much potential for growth unless you own a shop

[@jd881]

You have a worker shortage because your pay is shit. You want techs to be commission. Then you want to cut commission times. This for both shop owners and the vehicle manufacturing companies who do not want to pay for fixing their broken shit vehicles under warranty. You want to make money as a technician, start your own shop. Screw working for other people.

[@joejackson1541]

Any tech not making $150,000 working full time with benifits should quit now... 15years ago I was making $100,000 ayear with benifits. If the stealership not paying a living wage, wheel your box to one that will !!!!! (thats why your tool box has wheels). Thats what i did.. Was a auto tech for 35 years ,now retired !!

[@kaywrench]

When u see Auto Technicians Driving Ferrari or Lamborghini to work, then there will be a surplus of automotive technicians.

[@DavidGutierrez-zi4dy]

yea!

[@iulianc9037]

This is the result of the greed of car service owners. Excessively high prices for customers, minimum wage for those who do all the work. Put your family to work if you don't want to pay your employees right and treat them with respect!

[@humanresources2138]

Did you notice how they didn't interview any techs? How convenient.

[@Lexidezi225]

They won’t pay us for shit

[@drewscruis]

ASE Master tech here, Rolled my box out of a shop years ago and work for a public utility now. I will teach my sons everything I can, but will never let them become mechanics ever.

[@rodsbbq740]

Who is stupid enough to start buying 60k worth of tools to fix other peoples problems ! With that tool payment you are making half of your pay ! Remember you can't right off tools anymore on your taxes !

[@RowdySnake504]

Because a lot of the people go to snap on or matco, the big expensive stuff you need for jobs. Even through you can go to harbor freight and pay less for it. but harbor freight doesn't carry alot you need sometimes. but i get it

[@jwhiz3219]

If you can't write off your tools, you have the wrong accountant. You may want to look into that.

[@mythacat1]

Don't do it. The pay is shit, it's one of the most technical trades, yet the worst paid. The dealers and shops make money hand over fist, they don't have a care for their techs don't waste your time. Tons of better trades. Not only is the pay bad, but that doesn't even account for all the unpaid labour that will be expected of you.

[@Murderous5]

Brutal truths. I'm 53 and spent a good portion of my life as a finish carpenter, where we suffer much the same treatment. I am not at retirement, yet I sold my tools and quit the industry as a reaction to it. Simple math has finally come upon the garages. You've treated your number 1 asset like complete trash for decades. Maybe you could teach some of those fancy sales "persons" to turn wrenches, at least they can afford the tooling.

[@johnnaaz5280]

Thats what you get when you treat techs like shit.

[@Ed-nb4fe]

It’s a real shocker that no one wants to enter an industry that doesn’t pay well.

[@bluediamondtech4680]

Omg I love the lies as an ex mechanic who left the auto industry in 2019 the shortage 2 words NO MONEY!

[@HondaWithabigturbo]

I’m a current tech for Honda making $30,000/year because “that’s all I’m worth” yet I make the company thousands and when I asked for a raise was told no room for budget but then hired 2 inexperienced techs a week later….

[@Aaron-or6ov]

What’s even more sad is snake ass salesman/woman make more than the techs.

[@22mpb]

30k a year is ridicules. How many years have you been a technician? Even my first year I made more than that.

[@loganroberge7632]

I worked at Honda and a couple other dealerships in my area. Best thing I ever did was move to heavy equipment tech, at least I get paid what I’m worth .

[@CesarSanchez-nu3eo]

30k a year ? Lmao u gotta be capping bro . thats less than a mcdonalds worker

[@jerryfuentes1985]

Biggest problem this employers want to pay the tech literally minimum wage. And still expect you to buy your own tools. You’re better off opening your own shop.

[@bluelightguy1]

NADA is the dealers union which keeps wages low

[@GL0697]

The wounds that the auto industry suffered are all self-inflected.

