Can A Tech Refuse To Do An Oil Change or Tires?

[@ScubaSteve08100]

The modern flat rate pay structure is distorted into a screwed up method of payroll control. Eliminate all the hourly positions, reduce labor times, and give away “free” inspections you don’t even pay the tech for while jacking the labor rate to $200+. Like you said, it’s all about generating revenue. You need hourly techs to bridge the gap between lube bay and high level mechanics. Competent enough to write a good estimate on that LOF and not having anxiety about flagging hours so you don’t get that cherry-picking of what work they wanna do.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

💯

[@user-yy5zs8cp5k]

They're full send scum now.

[@Quickwrench75]

Well said buddy.

[@FixtIt]

This

[@RobertLowe-my1dl]

Have at least one tech on a salary and this entire issue goes away. I have 3 techs on salary and we get phenomenal DVI's, waiters are handled quickly and no one complains about oil changes and tire work.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Great point!

[@Adam-kk7nw]

​@@ChangingTheIndustry oil change only pay .3 not worth it

[@jasonlecreux1175]

My shop charges 0.3 to do an oil change. Involves the oil change, airing up and inspecting tires, visual/non invasive inspection of brakes/suspension, check fluids and filters. As a flat rate tech, I have no problem doing this. I know when we’re busy I can make up the hours on other jobs. But 0.3 is hard to do all of that PROPERLY. It sucks, but it helps keep the cost of the service down.

[@jasonlecreux1175]

After finishing watching the video, I want to add on that I am at a new car dealership.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

But it CAN'T be done properly in .3.....

[@jasonlecreux1175]

@@ChangingTheIndustry I know it can’t be done, but we get paid fairly well elsewhere, and we don’t typically get cars in for only oil changes. Hondas maintenance minder is pretty fair and makes up for it. But IMO our oil change along with the inspections we do, if you do them quicker than a 0.5 you’re not doing it properly, even though we only get paid for 0.3

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Many say "that's the opportunity cost for the technicians"...how do you feel about that statement?

[@justoleme1]

Exactly

[@Kevin-qn7jf]

The idea that a shop or company can discount labor and not pay techs the full amount the job should pay, is similar to a situation Sears got sued for and lost years ago. The courts said you can discount parts and decrease commissions based on that because it drives volume and increases sales where the sales person isn't spending anymore time to sell the product, but doing to same to labor, discounting the charge doesn't decrease the amount of time to do the labor. It would be akin to hiring someone hourly and cutting their pay because you have a sale.

[@gregblau8082]

I started out at Sears and we were always getting screwed on commercial accounts and warranty work. Supposedly when the advisor wrote it up to pay us right it hurt their numbers

[@jeffco908]

Speaking of swaptronics, as a dealer tech and been doing pretty much only electrical and drivability diagnosis for over 15 years i see this more and more. Customer watches KZbin and shows up requesting a module replacement and program. Advisor always asks if they would like it diagnosed first. Nope. So i get the ticket and do as requested then go ask advisor to call customer and ask what issue they were trying to correct. Well same problem still, want me to diagnose it? Now most say yes but there is a small number that get mad and blame us for not telling them this would not fix it. After they refused diagnosis. Its a double edged sword, if they approve diagnosis ahead of time and turns out they did need the module they dont want to pay either. Cant win sometimes.

[@kristenbreslin4449]

The incentivized workplace, wow! Hit that on the head! What a great episode! Thanks for the insight guys! I know my opinion is biased being a dealership tech, mainly bc I don’t get paid anything for MPI but we have the volume coming through the door. Recalls and warranty work. But I totally see the incentivized workplace culture here too. Takes a lot to remain proud and professional, I tell you EVERYTHING I see with your car, even when I don’t wanna do it. That’s someone’s mom, dad, brother, baby sister, cousin, ex girlfriend whatever, but guess what, we all share the same roads and highways and when you do look away and let the next shop get it…, that’s when bad things happen, car accidents, fires, death and train derailment. We gotta do better yall!!

