Attention all Auto Technicians!!

[mone]

Hello fellas.Ive been working on cars for about 10 yrs now.Went to tech school, ASE certified , the whole nine yards.My dillemma is this?What do you guys say about employment?Ive worked mostly at new car dealers,(GMC,Lincoln,Mazda,Dodge) to name a few.I have seemingly never turned the big weeks consistently like 50 - 60 hrs.I ususally run into some lame warranty job or no work will come in and screw up your rhythm.I have always wondered if the guys at the independent shops fare better.They always seem to have work to do and in the flat rate game, the more work the better.I am at DodgeChrysler dealer now and there are just too many guys employed to make more than 30 to 35 hrs a week.Thats not gonna cut it, I need at least 40.So what you guys think?Should i try ANOTHER dealer, a Chevy dealer or go to a local smaller shop and try it out?Labor rate is not an issue as my reputation is very well known in my area and most places will pay me what I make, I just need some hours to turn consistently.Maybe I should just try to open my own shop...There is also an offer from the Honda dealer but I would have to take a 3 dollar pay cut to start.They say I wont miss the $$ because I will turn more hours, what do yall think?

[CraigMBA]

My customers who work at dealerships consistantly tell me the same thing week in and week out.

The big lie is that there is a shortage of technicians. The reason that is a lie is because dealerships have gone to one bay=one technician. There's just not enought work to go around.

I'd try Toyota or Honda. My techinicans at Toyota seem to flag 100-160 hours a payperiod depending on how well they get along with the service writer who is feeding him, which is the other problem that there is no cure for. There's always two or three guys who get fed in the shop and everybody else fights for scraps.

[BonzoHansen]

I lost my best tech to a Jeep dealer. He got uber-good at R&Ring the crap transmission in those things. He could knock out 2 a day. He regularly billed 70+ hours a week. I think that might be useful, getting a specialization in something that you get so good at you outrun warranty labor rate everytime. A busy dealership is key too.

He was making ~100k a year @ jeep - I couldn't touch that as an independent - he made 70k on his best week, working more hours.

In either situation, you have to bust your hump, and you need service writers who are good at what they do.

[mone]

Hmmm, very good reply.Are you a service manager?My previous job was a Mazda tech at a Lincoln Mercury dealer and I had like 3 stalls to myself.I actually made more because there were only 3 techs and a oil change guy, lol.Guess thats why the owner sold the place in January to the Dodge dealer.We have a Honda dealer and Toyota dealer here and they both want me but I was timid because of the per hr pay cut.But if guys get an opportunity to turn hours like that maybe I SHOULD try out Honda..

[paul67]

poss look at dealerships that do with small cars as I would think the way the fuel price is going the big stuff gets dumped and would be short of work.

[CraigMBA]

I lost my best tech to a Jeep dealer.

<snip>

He was making ~100k a year @ jeep - I couldn't touch that as an independent - he made 70k on his best week, working more hours.

I am stunned by the $100K number. No way can a tech make that in SoCal at a dealership. They'll just add techs untill nobody has work.

I guess it just depends on where you are at. I had a tech straight out of the T-10 program at Toyota leave and move to Bakersfield. They paid him an hourly rate there $3 an hour higher than the top tech at my Toyota dealer. I understand he's flagging 150 hours in a two week pay period from the other guys in the shop, but who knows what the actual truth is.

[Jim Nilsen]

Have a good friend who was a service manager at a Ford dealer and was just transfered to the BMW dealership because there wasn't enough work to keep everyone going and they didn't need a warranty service manager and a fleet service manager anymore.

He is really a lot happier at the BMW dealership but that is from the service manager point of view where he is. His words are uasually that the work is steady and not caotic.

Goodluck with your choice. There is no loyalty to employees these days and if you leave on good terms to go elsewhere ,coming back is always a possiblity.

I remeber working all of those extra hours and making all of that $$$$$ and never having time to enjoy it because I was exhausted all of the time I was off. Now I work 3rd shift bacause it is where the money is right now. Be glad you have a day job that pays well.

The more you make the more you want TT's or a blower and.........

[streetk14]

I am a BMW tech in so. cal, and I can tell you that it is MUCH better than working for the domestic brands. This is my 5th year with BMW, and I did Fords for a few years before that.

We have plenty of work all the time, and I consistantly do 70+ hours a week (sometimes more). I had a 185 hour 2 week pay period about a month ago. BMW is a great brand to work for, and the clients are willing to spend money to properly fix their cars when the warranty has expired. Plus, BMW pays pretty well for warranty work. I think the worst flag period I have had with BMW has been right around 80 hours for 2 weeks ( a few years ago when we were kind of slow).

There are probably a few guys in my shop making 100k or more a year, and I'm getting close. Each year has been better than the last, so hopfully it will keep going that way

Andy

[mone]

Good grief thats CRAZY money son!!Keep the replies coming in.I have worked for mostly domestic outfits so BMW makes sense.WOW