We tend to put up with a toxic work environment. Because it’s familiar. we use the fear of money. Being out of work holds us back. Congratulations on your new beginnings.
I agree, I am so glad I was able to save enough money keeping my head down to be able to quit and move across the country. I was only able to do that being frugal and taking the oppurtunity COVID provided. I know a lot of people who wish they did the same but were scared of the unknown and had too many debts to take the chance.
@@BreadAndGatoradetaking risks is how you achieve success. I have played it safe the last few years for all the reasons yall said. I myself am now in that boat. Time to move on and move to where I actually want too be in my life. This career can suck the life out of you by just staying in a shit shop for too long.
The fact that you can communicate and speak coherently on camera, are not obviously on meth, and are a proficient technician gives you a step up on the vast majority of technicians out there. Do not take abuse by morons, go to somewhere where they will appreciate you for your skills and experience.
You’re right though. My generation can’t work (not trying to start shit, just saying) and the older generation is retiring. A lot of people in between are on drugs. This dude and anyone left like him is an asset. Show up on time and work and you’re way ahead of the curve.
The vast majority of businesses don't value the individual. They need the lowest common denominator. The person who can get the job done and be paid the least to do it.
@@sethallison5682 Until you get fired, letgo, relieved of duty etc etc what every they want to call it for doing all the right things picking up the crap from the endless dust cloud left behind.
Flat Rate Master. I know what you mean about favoritism. I watched several people at the shop screw off and walk around with the boss and take almost 2 hours to actually start doing any work every morning. This went on for 3 years. I said something about in a meeting and suddenly the next time they did their "shift bid" which was about 6 months later I went from being second in line to third in line which means I got the shift that no one wanted because they only offered 3 different shifts. I told them I could not work that shift and they said work the shift or leave. So I thought about it for about an hour and after a little more than ten years of working there, I called a wrecker to come get my toolbox. When the wrecker showed up my boss come out of his office and said "are you sure this what you want to do"? I said no it's not what I want to do I was planning on working here until I retire but you aren't giving me any other choice. He then said so you're just going to quit today without giving me a 2 week notice. I just laughed and said did you give me a 2 week notice. I was there longer than most of the techs and even longer than my boss and that's the way they treated me.
@@Mustangg16 ive worked places where even during trainign they let you know what you shift will be and even when they're going to be a change in shift slots, they try to do a case by case basis granted that was a call center but still it shows some amount of respect for employees.
This is probably the most important video you have made. Like everything else, it's not what you know. It's who you know and how well you play the game. Nothing is going to change until the industry stops treating technicians like entry level employees compared to everyone else in the shop. Flat rate is not a bad system, but when it is combined with that mindset it leads to the situation we are in now
Similar to how things have gone in a certain product boycott where people voted with their dollars, it is important for technicians to be fully ready to vote with their feet. There is a cerain amount of crap that happens in every workplace, but your life and happiness are too important to stay at a place where the crap gets worse and not better. It is NOT what you know. Neither is it WHO you know. It's "find a place that at least TRIES to do right by their people or load up your toolbox and make tracks TODAY." Better to hit the door too soon than too late.
@@rontiemens2553 FYI, that’s not a boycott. It’s a sector of people that decided to move to another product and they will never stop “boycotting”…. The former customers (I’m one of them) would NEVER take the chance to be seen/photographed/etc by a stranger or their friends buying or consuming that product ever again. There’s several different cultures and ideologies out there. Former BL drinkers weren’t city folks. They aren’t recent college grads nor do many of them work in cube farms at mega corps that are woke. They are country folk who were raised not to accept the BS that is being shoved in our faces.
Unfortunately “That” mindset will always be in certain shops. When you look for a new shop to work at, throughly interview and background check the owner & manager. Good people will always take care of you regardless of pay plan.
I left the last shop I was at because the new shop manager who just graduated from college came in waving his business degree around saying he was better than techs who had 20 years experience. The new manager had no idea how to run a shop and assign work properly. He thought any tech could do any job , so he had lube and heavyline techs doing diagnostic work.
I’ve been through a similar situation. I left but not before the boss and I had a heated exchange. I had also worked for my boss for 21 years and along with another guy helped grow that business to what it was. Long story short, me and the other guy have a shop together and my former boss and shop are gone.
No shit?! Did his shop close down? I did not realize that, but I am out of that loop since going mobile. Glad to hear things are still rocking and rolling for y'all at the shop.
Good on you for leaving. When I gave in my resignation letter at the end of my shift the manager asked to speak to me. I told him I wasn't interested and left. I'm sure it would have felt good to air him out but I think they enjoy being able to make you lose control of your emotions.
@@BreadAndGatoradeI don’t know if that is a manly and professional thing you did here. You seem proud of it but you have to realize as a man you need to learn to control your emotions.
I went thru the same thing when I was fired last November... I filed an EEOC complaint and now I have a right to sue letter. I hired an attorney and now it's a wait and see game...