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

💯

[@drah9955]

Good luck … It’s all F Ed up

[@JLsAutoSolution]

I agree and disagree with this topic. Now understand that I am in Montreal and we are paid hourly. Before I left the dealer I was at 42.5/hr(CAD) most oil changes here(not quick lube) are 30-45 minutes depending on how many plastics and undercovers need to be removed and how quickly I can get my oil/filter. IN THIS time we are expected to do a DVI and estimate. Now with that being said. Most oil changes were 69.95 so when management would give me an oil change they were making 6$ after everything else was paid. And then management would say that they are not making any money on me. But that comes down to bad management. Now I was the diagnostic tech. So if a car came in with a diag and there was an oil change and tire change I would not have a problem with it. But I would rather go home than do oil changes all day. After 15+ years I believe that there is something better that I can do with my time, for my employer.There are apprentices or lube techs available for these types of jobs. Where Iam and where I want to be in my career at this point in time does not include oil changes.. some employees may like doing oil changes but Iam past that, not above it but they are not in my career plans. My employer did not understand where I wanted to go in my career even after I explained it to him. So now I own and operate a mobile diagnostics/ programming business and I also teach auto mech and just recently started to teach the EV course. So I do believe that if a tech wants to pursue a certain path in this field there are 2 limitations, You(yourself) or the employer. Now the way the field is changing there is going to be a abundance of tech that can do the quick jobs and only a hand full that can can truly do diagnostic work. So what happens when you only need 3 fast movers and 5 diagnostians. 40+/hr but I have to know and accurately diagnose BMW Audi Ford Toyota Honda Mitsubishi ect. Plus learn Adas and Ev. 😬 There is going to be a huge gap and it has already started. Great topic.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Thanks for the input! That's awesome perspective! I wish there was a way to see what percentage of work that was done required some form of testing, calibration, coding or programming. I think we've trained so hard in the diagnostic space, that we often have a skewed opinion of the balance of work actually is.

[@The8BitMechanic-np2xj]

No Shop I have ever worked at Actually made in any profit themselves on oil change services. Get the customer in and try and upscale them stuff. LOF service techs should definitely be paid straight hourly AND be competent enough to actually make honest up-sales. I worked at a dealership that saw success in having the older close to retirement Master Tech oversee the Lube techs, coaching them, helping them out and making sure they didn't miss things on the inspections. He was guaranteed his clock hours. That setup worked really well in that shop.

[@shiftngearsautorepair805]

Our job is to repair the vehicle. Period. Making money should be a by-product of our skilled work. Shame on the shops that ship a car out because they cant figure it out, or its not a profitable job. Take care of your clients. Totally understand the work flow and having to re-assign a ticket, or have a hard conversation with the client that the wait is going to be a little longer so you can adjust and circle back, but don’t throw in the towel because you’re stressed or can’t handle it. You signed up for this.

[@magogomez7664]

Hands down.bro preach. The right shop culture is key

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

I can agree with you to a point. The proper repair of the vehicle and the client should always be our primary focus. But are you advocating for taking on work beyond the scope and ability of the staff 🤔 I'm not sure I can get on board with that. If we don't have the knowledge, tooling, information or ability to properly repair the car I suspect it would be best to turn the car away or let the client know it's not something we can handle. If not, we risk having an upset client AND a broken the car at the end of the whole ordeal. It's like going to McDonalds and asking for a ribeye...the likely wouldn't oblige, and if they did, you likely wouldn't appreciate the outcome.

[@shiftngearsautorepair805]

The cart is in front of the horse here. Yes you’re correct, the vehicle should not be scheduled if we are not capable. Transmission assessment? Not at a tire shop. My direction was, once the vehicle is scheduled, the repair/assessment is started, do it right and see it through. If you’re a gm specialist, and you got a chevy in the shop, thats on you, 100%. Figure it out. To circle back, if you’re an auto technician, that is your responsibility to the client. Question I have is, whats the best option for the client if the technician doesn’t want to take on an oil change at an auto repair facility?

[@thisisausername1265]

@shiftngearsgarage994 I don't think any techs don't want to do the LOF. They don't want to do it for $5 and then get bitched at about why the job they stopped doing, to do that LOF, isn't done. Pay me my $50/hour and I'm fine to do them. But don't blame me the diag still isn't done when I've been pulled off 3 times for waiter oil changes.

