Why are Technicians Leaving the Industry?

Join me Coach Chris Cotton with AtuoFix Auto Shop Coaching to dig into some reasons why auto repair technicians may be leaving the industry. Stick around until the end for a special request that I have for you!
Click Here to take the survery and or share it! bit.ly/3EVVjSf

[@donmorrison9067]

Worked for a GM dealership for seven years and found it was more of a criminal organization then a service provider

[@workenhard]

such a simple solution. PAY your guys! Im not going to bust ass for 30 dollars and hour when the shop is charging the customer 150 an hour for MY labor!

[@mrmurdx8956]

30 an hour right now is a blessing because no shop is willing to pay that.

[@workenhard]

@@mrmurdx8956 even more of a reason to let these crooked shops and dealerships crumble under the burden of high turnover , staff shortage and massive overhead costs.

[@tulta3631]

You gotta open up your own place for $100+.

[@scrappy7571]

Our shop rate is $200 per hour, I get $30 flat rate. Most weeks I'm lucky to make 30 hours. No guarantee hours, and they have a tech in every bay fighting over work. 45 years of turning wrenches in GM dealers, had enough of the games.

[@halseyswelding8435]

Worked as a mechanic from 1993 to 2007, The poor pay, the lack of career growth, how hard it is on your body (especially your hands), tool costs, poorly designed vehicles that are difficult to work on, I could go on and on. Getting out of it was a no brainer and one of the best things I ever did, I don't miss it at all. My advice to anybody considering a career in it, is don't.

[@jerrylarson723]

Yes . The whole interaction is Chronic Malcontents. Joe six pak is a know it all s Managers are Phycopaths plus the dicks you have to work with.

[@JrSpitty]

Think it depends on where you work and the people you know. I know people making 120k+ flag rate at 45/h. Really you have to know how to play the game and know your shit to make that money though. At least in California the guarantee is 31/h. I am guaranteed to be making about 65k a year, but i make much more then that.

[@mph5896]

What do you do now?

[@user-nt6xr3eb3u]

You hit the nail on the head

[@erikturner5073]

​@@JrSpittyso your saying that techs aren't making money because they don't know anything, or know how to game the system, and also the technician shortage is blown out of proportion 😂😂. Yeah RIGHT!

[@paulsonfoster847]

67 year old retired GM dealer tech as of 2019. ASE Master tech with diesel and L1 additional. worked at 6 different dealerships through my career. Reasons for having a bad opinion of auto mechanical field is low pay, constant stress, no appreciation, hazard filled work environment, extreme noise damaging hearing, chemicals everywhere, rigged payment system, high insurance cost. It was fun back in the 1970's but you are doing engineer work these days for fast food wages. I programmed computer modules, electrical, drivability, brakes, alignments, tuneups, diagnostics for everything. It wasn't worth it. Some of my friends have had an early death because of it. The smart ones switched careers 20 years ago. I still fix imaginary vehicles in my sleep. That truly sucks. I survived and have never been happier in my retirement. My advice, don't do it! Pick a different field.

[@jerrylarson723]

My observation are the same. Semi Trailer Mechanic operate a ma pa mobile service with adult children. Semi trailers are straight foward . Dirty weather prone service .

[@dwtees]

I'm a 70 year old master tech with L-1. I couldn't agree with you more. The average tech can make more flipping burgers at Mc Donalds without having the tool bill working in air-conditioning. Health care? You're one of the lucky ones. Medicare is the first time I had health care in my life. I opened my own shop 18 years ago. I got tired of being treated like a servant, I got tired of my hours being stolen from me, I got tired of service writers who don't know enough to sell the diagnostic work I do resulting in as you say fast food wages, my marriages all failed basically because of the hours I worked for the fast food pay. If you're not a good provider no woman will stay with you. I'll retire soon maybe this year.

[@mr.Lumpy3803]

Amen to that brother

[@fredd629]

. I still fix imaginary vehicles in my sleep. That truly sucks. ,,,,,I used to experience this in my days and yes it sucks ,not getting proper rest on top of your daily stress is a awful formula .

[@user-fc9iq6le2g]

Mechanics is not for the weak and today's male is weak But more pay......is every field

[@gregshimanek3165]

I have been a tech for over 40 years. 35 years as a flat rate tech at the same dealership. I am 61 years old. Busted up. I have always enjoyed being a tech. It has been a good career for the most part. I have seen the culture change and as well as the pay. The manufacturers have been putting alot of pressure on everyone for doing more work and less pay. I am ase master certified since 1984. I have always strive to be the best that one could be. The current environment has made things not so good anymore. I hope I can make it to the end and retire but definitely looking to get out if I can. Fed up. The techs have as a whole have been not been treated right and , pay is down. Tool prices up. It take years to become very good. It's hot, it's cold, you deal with all sorts of chemicals, you get cut up, bad back , burnt, people have no clue as a whole about understanding there vehicles. Run them in the ground and throw a fit when it cost so much to fix them. It's just crazy. Dealer principles keep raising your health plan cost. Techs are walking out. The young ones can't survive. Good luck.

[@irvingsantiago6701]

Your exactly right, there with you! I started as a dealer flat rate dealer whore (Chevrolet) from an independent 4 bay Chevron station in 1979-80. NIASE Master 40+ years aka ASE. BAR California Certified Emissions Inspector 40 years. Every automotive job I ever accepted always included update training through manufacturers with mandatory pay increases as part of my pay packages. As my career grew I was always in contact with other Master techs (close friends, my good ol boy network.) with other manufacturers and generally was pulled/ recruited to jump ship with decent pay packages. Dodge, Ford, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Honda, Acura. As time went on the reoccurring theme was if my dealership service managers or service drive staff wasn't automotive skilled nor credentialed my flat rate pay and CSI ratings were effected. If my manager and service drive team was in the know and I wasn't cleaning up "every one else' kids diapers" (rechecks) You know what happens! I even went into Collision assessment and repairs with additional OEM training BMW, Tesla. I owned a Cornwell tool truck franchise when Blowvid struck! Worked with a brewery during Blovid. I was recruited by a detail and automotive chemicals sales company as a Jr regional account manager ( San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino counties) My heart is willing but my body is telling me to Frank Umbrella Charley King myself! God willing, I will reinvent myself one more time for a few more years them retire. (63 yo now) Hang in there men, you got this I know!

