Auto Shop Owners So Their True Colors On My Firing- Caution This is a Rant

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Today I talk about the complete disregard for me getting fired from my job by horrible shop owners who are not in Auto Repair for anything but making as much money as they can while chewing through employees as they do not care about their staff in any other way the how much money they produce.
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[@RustbeltMechanic]

Sorry you are going through this man. I went through the same thing with SP. Thought the feeling of family and hard work would’ve trumped maximizing profits…. Especially during covid. The environment was so much like family and tight knit, but in the end, even family doesn’t come over profitability for a business. I’ve learned that we’re just another number stamped on a piece of paper and to never get comfortable again. Some places are definitely better than others but in the end you have to have a backup plan for EVERYTHING and just lookout for yourself. Good luck in the near future man 🤘🏻

[@frankmtech3766]

You are 100% right. You are just a number to them. When you leave they want a 2 weeks notice but they can fire you without a notice. They don't care how good of an employee you are.

[@philh9238]

Damn where you been man?

[@snap-off5383]

Whoah Frank M! high five!

[@SouthMainAuto]

😲 Frank M Tech.... Wellllll I'll be!

[@joeeckenrod8100]

Not everyone gives a 2 weeks notice, nor is it required. It's a courtesy. There is a good reason employers don't give employees 2 weeks' notices. If you give a tech a 2 weeks notice telling him you are letting him go in 2 weeks, he will fuck up every car he touches just so the shop has to deal with all the comesbacks

[@DynoDieselWagon]

Nope . Works BOTH ways

[@sonofmontezuma3732]

Had a boss, the best boss ever. He had the shop doing crazy numbers and he had the loyalty of every single employee he had some great incentives. Then the upper management decided it was time to take away those incentives even thou we were exceeded expectations. But they want every penny go towards the profit side. Fast forward 6 years they can’t even hit half of the BUDGET number for the month , high turn overs,repeat repairs, no customer loyalty.

[@truthboomertruthbomber5125]

There’s a vid on yt about how hard it is to find and keep techs for car dealerships. They interviewed dealership owners. They interviewed industry insiders. They interviewed consultants. Who did they NOT interview? Techs and service advisors. Not a one.

[@bluelightguy1]

Work for yourself and forget about giving away your talent to management groups, the quicker we as mechanics get rid of these groups the better off we will be

[@jasondelvecchio6942]

Don’t kid yourself the bam bam knew you were getting fired before you did , you know the owner had a meeting with him to get him on board with the plan

[@markrup6115]

Here's the thing, Mike. If you won't say why you got fired, you'll have to deal with the speculation. In the absence of information, people are going to make up their own story and it's usually not good. So tell us or quit bitching.

[@Cruelsport347]

If u stress yourself over this it will only affect you as a person so i would let it go. Keep doing what u do.

[@MVS501]

ignore the haters, you don’t get a 3 month severance package if it was anything you did 👍

[@davidbuck9977]

Severance isn't given, it's an agreement at termination of employment, He agreed to 3 month pay in exchange he cant sue or take unemployment. Most people have an over inflated estimate of their self worth and ability to be replaced. If an employee is a liability it's best for owners to bite the bullet, pay some severance and cut ties than have them sitting on payroll for years. Owners have a business to run not a family.

[@tavo24vv27]

@@davidbuck9977 i agree. I think the retirement video he made is what stirred all this up.

[@scotts4125]

I'm a business owner and I truly appreciate my employee's. We earn bonus money every month. I am the only owner that splits it with the employee's. It gives them incentive to do great work and make the customers happy. I congratulate customers and feel happy for them when we figure out a way to avoid an expensive job. Sure we would make a lot of money on it but we do that anyway. I like it when someone catches a break. They are so thankful too. I have been doing this a long time and the less you focus on profit and more on people it seems the profit takes care of itself. I have fired guys that bragged to me how they ripped a customer off. They thought this was a good thing. I have guys with me close to 30 years now. Many business owners give all business owners a bad name but we all aren't assholes. FLM I wish you the best of luck and I hope you find something better that makes you happy and thrive soon.

[@snap-off5383]

I think "open books" or "partially open books" companies will become the preferred employers. Gen Z is clued in enough to understand profit margins and usury.

[@jwilkers1]

In 2021 I had to leave my family shop that I'd been around since I was 6 (I was 42 at the time)because of decisions made by the owner. At first I completely blamed him, later I realized I was partially to blame for being so trusting and not reading the situation like I should have. After reading Jocko Willink's book on extreme ownership I realized that in every outcome positive or negative I had some role I played, sometimes it was just that I left myself vulnerable sometimes I screwed up and sometimes I just trusted too much. Each time I could point to either one or multiple things I could have done much better. My problem is that sometimes I have to learn the same lesson over and over.