[@rodvan-zeller6360]

This shortage is a myth, if it was true wages and working conditions would have improved a long time ago.

[@gotoauto8550]

I've been hearing about this supposed shortage for three decades. Technicians keep making less and less. Customers want to pay less and less for auto repair. Soon we'll see mechanics paying money to have a chance to work on people's cars. @@caferacer873

[@AldoVasquez-py4ht]

You’d be surprised. It’s definitely real The turnover rates at every dealer I worked at were insane. Techs aren’t getting paid what theyre worth, new techs are all undertrained

[@joebrenner4428]

There have been shortages of people that work for free and cheap since the dawn of time.Not enough technicians or too many car crooks trying to collect 87% gross profit margins on auto service labor?Omfg!

[@ScreamTatumRiley]

Amen

[@John-g8m3o]

@@ScreamTatumRiley Why do they think that there is a shortage of auto technicians?There only seems to be a shortage of dumb and cheap around here.If only 0.01% of these people decided that they wanted to fix cars in a shithole dealer for a living?? "There are about 21.1 million people who have a bachelor's or higher degree in a science or engineering (S&E)"

[@Electra-xm7lu]

Dealerships exploit mechanics, independent mechanics then exploit clients, people try independent mechanics to not deal with the scam that are dealers, people get new cars to not deal with mechanics at all... They have destroyed themselves.

[@Mark-fh5lp]

Why should I? I make more money clicking buttons on my MacBook and no stupid boss to deal with. Cheers.

[@alvarvdo]

Teach me pls

[@TheJohnbjunior]

Next year will be worse, this will take 10 years to correct, it took 30 to get here.

[@joebrenner4428]

I just got my commercial drone pilot license in 4 days for $160."Hourly Rate for Drone Pilots The hourly rate for drone pilots ranges from $41.21 to $74.04. The median hourly rate is $61.50. The table below shows the hourly rate for drone pilots by experience level.

[@halffast7799]

@@joebrenner4428 And how much hours do you get a week?

[@John-yf4ie]

The average automotive Tech owns and or pays on $30,000 and up on tools. Many dealerships pay the techs Flat rate. $17.00 to $21.00 and hour. Experience that are certified get $21-$32.00 and hour flat rate. Dealers and shop are charging $120-and up per hour. To perform a regular oil service takes the tech around 45 minutes. They only get paid .3-.5 tenths of an hour. Customers don't understand that it takes time to drive the vehicle on a lift and set up the lift. The tech has to go to parts for the oil service and wait on parts. Drain the oil,remove the old filter and many the tech has to remove splash guards to remove the filter. So the average tech may make 35-45 hours per week. For the same amount he or she can work at a fast food or store and make almost as much and no experience or have to pay for expensive tools. Many dealers also only pay for the lowest cost health insurance. So now many new tech's are leaving the automotive business!!

[@niveknospmoht8743]

Retired ASE Certified Master Tech with Smog License, Brake and Lamp certified along with an Air Brake Cert. Did auto and truck repair for 40 years and made good money doing it. Now-a-days... no way...I'd go back to my construction beginning and get certified as an electrician or plumber with my own business. I still do side jobs in my retirement and my old customers still are seeking me out. Repairing in today's climate is nothing more than holding onto a laptop and swapping out parts until it fixes the problem. I actually had a shop call me because they had a car come in for a tune-up that they could not perform b'cuz it had points in it and they didn't know how to adjust them or what dwell meant. AND that 60k mentioned for tools, yeah that is way off...try an additional 60k unless you're specializing in one make of car.

[@keonwells934]

Former tech here. The auto industry is terrible. No standard. No respect. I left and went into utilities. I make 3 times what i made as a tech. Easier work. Gura teed pay.

[@roythousand13]

Pay your workers more and treat them better!

[@CrossGraves]

The flat rate system killed it for me. I quit and moved onto working on computers.