[@shiftngearsautorepair805]

@@thisisausername1265 thats a crazy shop culture, if I have LOFs, scheduled for the day, Im already anticipating the loss, and let the tech have a “gravy” day. We all need some easy stuff every once in a while, and im not one to step over a dollar to pick up a dime. Its one or the other. Have them Finish the diag or assign the oil change. Thats my job as owner, make the decision. I don’t get both.

[@MostGenericUser]

I love the takes you two have on these sorts of matters. It's refreshing to hear as a tech who worked at Pep Boys previously. They are the epitome of exploiting their techs and treating them like a number and not a person. I work at an independent shop that's a lot better now but the owner still can be very unreasonable at times. Anyways it gives me some hope for this industry as lately I have been struggling and getting very depressed with the way things are. Sometimes I consider changing fields because even though I love cars and working on them so much, the pay and benefits for the amount of time, effort and money you have to invest does not yield nearly as much as a return as say working in the HVAC repair field.

[@user-yy5zs8cp5k]

It's much more fun to fix your own cars on the weekend for free.

[@user-yy5zs8cp5k]

I would rather tattoo their daughters for $100 an hour and fix my own cars for free.Maybe the girl with the tattoos will fix my car for free. "LOS ANGELES -- Jonathan Hernandez figures if he is going to drive, he had better know how to fix cars. And he's well on his way to earning his degree in auto repair from Los Angeles Trade Technical College. But the 23-year-old does not intend to put his community college credential to use as a career. He plans instead to become a tattoo artist. "I can do a tattoo in three hours and make $300," explains Hernandez, who says he isn't tattooed himself. "Tattoo money is a little easier."

[@zanevanmiddelkoop7484]

I absolutely will refuse both unless we are slow with nothing to do. My time is better spent making real money doing real work. Those $15/hr entry level guys can take care of the shit work, just like I did when I was entry level.

[@codywinkle2303]

I wish the shop I worked at recently paid .25 for an oil change and dvi. I got stuck with .11 to do that plus 15 minutes wrench free and unpaid. Then I got let go because I couldn’t hit my hours when I was given shit work. I went from a shop owner & operator to working for someone again a couple months ago due to my landlord being shady etc. I complained about the hours on this but they didn’t like it after 2-3 times.

[@crasher88]

If the shop refuses to pay you properly for the job I feel a tech can refuse to do any job he wants. I work at Pep Boys and half the stuff I do I don't get paid flag hours I get paid commission. Let me spell it out exactly. On paper the work order pays .5 for an oil change but I only get a commission of $5 when I should get $13ish if they would pay me properly. While a GST,who gets paid hourly, can do the same exact oil change and get paid $13 an hour. How is that fair? Now if I have nothing to do I will do an oil change all day long.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

That's fricked up!

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Maybe you should anonymously send them a link to this video 🤣

[@notsure7874]

@@ChangingTheIndustry Thats beyond frigged up, that's wage theft.

[@jeffcompton6937]

Get as far away from pepboys as possible. That's the toilet of the industry

[@patrioticimmigrant8817]

This is what apprentices are for. They can help the Tech. They should be selling alignments and brakes and other services if needed.

[@peterl2017]

Oil changes need to go up in price so they are not more or less a loss to get people in the door. Charge the hourly rate, plus materials like any other job. As it is, it is cheaper to get an oil change done somewhere than what it costs to go into the parts store and buy you oil and filter UNLESS you get your oil on sale. Pay full price for oil and filter, and not worth it, unless you just don’t trust someone else to do it, which may well be a valid point. When I worked at an independent shop, just me and the boss, there were days that almost all we did was oil changes. Not profitable at all. Sure we picked up future work, but why not be able to make money doing those oil changes? Ever notice that oil changes are very often not done well? I see vehicles come in to my shop all the time that had there oil changes done elsewhere, never greased etc.(trucks). Why? Either total not caring, or just that they were not making any money, so just rushed it out. Charge more, do it right, then people may save money doing it themselves if they want to.