[@wendwllhickey6426]

Quit saying there lazy ,but my is shit and so is management 😂

[@damienmidanik9680]

I have been an emissions technician for 25 years. I have probably 100k invested into my tools. I have been at the same shop for over 11 years. I see billboards for unskilled warehouse work with starting pay for only a couple of dollars less than I make per hour every single day on my way to work. Why would anyone want to deal with the stress and tool cost to be a mechanic when you can make just as much tossing boxes and not even thinking? Everyone acts like you are ripping them off when the truth is you make less than half what you are actually worth. You get constantly pressed for more production from employers that can’t even get you parts in a timely manner. Then you are constantly getting yelled at by customers that don’t understand that it’s going to cost more than 100 bucks to put an alternator in their Volvo and even though they made it through the door by 3 on a Friday without an appointment, it’s not getting done today. You are basically the shit end of everyone’s stick. You get suckered on this whole flat rate thing where you don’t get a dime of overtime pay, you get to stand around and not get paid when parts aren’t coming or it’s slow that week, and you can never plan to do anything cause something will always happen to cut your hours short. You don’t get paid for comebacks so if you make any mistakes you work for free. There is Zero positive things about being a mechanic these days. I haven’t even gotten into the wear on your body and the exposure to chemicals.

[@natersalad889]

Become a govt fleet mechanic, literally everything you just mentioned is non existent there.

[@jdonez8347]

Just quit Feb, 1s 2024, barely clearing 48k, 15 yr ASE tech, fk pulling whole cabs and front clips for chump change.....the industry is shit..employers want to jew Both the customer and the employee. I agree w everything you said above...1 back surgery later, thnx for nothing.

[@jimjames6990]

You gotta be a engineer to be a tech today. Diagnose , repair all systems. Should be paying 40 to 50 per hour like a engineers do

[@wendwllhickey6426]

People don't maintain their cars and wait till it won't run then come in and want it fixed for100 bucks

[@MrBeefsnorkel]

8 years turning a wrench working on the newest models, flat rate has turned me away. turned me away for good. you cannot pay me commission only to diagnose a can communication issue between the 3rd row seat folding module and the integrated body module - BUT WAIT ITS UNDER WARRANTY SO NO PAY AT ALL! hell no. im done

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

Hey, I'm having that issue with my 2008 Cadillac Srx 😅

[@1stTnetix]

@@I_Died_2_Weeks_Agocreated that issue by owning it lol

[@dbdigital5880]

Hold on Tech’s don’t get paid for doing warranty work?

[@ryanrodriguez3319]

​@@dbdigital5880They do but not for diagnostics.

[@freemelly6191]

@@dbdigital5880I get paid for Warranty work at Mitsubishi lmao I get .4 for doing usb updates all day ez money

[@DanielGarcia-wc9ze]

The fact that dealerships and shop owners need a service to tell them why techs are leaving is very telling on how oblivious they are on how they treat their techs. I spent 19 years in the garbage auto repair industry made a move to heavy equipment and earned more money in my first year than in any given year in automotive. Surpassed 100K in my second year. Big changes need to happen if shops want to keep any good techs around.

[@michaelcranton4672]

I need to make a move this shit is ridiculous. I’ve never been so aggravated daily, not to mention the hard work, missing lunches that we have to clock out for or get written up… no matter how good you do no praise but one thing goes wrong and your a conniving criminal. …this is not my long term plan god forbid it! I have a family and I know my next move is coming and it probably won’t be automotive. These electric vehicles are getting tiring anyways I hate recalibrating cameras! Ok now that I’ve vented I’m good for another week!

[@8alakai8]

i did the same 10 years ago now still work as mechanic but not on cars i now work on large format printers they even call me field service engineer ahahah and better pay not breaking my back doing the work car from the company etc

[@TheDeezelsmoke]

@@michaelcranton4672 I made the move to an EV manufacturer after working on German cars at dealerships for 20 years getting screwed. Now I'm hourly making close to $50/hr and I get overtime and healthcare that is nearly free. I agree the cars are a pain in the ass, but at least now I'm making good money and don't have to worry about flat rate.

[@Dan-oo1tm]

If you're smart enough to become an auto mechanic, you're smart enough not to. At some point, the love for cars is not enough to keep getting kicked in the nuts every day.

[@ddupy]

Number 4 was me. After nearly 30 yrs in the heavy truck industry, that was the main reason I left the industry. I was able to get a maintenance job in a canning factory that paid much higher wages, better benefits, and wasn't nearly as hard on my body.

[@Noblewar]

More complicated and warranty has lower the fix times so much that even on customer pay jobs you dont break even. "But it only pays .3 to remove the seat!" Yep, but what about the time to look at the wiring diagram, test the harness, isolate it, etc... "But it only pays .3 to remove the seat!"

[@dumbthingsyousee6969]

so many prerequisist unaccounted for in flat rate system---where i work i have to sometimes tow cars out of the way with a forklift to access the car i need to work--then finding keys for other cars, jumpstarting dead cars to move them to access the car i need to work on---i dont get paid for that and it is a lot of extra time---takes me SOMETIMES 20 minutes just to pull a car in

[@alexrileyfoxhound5453]

It's ridiculous

[@michaelking9373]

40 years turning wrenches, the disrespect is at a all time high, these automotive coaching companies still do not have our backs, dealerships are a joke.

[@R3YNZ]

I started my automotive journey 5 years ago. Started as a diagnostic apprentice and have come a long way. I was very excited for the automotive industry but lately i been thinking of leaving. I really do love diagnostics but where i live diagnostics slow down in the summer, and my boss isn't willing to give me any brake, suspension, or ac work. This really hurts my pay while others get a steady paycheck. Been looking around other shops but they dont really care about diagnostics here. I dont want to move far away just to find that one shop that might be a good fit for me. Update: So my boss and I talked; now I'm got a raise with better guarantees and been getting some suspension work. We'll see how all goes wthin a year!

[@Comm0ut]

Consider aviation. It's actually easier in many respects than working on modern autos. I left the industry and joined the Air Force to fix fighters. The total package and early retirement were well worth it. Not many mechanics retire at 47. Wrenching is fun but follow the money (and benefits) whatever you do because our working lives are a lot shorter than they seem at the beginning. If you stay in automotive add all the skills you can, like welding and machining. Also consider industrial maintenance. I quite liked that and the more varied your skills the better for your job prospects and general competency.

[@ericm302]

One of the biggest reasons is the compensation. Specifically the way labor times have gone down and now all the shops make their money on parts. 25yrs ago a disc brake job paid like 2.3hrs. Now its 1.1 and its about $575 an axle cause the shop is buying $28 rotors and selling them for $175 a piece. These shop owners go to some seminar or have some guru consultant tell them to work their parts matrix to achieve max profit

[@professor_crumbly5618]

I’m an hourly tech at a heavy truck dealership. We no long get get performance raises. All 14 techs get the same flat raise across the board regardless of performance. The service writers are getting the same but their percentage is over double what we get. No performance incentive, no way to make more money except to threaten to quit or actually quit for another job. Going to another shop just starts the cycle all over again. I’m ten years in and am actively looking for a way out.