[@JovinRepairs]

I have to watch my back at my shop because I have a large volume of customers that only come to the shop because I work there. Usually when someone comes in my name comes out of their mouth before the business name does.

[@harold6863]

I really feel your pain Mike. I have been there twice before and it’s life changing. You feel raw and had a wake up call on human behaviour. You WILL come back stronger mate. Hold your head up high. You have many friends here rooting for you. Every bad situation usually results in a good break from my experience.

[@jayztools4038]

Relationships are believed to be obsolete. They are not. like you said, repeat business in an important part. Many customers of a shop have confidence in the tech, not the management. 25 years ago I worked as a tech in a very successful John Deere dealership. The owner literally treated us better than his own sons he had in the business. He said you take care of my customers, Thank you. Many farmers requested the same tech ( we had 9) for repairs. RELATIONSHIPS.

[@shanehinds2555]

amazed they think they can afford to lose someone of your caliber/experience

[@johnmilner5485]

As a Christian and a Family man , two biggest red flags from and employer are when they say they are either a Christian owned , or Family owned . Right away I know I'll be getting screwed big time. Owners are never what they claim to be , and the work enviorment is more toxic than Cherynoble .

[@crossroadgaragellc]

Couldn't agree more. I am a man of faith that happens to own a business. But im not a "christian" business, nor am I a charity. Profits are cool, but they are built over time. Not off every sale, and not every day. And if you only think about profits or only focus on them you will drive all goos employees and customers away. I've forged my relationships with my guys and my customers through years of hard work turning wrenches in my shop as one of them, not from sitting in an office telling them to work harder. They will follow your lead when you as the owner work harder.

[@oldguy2082]

I understand your position; i spent 40+years in the trade. Worked in shops where the quota system was used..had to sell so many wheel balances, brake jobs, wheel alignments per month...and/or average labour hours per vehicle...quit several places because i'm not selling/recommending something i dont believe is needed. I was taught at the beginning that the way to survive in good times and bad was to have a loyal customer base and build a steady stream of customers wanting to do business with you.

[@mikethemechanic7395]

I never understood some of the shops I worked for. My last shop. I was at for 9 years. The shop manger hated me. The GM liked me a lot. I was told I could use them as a reference. I applied for a city job. I was offered the job on one condition. My old manager gave me a bad job review. I was told they needed another manager to give me a good review. I told the city manager. “ I quit with 4 weeks notice and was at my job 9 years! You think I was a bad employee” No luck. After my current job of 2 years. I took all of my Great job awards from my manger and sent them to my failed job offer from the city. In my 22 years. I have met a lot of people in our field. Your reputation follows you. I bad mouth every chance I get when I run into other vendors or fellow employees. I don’t care. I have only been in 2 good shops over time. I tried shops owned by one guy. And that was full of lies and they would cheat on paying taxes or giving me sick days etc. That was a family owned shop also. My favorite shop I was let go after 7 years. It was a smaller shop then turned into a bigger company. All of the people who promised me a job to retirement quietly backtracked on their word. I used to show up early to work and get dressed and be ready 20 mins early. I would go straight to work with a smile on my face. Now at 48. I clock in. Then I dress up. They I drink my coffee in my hand then get started. I still enjoy wrenching. But oh man. I am like a beaten dog. My dreams of Shop Foreman are long gone also. When the younger kids 20s. Hear my story. They all tell me they understand why I don’t rush into work ready to go. They fell pretty bad lol

[@JJ-iw7nh]

I work in a toxic shop. I also realize I am a cog in the machine. It's the industry and that's how I approach it.

[@johnnyboy5142]

I got fired once and it hurt. Looking back, it was a good thing as I moved on to something much better. Hang in there.

[@ozzstars_cars]

What you said Mike goes for just about every business in the trades.

[@as3sxp]

It goes for just about any business period. Unfortunately, it is extremely few and far in-between to have any company really care for their employees.

[@frankstavalo5788]

Absolutely true I learned this about 3 years ago I went out for neck surgery. No matter what you’re just a number to the business.

[@danielwhitehead9587]

You worked there for almost ten years, and I'm certain made them lots of money. You were the foreman and helped others along the way. If they let you go because of your age or in their eyes not being as "efficient" as you were 10 years ago, that makes me sick. Good riddens to that type of environment, you're better than that FRM!

[@baileyhatfield4273]

Lets say he was only 70% efficient. if he made 15 20 techs over 100% efficient over the years...that's a lot better. Plus making them do better jobs.

[@chuckmiller5763]

what is the company supposed to do when someone slows down and is not producing income for the business? If the shop is not making money they go out of business. If the shop is barely getting by by keeping people on its not worth it for the headache of running a business.