The 'yes men' in the repair industry are the biggest problem in my eyes. I think we've all been guilty of staying in a job longer then we should have done.
The problem with yes men besides the obvious parts is the fact they get so full of themselves they can and have destroyed a business because they will never see their issue which typically pushes people away including customers
I tended to be a lot more hard headed when I was younger and I'd stick it out in an obviously bad situation. A few years ago something snapped in me, though, and these days I won't put up with any of that kind of BS. Shop I was at got bought out by some big corporate entity and they came in talking a big game, but ended up wanting to micromanage literally everything. I'd been at that place for 5 years and I think something in me finally snapped and I walked. The shop was actually doing great. Only reason the owner sold was because he wanted to retire early. Ever since then I've had a "no BS" attitude. Toolboxes got wheels for a reason.
I’ve dealt with a number of the issues you stated plus a few more since my boss sold his business just a few months ago. The industry is not what it used to be but unfortunately I love working on cars so here I stay. Best of luck in wherever you end up. I’ve enjoyed your channel for a long time.
Horrible managers, seems to be all too common nowadays. Sorry to hear about your experience. I look forward to hear what you got planned for the future. You're a free man now. No-one to hold you back but yourself.
i am halfway through the video. I have been watching you since i started to do my own oil change years ago. I am shocked to what abuse people are willing to put themselves just because of their reasons. I am very happy to hear that you are free now. You are in USA, live free and prosper! Greetings from a mediocre software developer in Bulgaria, who loves cars and if money was not an issue I would be working on cars 24/7. Unfortunately I am a job hunter and I have todo what i dont like, just because i have to pay the bills. I wish you all the best and I hope that your channel will grow immensely now . I wish you to open your own shop and get your own employees. Be the manager that you wished you had. You will do great man. I respect you from the bottom of my heart. Once again good luck I am happy for you!
You're a smart guy. You're a patient guy. You've got a lot of good character traits. Make sure you don't put up with crappy treatment anymore. Find a place or make a place where you're appreciated.
I put up with BS for years to the point I was on medication. It was so bad but I wasn’t going to let them win. I retired early and now I can’t believe how I ever tolerated it. I hope you make the UK someday soon, I will buy you a pint👍
Worked for dealerships half of my life and this story is so familiar. All managers should have previous tech experience otherwise they are worthless. Owners just look at balance sheets and otherwise don't care about day to day operations.
I just left a fleet shop. Working in a 3.8 million dollar facility, to a small independent shop that has had 3 additions added on over the years .because I wasn't being treated right . I haven't looked back yet. I am treated, respected, and paid correctly now. I do hear what your saying about skating on ice everyday. Good luck to ever auto tec reading this, you guys are gonna need it.
Removed the bathroom door !? As someone that’s had my colon removed, I would tell him up front. I’d turn him in for an ADA violation. Mess with my access to a restroom, it’s war !
The vacation thing almost happened to me too. I booked a cruise a year in advance and we got bought out a month prior and someone threw away the calendar. But I still went, I no longer work there now and I like my new job way better and there’s no hoops to jump through, weekends off. 🙂
It's simple, sometimes you have to pick up your balls and understand you are a subordinate. If you think there are things being done wrong you can voice your opinion. If your superiors don't care, nothing you can do about it. You either keep it moving or quit. If there are things that are illegal or immoral you can report them to the appropriate authority and/or quit. Also understand if you can run a business better than the place you work, do it and put them out of business. Statements like "he doesn't like people questioning his authority" don't really fly in an employee/employer relationship. Most larger business have insubordination policies for this reason. I'm saying all this as a person who quit a job they rather enjoyed because of "management". I now work contracts. I wouldn't say I enjoy it more but the pay is better and the real benefit is not having to be involved with any politics in the workplace. I come in, do my job, get paid. When the contract is up I can peace out.
Sorry that was the situation. Sometimes you stick around hoping the problem will leave, and sometimes it does. You’ll find something new that you will enjoy! Thanks for sharing!
That shop owner is a jack off!! You do the work that brings in revenue. You have the expertise and skill set. You have what it takes to get the job done...and do it right. I manage a business unit for a large multi national company. If a situation such as this was encountered, I would sit the manager down and tell him who has a "value added role" and who is the "non-value added, but necessary" position. It seems that the owner does not understand that you are the value added position and perform the work that the customer pays for. Shame on him for allowing such a poisoned work environment to fester. He will pay a high price until he realizes what needs to be done. Revenue decrease and customer complaints will sort it out in the end.
When I started to get treated as a slave is when I left the field. When the owner wants to sell work at the end of the day and ask if I can finish it, then I proceed to tell him we close in a half hour and I'd like to go home. Then proceeds to tell me that doesn't concern him rubbed me the wrong way. Now I work on forklifts and building maintenance...never been happier. If I want to stay late and get overtime..that's my call. Good luck in finding your next venture. Your skills could be utilized somewhere else. The only reason I stayed an auto tech for 19yrs was my ego. "I can fix anything." I was a damn good mechanic and my former employers still know it. My mental health and paycheck are much better.