[@joeevans7866]

As a tech of 10 plus years I'm about done. Flat rate is a joke tired of being robbed of time even if it's a .1. Pay me or loose me. I have invested more money and time than on tools, education, ect. If your a dealer tech with certifications. That just means you are know doing warranty and recalls oh and good luck making a living on that. The only people doing actual work I. A dealer is the techs just to be crapped on. The industry did it to its self when they started feeding the bean counters.

[@johnrpizzaguy]

I live in San Luis Obispo California and shops are closing down almost weekly, as a 39 year master tech I get head hunters approaching constantly ( they pay the tool truck owners bird dog $)but I’m happy with my job of 7 years now ( the only fleet mechanic at a commercial bakery) I set my own hours and currently make around $80,000 because it would cost the owner considerably more to take the 22 vans to a shop for maintenance and repairs. I’m 62 and just not ready to retire yet.

[@NBC_NCO]

I personally used to work on all makes and models. I got out of the business last year because I truly believe the designers of these vehicles are making it intentionally difficult to repair and diagnose. Then whatever repair shop you work at they like to f*** you over like nobody's business. Oh well you did that Diagnostics in 20 minutes you don't need to be paid an hour. Then sometimes it is very slow for you may only get 20 hours worth of work despite you physically being there for 60 freaking hours. Personally I'd like to see the whole thing collapse.

[@danieln.285]

Amen to that! Same here. This model is unsustainable. The next generations will try to do this work too until they start seeing clearly like we do and then they'll quit.

[@biometal770]

It deserves to collapse. There is not such a rapacious system in any other industry

[@autotech0078]

I dont think it will colapse anytime soon with the cars that are coming out ( Direct port, Turbo charger, gasoline). I am sure with so many techs leaving the industry it will change. Its going to be a lot more expensive for car repairs very soon.

[@biometal770]

@@autotech0078 Hopefully whatever happens, the mechanics will get paid more fairly. Meaning 50% of each labor hour, minimum.

[@rogerpozzi1060]

Back in ‘84, I didn’t reinlist because mechanics were getting 50% commission pay! So for a few years it was gravy, then corporations got involved, and just like now, they suck money away from the workers

[@dicksonfranssen]

Sorry for the length of this post, I'm in full agreement. I had to laugh when you said leaving for the rocket industry. Today's cars are not points and condenser with a mechanical fuel pump, they're high tech machines that can run all day at 80MPH on the right tires. Our Subaru has the minimum amount of electronic gizmos but replacing the windshield means aligning the cameras, more science than I ever asked for. In the late 70's my roommate "Tony" began his apprenticeship sweeping floors and doing brake jobs at minimum wage, then going to school with no government assistance. He worked in a shop that needed metric and imperial tools so his first four years wages were spent on SnapOn tools and macaroni. Back then a shop had one Sun systems machine that did it all, now it's like the lab at JPL. Tony also spent years on asbestos lined brakes blowing the dust out with compressed air. He's not dead yet, I checked. Wages... Here school bus drivers start at 29K/year and in 10 years you're making 117K. My kid's life is important but compared to $44,000 that's a joke. Working at a big-box store making book time sounds great until you realize you don't get medical or dental and do nothing but brakes 40 hours a week. Just shoot me now. Last thing. When an import dealer charges me $124/hour and pays the mechanic $25/hour is that what's called an "administrative" fee or just "bend over and take it"?

[@terrygrillo556]

Work for a high end shop were cars come into the port they supply tools ects. Iam the oldest tech do most of the hardest repairs put get paid the same as guys that have never none a brake job iam retireing at 63 and they dont get it

[@luiscruz-no3ib]

I have worked for a major car manufacturer for over 30 year's anytime you make over 50,000, they cut your pay rate per job .The thinking is that it's an opportunity for you to make more money .If the manager buys his wife a new car, all he has to do to pay for is cut your pay 2 to 3 pay cuts a year that is the norm, the only way for you to make a living wage is for you to become a thief and I refuse to do that that is the biggest reason I left .

[@Huey4214]

Worked in the industry for 51 years as a Tech/ shop owner.I had a good career and made good money overall but paid the price wearing my hands and knees out. I Would not recommend it as a career today. Automakers are blatantly irresponsible in the way they build cars making them difficult to impossible to repair properly. Flat rate pay breeds dishonesty and promotes and rewards poor repair practices. Tool costs and learning curve are both steep and as an entry level tech it is hard to make enough to be worth the struggle. Too many better career opportunities exist also. It can be rewarding if you are above average at it and it is rewarding to be able to perform repairs other shops failed at however the future outlook in this trade looks bleak to me.

[@Aaron-or6ov]

I left the auto tech industry after 24 years. I appreciate you bringing up the topic and I also finished the survey. But I can honestly say to the younger generation do not get into this business.

[@Aaron-or6ov]

@@autofix-autoshopcoaching801 I had googled not long ago. Here where I live the average yearly dollar needed to survive comfortably was just over 65k and the average auto tech made 56k. And techs buy their own tools. You can’t live as an Auto Tech. I have friends now that came to work with us at the dealerships from independent stores. They say the same thing but they are also the same as dealerships. Just my experience and I’m sure others are different. The industry has to change. And has to now. So many are leaving like you said and there is very little coming into this business.

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

​​@@Aaron-or6ovxactly. The industry is struggling to find yes people, aka slaves.

[@ptbelttactics]

@@Aaron-or6ov why would anyone want to be an Auto Tech? As a Packing Machine Tech I make $140,000 plus every year and do 1/10th the amount of work.

[@Aaron-or6ov]

@@ptbelttactics completely agree. And the Industry is not changing anything to better themselves. At least from what I have seen. I look at automotive tech job listings a lot and see the same pay offered. I just saw the other day for an independent shop looking for an entry level tech and starting pay is 15-16 dollars. That’s our state minimum wage! Fast food, dishwashers, all pay the same if not more. Amazon starts at 19-21.50 an hour depending on what schedule you choose. There is absolutely no reason for these young kids to be a tech. And a lot of these younger guys need more money to survive.

[@ptbelttactics]

@@Aaron-or6ov our entry level lube guys, make in the low $20s, literally greasing bearings and topping up gearboxes. I might open my tool box 2 or 3 times a week, and spend most of my time sitting at a desk watching KZbin. Industrial Maintenance Tech is where it is at.