[@danielwhitehead9587]

Are you a mechanic?

[@danielwhitehead9587]

What they're supposed to do is not take good people for granted. A loyal tech with integrity is hard to find. There is no substitute for experience in auto repair. I've seen older guys who can turn and burn circles around the young bucks. A successful shop has the experienced techs as well as the younger guys, togeather it's what makes the trade keep going forward.

[@matthewmclean9734]

@@chuckmiller5763 At the very least not throw them under the bus and blame them for their firing. At best, an explanation, a good severance package, hell even a management or desk job position offer. If you are running a business, and suddenly going in the red, it's not because one guy is slowing down, it's because you shouldn't be running a business.

[@billbeckett1021]

I work for family and if you think the owner is tough on the help try being the kid. My lungs have issues with the chemicals in the shop. I need to move on. The rest of the family wants the business handed over to them for free. The siblings even want my tools. The best statement from my sister was you got paid every week the rest is our entitlement.

[@TheShane1230]

Currently going through the same thing. It has led to me putting in my 2 weeks because all I am is a number to them.

[@AW-gi3qf]

It isn't always about money. I have seen managers and owners push out individuals, who were money makers, because their emotions got in the way. They then hired a younger guy they could push around. A manager might do this so they can feel taller and bigger. That is more important to them than money. We are human, and this happens. In my own business, I put up with a lot from someone if they're helping me make money. Money is more important to me than feeling like a big man.

[@snap-off5383]

Wisdom.

[@joeydeemendoza]

Outside of the Auto Industry, this seems to be a growing trend among alot of employers especially recently. Not trying to get super political here, but in the last few years (especially during and coming out of the pandemic) a lot of people have been leaving their positions for the reasons you discussed in this videos. Why is it so hard for buisnesses and management to understand the value of their employees and that prioritizing profits over the well being/retainement of your staff brings more results in long run.

[@henri6595]

The employers never respected the employee to begin with in Corporate America. This is why everyone is out for their own paycheck and how to get ahead. There are no friends in the workplace now a days

[@phansam9833]

I like when my boss says I can't give you a rise. But he is showing off his monster truck, boats, and airplanes. In addition, Putting his kids through college. "Sorry its not in our budget."

[@xephael3485]

Defamation of character is something that can cause a shop owner or their cohorts a lot of money very quickly... If you decided to take legal action.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I feel your pain and shock. It makes you wonder your self worth and value to your profession. But on the bright side, over the coming months, you might hear from your former co-workers that your boss may be struggling with filling your void; that whatever short term savings gained with your termination is more that offset with the rise in substandard work, management baby sitting jobs, customer complaints and constant aggravation putting out daily fires. But these manager's egos are so big, they'll never admit they made a mistake in your termination and keep suffering day by day.

[@1970chevelle396]

When I got laid off from my job back in 2008. They were completely nasty with me. After that they went around and told the places we had accounts at that I was stealing gas. If they were going to accuse me of something they should have done it to my face.

[@eddiesopatron4148]

As a mechanic, you're so right. Countless times i have been told about me only being a number. One stall, low pay, no benefits shit ...... stay strong man

[@jascott1988]

Absolutely the disappointing truth. Alot of companies preach safety and how much they care about you going home to your family the same way you left them. That is not the reason they preach safety. They preach it because OSHA fines cost money as does workman's comp. Your a number that makes or costs them a number, never forget it when they tell you your family here.

[@bigb7157]

I left the dealer life 29 years ago. It was a small family owned dealership that been successful for three generations. Each generation got progressively worse at operating the business. They wouldn’t spend a dime to make a dollar. Short term profit over everything else, including long term profit. I bailed and moved around a few different places. I’ve been at an OEM car factory and it’s still far from perfect, but I get paid well regardless how the company does. If you wanted to stay on the car repair side, I would recommend starting your own shop with a few employees that specialize in a certain segment. From what I see there a serious need for trustworthy and competent work.

[@emmettturner9452]

Stay away from Newnan Crossing Station Tire and Automotive in Newnan, GA… unless you want to whip them into shape. Less than a year ago they installed a faulty coolant level sensor and fuel pump (so loud I have to turn the vehicle off in a drive-thru), didn’t catch the error because they didn’t test drive the vehicle, then refused to cover either since they were transitioning their franchise affiliation from Goodyear to Tire Discounters at the time. The new TD regional manager was even the guy who wrote up my work order! When replacing the coolant level sensor myself I found that they had not used rubber O-rings, which was why I had a small coolant leak there. It became a HUGE leak once I flushed the coolant myself, which was something I paid them to do but it clearly still had old sludge in it. Without O-rings the sludge was the only thing holding it in and slowing the leak. After all that it blew out two times on my way to them to claim warranty, wasting all of my coolant and the two jugs of distilled water I was about to return to the grocery store. The tech there sympathized with me and told me that the owner was having a tough time holding it all together. Everyone was jumping ship and going to other shops. Did I mention that they took over 12 gallons of fuel when they installed the fuel pump? Yeah. I didn’t want to hear any excuses about how they didn’t do a test drive because the gauge cluster was misreporting E, so I filled it up and put a sticky note on the cluster. I told the service writer and they misinterpreted, thinking I wanted a new fuel pump/sender when I merely wanted them to ignore what the gauge cluster said. Yeah, I would never deliberately fill up a 25 gallon tank right before they were expected to drop it but even after explaining that I didn’t want/need a fuel pump they insisted.