[@willharriman1881]

The automotive service industry needs to go to a SERIOUS MAJOR UPGRADE! All this high tech equipment in the automotive world cannot be serviced by an uneducated BUM with a couple of wrenches! It's time for the top tier auto service personnel to become outright TRAINED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS with commensurate pay of $100 an hour MINIMUM with powerful requisite backgrounds in both education and experience. This means a career track as follows: (1) AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN at $25 an hour (entry level). (2) AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNOLOGIST at $50 an hour (intermediate level) (3) AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE ENGINEER at $100 an hour (advanced level)

[@therealjayseh]

These owners are the problem they should look at themselves in the mirror. They are their own problem

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

Thank NADA for all of this. funny how no "reporters" will ever report on this org

[@bluelightguy1]

NADA is the dealers uni That keeps wages low

[@earlybird541]

Here is a perfect example. In 1999 I was a master truck mechanic. I was lead mechanic and foreman for a major Pepsi shop in Atlanta. I was making $18 an hour, but you could come in a be a driver starting at $21. I had the best education, over $100k in tools, plus a cdl. Three of the mechanics in our shop finally threw their hands up and switched over to the driver side. It is the only job I know of that weekly you are spending between $20 to $100 a week on tools and constantly updating your skill set, but your wage isn't reflecting it. That is why I left the business.

[@joebrenner4428]

Same wages as 20 years ago except they have doubled the shop rates so now it's twice as hard to make any hours.THAT BUSINESS HAS BEEN FRIED OUT BY CROOKS!

[@Z287899]

More like tripled shop rates or even more. How is a stealership going to charge $150+/hr and try to pay techs $25/hr? It's highway robbery. Most mechanics would make more money working from their home garage and charging a flat $50/hr. No book time or any of that bs, just charge what it takes you. Or get a van, slap a decal on the side and do mobile work for $60/hr. +mileage. Run these stealerships out of business until they are willing to give you decent pay. Then when they beg to have you back, do it as a private contractor. Charge them for your services. Send them a bill for work performed.

[@joebrenner4428]

@@Z287899 This shithole Ford dealer has been looking for techs for years charging $190 told me that they could not afford to pay techs 30%.Just two years ago they were at $115.HOW THE FUCK CAN THEY AFFORD NOT TO PAY TECHS?WHAT IS 99% OF NOTHING CAR SCUM?

[@joebrenner4428]

@@Z287899 I worked at a big dealer downtown charging $140 an hour paying $50.A Podunk Dodge dealer charging $150 can't pay $30 because of the cost of tools.WHAT ABOUT THE COST OF MY TOOLS ASSHOLES?

[@joebrenner4428]

@@Z287899 You wouldn't believe what just happened to me.Right before Christmas this Ford maggot called me twice offering a 10k sob $50,4 bays and an apprentice."Just call a flatbed and get your tools over here!" Then as soon as I do he thinks he has my ass backed in a corner and reneges on everything.Pricks needs taken out!

[@alexstan5358]

28 years experience with JLR,Mercedes/Maybac/AMG,BMW and Audi. Use to make to 160-180k now down to 100k, only way is small niche independent shop

[@sokuneng6422]

Pay I increase is low and slow, flat rate is stressful (for many reasons) vehicles are more complex and only getting more advanced/complex. Nobody in the industry is doing anything to change it. I left and only work on my own cars.

[@dancovaleski6520]

"Certified" is a bullshit word. You either have it or you don't. This isn't 1970 where every car had a carburetor, spark plugs, and fuel. ASE doesn't mean anything in 2024, and it sure doesn't mean that you can fix any current vehicle on the road. Pick a certain type of vehicle that you're good at and then find someone to pay you for it. If you can't find someone to pay you for it, go do it on your own. Shop owners simply think they can take on all vehicles and it just doesn't work that way anymore.

[@simplygregsterev]

This is 100% truth.