[@todddiedrich9106]

All the comments are spot on I worked at dealer for the first 6 years of my career I was the only apprentice got all the crap work had to pay my dues and just threw me to the wolfs only 2 guys would let me pick there brain had to fight for my guarantee 34 hrs was there 45 ish every week politics suck in shop. Diesel mechanic now for 23 years better pay but good company but still making same as drivers witch they don’t know crap I have to be electrician. Plumber. Welder HVAC.Know air systems and hydraulic systems. And IT stupid computers

[@abochavez]

Idk about you guys but i work at a shop that violates every employee right possible. First off, we’re not allowed 10 minute breaks, we are pushed to work through lunch breaks while being clocked out. Besides that, we only get hours when it’s busy. If it’s slow, send them home. If it’s busy, cancel your plans. The shop has almost no tools. They rely on employee tools. And having the most tools doesn’t make you any extra money. You have 2 guys in the front who triple parts prices, gouge the customers and lie lie lie and will never take responsibility for any wrong doing. They have a free inspection policy snd we all know what that means. Poke and hope. I have been there over a year snd have accrued one week vacation and they refuse to give it to me. To top this all off, the managers get to smoke pot 5 times a day while on the job and have no fear of any back lash from anyone. This is why we’re leaving.the only reason im still there is because i fear every other shop is practicing these same policies.

[@alexrileyfoxhound5453]

I get the fear that every other shop is the same way.

[@bluelightguy1]

You my friend need to leave that toxic work environment, it is holding you back in every way imaginable.

[@bobbyu8991]

Bet I know what company this is

[@yengthao1322]

If every other shop is the same way then it's an industry problem and you need to leave.

[@Fleetwrench]

You need to network with other techs in the area. To get a idea of the good and bad shops. Get friendly with the tool trucks guys they know the what shops are good and are looking for techs.

[@charlesm8182]

I have been doing this for 40 years as a mechanic technician is a title for someone who does one or more types of work I tell every young person if you love working on vehicles then don’t be a technician for a living it will take your love of vehicles away been in dealerships fleet service and all makes all services shops the single to a couple shop owners treat you better and offer more respect the larger ones

[@mickpatterson6402]

I left the industry in 2011 after 10 years. If you look at a dealership as a whole, the service tech has the most invested, has the most valuable and most difficult to attain skill set yet are treated like garbage. Service writers don't respect your time, they think they are entitled to it. They do the least in the process but get paid more. I'm in the material handling industry now. I make 80k a year + bonuses working 40 hours a week working on forklifts and various warehouse equipment. I was recently sought out by a local independent shop that offered me 44/ hr flat rate and I turned it down. Honestly, I just couldn't trust that I would get paid that without some strings attached or there was some kind of bait and switch plan in action.

[@user-zt9ne3zc3s]

as a guy that is almost 60 yrs old, have never worked on cars, did my own oil change a couple times, but no real experience at all working on cars....it is very disconcerting to hear about the state of this industry...that's why I am thinking about getting a scooter that requires a Class-M and not have to worry about having a vehicle repaired each year...what nonsense

[@scottdoney6926]

You just mentioned the why’s !!! Poor everything and the tech is getting shafted!!! I’am with them guy’s don’t enter this trade. let it fall over, stand up and be counted. This is coming from a great technician and I’ve been luck and work so hard My back is stuffed My hands have amazingly bad arthritis. I’am only 50 when the problems started Now 61 and can’t do hardly and load carry or pick things up with my hands. Great future for you mechanics.

[@reydesposilverado6474]

I’ve been a tech for over 35 years. All is said here is true.

[@TheJohnbjunior]

40+ years master tech (retired), it's simple! Money!, construction trades have made a lot more than us for decades, tools, knowledge, no comparison, no wonder no techs left, will get much worse!

[@alelectric2767]

Well someone on here had a decent comment not a whine. I think the industry has a PR problem when it comes to getting techs. Ya you can make $40 an hr as an electrician but the flat rate model can make you just as much if not more with less hr pay. That’s of course if you have experience and know what yer doing.

[@Comm0ut]

@@alelectric2767 Most electrical work is easier, less complicated and less rough on your body. Sparkies don't have to invest in as many expensive tools, high end industrial contractors excepted. The self-employed electrician who got 400 bucks for crimping three leads from my pole and inspecting the meter (I did the actual repairs to the storm damage beforehand) was done in a half hour. HVAC is less hassle too. I love to wrench but there are many ways to turn a dollar less rough on the body. I'd rather fix avionics on a jet fighter than troubleshoot many modern cars because the cars are not maintainer friendly. There are a lot fewer sparkies which keeps their compensation high.

[@bullitthead7853]

@@Comm0ut People are more willing to spend big money on their homes, which is why I think those trades earn more money. It's hard for people to spend big money on their cars, when the cars are replaceable. I think this is why it's difficult to increase auto technician pay. The industry is fundamentally flawed. This, in addition to the ever-increasing complexity of vehicles, is what is causing the auto technician shortage. Techs can't earn enough to justify the knowledge, skill and tools that are required to perform the job.

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

Bought a 2023 Toyota in 2022, once all my free services are done only my mechanic with his shop will touch my vehicle! He will order OEM parts and do an excellent job!

[@rockwoodrecovery]

23 year and I’m out best thing I ever did.

[@Andy-ql9wh]

The gap will get wider and wider and the white collars still wont raise pay and benefits, and still wonder why . I was at a manufacturer school, I asked the instructor( he was an engineer of course) about the tech gap, I said it was 58000. He said it was more like 68.000 or more. later in the class warranty repairs came up. it was said that they should concentrate on building a better product the first time and not rely on the techs to fix their poor engineering for nothing. I swear his response was "then what would we need you for" I guess they are finding out what they needed me for. I took my 42 years of experience and started my own, and told them to go *&uk themselves. they made their bed , now they can lay in it as far as I'm concerned. and I'm not the only one. I've never looked back. the best thing I ever did was get out of the toxic dealership environment. I just wish I would have done it a lot sooner.

[@jdonez8347]

Just quit Feb 1st, shop didnt want to pay more for these entire front clip pulls. Im out..fk em...ASE certified tech 16 yrs....barely clearing 48k fk that bs... ✌️

[@Collindraker]

more of us are speaking up by leaving the industry.

[@coryament]

I grew up around a car nut. I have never worked flat rate or at a dealer, always at the small independent shops. Now I'm 44 years old and work for my self from home. I is so much better being independent and on my own.

[@willharriman1881]

I originally started working in Auto Mechanics and Diesel in 1975! After 25 years of working in all phases of car, truck and heavy equipment repair, I became an auto and diesel technical school instructor for 15 years. I was ASE Master Certified in both Automobile and Truck areas. I have an Associate Degree in Electromechanical Technology. I am now retired. The current world of microprocessors, controllers, sensors, actuators, computer networks and scan tool readings is a far cry from the old days of setting ignition point sets with feeler gauges. A lot of today's hi-tech cars are like something out of the NASA jet propulsion lab. Yet, Auto Technicians are often treated and paid like an UNEDUCATED BUM with a couple of wrenches. Top tier techs should be making a minimum of A HUNDRED DOLLARS AN HOUR.