[@desertsoldier41]

This culture of profit maximization and even worse Shareholder Activism in public held companies was birthed in the rise of the MBA at Universities. When things become academic, the human side is often lost. The science of efficiency becomes god and morals are not part of the equation. The workers end up becoming a variable in an equation. Being a market based economy the simple fix is getting workers to realize that they can control it as well. We offer a service, we have expenses and we have ebbs and flows in demand. Companies have become too used to have that flow of demand on their side. They continue to operate like its 2009, and eventually their complaints of lack of skilled labor are going to be screams for help. They will try to hire workers outside of the country, they will try to cheat the labor laws, they will even try automation. Aside from automation, the only thing we can do is make sure they don't have an easy foreign legal or illegal labor pool to exploit. Don't let them cheat the market game. Eventually technicians of all kinds will be like gold and we will have the power.

[@B1G5L1M]

Shops just want guys who can launch parts at cars and get them out the door in rapid fire succession. They don't want the old timers around who aren't as efficient as they used to be. Got out of the industry last fall after 25 years in. Best move I've ever made.

[@keithwiebe1787]

At an independent shop I worked at we got the trade publications and I think the owner didn't really read them much. I was so upset sometimes at the BS the industry boss's and mentors to owners said about how to hire and maintain employees. It was beyond ridiculous. And than you have the NADA lobbying state officials about how they want to handle employees at dealerships. No one is speaking up for mechanics at that level. And than you have the NFIB lobbying for small business (but actually big business's sometimes) but actually working against employees also. Nothing is in the favor of the employee. It's a rigged system.

[@MaddenMaster843]

I just want to say thank you, without your channel i would not be where i am today. Im 31 and ford senior master, started watching you about 6 years ago when i was just a lube tech. I sincerely hope you find somewhere that appreciates you as much as guys like me do...

[@JrKelly-rb4eu]

Hey Mike, Long time subscriber here..The one thing I can tell you for sure, is that nothing is for sure. Every job is temporary and this is why we must think beyond a job. You keep mentioning that they fired you, however all they the did was take away the location for you to perform your skill, they can't fire your skill that stays with you.. just find another location for you to perform your skill. They say you are kept at a job for the problems you solve..and you are let go for the problems you create. A close friend of mine is a Ford tech with 25 yrs experience.. and since Covid he has literally been writing his own check. He's been at 4 different Ford dealers in the last two years by his his choice, I mean he tells them what he needs to get paid and each one gave him what he asked for no questions asked...and he's currently at the dealer that paid him the highest rate. Also, the other dealers have tried multiple times to get him back. So Master Tech's are in high demand from my experience. Like any industry, if you want to stay relevant you have to be able to anticipate change and refine your strategy . I always appreciated your content so I don't want to see this situation weigh you down and affect your psyche . I think you should go deeper into tool reviews hell, even reach out to Harbor Freight and see if you could partner with them as they're bringing some great products to the market for you to review . Good luck and take care.

[@ericjswindle]

There is a phenomenon happening in a lot of businesses. They have exhausted all the healthy ways to grow their profits, so they’ve resorted to more self destructive means like Mike is describing. It’s becoming an epidemic. And it’s just not in the automotive industry either. Workers in almost all industries are describing having to deal with similar situations.

[@johndesaavedra1040]

My dad experienced the exact same mentality in the 1940's in a Ford dealership. The manager came to him at the end of the war and said war's over, need to work faster. My dad told him he was looking for a job when he came there and goodbye. Nothing has changed. This is the reason I am not a customer. I'm better off for it. Dad went into his own business and never looked back. He treated his employees well.