[@TheJohnbjunior]

They're giving away the store, $20. oil changes free brake/safety inspections, now customers expect it. Do you think there's a tech shortage now? Wait 1-2 years!

[@peterl2017]

@@TheJohnbjunior We had one guy came in years ago, looking to have his brakes checked. Retired guy that we both knew of, he had worked at the best paying industry in the area and was now living on a very good pension while retaining his dental/pharmaceutical benefits. When all was done, there was nothing wrong with his trucks brakes. His reaction “ was that a free brake inspection?”. Boss just said whatever and he left and never came back. Why should anybody work for nothing? You can be sure when he was working, he was paid every minute he was punched in, and when it went to overtime, every minute paid for that. Free meal ticket when doing overtime - you bet. Its a screwed up trade, more so than a plumber or electrician or even a bodyman.

[@FixtIt]

There is no such thing as a flat rate oil changer. The dealership where I work told me that since I was doing all the customer cars that I would do all the oil changes. That means for several hours a day I'd be doing oil changes instead of making money. I told them I'd be happy to do that for the next two weeks.

[@thisisausername1265]

I'll admit, I do consider myself "above" oil changes and silly stuff like tires. I will do them, but it's a complete and utter waste of my time. I have a transmission to install, oil pan and cooler lines, 3 brake jobs, state inspections..... today. I don't have time for loser tickets when hourly people exist. I'm pushed to maximize my output, and I simply cannot afford to have my time wasted and slow my productivity. Car HAS to go today, parts HAVE to show up on time, etc. 10 hours in 8, every day, sounds like my world - air pressure checks, "pre-trip inspections", "look overs" pay $0.00. LOF nets me $6, 4 tires nets me $15. Everybody wants production/output, then the bullshit jobs show up and they're jamming a clipboard into your rips while you're trying to torque headbolts. OMG WAITER OIL CHANGE At the end of the day, my work literally pays for the hourly people. They're often a net loss vs their input. If I need to pay for the hourly people, they need to do the BS so I can work. There's a reason I learned diagnostic skills, buy training materials, nearly 100k in tools, scopes, scan tools, etc - because I didn't want to make McWages doing LOF/tire jobs. Like David said, I also will limit what I will and won't estimate. Unless it's safety related, I'm not writing up a full engine regasket and trans rebuild on a 2003 buick every oil change. I can't afford to spend an hour on the phone. They're not buying it. And unless the front desk can promise a sale, I'm not writing an estimate for everything wrong with every car every time. That said, I typically make time on broken exhaust bolts. :)

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

We appreciate your transparency and honesty! I think that's something that's lost on our industry right now. So many are worried about being shamed when speaking an unpopular opinion, they'd rather not say it. If it's never said, our industry never moves forward.

[@thisisausername1265]

@ChangingTheIndustry What's the ASOG approved method for dealing with, say, a 150k 2009 bmw 328xi? It's an oil change ticket. You and I both know there are a solid 10,000 bucks worth of oil leaks, bushings, broken stuff. Do you simply document? Estimate as well? Call the dealer for turn around time on the single use bolts? Where should one draw the line of reaching out to the customer before expending the effort? I like Lucas' idea of qualifying the customer and setting expectations initially about what they want and what the shop offers. I write my own estimates and only get paid for the work that sells and I finish. I simply couldn't afford, let alone have time to, estimate that BMW example everytime it comes in for an oil change.

[@ryans413]

Who the hells going to do it if not you. It sucks but it’s still something that has to be done someone’s gotta do it.

[@thisisausername1265]

@@ryans413 Uhh..... the hourly lube tech hired specifically to do such work. I have a transfer case to pull and re-case, driveability problems, and dealerships to call. Engineers don't mop the floor in the front lobby, they have actual work to do.

[@The8BitMechanic-np2xj]

All these auto repair industry problems could be fixed with a voluntary "Flat Rate Paycheck Protection Insurance" either signed up for by the individual Tech or paid for by the Shop owner on the behalf of their Techs so they can have that assurance. In order to protect his or her paycheck from Mismanaged flat rate shops. A tech can definitely make allot of money in a purely flat rate shop BUT there are slow days/weeks and there a miriad of other things that happen that are NOT in the techs control and his paycheck suffers.