[@autofix-autoshopcoaching801]

Thanks for watching and replying. Interesting thoughts on the subject.

[@reubenmorris487]

I'm mostly a DIY mechanic: learned how to be a mechanic from the Navy working on fighter jets, A&P school, college, and having the patience/$$ to read the manuals and diagrams, and to buy the special tools. If the car is too hard for me to fix, it goes to the specialist where I pay a ton of $$ to get fixed. When I get tired of a car - it goes away.

[@Muttleytech]

I wrenched at GM dealerships all over the U.S. from WA state to NM to NY and down the east coast for twenty-five years. The only thing I miss is the guys I worked with. I was lucky to work with some very sharp guys and it was fun at times gotta say. I don't miss flat rate and lame ass service writers. The good writers were once techs but they dwindled throughout the 90's and early 2000's. Got out in 2010. There is no way to support a family doing this unless your wife has a better job and most guys I've known that was the case.

[@williambrennan5701]

i was an insurance adjuster i can tell you why. Book hours for repairs. See what they don't take into account for warranty repairs is there's only a tiny amount of time paid for diag..then when an adjuster like me showed up id need to see the broken part and if that's a crank or similar then id need it pulled. The mechanic would have to pull it and hope the warranty company approved the repair if not that mechanic was just out money. even if they did pay I've seen it take weeks. I darn sure wouldn't do it . I was making more than 44k riding around taking pictures of parts these guys spent hours pulling out. I seen how those guys get done. seen a guy quit on the spot in 2020 cause a customer complained a mechanic working on their car didn't have on a mask... he was working under the car... nah stay away from that mess people

[@v1-vr-rotatev2-vy_vx31]

Did Collision repair and paint 40 years my body is destroyed, lifting four clamps at 50 lb each to clamp a bent car down on the frame machine, crawling underneath to set up frame measuring, using heavy chains to clamp down truck frames to straighten the bent frame, lifting and swinging heavy a hammers , leaning over all day long, on your feet nearly all day long, enduring extreme loud noises all day long, F..... this...

[@dannymccarty344]

Same here buddy. I'm 68 and used up. Lungs shot, backs shot, ears shot. Three marriages shot, kids all hate me. But man, what a ride its been!

[@tipperryan]

Auto tech of 10 or so years here. Left the industry for an electrician apprenticeship about 9 years ago and never looked back. Starting all over again was hard but so worth it. In my opinion, electrician is probably one of the easiest trades for us to transfer to. Call your local IBEW and apply for an apprenticeship!

[@Martina_Vintage_Motorcycles]

@tipperryan I’m looking to do the exact same thing, after 26 years in the automotive industry (42 now, started at 16 and saved more than I spent, but nowhere near ready to fully retire) I have done a lot of wiring and electrical already. Was the transition hard? Were the other electricians welcoming ? (Unlike the hazing most of us had to deal with as newbies in the auto industry) sry for all the questions 😅

[@tipperryan]

@@Martina_Vintage_Motorcycles the transition was not hard at all to be honest. I mean it was challenging starting from the bottom again but it felt better having a career with more growth potential. The other guys seemed to respect that I came from another trade since most new guys are fresh out of high school and no real world experience. I say go for it. If you want to know more, I'd love to help

[@Jay_Dahl]

Being an auto tech is a hard job. The boss is too cheap to heat the shop unless it's below freezing, and too cheap to get it air conditioned when it's above 90 degrees. Break room is disgusting. You're constantly exposed to dangerous chemicals. Slippery floors, sometimes easy to fall. Blood curdling bathrooms. Some customers have serious mental problems. Dangerous equipment, like faulty unbalanced garage doors that have to be manually closed and can tear up your fingers. Parts supply and quality problems that can hurt your productivity. Having to work on weekends and holidays, and evenings. Low pay. Insufficient training. Having to bend in inhuman positions. It's hard to move after you get home in the evening and have a chance to sit and relax. Pressure to meet customer deadlines. Managers could fix a lot of these problems, but they are under pressure to control expenses and make money. Managers that have insufficient people managing experience. Work environment that emphasizes quantity over quality. Heavy lifting. Injuries. Need to buy and maintain your own tools. The list goes on and on.... But it can be rewarding, knowing that you are doing a lot to help society, especially customers that need emergency repair work. It helps if you genuinely like cars. The world doesn't work without cars. Sometimes the little old ladies bring you cookies in a sign of appreciation for fixing their cars, and that makes it all worthwhile.

[@grzegorz16100]

You have breaks??😅

[@Jay_Dahl]

@@grzegorz16100 Not usually! And the situation seems to be getting worse with the nationwide shortage of technicians.

[@grzegorz16100]

@@Jay_Dahl I'm leaving the industry too. Main reason is that I hate fixing broke shit all the time. Love doing it as a hobby but 5-6 days a week? 10hours per day!? I'm getting paid more than a lot of jobs but not much more per hour considering no breaks, staying late to finish the job (for free)...

[@joesmith9216]

right on, you know the true meaning, I almost worship mechanics, CARS ARE ALL THAT MATTERS FOR ADULTS, we need them to exist and have fun!!!!

[@gregiles908]

They'd want to be very good cookies.

[@tomcisneros5965]

35 yrs. I've worked independents and just can't seem to land that perfect job, if there is such a thing. Making 30 buks an hour ,ASE certified smog tech, diagnostic tech. I have to update every 2 years. I could be making more in construction or something else with prevailing. Yea, I think I'm done. In this economy 30 is not enough, especially where I live in California.

[@Ws6Ms]

30 an hour ain't shit in Cali.... I made 30 an hour living in long Island ny .. it was nothing... and that was before covid inflation

[@rodvan-zeller6360]

Real reason, most shop owners (not all, the majority) have narcissistic personality disorder.

[@danieln.285]

Yeah, that's the same thought I have from seeing a bunch of job listings from auto shops. There's no 4-star rated shops ANYWHERE around me. Very few are 3.5 stars, the rest are under from prior worker experiences. Sheesh.

[@chrism8180]

Most owners or bosses of all businesses seem to have that trait, win a certain amount of psychopathy peppered in here and there

[@niveknospmoht8743]

Retired 67 year old ASE Certified Master Tech with Brake and Lamp certification and Smog Licensing for testing and repair. Also had a few heavy duty certs in Air Brake and Drivetrain. Everything being said here is true. I learned after a couple of years that dealerships are a rip off, both for the tech and the customer. Working at a dealership is a big political game with having to kiss the service mangers ass. One little mistake and they take away your next paycheck with 'back flagging' a job where a part failed. Yep that can be your fault. The investment of tools is huge. And you have the tool trucks ripping you off also. As a mechanic you have to be proficient in Heating and Air Conditioning, Electrical repair and diagnosis, Hydraulics, Engine diagnosis and repair, Transmission repair, Cooling systems. Electrical is even more prevalent now with computers and digital systems. Ever had a brake lamp bulb ruin your cruise control? How about a 10 minute lube guy servicing your transmission and jacking the whole Can-Bus system on your 2019 80k Dodge Truck Diesel?