[@JakeNaughtFromStateFarm]

Damn, so much I could say, but I’ll try to keep it short and not go all over the place. One of the best quote I ever heard, but can’t remember who said it was, “Your customers are not your number one priority. Your employees are your top priority because if your employees are happy, they’ll make sure your customers are happy.” If you love your job and your boss(es), you’ll do your best to make them look good by giving good service. It also kind of ties into the repeat business that you talked about. My stepdad was a business owner for over 30 years and he had some good points. First off, the best advertising is not billboards, newspaper, or even the internet. He always said the best advertising was by word of mouth. If people like you, they’ll send their friends and family. Second, he said (again, like you) repeat business is essential. I can’t remember the exact figure, but it was something along the lines of it takes three new customers to replace one old one. Basically, you’re dead on about happy employees and repeat business. A lot of business owners don’t realize the cost of losing customers and employees, too busy looking at the short term. Reminds of the old riddle, “Would you rather get 1 million dollars now or a penny doubles every day for 30 days?” Too many want the the million now.

[@Npuritz10]

Agree with the majority of what you said Mike. One point I think you were trying to make is that so many businesses focus on short-term profitability at the expense of long-term profitability. Obviously the shop owner wants to maximize profit, but it should be long-term profitability measured over a number of years.

[@toolinhand]

You're right that repeat business is important. That's why a lot of businesses in general fail: they forget about the customers that support them when business is slow.

[@GerardM37]

Your spot on. It’s not just the automotive business but field I’m in. Profit over people. Whatever is best for the shareholders and employees somewhere low on the list. It wasn’t that way when I started but sure is business model today.

[@ozzstars_cars]

And a side note, congrats on 50K subscribers!

[@7280cody]

you absolute nailed it when you talked about the management groups pushing out repeat customers and just marketing in new ones. they just treat customers like slot machines with services and flushes you don't need. its amazing how long a customers car runs when you put the proper parts in and the designated service intervals.

[@jasonvergara7705]

Me and my dad have a small repair shop together and although it’s difficult to just work between the two of us these kinds of stories make me never want to work for anyone else’s shop

[@zauranxx7895]

I hope you find what you wanna do man, been watching off and on for several years. When i stepped away from the industry i slowed down watching. But i see what youre saying amd is what helped me leave the industry was the crooked, selfish bosses/owners that run alot of shops. Hope you find what you want to do, honestly id say keep growing on youtube. Would love to see your channel expand, i heard you talk about computers and id say id watch those as i like working on mine as well lol

[@thebridge5483]

He definitely will

[@thomasmarquez6790]

You are a auto technician. You can get a job anywhere. I’m a ASE certified diesel technician. I work for a large utility company. We work anything from a chainsaw to haul trucks. I’m Ford tech there and work on F150-750. BUT we are a in house shop and work only on our equipment. I got out of the dealerships and small shops. I get a raise every year. It was my 5 year anniversary and they gave me a $4 raise. I’m making it good now. Get out of working for the public and get into fleet. Best insurance and good pay. Best of luck to you man…. Update: remember you are not making them money you are saving them money working for fleet. They have a different attitude towards there employees. You are very important to them. It is very hard to get fired from companies like that.

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

The transactional business model. The creator of all of this industry’s problems.

[@euroblackicechronicles8177]

Lots of truth

[@Carelock]

Why would someone pay you if you’re not making them money? Obviously they must know something you don’t. Otherwise you would own your own shop and wouldn’t need them…

[@erictsai1165]

Enough is said! Time to open your shop and call your own shot. Prove those haters wrong!

[@chuckfirman3249]

It’s really hard having to deal with the mental side of things on the floor. I had to step away, as I’ve mentioned before but even “family” businesses can be really difficult. While I always invite a friendly atmosphere, I guard myself for the back stab and keep trying to put myself in their shoes, as in, “How do they see me? Am I just Tech 26?” If I am, I keep them at arm’s length and no closer.

[@domofatz]

This is why I left a big chain shop because everything is about the numbers to them they want you produce more and more each week. Don’t care about the quality of your work just sale as much as possible on each car harry up get it out to get the next car in.

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

I knew immediately why you were let go, and I called some of the clowns out. We got your back FRM. All the points you made is why I went independent contractor in Healthcare. It allowed me to put several managers in their place as a traveling Mri Tech from coast to coast. Now, I do mindless Security work, and I'm at peace. 🕊😂 Stay strong 💪

[@nickestes1839]

Why did he get let go? A lot of people out of the loop just want clarity. There is a lot of talk about how shitty the shop is but no explanation of the circumstances.

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

@@nickestes1839 He just did a video on why like a day ago.

[@jordanbrock7309]

As a new shop owner and old tech, I agree with this. Business is much different than the shop and everyone needs to be appreciated and treated fairly, from the tech to the owner to the customer. Profit margins mean nothing without quality work.

[@timothybraden6611]

They will never see nor understand it’s easier to retain a good employee than it is to train two to replace that good one.

