I REALLY appreciate what your doing for the industry by setting standards and ethics then promoting them. I wonder if you could build a business out of consulting independent shops and dealerships. Maybe even incorporate some kind of public speaking at highschools. You are the perfect face to promote the industries way of proper ethics and standards to teach the public that techs are just as respectable as doctors.
Great video thanks brother. I believe you have hit everything right. That is one reason I really liked working out of a service truck. I didn't like being in the shop having to go back and forth from job to job. Waiting on parts is a killer even in the heavy equipment side. Keep up the great work see you in the next video thanks again brother
Check parts in as soon as they come in is a time saver. Nothing worse than have the parts wait over there all day just to find out that they’re wrong. They could’ve been checked in hours ago and if they were wrong correct it.
Tool87 I’ve had that happen as well. I’m not afraid to get those parts guy is a lashing. I Let them know that it affects my paychecks and I’m not happy with them.
Last dealership i worked at...bosses fishing/hunting buddy has 4 bays closest to parts. He did customer pay work ALL DAY LONG. every day. No heavy line work. If it was less than a 5 hour ticket...went to somebody else. he was doing 70+ hours a week while rest of shop struggled to break 30. I was ther 4 months, TWO customer pay tickets. Total. Was during the first couple years of the 6.0l Powerstroke Warranty, warranty, warranty. i gave up.
@@k_werx Warranty pays about 55-60% of customer pay. So a 10 hr job pays you around 6 hours. The good thing about dealer work is the cars are normally new enough not have rust issues or previous poor repairs which you end up fixing for free. Plus if doing warranty work it's the same repair over & over. You eventually get to where you at least break even. Barely. But I didn't work under flat-rate pay plan to break even.
The shop foreman or lead tech is a great idea. With having experience on the floor and knowing what all the guys on the floor are proficient with and how they operate works way better than an office personnel guessing on who to give what job. Not only that but when it comes to educating your customers the foreman has an understanding of what was done and why. Overall it makes a better shop with happier employees and customers with a piece of mind.
As long as you got a guy like the Flat Rate Master, it makes or breaks a place. Coming in from the motorcycle side, the CHAOS of someone saying here help this guy at a Kawi shop was ran like a circus. Later on went to another shop it was ran a lot better but still no one really acted as a 'foreman' and makes it hard. The Parts as well, not in stock (oil filters, common items) and customers get angry to boot.
@Dong Army Stangler They always use the - Numbers don't show this and ... no one else says this (singles you out). That way the failed management/manager can put you on the spot anything you say will appear to be YOU are the problem employee. If I had a dollar for everytime I seen that ole trick used I would not have to work.
If you had a good manager or maybe a secretary, and were able to juggle it you could start your own shop, and really build something. You aren't too old or too young and can keep all the money made rather let some guy who just happens to own a shop and is at the mercy of you running his shop get all the profits. Great video!
@@flatratemaster Thats good you are happy, that is a real important thing. I think theres a lot to come in the industry that you'll be apart of help directing the changes to come.
Wrong parts, getting pulled off a big job to install a turn signal bulb, then getting questioned why the big job isn’t done yet. Sounds just like my first employer when I finished tech school.
How about when your hourly and they try to tell you you're going to get efficiency up but at the same time they're giving you crappy jobs and your low on the totem pole as far as seniority because of social economics
Yeah those RPO codes for GM vehicles. You need the damn RPO code to scan them quite a bit it seems. More so with the older ones that don't have the auto scan feature. The HVAC system and the radio or a big one that I always get asked about on my vehicles when I scan my personal vehicles.
Man I wish my place was like yours. The service manager here will work in the shop and flag it for a tech and pre assign the gravy to him also. The standing around for approval is on the waiters. We have so many you would think we gave a discount if you wait. Shoot on Saturdays they even load us up on lof rotated through lunch and after closing.