[@ghost13829]

If your hourly your fired. If your flat rate and they respect you yes. If your flat rate and a cook, crack, hack, or joke they will hold it against you.

[@lissettelopez8331]

I would've killed to get a job in a shop changing oil and tires when I was young. (Mind it being NOT a lube place, and an actually shop.) How hard can it be to find someone off a temp agency? I'm certain there's opportunities. Ultimately the shop owner will be responsible to pay up, or suit up.

[@09baher]

What is GS and DVI stands for? I keep hearing it and I'm new to this industry. Thanks.

[@kg4tnp]

I have 20 certifications and 30 years experience, I dont do oil changes because simply because I dont want to do them for a living and I don't have to.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Maybe? At the end of the day, that's a discussion for you and your employer.

[@notsure7874]

You're talking about 1.5 hours for an oil change and a set of tires @ 40 bucks / hour? Set me a bay up properly to crank those out, and set me up 6-8 of those / day. I don't wanna do ANYTHING else.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Not exactly.... I'm saying to properly do that job in my shop is 1.5hr. It's going to be tough to take a guy making $40/hr on book and throwing him on multiple oil changes a day....while remaining profitable, competitive and efficient.

[@notsure7874]

@@ChangingTheIndustry I was giving you a hard time :D You'd loose your shirt like that. But if that job opens up, let me know, I'm ON IT!!!

[@031stunna]

I interviewed with a big place here in my city they advertisers transmission specialist doing General Repair looking for an a-level Tech. And I informed them yes I have knowledge of all General Repair but I have not done nothing outside of ADAS and alot of network and electrical diag for 7 years. I don't think it would be efficient to have me doing more of the parts swapping money-making work. And if they had enough for the type of work that I specialize in to keep me busy they didn't give me an answer they just said they need me to do all the work I gave him a no to the position now they rewrote the ad that they're looking for a diagnostician/shop Forman and an entry level tech.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

They rewrote the ad 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 It's good you "interviewed" them... If not, both parties would've been blissfully unaware there was a tragic misunderstanding right up until there was no avoiding it. Likely leading to you being frustrated and somewhat disgruntled as the tech. And the business owner or manager upset they didn't get what they were paying for... It amazes me the number of owners who have no clue what they really want or need. "Can you fix cars?".... Good enough for them!

[@bohawkins5258]

The problem I’m having is my G.S is hourly. I gave him an engine swap on Tuesday, the job pays 16.5 hours.. 4 days later, it’s still not done.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

That sounds like an issue of giving a GS something out of their wheelhouse. It's took me years to learn that I HAD to dispatch to strengths!

[@bohawkins5258]

@@ChangingTheIndustry before I gave him the job. He says, I can do that engine swap, no problem. I know now that he was overconfident. I learned the hard way.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

That happens more times than not! I've tried to make sure our guys and gals have a chance to get in and acclimated. It gives me a better idea of the ability levels 😀

[@Ram2253spd]

You gave your general service tech an engine swap and you are surprised it isn’t done in 4 days? Maybe he isn’t rushing to do a good job the first time. Maybe he doesn’t want to run into an issue that would cost you to do the job twice. Also if book time says 16.5 hours that sounds like your issue for not billing extra. Most engine swaps run into some issue that goes over the time anyway.

[@jeffcompton6937]

How do you think it's smart to bill out an engine replacement at only 16.5 and secondly how do you complain about the time he takes when u dispatch it to a GS. All kinds of ridiculousness.

[@donniebagwell9536]

Mainly the tech loses money and the shop, what you make a half hour on a oil change that takes a hour because of stupid splash sheilds and to be competitive you make $20 per tire = everyone is losing money

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Who in the world would only make $20 a tire 🫢

[@donniebagwell9536]

@Changing The Industry Podcast most shops,,99 percent are competing with chain stores and basically have to install for free and mark the tires up $20-$25 to get the sale, I worked for a huge Michelin dealer for 15 years and we could sell them installed cheaper than the independent shops could even buy them for at cost

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Heck with trying to compete with them... they are trying to compete with my killer customer service.