[@kevinlamarr1424]

That’s always been true in every industry. Check out the movie, Which way is up? . Basically, Richard Pryor goes from freedom fighter to company man and turns on his friends/ co workers, to kiss up to the bosses only to find out what they really think of him. I saw what you are talking about more than 45 years ago in the military. That’s why some guys have a little two bay shop of their own.

[@jcolivera881]

No matter where you go, you are a number. Everyone needs to realize this. As an employee, do your job the best you can and get your money. But never think they will not fire your ass when they don’t like something.

[@Tony-dd4yv]

You are right on money this is why it's so important that you help get the word out you are one of the few that have come out to train or teach us how to do better repairs do with our funds and how to hold our own with our shop owners

[@da9ej1eg99]

I wish every boss lose their employees, let's see how it goes for them. There's a auto shop near my house n the owner is just a dirt ball. He literally in the shop by himself nobody wants to work for him. He hired a guy about 2 weeks ago and he's already gone. Every auto tech needs to see this so that they can give no weeks notice and jist quit so that way when they need to hire urgently we can get a better pay. But it's up to everyone. If not auto techs r gonna get paid 20 bucks an hour as an A tech.

[@arizonalifestylechannel2186]

Getting Fired is part of the Job. This has always been a tough business the chews up and spits out a lot of well intended people. I not saying it's not a good business, I'm saying that its been a tough business since my Humble beginning in the early 1990s. The name of your channel says it all, Flatrate Master. The absolute fact is that the more hours you make and the more you sell the better off you will be to a Shop, Dealership etc. I come to accept what you are saying a long time ago. Yes it's true however the guiding principle is that being an Automotive Technician is a lot of hard work and not really a typical 8 to 5 job with and hour lunch unless you work for a fleet shop for a government agency.

[@Los831]

I’ve learned that when they let you go it’s always personal , I go to work do my best and once I step out of work I leave it there at work , I continue to live my life and not try to stress. Don’t bend over backwards because you’ll end up feeling some type of way

[@powderriver2424]

I had an experience about 15 years ago in my trade. I worked for a mom and pop company I was a good driver I was known around and had a good reputation. The relationship went south and we parted ways, but not before the owners tried blackballing me around my area. They caused quite a bit of grief, however I perservered and you will too.

[@Joe.O_623]

I've been following your channel for a long time now. As someone who felt they were wrongfully terminated in the past, I can certainly empathize with your situation. I wish you could provide a little more background on the circumstances behind your dismissal. This might give a deeper perspective into what exactly happened. I know you don't want to rock the boat with your severance, but the truth will set us free.

[@JRMr313]

Been watching your channel for years, love it! Went to an aviation mechanics high school/ community college doing aviation and automotive: graduated 2001, no jobs in aviation. Worked at Sears and Michigan motor exchange in Detroit till 2006 have 10 or so ASE's in different areas. Got my CDL and went to Diesel/heavy equipment school in 2013 as a back up cause you never know! Been in Illinois working at the airlines since 2006 first regional CRJ's and contracting working widebody aircraft... A330-340, 747, MD11 ect... now at a major airline making over 50 an hr. Been there for 10 years. I love cars, motorcycles, trucks and working on them but hate the system, and management and service writers trying to get me to fix the car for wrong/cheap... like pad slap and not turn the rotors.... back in the day, I really miss doing alignments camber, caster toe, SAI, included angle.... shims bushings.... I made sure all adjustments were done and green bc tires are a huge investment for customers. I still have my tomcat camber airbag for adjusting camber. I go by the book and safety is my top priority, at Sears I did both service writing and fixing cars bc the service writers would disappear and not answer the phones so I took their job and commission and fixed the car too and explained to them customer service is #1. Now look at Sears. My back up plan is being a fleet mechanic or working on trains, I hate having to keep taking these ASE's every 5 years my Aviation mechanics license never expires. In this economy I rather work for someone then have my own shop or tow truck business... insurance, medical, economy.... why aren't auto technicians held to higher standards like aircraft technicians due to safety... Get rid of the flatrate and pay up to $50 an hr. depending on Ase's and experience. Aviation is so much fun we taxi aircraft, do engine changes, fix toilets, broken seats, run software, everything!!!! We never stop learning and it never gets boring. Auto technicians are underated and underpaid, especially what we in auto pay for tools as my matco toolbox and 30 grand or whatever I paid in tools sits in my garage as a hobby. Thanks for your service, channel, and experience. Here in aviation its not based on the customer doesn't have the money, planes have to get fixed if we deem them as broken. You are one of the very best technicians experienced in your craft for years and we look up to you, we all know this based on your channel content. I wouldn't consider you to get a fleet technician job for a County, this is what I would do.+ 401k!!!! Customers service should be number one not ripoff and abuse the customers and technicians, I miss the old days when Kmart blue light special and when Sears sold every tool you needed In stores. Was born in 1981.... they really destroyed all these companies nowadays even these airlines... I just stay under the radar, do my job and have fun and hope to retire in 20 years from there and I hate age discrimination too bc young people will do anything you tell them even if its dangerous or wrong. My last backup plan is going back to work at Wendy's from back in the day... free spicy chicken sandwiches and frosty's, Wishing you the best brother!