That's a big problem where I work they forget to order my parts or order the wrong parts and ask me when will that car be done that makes me so damn angry because my production rate is among The highest in the shop but when it takes 2 hours to get an oil cooler and a air filter then the filter is wrong don't ask me when will it be done it took 3 hours to get 7 qaursts of 15w40 synthetic oil the other day I was working on 2 other cars but the customer wanted to leave they ask me what's the hold up I said I don't where is the oil I told you 2 hours ago we need they didn't call it in I get so mad about that shit I'm going to work on something else it's not my job to order parts
Weve got an open board at my dealership. You pull tickets at random. It's nice, because someone like me whose only got 1 year with jaguar land rover, (4years in other shops) can really get down deep into the brand and get to know it. My first week, I did a turbo, and a set of timing chains. I do think that some of our total greenhorns should be distributed tickets though, because a guy that came from the lube or tire shop down the road can turn those A or B level jobs into major expenses for the shop
Man it happens to me all the time. Gravy ticket turns into a BS ticket because of constantly getting pulled off by the advisor and still have the nerve to ask why the other ticket isn’t done yet.
I seen a dealership in Scottsdale completely ruin 22 techs. Manager after manager coming in making it worse and worse!they had a revolving door in the front of the building and one in the back!
I have to pretty much hope that my boss gives me work to do because he also works in the shop and takes all the good work for himself and pretty much gives all the bad work to the workers mostly me and I'm flat rate and this is how he treats me and I stand a lot a lot a very lot I think it's time to find another job I have over a hundred grand in tools and 22 years experience and I have given them respect and he is the only one in the shop that treats me like I am nothing. I've been there almost 3 years and before this I worked for myself for 19 years.... I don't know what to do.
A good auto repair shop is like a row boat everybody rowing in sync and in the same direction sounds simple but just think about how many shops fail every year
Could not have said it better my friend!! Not many things more irritating than being in the middle of a 15-20, whatever he job, being in the groove doing great..... sales person comes over, " can you do this oil change that only pays 12mins".....and they want a FULL Courtney check, btw, they're waiting too!....
wife works at a parts store....they complain about returns because parts are wrong. Picked out issue in an instant. Parts employees not verifying correct vehicle/ repair shop guessing at cars. Was telling them they need to get vins or plates up front and not guess...but both sides should know better.
Hey FRM I am wondering what is the software you use in your shop to manage ROs, stock client data, parts management, etc. I am looking into that and multiple options are out there. Wanted to know your experience. Keep doing what you do!
Unfortunately the parts industry is not the same any more i do mush of the leg work before i call any parts store and have them verify my parts numbers very rarely have part issues i do believe future techs need this knowledge. I remember many years ago i called in to a parts store asking for Plastigage, they told me we don't sell plastic here sir..... Great Video Flat Rate Master
Flat Rate Master you mentioned you distribute work based on how many hours each tech has. Do all your techs work the same amount of hours a week and do they come in at the same time?
Christian and Josh, come it at 7 am, everyone else starts at 7:30, everyone works till 5:30 except Jessie he leaves at 4. I am not trying to keep everyone even, just no one tech/techs getting all the gravy and/or starving other techs out of work
Good info. Work on the “ya knows” in your delivery. The fact is “we don’t know”- that’s why we’re learning from you. This alone would elevate your material considerably. I appreciate the info. Keep up the good work
Flat Rate Master awesome! Also, what would you recommend as a starting point for someone turning their hobby into a career? I mainly wrench on BMWs and I’ve done head gaskets, timing guides, Vanos rebuilds... tons of stuff, you name it and Ive done it. I even know how to navigate ISTA and diagnose BMW’s fairly quick. The only thing working against me is formal education for automotive repair, but I’m self taught and I do things right
How do you know tech's hours? Do you see a report or just estimate? I got availability and ability but have trouble with evening out low hours , while keeping up with all the other things I am asked to do.
@@jamesmiller3297 if you're using a shop management software that's decent it should have the ability to run those reports he speaking about in there. Also communication with the techs is key because all of you are there with the same purpose in mine and that is to take care of the customer and because you love doing what you do. If someone isn't happy as in they don't like the career path they've chosen they need to do some self reflecting. "If you love what you do then you'll never work another day in your life".