[@Quickwrench75]

As a tech of 28 years and A High level tech I do what is asked of my boss/owner. Know how to do it so I do Mutual respect from tech to management If shit need to be done it needs to be done.

[@outdoorsman4245]

Another good question....should entry level tech be thrown in and expected to diagnose and fix anything? Is a entry level tech really going to fix a can communication fault or a fried ecm?

[@Kevin-qn7jf]

.25 or .3 is standard in the industry, and a lot of shops are requiring a vehicle inspection for less or free. I can't understand why a person is employing a shop full of 40 an hour techs. I personally feel every shop should have maybe 1 or 2 master qualified techs. Look at the work load, how much we do requires a master tech. From the techs stand point a lot of us have put the time in and earned our keep, we spent years doing dash work, tires batteries and oil changes. At the same time though, not having your most experienced techs looking over the oil changes and tire job cars is missing out on potential revenue. To create longevity for your shop, I feel every standard shop should have some apprentice and entry levels learning from the skilled mechanics to mentor along the way and help your revenue.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

I really agree with everything said here! Sometimes obtaining a good balance is the hardest part!

[@nickayivor8432]

CANNY Changing the industry Podcast God bless you Thank you From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧 ⏰️ 11:49am

[@nunomoniz3788]

Payroll percentages will drop to low. Low percentage gets you fired.

[@garykeyes7221]

Your SMS should be able to track Technicians findings/ Recommendations, Like why tech 1 finds only gravy work and Tech 2 finds everything including oil leaks, and other non gravy jobs.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

We definitely have that ability with shop-ware! In fact, it gives us some amazing ability to dig into these metrics, unfortunately, many owners don't know "what to do" with the metrics. That's where coaching and training from organizations like The Institute comes in. It's all about the perspective and knowledge.

[@FixtIt]

Why would you want a tech digging up unprofitable work?

[@Magus2222]

This whole video underlines why people are leaving the industry and new ones aren't coming in.

[@Zack_G_E]

Our shop owner has unfortunately created a competitive/toxic work environment by how everyone is paid techs are flat rate the GS guys we have are hourly. I used to be a GS and he didn't pay us overtime back then and a few other guys that are now techs but he pays the GS guys overtime now and it's created this "I shouldn't have to help you I wasn't getting paid overtime and nobody helped me" attitude . But it's also a huge waste of my time to do an OLF ROT for .4

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

That sucks!!! Do they know they created that environment? Has anyone brought it up? Did they always operate this way or did something change?

[@Zack_G_E]

@@ChangingTheIndustry I'm not entirely sure if he realizes/cares what he's done to the shop . The shop does pretty well and we are probably the best independent in this area so I'm sure that's what is important. I've addressed my concerns about the overtime and he's "old school" my way or the highway attitude. Even his senior employees seem miserable and act like they hate working here

[@outdoorsman4245]

In my experience tires and oil changes do not pay well on flat rate. Not like suspension or brakes pay on flat rate. If its F350 for tires even worse on flat rate.

[@outdoorsman4245]

I cant blame a senior tech to avoid some of the low pay jobs on flat rate. But does a shop owner really want an A tech doing oil changes or doing work that has good profit ?

[@aaron108]

The OWNER says he's made all that money one tires and oil changes... Techs don't see that money.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Techs don't see what money? Isn't that where the techs paycheck comes from?

[@aaron108]

@@ChangingTheIndustry Tires and Oil Changes aren't good money for techs. I mean, if its there and that's it, then yea, they are going to do it but its not like they are pushing aside tickets to get at those juicy oil changes. Yea, those things can lead to upsells but so often lead to a whole lot of nothing. The consensus I have seen is that tires and lube is what you do alot of until you get good enough to not have to do them any more. You'll never get away from them but this guy was trying to make it seem like tires and lube is a juicy thing that techs should be clamoring to get at.