[@thebeldam5823]

the only thing that matters to consumers: can I connect my phone? does it have a screen? does it get 40 mpg? all the money goes into those 3 things.. everything new is a pile of junk.. I love fixing cars but the automotive industry has lost its mind..

[@joebrenner4428]

A nationwide survey by Carlisle & Co. recently found that technicians are miserable - so miserable that almost a quarter of them left their dealerships last year. Another 25 percent left the industry altogether. Unstable pay and feeling undervalued were major reasons. MIT labor economist Tom Kochan says there’s one way to change that."

[@williambrennan5701]

i had a job that put me inside multiple dealerships every day. one day I was inside the shop at a major dealership in 2021 . half the bays had no-one to work them . the service manager came out and told the guys they had to have on masks because customers were complaining or they could not work there . I watched 3 out of 10 leave cars on the lift lock their tool boxes and leave . The old man said i can fix a car I cant fix stupid if they are mad about a mask imagine how mad they will be when you go tell them none is here to put the suspension back in to even get their car off this lift. The old man was a legend . The were working at a dealership down the road the next week.

[@jeffmaggard3694]

I done it for 20yrs. Been out 3yrs. I still have flashbacks of all the things that happened today.

[@joebrenner4428]

@@jeffmaggard3694 I have PTSD from these car crooks.

[@joebrenner4428]

@@jeffmaggard3694 Right before this last Christmas I had a choice between two dealers.The one I chose was a Trainwreck and the other guy keeps calling "Just call a flatbed and get your tools over her".Then when I do carbitch thinks he has my ass backed in a corner and tries sticking it to me.Both shops are still looking

[@joebrenner4428]

@@jeffmaggard3694 "Oh it looks like you have moved around a lot" Yep and I am going to keep doing it until the robbery stops!

[@fk4515]

Well when you treat techs like crap for decades we shouldn’t be surprised when folks don’t want to be techs.

[@theonetheycallsix2526]

they'll loose every technician and still refuse to admit that the pay sucks and how you get treated is even worse. Every time i see these videos its ALWAYS management that's getting interviewed and NEVER asking the technicians of why they think their co workers are leaving. Leaving this trade was the best decision I made.

[@peterl2017]

The whole industry is screwed up, I get so many customers trying to make their cars and trucks last way too long because they can't afford new, and used is a big gamble. Remember when tires were $100 or less? Try buying a set today for some cars. So many scams, do we really need so many tire sizes, oil filter numbers etc etc. Its all designed to make you spend money.

[@ruebenoverton2996]

No sir you do have people to hire and train, the problem is they are not experts after 2 weeks of training so you only want 10+ year experienced techs but don't want to pay for that experience.

[@koraykumru1295]

Thanks obama! I think wrecking all those perfectly fine older cars that were easier to work on than modern trash made everything harder for mechanics.

[@stevemino142]

Automotive service technicians have been the lowest paid skilled workers since forever and then factor in all the tools needed to do the work its really not worth it

[@soupbums]

Aircraft technicians are paid better than Auto tech's I'm grateful for these auto dealers by ripping me and others off went back to school got my A$P LICENSE working for a major airline making good money now 👍

[@DrFiero]

I'm a licensed mechanic - I won't work at it anymore. Only thing I've done worse than that industry was when I started off being an aircraft tech.

[@eligreg99]

This isn’t an automotive problem people. This is ALL INDUSTRIES. Nobody wants to work for minimum wage for a job that requires a specific skill tech

[@motocollectiveTV]

Along with the other talent here, the industry has done it to itself as we get recruited outside the industry for great steady pay and no entitled customers and dealerships. Enjoy the wait while we progress somewhere else…it’s a good thing we know how to fix our own stuff while customers can start taking the bus! And yes, there is bitterness for a reason because we used to be passionate about our techs jobs until we realized how crappy humans can be in management and in helping ungrateful people that thank the wrong people for the work we did.