@@flatratemaster Maybe a Dealer thing. I can look up Repair orders but I don't get to see time reports, yet I get the question "Why are you not giving him more hours"? We have a 4 man express team also. Most of my hours come from state inspections. I am the only inspector. Management wants more but are not giving me the tools to do what they want. We get diag waits up till 3:30pm . Makes it hard to plan the day out. Start someone on a trans. and have to pull them for a wait, if every one is busy.
Flat Rate Master , Love the videos ! I’m wondering if you have any experience with warranty work and how to charge for diag time (especially for electrical) . Thanks !
Thank you for the informative video. I recently got my Associate's in Automotive Technician at my local community college. I have been applying to shops and dealerships all over the place for the past few weeks now. Is there any information you can give me that will help me land a job in my field as an entry level automotive technician? Thank you so much!
Work on your interview skills, and do your best to meet the person that does the hiring. Applications are too easy for them to glance through, an actual person in front of that person has a much better chance at a job
@@flatratemaster Ok, thank you. Also for the places I sent the online applications too, should I go to the shop/dealership and tell them that I recently put in a application and I am looking to follow up on it? Thanks again.
And the worst thing about it is one of our parts stores is a 3 minute walk from our shop can anyone understand why we should wait 2 or 3 hours for something simple
Waiting on parts is brutal with equipment........ I'm waiting on a bell housing from England and 4 bolts from Germany for the same piece of equipment that is built in Washington state LOL
Sounds like a good system. Reason I asked is because I worked at a shop that would handicap us. I would get no work 1-2 days a week so the other guy could catch up then we would both be stopped at 39hrs. Needless to say I like there really quick
Thanks for the video. I've been tasked by a repair shop to coordinate their service department...only problem is I don't have a technical background 🤦 I've made huge improvements just because my management skills are so strong but my technical skills are weak and I'm starting to notice it more as I inherit more and more responsibilities. Can you maybe do a newbie guide, or post a link here if you already have one, for how to best coordinate the front end and workload, e.g., warranty, increasing repairs quality, etc.
100k service dance! Jaja Always enjoy the videos. Keep them coming! How do you factor in technician growth? Mentoring? Giving them bigger jobs little by little? Training for techs?
nothing like doing a big install and then have to stop what I am doing to do an oil change for walk in
I REALLY appreciate what your doing for the industry by setting standards and ethics then promoting them. I wonder if you could build a business out of consulting independent shops and dealerships. Maybe even incorporate some kind of public speaking at highschools. You are the perfect face to promote the industries way of proper ethics and standards to teach the public that techs are just as respectable as doctors.
I am happy were i am, but would consider any offers to help this industry
Great video thanks brother. I believe you have hit everything right. That is one reason I really liked working out of a service truck. I didn't like being in the shop having to go back and forth from job to job. Waiting on parts is a killer even in the heavy equipment side. Keep up the great work see you in the next video thanks again brother
Check parts in as soon as they come in is a time saver. Nothing worse than have the parts wait over there all day just to find out that they’re wrong. They could’ve been checked in hours ago and if they were wrong correct it.
Tool87 I’ve had that happen as well. I’m not afraid to get those parts guy is a lashing. I Let them know that it affects my paychecks and I’m not happy with them.
Good point Brian
Flat Rate Master I accidentally tapped thumbs down. But switched it back to a thumbs up. Lol
I seen techs with 3 weeks worth of work waiting on him
While a different tech sits in a empty bay
Then they wonder we have a high turn over rate
Soooooo crazy how it's the same bullshit worldwide
Last dealership i worked at...bosses fishing/hunting buddy has 4 bays closest to parts. He did customer pay work ALL DAY LONG. every day. No heavy line work. If it was less than a 5 hour ticket...went to somebody else. he was doing 70+ hours a week while rest of shop struggled to break 30. I was ther 4 months, TWO customer pay tickets. Total. Was during the first couple years of the 6.0l Powerstroke Warranty, warranty, warranty. i gave up.
Gail Taylor quick question, noobie here does warranty work not pay for labor hours?