[@USMC2147]

I would say maybe I know a lot of places thay pay .6 for oil change and tire rotation, inspect together so yea definitely would expect a tec to refuse to do that they loose money on every oil change they do..

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

I've had coaches tell me I'm a dummy for paying 1hr for a DVI and LOF.

[@thecardoc100]

That train wreck was about five miles from my home/shop.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

😯😯😯😯 Give us the low down? Not the stuff the news covered 🤣

[@thecardoc100]

@@ChangingTheIndustry Other than some local roads blocked off and the alerts we got on Saturday and Monday, we wouldn't have even known it happened from here at the house. We did get an order to shelter inside, and be ready to evacuate if necessary around noon on Saturday. I wasn't home when they detonated the tanker cars and intentionally burned off the rest of the chemicals. The smell of smoke from the fire and ash dropping is noticeable if you get within two miles of the wreck.

[@thecardoc100]

BTW. When you see someone stirring up the debris in the bottom of a small stream or pond and releasing what appears to be an oil of some kind. That's normal. I don't remember a time when we couldn't do that.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Thanks for filling us in! All those pictures and videos on Facebook looked super ominous.

[@NerdKrew]

We don't make any $$ on oil changes and tires. I do mean we make zero $$. The lube techs are the only ones that get the .5 and .4 for each tire. Flat rate techs get 0.00 for tires and oil changes.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

That's lame!

[@stevestadnik9206]

So who takes the pay hit for training the replacement guy if he doesn't know how to set a hoist.

[@outdoorsman4245]

Warranty labor times been raping technicians for years. Now they slashing out of warranty labor hours too

[@712gln]

what do dvi's pay

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

.5 here but we're a salary shop with a production bonus on top.

[@user-he8cj6jr8x]

I WOULD QUIT!ALTHOUGH IF YOU GIVE ALL TECHS BOOK TIME ON SAID VEHICAL FOR LOF AND ROTATES(NOT AN ISSUE)THE COMPANY WILL LOSE THERE ASS!! SAY GOODBYE TO 50 DOLLAR OIL CHANGES

[@nunomoniz3788]

I need a "good mechanic"

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

We all do. 🤣🤣🤣

[@johnl8597]

The main problem (other than the oil changes don’t pay enough) is that we had already ALL had a meeting about the oil changes before my brother had surgery. He’s only out for 3-4 weeks. Everyone agreed that this was the best way to do it. And for a few days it was ok. Then all I heard was complaining. I told all of them first that WE ALL agreed to this and now they don’t wanna do it. I don’t own the shop I have just been there forever. This shop has always been a tech first shop. Not saying these guys aren’t good at what they do but that’s why they make what they are making because the owner knows how it is to make shit money. I just had enough that day and went off. I was probably wrong but that’s what I did. I wish we could find a GS guy. They are like unicorns around here. My brother had a hernia before he started and he’s been here a year and a half. I think they have gotten spoiled. I’ve personally seen them do big and small jobs and not do the oil changes. They would just pull it outside and get my brother to do it. After the rant I had they all seem better. If I’m caught up I always walk around and either help them out with the job or either look and try to find something else that they may have missed to make more money and make sure the customer is happy.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

Thanks for the additional perspective! Glad to have you here sir!

[@notsure7874]

Your bro is only out for a month, and they're crying? I'd be pissed too. As long as you're taking that into account when you''ve got them on big jobs too and aren't chewing them out about "producing less" when their time is being soaked up by penny ante BS, I don't get what their problem is.

[@jeffcompton6937]

@@notsure7874 why should the other techs be down in money for a month because the shop failed to adjust for an absence? They shouldn't be. They don't own the business. They're just contracted workers within it.