[@radupirvu6413]

You’re absolutely right on all points, in 12 years on the bench at two different dealerships my experience mirrors yours at every step.

[@3PumpChumper]

During my brief foray into teaching automotive technology, I would tell my students 2 things. 1: you will be your own worst enemy when it comes to not making money. Don’t ever look at a car or pop open a hood without getting paid for it. If the customer knew what they were looking at or looking for, they wouldn’t need you. 2: always remember the shop needs you more than you need the shop. They start in on the mental games of “you’re lucky to be here” type shit, leave. Leave immediately. That’s a narcissistic mentality that will beat you up and you do not have to put up with it at all. A side note, if the school of hard knocks issued degrees and the alphabet soup before and after our names, auto technicians would have some impressive titles.

[@a1automotive17]

Just get into your own shop ! You’ll be much happier !

[@masongillespie4360]

That door swings both ways. Employees push to have paid healthcare and vacation but in the same light complain about owners pushing to maximize profits. That added expense of employee benefits has to be made up somewhere.

[@jordancook3775]

Hey Flat Rate Master. I jumped back into the dealership life last year and things were looking promising. They fired the guy who referred me to work there because I was turning more hrs then him. I left right behind him. The dealerships and car mechanics Suck and will never be appreciated. It’s dog eat dog

[@Adam-kk7nw]

I agree brother

[@simongarfunkel4040]

those callouses on your hands speak volumes. shake the hands of those armchair shopowners that talk down to you and they know it immediately too.

[@ThePackageLives]

You're totally right. People need to stop thinking of it as "we have a family atmosphere" or that nonsense when it comes to the employee/employer relationship. At the end of the day, you are there to make money, you wouldn't show up otherwise.

[@da9ej1eg99]

Every single auto shop I've worked for I have quit. Either due to pay, because of the boss, n favoritism. In the future i see no autotechs at all. Why would anyone want to do that kind of work when u can get paid more working at McDonald's. Seriously I know a guy that makes only 500 b4 tax as an auto tech. 😆 he's already telling me he hates it.

[@1337penguinman]

There's a reason I left the industry. Granted, it's the same everywhere, but at least in my new career I'm not sacrificing my body and paying off tool truck bills to put someone else's kid through college. I think it's inevitable that everyone gets more disgruntled the older and wiser we get. The more you learn how the sausage is made, the less you want it.

[@danielgeng2306]

There’s nothing more important than a good reputation to perpetuate a good business. You can only work on peoples cars once for so long until you run out of first time /last time customers . That why I have to work on my own stuff now ~

[@justinballard7242]

If you got fired it has to be something you've contributed to

[@timothylloyd2408]

I see the tone of your posts leading down a dark path. You know your abilities ( not speaking of U Yube stuff). Keep focused on the future and plan whatever you need do , leaving the sour taste behind you if you can ...Rise above the negativity & look for that open door that awaits....but choose which door wisely.

[@kurtiscal3msetccdwell618]

Of course it's a dark tone this man has been hurt and wronged. Why don't you go call the shop owner that did this and tell him to knock it off.

[@Tojen-pt8um]

This is the part of the process for everyone who gets let go. It's easy to crap on a guy putting his feelings, thoughts, emotions on public display. Gonna take awhile to move on.

[@tristenwelch1675]

When you have a toxic shop owner, you don't see it at first. You see it in small things that make you realize it's time to go

[@johnleinen7167]

I'm 61 am a certified Mercedes Benz master, doesn't matter where you work at in this business, most of the upper management are "Professionals " who failed at working in banks or the insurance industry and they are jerks that land in auto repair trying to run dealership parts and repair departments,one dealer had an ex pro baseball player who got cut or released after a year and brought a bad attitude along .That's what we deal with NOT working on cars, that's the easy part!.

[@Just0ke]

This happens in every field of business. You cant take it personal. Like the saying goes "it ant personal its business. You just have to always have a back up. And when people you dont have a back up, thats when they take it personal. Just put yourself in their shoes, if they have to fire someone to feed "their" family, there going to do it without blinking. You've got enough skills to do your own thing. Let it go.

[@Bentlyco0p]

Unrelated to shop life, you're definitely correct about the number and profit. I've trained my replacement and eventually got fired afterwards. Life lessons suck but are necessary.