@@k_werx Warranty pays about 55-60% of customer pay. So a 10 hr job pays you around 6 hours. The good thing about dealer work is the cars are normally new enough not have rust issues or previous poor repairs which you end up fixing for free. Plus if doing warranty work it's the same repair over & over. You eventually get to where you at least break even. Barely. But I didn't work under flat-rate pay plan to break even.
@@gailtaylor1636 I agree we here to make money
The shop foreman or lead tech is a great idea. With having experience on the floor and knowing what all the guys on the floor are proficient with and how they operate works way better than an office personnel guessing on who to give what job. Not only that but when it comes to educating your customers the foreman has an understanding of what was done and why. Overall it makes a better shop with happier employees and customers with a piece of mind.
Very wise advice with part and controlling production that's one of the biggest problem on repairing vehicles, like the video. thank you.
As long as you got a guy like the Flat Rate Master, it makes or breaks a place. Coming in from the motorcycle side, the CHAOS of someone saying here help this guy at a Kawi shop was ran like a circus. Later on went to another shop it was ran a lot better but still no one really acted as a 'foreman' and makes it hard. The Parts as well, not in stock (oil filters, common items) and customers get angry to boot.
@Dong Army Stangler They always use the - Numbers don't show this and ... no one else says this (singles you out). That way the failed management/manager can put you on the spot anything you say will appear to be YOU are the problem employee. If I had a dollar for everytime I seen that ole trick used I would not have to work.
If you had a good manager or maybe a secretary, and were able to juggle it you could start your own shop, and really build something. You aren't too old or too young and can keep all the money made rather let some guy who just happens to own a shop and is at the mercy of you running his shop get all the profits. Great video!
My boss pays me very very well
@@flatratemaster Thats good you are happy, that is a real important thing. I think theres a lot to come in the industry that you'll be apart of help directing the changes to come.
I’m a fairly new shop owner. This video was helpful thanks. Will check out your channel
Wrong parts, getting pulled off a big job to install a turn signal bulb, then getting questioned why the big job isn’t done yet. Sounds just like my first employer when I finished tech school.
How about when your hourly and they try to tell you you're going to get efficiency up but at the same time they're giving you crappy jobs and your low on the totem pole as far as seniority because of social economics
Very well explained ive been in your shoes before, i agree
Only if the dealership I work at ran the shop like this, I think this way to do it cant get any better good job flate rate master!
Yeah those RPO codes for GM vehicles. You need the damn RPO code to scan them quite a bit it seems. More so with the older ones that don't have the auto scan feature. The HVAC system and the radio or a big one that I always get asked about on my vehicles when I scan my personal vehicles.
I love the waiter check engine light diag
Good basic ticket tactics.
Man I wish my place was like yours. The service manager here will work in the shop and flag it for a tech and pre assign the gravy to him also. The standing around for approval is on the waiters. We have so many you would think we gave a discount if you wait. Shoot on Saturdays they even load us up on lof rotated through lunch and after closing.
That's a big problem where I work they forget to order my parts or order the wrong parts and ask me when will that car be done that makes me so damn angry because my production rate is among The highest in the shop but when it takes 2 hours to get an oil cooler and a air filter then the filter is wrong don't ask me when will it be done it took 3 hours to get 7 qaursts of 15w40 synthetic oil the other day I was working on 2 other cars but the customer wanted to leave they ask me what's the hold up I said I don't where is the oil I told you 2 hours ago we need they didn't call it in I get so mad about that shit I'm going to work on something else it's not my job to order parts
Flat rate organizes his kitchen like his tool box to increase efficiency! 😂
Weve got an open board at my dealership. You pull tickets at random.
It's nice, because someone like me whose only got 1 year with jaguar land rover, (4years in other shops) can really get down deep into the brand and get to know it. My first week, I did a turbo, and a set of timing chains.
I do think that some of our total greenhorns should be distributed tickets though, because a guy that came from the lube or tire shop down the road can turn those A or B level jobs into major expenses for the shop
A shop foreman/porter combo is a great way to improve efficiency.