[@biometal770]

Flat rate is terrible, along with the other issues stated in the video and comments. I was a dealer tech for 10 years, got out in 2008. Went to college, biology and chemistry. Now I make over 6 figs, and I work from home. The automotive industry could have retained a good mechanic, but it drove me away.

[@paulfay357]

58 year old generation Xer and heavy equipment mechanic here, and I've spent my whole life underneath the long shadow cast by the boomer generation. When I first started out, getting a job was hard. You had to compete for jobs, even if you were getting a crappy deal, because there were 6 more people willing to take your position if you didn't like what was going on. Employers always acted like they were doing you a big favor, by letting you work for them. Well those days are gone. I now have the ability to insist that any potential employer meets my standards...even as they're doing the same for me. The power dynamic is much more equal now, and many employers just haven't figured that out yet. The sooner everyone realizes that it's no longer a lopsided relationship and that there must be mutual respect and cooperation, the sooner these problems will resolve themselves.

[@autofix-autoshopcoaching801]

There's about 20 to 25% of the independent auto repair shops that get it. We are trying to get to the other 80% and get them to see the light as fast as we can but it's very difficult to get this industry to make changes. But we continue the fight!

[@mrstealyoblocks4473]

Been a mechanic for 20 years now up in Canada. I won''t even show up for less than $45/hr now. Just got hired at a new place for $47 + bonuses. (working fleet is the only thing Iwork) Either they pay or I go somewhere that does. There's a 14,000 mechanic shortage in Canada. That's *just* mechanics...never mind HVAC, electricians, plumbers, etc.

[@rolandochavarria466]

Great subject to discuss, in my country go to a autoshop is almost tu buy a lottery tickect. Usually you spent a lot of money and your car could go worse. No guarranties. I repair my own car until my knowledge can achive. When I can't, I sell o give my car. What I observed in the market: 1. Car are manufactured without thinking in maintenance or repair. Poor design, lack of space to work, need to deassembly lots of parts to replace small things. 2. Poor quality, excesive electronics with complicated (more than necessary), copyighted softwares. 3. Tools required every day increasing according to dificultyness. 4. Custumer do not accept they cars are poor quality. Put the manufacturers responsability over mechanics. 5. The last but not the least, cars designed to be obsolete in few years. Programmed obsolescence.

[@supersam1914]

Skilled labor is a scarce resource and it will allocate itself properly . Workers are not dumb they will leave and make more doing less in other industries .

[@georgescott4505]

Maybe part of the problem is also the retardulous engineering of today's cars that make them hard to impossible to maintain or repair. Oil filter in the middle of the engine where it can't be reached, removing the entire front end the car just to refill the windshield washer fluid, unbolting and removing the driver seat just to get to the battery, bolts underneath the car that cannot get removed because the frame gets in the way and the holes bored in the frame to pull them through are offset. And there's even more, like all the parts these days that are defective straight out of the box, and then the mechanic gets blamed for shoddy work. Who can enjoy working on a car anymore?

[@gregiles908]

Retardulous. Thanks for the new word.

[@JAI45624]

ALSO A AUTO MECHANIC, QUESTION ALL THOSE EXPENSIVE TOOL MECHANIC ACCUMULATE WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH IT AFTER THEY RETIRE SELL IT FOR DIRT CHEAP, GIVE IT AWAY?

[@automan1223]

If I were a young man I’d probably go a different path knowing what I know now I’ve invested three decades of my life probably 4 and while I love the work the engineering has just become so horrible it’s unbelievable if you don’t have your own shop and you’re not your own boss then pay is probably the number one followed by lack of benefits no time off. Everything else mentioned in the comments here applies as well

[@GrandPitoVic]

Especially when you have to have 20 to 30k in tools and stuff keeps changing.

[@richardowens6520]

The flat book rate doesn’t give you any time at all for rust bolts that break off and that puts on more time that you don’t get paid for,time and money lost, book time was printed for new cars not for cars all rusted up and what about going behind someone else’s work that didn’t know what they were doing

[@keithbland5365]

I have been doing this for 35 years it's what I love but in that time I have seen where mechanics are paid a flat rate. Flat rate is a out of dated system. A nurses ,plumber Carpenters are not paid that way. It's hard to justify bringing home 13 hours when you been at work for 50 hours struggle out here is real why should some young guy, or women with a lot of potential go to this line of work when you don't know what your paycheck will be from week to week?

[@05marco1]

It's just not worth it anymore flat rate times for getting tight but we always found a way around to make is happen. Now with the inclusion of EVs and hybrids it's turned into a dead end industry. For one hybrids do not require nearly as much maintenance but they do seem to require twice as much warranty work. The other side is that we all know high voltage vehicles but there's no hazard pay for techs. With the current economic downturn I have so much side work, people are just not willing to pay $250 to %$300 an hour to just hurry up and wait because of the technician shortages and parts shortages at my dealer. As for new the kids coming out of trade schools these days or just not trainable. This year I was paired up with three different candidates coming out of trade schools and none of them made the cut. The first one actually had some mechanical I can see that he knew how to work with his hands and understood the use of tools but he couldn't read. He wanted to advance in check engine light diagnostics so I asked him to read the theory of operation for p0345 and figure it out he can only read it a third grade level. Can you imagine trying to teach someone like that how to work on hybrid and Evie vehicles and stay safe? How he made it out of a high school and a trade school is beyond me? The other two washed out because they had the attention span of a fruit fly. If you have to ask me the same question three times I just don't have time for that.

[@flydieselair]

I've been a heavy equip. and truck mechanic since 1976 and refused to work flat rate, ever. If you work on something newer flat rate may work out for some guys. When you start working on stuff that has 500,000 miles or 15,000 hrs., no way, it almost always turns into a shit storm and you would lose money if a guy was flat rate. I ended up doing field service for a good construction company, it was long hrs. sometimes but the money was great and they left you alone as long as you did your job.

[@GrandPitoVic]

You pay the shop $150 an hour. The tech has a stupid amount of money in tools and they can't even get payed worth a dam.

[@camarofix]

iv been a tech for 15 years. 10 in hyundai 5 in mercedes i can confirm in fact none of the writers made more money then me. not even close, max service write pay would be around 35-70k a year

[@user-rk5mu1sr5u]

quit a ten year job at Toyota as a gold level tech when I got a paycheck for 100 hours and the $$ to me was 1290$ I quit that day because I can't live on 1299 an hour

[@autofix-autoshopcoaching801]

I don't blame you! Thanks for the input.