[@notsure7874]

@@jeffcompton6937 When you're contracting - some months are better than others. Part of contracting is taking the good with the bad. And they all agreed to it, then decided they don't want to do it. From the shops perspective - what could they do? Hire a guy for 3 weeks? It'd cost more in training them in that particular shops systems / methods than it'd save (in time). Dude is out for surgery, he's not gone forever. But even if he was gone forever - it'd take that long to replace the guy. What do you do in the meanwhile? It sounds like the shop takes care of the techs pretty well overall. Maybe the shop could take a temporary hit and pay the techs more on that work than they normally would? They might lose a little bit on every one, but then hope to make it up on other work that it brings in? It's only for a few weeks after all. The only issue with that is that if the shop goes under because they're paying out too much on loss leaders - then nobody has any job at all. If it's a shitty shop to work for, no big loss, go work somewhere else. But if it's overall a great place to work for that'd be a hell of a price to pay over doing some shit work for a couple of weeks while a guy is in the hospital. Really good jobs aren't super easy to find.

[@jeffcompton6937]

@@notsure7874 I agree. But like ive said numerous times. Perspective is key. To you its only 3 weeks, a small sacrifice. To them maybe it's not. Regardless of time it's an issue that should've been addressed prior to your brother bring off. Its an antiquated loss leader bs way of running a shop. At 15 minutes your techs are subletting your marketing with their paycheck.

[@bobbywarthan5173]

I would love to know where you find a G.S. for $15 an hour.

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

I moderated a panel recently, and a panelist mentioned that's what they paid 🤷‍♂️ That wouldn't make me super comfortable... our apprentices start higher than that!

[@031stunna]

Likely all across the country I know guys still getting paid that or less in California

[@trentcofaxmtg7501]

Lets look at this from the perspective of any other similar industry. Should your top health care techs and surgeons be wasting time placing iv's and intaking patients? If your getting put in this position its an indication of a bigger issue why cant we afford to dedicate some one to this position? If its not profitable maybe we dont offer the service especially if we have to take some one who dosent do this service and force them under threat of firing if they dont. Did they know this coming into the position? Blah blah blah stop being a pos and hire some one to do the job you want done and i bet itll get done.

[@ryans413]

At the end of the day someone’s gotta do it. If the guys out sick someone’s gotta fill the position. Your not going to tell customers you don’t do tires and oil changes come on. I think all the techs can suck it up stop crying and fill in for the guy until he can return. What I’m hearing here is a bunch of egos that can’t put there pride aside to do a job they think is beneath them.

[@mrolfe001]

Just watched this til the end... 😮 crap

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that's hilarious.

[@theonetheycallsix2526]

Because it’s no worth my time to get .8. Wonder why you can’t get techs? Hearing “you can get a different job” or “all they do is bitch and moan” techs get treated like shit. You say something like that to me you best believe I’m leaving. My box has wheels for a reason. Glad I don’t work for these guys

[@ChangingTheIndustry]

We probably wouldn't hire you in the first place 😉

[@DavidRomanKC]

​@@ChangingTheIndustry 😂 Right?

[@theonetheycallsix2526]

ace certified , platinum tech buddy you couldn't even afford to have me @@ChangingTheIndustry

[@DavidRomanKC]

@@theonetheycallsix2526 🤣

[@theonetheycallsix2526]

hurt your feelings ? @@ChangingTheIndustry

[@kylenorthrop2398]

So funny listening to this one, they can't act like doing tires is beneath them! and in the same side of their mouth, we need diagnostic guys! I didn't go to school to learn how to fix cars with a scope so I can go to a shop and bust tires all day. Hire appropriately.

[@ryans413]

I see your point but if a shops tire and oil change guy is out sick and there’s no one else to fill the position someone’s gotta do it. This is my point in all this I understand a experienced tech shouldn’t have to work on tires and oil changes but if no one’s there to fill the position someone has too do it.

[@kylen.6742]

@@ryans413 it's fine to fill in to get jobs done in a pinch, I'm not talking about that. I've literally been hired for being a master tech then been told to bust tires because we "rotate" them to all techs to be fair. Meanwhile the "other" techs have 1-2 ASE's, less the 5 yrs on the job, etc.. That's what you get though when you hire a 29 yr old to your dealership as a service manager because his grandpa is an owner in your dealer group. No common sense at all. Can't be profitable to have a guy making $35 a hr to bust tires while the $15 guy takes two weeks to change a timing chain on a Tundra.

[@rallispeed1864]

300%? You lot on crack

[@DavidRomanKC]

300% rule. Live it and love it.