Man it happens to me all the time. Gravy ticket turns into a BS ticket because of constantly getting pulled off by the advisor and still have the nerve to ask why the other ticket isn’t done yet.
Wish youtube had a love button like facebook. Dude you nailed it. Awesome video
Man, as a mechanic with ADHD, I would love to work under somebody like you who can pay attention to what my strengths/weaknesses are
My shop owner/boss always parks his car behind my bay and I always have to Chase him around to get the keys kills my time
put zap straps around his axles next time. Give him a good time waster. He won't know what the sound is.
If you have to move it park it in the farthest spot on the lot.
I would love to work under you Mike. I miss the Small shop vibe. Im in a shop with 60 bays and it took me over a year to know everyones name!
I seen a dealership in Scottsdale completely ruin 22 techs. Manager after manager coming in making it worse and worse!they had a revolving door in the front of the building and one in the back!
I have to pretty much hope that my boss gives me work to do because he also works in the shop and takes all the good work for himself and pretty much gives all the bad work to the workers mostly me and I'm flat rate and this is how he treats me and I stand a lot a lot a very lot I think it's time to find another job I have over a hundred grand in tools and 22 years experience and I have given them respect and he is the only one in the shop that treats me like I am nothing. I've been there almost 3 years and before this I worked for myself for 19 years.... I don't know what to do.
Go work for yourself again. I know that it's hard. Just do it
Hey man if your not happy just go that’s why took boxes have wheels lol
A good auto repair shop
is like a row boat
everybody rowing in sync
and in the same direction
sounds simple but just think
about how many shops fail
every year
Need to get my boss to watch this video.
;)
Like the video where is more shop somewhere like yours that you watch your video to learn a little more how to pass out jobs
EVERYTHING you said!
Could not have said it better my friend!!
Not many things more irritating than being in the middle of a 15-20, whatever he job, being in the groove doing great..... sales person comes over, " can you do this oil change that only pays 12mins".....and they want a FULL Courtney check, btw, they're waiting too!....
wife works at a parts store....they complain about returns because parts are wrong. Picked out issue in an instant. Parts employees not verifying correct vehicle/ repair shop guessing at cars. Was telling them they need to get vins or plates up front and not guess...but both sides should know better.
Hey FRM I am wondering what is the software you use in your shop to manage ROs, stock client data, parts management, etc. I am looking into that and multiple options are out there. Wanted to know your experience. Keep doing what you do!
Good info as usual thanks for the video FRM.
Unfortunately the parts industry is not the same any more i do mush of the leg work before i call any parts store and have them verify my parts numbers very rarely have part issues i do believe future techs need this knowledge. I remember many years ago i called in to a parts store asking for Plastigage, they told me we don't sell plastic here sir..... Great Video Flat Rate Master
Flat Rate Master you mentioned you distribute work based on how many hours each tech has. Do all your techs work the same amount of hours a week and do they come in at the same time?
Christian and Josh, come it at 7 am, everyone else starts at 7:30, everyone works till 5:30 except Jessie he leaves at 4. I am not trying to keep everyone even, just no one tech/techs getting all the gravy and/or starving other techs out of work
@@flatratemaster Okay. Thank you. Helpful information
Good advice
That's what turned me off to flat rate work. It was the distribution of the work. I was a year or so in an getting stuff above my pay grade
Good info. Work on the “ya knows” in your delivery. The fact is “we don’t know”- that’s why we’re learning from you. This alone would elevate your material considerably. I appreciate the info. Keep up the good work
Could you do a video on understanding fuel trims? Like what fuel trims will look like with a bad MAF vs vacuum leak etc...
I plan to when i have a car at the shop to film with an fuel trim issue
Flat Rate Master awesome! Also, what would you recommend as a starting point for someone turning their hobby into a career? I mainly wrench on BMWs and I’ve done head gaskets, timing guides, Vanos rebuilds... tons of stuff, you name it and Ive done it. I even know how to navigate ISTA and diagnose BMW’s fairly quick.