[@stevenbrooks1243]

Ya dont blame them for leaving and no one wanting to get back in it

[@jega157]

Gotta pay at least 28/hr, anything over 40 hrs is time and a half, good dental, good medical, matching 401k up to 10000 per year. Then you'll get applicants.

[@automech01]

The main deterrent is paying a fresh out of school tech minimum wage after spending $40,000 on an education when he can make the same money as someone who works at McDonald’s. It’s a huge rip off being a mechanic now a days

Start paying techs in line with other skilled trades and the shortage will correct itself-problem solved!!!

[@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223]

30 years in the trade . The more you know the less money you will make .

[@thebiggs1469]

Shops will do anything but pay a better wage.

[@BruceHarris-r7r]

I'm 59. I've been a mechanic all my life, cars, semi trucks & trailers, busses, heavy equipment, I even spent $20K on Aeronautics Technician schooling ( Airplanes) I have well over $100k in tools and the experience to back it all up. The problem is greed, they don't want to pay anymore. I quit my diesel mechanic job of 20 years a year ago. Now I do home improvements on my own. I also used to build homes. I'm done working as a slave only to make someone else rich.

[@hoedemakerbart]

Im 38 now, worked in the field since 19, was done beeing a slave around 22 and started my own company

[@kp1260]

Good. maybe used car market price will go down because nobody can get their cars repaired.

[@RazzN513-ip6xe]

I have to be a software engineer and mechanic now for a crap salary im putting my two weeks in heavy equipment repair. Been doing it for 20 years juice ain't worth the squeeze anymore.

[@jacksgerman]

It's really simple, the job is too hard and it doesn't pay enough. For instance, plumbing is far simpler and pays on average double for the experienced tradesmen.

[@Dale-r3c5y]

I got liscenced as an auto mechanic in Canada 30-35 years ago. DON'T DO IT!! Let them fix their own cars or take the bus.

[@erty7012]

Most collision technicians never knew their labor is tied to a decree, which you can't use in court when a issue arises between the shop, insurance company, an appraiser, parts or flat rate labor surfaces. "The 1963 consent decree" is owned and operated by the US Justice Department. Know your rights before you spend years working in a trade that really doesn't have a business model.

[@sonofmontezuma3732]

It’s the pay scale in the 60’s & 70’s most tech got 40% of the invoice labor then came flat rate which moved more profit to the shop owner. These days the math looks like this tech gets 10/15% of the billed labor. Currently the avg shop rate is 200 an hour tech pay is on avg 27 but they hv to buy all the latest tools for the modern cars on top of that most cases 400/800 to the tool trucks a month. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@larryjsmith2767]

Well yeah, you don't pay well and get treated poorly, so no new people want to get into the field. Duh.

[@jw11432]

More and more I see affirmation like this that assures me I did the right thing in learning to work on my own vehicles and invest in older vehicles that can still be worked on and parts had for relatively cheap.

[@bradleyhammer5615]

The least companies can do is supply tools.

[@HousePlant9]

I don’t like the flat rate idea. When I was in trade school, I was slow and steady and thorough which got me into bigger projects. But I learned you get paid x hours no matter if it takes you double the hours or half for each job. If it were hourly I’d be more free to take time and care on peoples cars and in turn would for sure make a tech less stressed, and mitigate small mistakes, which makes a person trust you with their car.

[@thehatefull1761]

I make more as a manager at a oil change shop than i ever did as a mechanic so why be a mechanic?

[@jackrabbit4383]

Want to know the truth ask the slave not the slave owner

[@davidclark3304]

Techs are required to purchase their own tools to prevent pilfering. It's the same in aviation, and it's the same for technicians in other fields. They'll steal from the company, but not from each other. Experience shows that when the employer provides tools, the tools gradually disappear.

[@franksrok5843]

Hmmmmmm. Not a mention of pay and overall compensation. Just a statement on how much tools cost.