[@timothyryan7363]

40 years as a flat-rate Tech. With all due respect I don’t believe we need to fill out your survey. You have all the input you need right here. I’m done with surveys. Yours, Dealers and Manufacturers make no difference. The industry has no one to blame except itself. Will the last one out turn off the light!!!

[@juansalas6259]

I'm an Ex-ASE Master automotive tech, I got out in 1994 after 10 years and went back to college for an Electronics degree and never looked back. The entire automotive market is a SCAM top to bottom.. If they would have standardize automotive parts like transmissions, engines, differentials, A/C compressors, computers, sensors ect.. cars would cost about 1/2 to 1/3 third of what they do now.. Why have so many different parts from Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan ect.. that do the same thing?? Now its a race to see who can put more useless electronic crap on a car to drive up the purchase price and maintenance costs. Personal computer motherboards, hard drives, RAM memory and other components were standardized in the 1990's and computers got a lot cheaper as they got a lot faster. Same could have been done with cars. Also standardized components would save parts houses like Auto Zone on having to pay taxes at the end of the year on all that inventory as they do now. Unsold inventory is considered an asset and one that you have to pay taxes for and that cost is also passed on to the consumer.

[@autofix-autoshopcoaching801]

Interesting thought.

[@jaredjared4451]

Professional automotive technicians are finally waking up and refusing to be paid like it's 1975. Before we start, this is the pay rate for Journeyman technicians, which means these are licensed and proper technicians that have completed their apprenticeship and have passed their trade's certification test, akin to passing the Bar exam for a lawyer, for a strict 40-hour workweek with no overtime, with 50-weeks paid per year. (Vacation time for trades is so rare that I'm not including 2-weeks of paid vacation here.) Please also keep in mind the following professions are paid hourly, regardless of billable time. This means that from the time you "Clock-in" to the time you "Clock-out" you are being paid for your time as opposed to vehicle technicians who are paid "flat-rate (In the USA) meaning they are paid a a set amount to diagnose, a certain amount to repair, and a certain amount to perform general service that does not pay them for the time to "grab" a new job, find the vehicle, commonly not even test drive the vehicle, drive the "job" to their work area, test-drive "or quality-check" their work (this could mean not checking their brake repair that you're about to put your family in for a road trip), nor does it pay them to park the "job" and walk back to repeat the process over again. Opposed to the below trades that pay you from the time you "Clock-in" to the time you "Clock-out" even if you need 20-minutes to poo, these following trades pay you for that, but not automotive... HVAC - $30.00 to $50.00 per hour, HOURLY. $60,000- $100,000+ - Tool investment - $250.00 to $2,000 Plumber - $25.00 to $45.00 per hour, HOURLY. $55,000 - $90.000+ - Tool investment - $250.00 to $4,500 (PEX tooling is not cheap) Electrician - $30.00 to $60.00 per hour, HOURLY. $60,000 - $120,000+ - Tool investment - $250.00 to $1,500 An automotive technician must be competent in all of those trades to properly do their job. Automotive Technician - $18.00 to $40.00, FLAT-RATE. $25,000 to $100,000+* - Tool investment - $10,000 to $65,000+ (You are always buying tools because cars are always changing. It is common to spend $2,000 to $6,000 PER YEAR on new tools because they are required for you to keep working.) The other trades don't have the same liability nor responsibilities. "Oh, your toilet didn't flush? Well, did anyone die?" Oh, your kitchen lights don't work? Well, did anyone die?" "Oh, your brakes failed? How many died?" *Depending on quantity and type of job. E.G. Replacing brakes all day, everyday will pay more. Diagnosing complex electrical issues all day, every day while being the most skilled and educated technician in the shop will pay less due to more time spent on the job than you have been allotted. It's not difficult to see why automotive technicians are quitting.

[@sts.556]

yes sir we are gone

[@alenmonsyedward7499]

Flat rate pay(half pay for warranty jobs) with super unrealistic book time..!! And cheap quality parts which could break anytime which makes you to repair em for free..

[@rev.randall2292]

I do some wrenching on the side and as a hobby , with some schooling in my background. It is rediculous the people that seek alternatives because of shop costs. And the mechanics get a small percentage. The few I know now at a crossroads say a fair hourly wage would fit better. And some work side by side with non cert. guys making almost or the same wages. No offense but thats not right , even though they may be just as knowledgable. Its getting to be less age equals experience with the way vehicles are changing. The newbie might be better off. They also expressed that more field related classes or training be offered. I can see that being very helpful to any shop. Diesel techs face the same issues.

[@miijjk]

You make $50 flat when it's cold or raining nobody comes in you've made no money

[@fraudsarentfriends4717]

Forgot one of the biggest reasons. Made in China. A lot of the replacement parts are made in countries with no quality control. After finishing job replacing a part that took many hours only to find out the new part is bad and you have to do the job over for free.

[@autofix-autoshopcoaching801]

Thanks for the insight and replying. Parts quality continues to remain a huge issue for the industry and probably will continue to be for years to come.

[@carlocalarco6718]

It’s all about flat rate.. the manufactures do not pay well enough to do warranty repairs.. many repairs such as heater cores, evaporator cores, fuel pumps in tank, very tight engine bays require way too much time to complete repairs and the techs are not getting paid what they deserve by the manufacture on a warranty repair.. under no circumstances and I can say this as I spent about 35 years in the trade, should any tech have to remove a complete dash board assembly, centre console, steering column and sometimes both front seats on some cars just to replace a heater core or evaporator core… it’s just sheer stupidity by the engineers who design cars this way… I know a tech who did a core on a equinox and took three days to do it and GM only paid seven hours under warranty time to do the job… that’s why everyone is getting out including myself…

[@iamtheoffenderofall]

Link suspended....looks like the truth was too much, LOL.

[@duanenavarre7234]

They raised the book rate charged by the STEALerships, and almost all of it went to other ppl than the techs. Some techs started doing the mobile mechanic thing, and those who were friends sometimes opened independent shops. some techs went to work for independent shops, some went commercial fleet diesel as another video like this said.

[@MrDanielSolano007]

Seems like that way with many blue collar industries. Machinist for example. All the money goes to everyone else but the working people

[@coexist1018]

Dealerships have a monopoly on the hiring they aren't as welcoming like mom and pop...

[@kaywrench]

I have been a tech for 20 plus years, love what i do but cannot make a living from this job, bottom line pay more period

[@jerrymcgeorge4117]

There are much better jobs out there with better working conditions, better pay and a career path. Manufacturers have made this worse by cutting repair times to unrealistic levels, difficult warranty reimbursement policies and troublesome products, constant recalls, etc. I made my living in the service end of the auto industry, but I would never advise a young person to get into it today.