[@Scrapswoodworking]

Couple years ago I left the job I was at to try my hand working on cars and I figured out very quickly that I was nothing but a drone . I recall having to take a couple days off due to being sick and when I came back still under the weather but able to work I heard the grape vine that the district manager was unhappy about me taking a couple days off. I am not the kind of person to just take a sick day for small reasons if I call in it’s because I literally wouldn’t be able to function that was a contributing factor to why I left that field

[@claytonbarr5448]

Funny you mention management groups. Last week I yoked up the GM and told him he better slow his used car dept (they sell the car THEN inspect it which is ass backwards and creates scheduling nightmares). We have 3 older techs that are finishing out their time but have been in it 20 to 30 years...and we have a bunch of younger guys who have never been through trade school...then there's me trying to keep everything together. I let him know that NADA (management group for our dealer) isn't gonna find him employees and they certainly aren't going to go put there and fix the cars. Newsflash, great techs aren't beating down the doors around here...and the local community College won't work with the dealership due to past experiences so we aren't getting anyone that already knows theory. I politely informed him that he and the used car guy and the service manager better learn how to fix cars....cuz if they keep it up I'm leaving and letting them deal with their problems. You think they listened? Nopeeeee.

[@CubasAutomotive]

How horrible! I'm sorry you have to deal with such nonsense! I'm glad you say you're used to it Mike.... once again I'm fired up. I hate the fact you're being treated so poorly by some ppl. F them!

[@leealtmansr.3811]

You are correct in that techs are just tools to owners. BUT, as we learned when we started, treat your tools with respect and take care of them. The old advice: Treat your customers like the King and treat your employees like the Queen. Is so true👍

[@dm7097]

Sometimes “family” treats you worse than strangers do.

[@jimthompson6424]

I switched to a GM dealer about 3 yrs ago from independents. Best move I ever made. Much better environment for my family and me. Get paid training, respect, better pay and benefits.

[@jacobmanalang8162]

keep pumping out these videos, stream when you can, and make hits on any podcast or radio you can! call in to radio shows! just talk shop, gripes, trends, take questions and frustrations! do call outs, pop off and go on rants! thats what we wanna hear DAMMIT! keep recommending products you stand by! i say start a sub stack or write a book. hopefully the community can jump in and help and get you to the right people. maybe start the flat rate master series like we always had chiltons guide! cmon guys, lets get activated! itll be better for the community and SOCIETY because these young people.....arent thorough or interested in safety as long as they get the look right or do that dumb ass sideshow takeover. that needs to be stopped.

[@kalecastaneda]

I feel like if management says we are family you better be expecting a knife in the back.

[@mostwantedmotor]

Seen those groups before it gets disgusting, Ive always recommended mechanics if they could do side work, seen one of those groups blame side work by unauthorized mechanics as to why their shops don’t have consumer and they should lobby to make people working on their own cars illegal.

[@williammouri1096]

You must be an honest man with integrity. You wouldn't lie and steal from hard working people. Nine out of ten repair shops have no soul or ethics. Dealerships are the worst. I wish you could open your own place and do it your way.

[@asavage1576]

This is why I wont give a 2 week notice. Drive my service truck home, unload the tools, and tell them to come get their truck.

[@1976smb]

I work in electronics and know enough mechanically wise to have an idea what is going. Basically with anything if a shop is good, dentist, etc. if you ever notice the best never need to advertise because word of mouth gets around. There is a local oral surgeon who is excellent to the point his appointments are scheduled months out. Why is that? Well he does great work and cares about his patients. Be wary of anyone who is constantly advertising.

[@djosbun]

More people need to change their attitudes to “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I am sorry that people are reacting this way to your situation, Mike.

[@mikeske9777]

I spent many years in the mechanic field and am now retired. When I decided to go from one job to another I would go in yo give a courtesy 2 week notice knowing full well even the 1980's the mechanic was immediately fired. The dealership I worked in 1987 that I fired I never said a word about having a job offer out of vehicle mechanic into aircraft mechanic I had a report date to report to my new job and I wanted a couple weeks to move my family cross country. I walked in to the service managers office on the day I wanted to leave and I tried to quit but the manager I knew looked at the numbers and I was the most productive heavy line mechanic. The first thing he did was offer me a raise I refused then offered me a different position in the company I refused then finally after not getting immediately fired I finally said I quit and have accepted a job offer elsewhere. I had to fire the place. I heard from a couple of friends at the dealership I was the first one not immediately fired for giving a 2weeks notice. I always done the stay silent on when a employee is dismissed/quit as we never get the entire story

[@bryanhoffman8861]

Your absolutely correct sir! 100 percent support!

[@patrioticimmigrant8817]

I knew the drama would fly. Open your own shop. Your shop your rules. Even if it's just you. Who cares.