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

no reporter ever mentions the pay, ever

[@peterl2017]

Terrible trade, would never steer anybody towards it.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

1:26 Yep and you want to pay us minimum wage. 60,000 is on the low side. AND you expect that tech to have those tools before he starts learning the job in YOUR shop. HOW can he afford that when you wont pay him even 30,000 A YEAR... Most Fast food workers make more than that now! Guess what you dont need to be a manager at Mc Donalds... 60,000 worth of tools and YEARS of training. Nope dont need that at all, you just need to be an under achiever who likes to collect a check and could care less about quality.

[@cuongngo2298]

warranty cut down labor time that why

[@VitoVeccia]

They should outlaw snap-on tools, outlaw poor quality auto parts, and set a mandatory pay scale that the customer must pay. And in addition, set regulations on the complexity and computers cars have. Why the fuck do we need three EEPROM modules, and an area network protocol to raise and lower the drivers window? Or put timing chains in the back of the motor?

[@ch0wned]

Literally everything you've said is wrong and will make everything more expensive. Take a business class.

[@VitoVeccia]

@@ch0wned are you on drugs? I majored in accounting, minored in business, and was GM master tech certified in everything except automatic transmissions. I worked in automotive and heavy trucks for 23 years before becoming a factory mechanic. Half the time I worked two jobs. Dealer during the day, and gas stations at night. In the gas stations I also doubled as my own service writer. The last seven years of my automotive career was in fleet maintenance for heavy trucks and buses. The reason why I never opened up my own shop is because it costs 50-80k to open up in CT. What do you do for a living? Work at Walmart? Try doing research on a subject before making blind assumptions.

[@tankish1529]

As a collision tech, I can say that the pay for quality techs is well below that of a mechanic. The tech shortage whether mechanical or collision, is only going to get worse in the next 5-10 years. The collision industry is really going to suffer so long as insurance companies dictate how we repair cars, what it costs to repair, and the equipment that is needed to repair. Currently I’m working on an SUV that 10 years ago would have paid almost 100 hours, the time to repair it now is only about 55 hours. I’m only being paid 2.2 hours to remove and install the rear end of a 4 wheel drive vehicle. It’s not even mechanical labor. They have it under “body” labor which pays less. The larger MSOs are terrible at negotiating with insurance companies for fear of loosing business. Essentially, the insurance companies use extortion tactics to save themselves into a profit.

[@Sero12245]

Mechanics want pay equivalent to the health risks and dangers of working on cars/trucks.

[@tracyferguson2905]

Just retired after 45 years. Started in 1979 in unit repair shop at import dealership in Miami. Modern auto repair is a vastly different field than it was then. Manufacturers and their engineers will continue to produce vehicles of great complexity to feed consumers what they think they want. No regard or concern will be demonstrated beyond initial sale and certainly no concern about the technicians who are expected to save the day. A modern vehicle is like a stupid iPhone; built in obsolescence. I made an okay living in repair and service and worked with some great people but would not recommend for a moment this field to anyone. The problems are too big to imagine any timely changes. I agree there are better choices available to persons who otherwise have the potential.

[@spanionneo]

There is no shortage. They're not finding help because they're paying minimum wage. No one should go into this field. It has a low barrier to entry and most positions are filled by immigrants.

[@PaulLorenzini-ny2yw]

FJB

[@dittohead7425]

Oh, forgot to add in. That's the plan from the government, make it expensive so you will have to push for more public transport.

[@EPTRotorsports]

Comes down to 3 things. 1. EPA has made emissions so crucial that cars are over engineered, making repairs ridiculous and longer to diagnose 2. Low pay 3. You have to buy your own tools. Could you imagine any kther profession expected to buy 60k worth of tools to make between $10 to $20 an hour. I was a self-employed mechanic for 7 years. Had my own shop, and my first set of tools (Matco) cost me 16k. That was just enough to get started on the professional level.

[@Sons_Of_Liberty_1739]

If places wouldn't expect you to have a $10,000 toolbox and tools while paying $14 an hour their wouldnt be a shortage.