[@andyg817]

Its not the pay, its whether you REALLY want to do this job.. most dont. Especially today.. they want an internet, tik tok job....

[@colejensen5812]

Everyone out. Traditional measures have been tried. This is a humanity problem. In MN we have automotive unions, but those are nearly bankrupt and their benefits are comical when compared to the construction trades. Not too much of a stretch to think that the major dealer groups that own EVERY franchise in this state have some fault there too. The production based business model for a dealer service department is no longer valid. And for independents, sorry but the "right to repair" laws are failing to do what they claim they do and thus, your time is short lived. Americans are broke. If they can't finance the repair, it is likely being traded or sold. See everyone at the bottom.

[@keithsclassicgarage1133]

I worked as a mechanic from 85-95. Tough line of work. Low pay. Terrible bosses, etc. Went into machining until I retired in 2017.

[@GeraldGuevara]

This is what happens when the world prioritize wealth towards the bean counters rather than the actual front line workers that provide the products and services.

[@christopherwatson283]

It's not for the Weak. Spend a lot of Pay buying Tools. Lots of Downsides. The Pay does not fit the Work Costs unless You work for Yourself. Dishonesty and Theft have Tarnished the Industry. Shops are Overpriced and Skilled Techs. are getting scarce. Work for Yourself and keep Your Overhead Low.

[@miijjk]

They started doing flat rate in 1902 around 1912 the automotive industry started doing that so how many years has that been so around 100 years

[@8alakai8]

as a first mechanic you have to know computers normal electric machanical and aircon stuff you need to have a lot of skills but they dont pay for it like you said go work as aircondition mechanic for homes and buisnes you will earn more and dont have to deal with people saying you ripped them of other things so wy go in the car industrie wy would you there are better paying jobs out there

[@KA9DSL]

It's either race or age discrimination, sometimes pay. It happened to me after 20+yrs!

[@grzegorz16100]

Or nationality. I'm from Poland and live in UK. When its busy i'm doing the most work when a lot of english kids are taking the piss but when its quiet I'm expected to look busy when english are talking or looking at their phone.

[@victoryfirst2878]

45 K is pitiful pay. PERIOD

[@autofix-autoshopcoaching801]

Thanks for replying. I think we need more info though. I agree 45K is pitiful. But what are your qualifications, where do you live and what can you do?

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@autofix-autoshopcoaching801 I used to work as a master mechanic. Bending over all the time trashed my back. I have a CDL license and make over 100 K sitting on my ASSSSSS. Now that is a job. Peace v

[@Thefreemans-music]

Yeah. If you can move up to the heavy diesels they are screaming for good mechanics. Pay is awesome and some have huge sign on bonuses. If I was a young dude I would go that road. Everybody needs to refuse that flat rate B/S. I would drive Doordash before putting my name to that scam.

[@wealthyblackman2655]

Reverse engineering was accidentally started by GM or Government Motors... The profits that they gained became a model for all automakers to all start reverse engineering. So.. basically the automakers "reverse engineered" their own downfall by chasing profits over ethics. Suppression of mechanical engineering knowledge is still ridiculous to this day. I saved thousands of fixing videos BUT cannot access one that is saved.

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

Why are Pelicans leaving fishless waters?.....

[@douglastaylor8039]

First of all nothing in this day and age should be that difficult to fix. It's a car. It's manufactured that way so the average fellow can't do anything to fix things himself. A car that goes into a repair shop should not be a puzzle to fix. It's designed to fleece the customer with cheap expensive parts. Manufacturing in China was suppose to give us cheaper prices. They're more expensive than ever. And most of the money is going to the corrupt car companies because the parts are garbage that's okayed by the gangsters in suits in Europe and USA. Hopefully the Japanese and the koreans don't get sucked in and have to join in with our gangsters. These car companies have been sucking our blood since the 2000. Up til now.

[@michaelsmith441]

Flat rate system is flawed simple as that. You are expected to stay 10 hours a day in hopes that there MIGHT be enough work or enough payable tickets. Can’t really make a living off inspections and oil changes 🤷‍♂️

[@autofix-autoshopcoaching801]

There's only a couple of things that the owner is expected to do in my mind and one of them is to ensure the shop has enough car count to be succesfull.

[@derekschneider8922]

Today the writers charge more to the customer, under labor, thus the tech gets paid an hour while the charge is an hour and a half (example). The customer is unaware, as they are quoted dollars, not hours. It’s called ‘effective labor rate”. Many techs don’t know this is happening to them, and it’s not illegal. Originally ELR was to deter writers from giving away labor, (unlike in flat rate)....They don’t even know, and to check men’s seeing the bill, dividing hourly rate... no one lets techs see the bill...

[@fixitman2174]

Edit: Now it's working. The site stated it had ended when I tried last night. Original: The survey is closed, but you left the link up. That seems pretty irresponsible for a "Shop Coaching" channel.

[@BrandonSalas-us8mm]

My best advice for anybody looking to get out of the industry don’t be a mechanic be a technician work with your brain

[@calvingoddard206]

44$ an hour HA! in Canada were making 25$ RED SEAL

[@BRUTELY]

I am curious if you had very many of the Google Forms filled out? I would be interested in your results.

[@autofix-autoshopcoaching801]

We've had over 100 so far. It's very interesting. I've talked about the results in some of my podcast episodes.

[@BRUTELY]

@@autofix-autoshopcoaching801 Thats a good number. Is there a list or can you tell me which videos that you discuss them?

[@bartwilliams4478]

Go Heavy , Power Systems or both ...

[@Comm0ut]

Because automotive work is a vigorous race to the bottom and always has been with cheaper labor undecutting everyone it can. Young enthusiasts enter the industry and those who do not move up move out as they age and learn where they fit. We work to get money and doing what pays poorly is just bad business. Not everyone starts their own business like a used car lot etc where they can get out from under the hood and make real money. Not everyone can open their own machine shop, component rebuild service etc. I switched to aircraft because my automotive and industrial experience while useful fun showed me what my future would have looked like. Techs leaving is a GOOD thing because absolutely nothing else creates upward pressure on compensation! If you're ready to retire go for it. When we get out of the bathtub we don't leave a hole in the water. Others will instantly take our place. Collective bargaining as a mechanic in the US is impossible and impractical but the fewer real mechanics there are the greater the necessity to pay for productive professionals.

[@Don-ym8cm]

Very bad pay.

[@selfoblivionalex6262]

The only Mechanics and Techs I see living the dream are those who went the self employed route and opened their shop. First couple years is difficult but once a shop starts getting clients theres really no looking back.

[@joesmith9216]

somewhat true, my long time mechanic works alone though, can't even get apointments with him anymore.