The only thing working against me is formal education for automotive repair, but I’m self taught and I do things right
get a local shop to take a chance on you and take as much formal training as you can find
Uh engineers they know everything
So do you not schedule oil changes, brake noises, or diags in the afternoon? Only the first half of the day?
Thanks for video great info
Swr
How do you know tech's hours? Do you see a report or just estimate? I got availability and ability but have trouble with evening out low hours , while keeping up with all the other things I am asked to do.
he assigns the work
@@epicragegaming2016 I assign the work but do not always see up sells after.
Our management system shows current tickets status and hours on those tickets, and i run a report to see billed hours for all techs
@@jamesmiller3297 if you're using a shop management software that's decent it should have the ability to run those reports he speaking about in there. Also communication with the techs is key because all of you are there with the same purpose in mine and that is to take care of the customer and because you love doing what you do. If someone isn't happy as in they don't like the career path they've chosen they need to do some self reflecting. "If you love what you do then you'll never work another day in your life".
@@flatratemaster Maybe a Dealer thing. I can look up Repair orders but I don't get to see time reports, yet I get the question "Why are you not giving him more hours"? We have a 4 man express team also. Most of my hours come from state inspections. I am the only inspector. Management wants more but are not giving me the tools to do what they want. We get diag waits up till 3:30pm . Makes it hard to plan the day out. Start someone on a trans. and have to pull them for a wait, if every one is busy.
Flat Rate Master , Love the videos ! I’m wondering if you have any experience with warranty work and how to charge for diag time (especially for electrical) . Thanks !
Sorry Flat Rate Master What I meant by my comment is if you have any tips for warranty / retail diag and how much to charge for time. Thanks !
Thank you for the informative video. I recently got my Associate's in Automotive Technician at my local community college. I have been applying to shops and dealerships all over the place for the past few weeks now. Is there any information you can give me that will help me land a job in my field as an entry level automotive technician? Thank you so much!
Work on your interview skills, and do your best to meet the person that does the hiring. Applications are too easy for them to glance through, an actual person in front of that person has a much better chance at a job
@@flatratemaster Ok, thank you. Also for the places I sent the online applications too, should I go to the shop/dealership and tell them that I recently put in a application and I am looking to follow up on it? Thanks again.
Efficient video, you got it all done in time.
And the worst thing about it is one of our parts stores is a 3 minute walk from our shop can anyone understand why we should wait 2 or 3 hours for something simple
Waiting on parts is brutal with equipment........ I'm waiting on a bell housing from England and 4 bolts from Germany for the same piece of equipment that is built in Washington state LOL
Good video!!
Thanks great video
What messes up work flow is customers that don't answer their phone, especially when there supposed to be waiters. It drives me crazy...
So do you try and keep all of your techs hours even? If so your best guy can only do as good as your worst guy?
I do not handicap anyones hours, i just do my best to keep everyone turning hours, also do not do favorites aka handing all the gravy to any one tech.
Sounds like a good system. Reason I asked is because I worked at a shop that would handicap us. I would get no work 1-2 days a week so the other guy could catch up then we would both be stopped at 39hrs. Needless to say I like there really quick
NTB is bad about pulling off your ticket and then asking why you’re not done with it yet
Poor Christian getting called out all over the place 😂
I hate pulling my guys off jobs for oil changes semi's take too long and theres no money in it.
I also need techs bad.
What is effiency?
Depends on who's running what numbers ....
Thanks for the video. I've been tasked by a repair shop to coordinate their service department...only problem is I don't have a technical background 🤦
I've made huge improvements just because my management skills are so strong but my technical skills are weak and I'm starting to notice it more as I inherit more and more responsibilities.
Can you maybe do a newbie guide, or post a link here if you already have one, for how to best coordinate the front end and workload, e.g., warranty, increasing repairs quality, etc.
100k service dance! Jaja
Always enjoy the videos. Keep them coming!
How do you factor in technician growth? Mentoring? Giving them bigger jobs little by little? Training for techs?
Mentor and monitor, push them to advance as they need it, bring them back down as needed as well
Why would an engineer open up an auto repair shop?
He wanted to stop being an Automotive engineer
1st?