I been on here a little over 4 years and been watching you say 5 years now, I have seen that shop grow as you were at the helm of things. They really grew as a operation because of implementing you.
I feel you most and myself included stay longer than they should way longer. Best advice start your own business full time. I worked 70 hours for decades working and managing a shop for someone eles and doing my own thing. My health got bad from exhaustion and burnout. 3 years full time for myself now and wish I would have quit 20 years ago and worked solely for myself. I filter customers and work and can say NO now and don't feel I have to fix every shops can't fix issues and do only work I make money for time I give of my life and not about fixing everything around.
Great video, thanks for sharing it. The shop owner and manager are toxic you are better off not working there. No one should be treated with disrespect.
It will be interesting to see how long the Manager lasts now, he doesn't have anyone to blame for his mistakes! I also really feel bad for the customers, if there are that many issues with diagnosing issues... those numbers will now just increase. Anyway, glad that you are out of there and hope that your next position will be one in which the owner respects you!!
He'll last as long as he likes. In these situations, people see the bs and just ignore it, so when you or any other good employee leave the gear is just replaced and the machine continues on. Just why you just have to leave and move on most the time seriously
I understand, Sir. I have watched the same thing happen at my place of work. I would like to have retired in 2018, but I’m holding out hard for 5 more years to 20 years on the retirement system.
Man oh man. I thought you had the perfect setup going man. Kudos to you for giving us high quality content, in a hostile work environment, the past 5 years. You helped me grow from a c-tech to an A-tech FAST! Hope things start looking up man. And you need to vacation on your wife’s birthday for now on!!!!!!
As an electrical and diagnostic tech for almost 30 years, I always got the comebacks and the odd jobs the other techs could not fix, they never wanted to pay, which is why I left the field and went into fleet forklift repair. Best move Ive made. Shop owners are going to realize that its not that easy to find replacements for the techs they lose.
Sounds a lot like how my last few years at the Toyota dealership went, two years ago almost exactly I opened my own shop. Couldn’t be happier, just me and only me. Glad you’re still making videos you’re one of the first auto channels I watched years ago when I was getting into the industry, and I’ll keep watching!
Yea...I filed a complaint with the EEOC. Was told by the main investigator I'd been discriminated against, but I'd not be able to successfully sue the agency that screwed me as their attorneys and resources would grind me into the ground. God bless America...bend over...no lube for me... But, please...allow me to opine on the microphallic manager that soiled himself. He lacked love as a child and, due to feelings of inadequacy due to his tiny member, he feels the need to abuse others. Let us pray.
You didn't protect yourself very well did you? Take pictures, record conversations. Shops are a dime a dozen. Find a shop that will treat you better. If you wanna come to Vegas, I can get you an at Public Works. Government job. Pension. About $100,000 per year and a shit-ton of time off. Mostly maintenance, most of our vehicles are under warranty. Easy work. Union.
I sympathize. I have been a tech for 18 years. I have seen my fair share of shit from owners toward me and others. The best move I made was becoming a field service tech for industrial generators. Made the move not long ago best decision I ever made. I wish you luck in your search.
Mike. I feel all your pain. Being thru all of that, the abuse, the shit work, having to fix other people’s mess, watching our 10 year veteran tech get fed gravy work because it was known he sucks at diag so they just stopped giving it to him and gave it to me and a couple other people. I took a pay cut leaving that brand for Toyota and I couldn’t be happier. I’m surrounded by 2 managers and a lot of good guys. Finally found a place I can thrive
I had the kind experience of as a newbie tech. Had tons of crazy stress and was paid little to nothing for it. I had all the Crap oil changes, and had all the tires, tire diags for leaks. And all the stuff that didn’t bill that many hours. I could see that they wanted more and wanted me to be faster but I can only do so much with the shop running that way. While the other Tech that I worked with got the big suspension, and all the big tickets. I did get my fair share of brakes, alternators, and parts changing which did get me through some weeks and had them a little more satisfied whenever there was lots of stuff like that but that was only a few weeks out of the year. And also as a first year tech, they had me fixing steering wheel grommets on Hyundais and Kias Engine swaps. Transmissions, They had diagging old trucks without obd2. As a new tech I was stressed underpaid, and it showed as I barely slept. I had a sour experience with automotive, but it’s great to see you pull through and help those who may be experiencing the same things.
Your biggest mistake was sitting there taking it. I have never let anyone talk to me or treat me in any disrespectful manner. I would have walked out, probably quit. I have damn near gotten into fist fights with abusive people over me. Do not ever put up with it. I have documented everything in jobs that I could show as being illegal and even called in authorities for inspections. People want to be that way, I can as well. Fight back.
I know that feeling, I stayed at one job for to long and yes if you made one mistake they talked about instant termination. I should have quit when I got what I wanted out of them.
You should do a video about the ins and outs of moving out of a shop. What if they try to hold your tools? How you go about packing up that many tools? What if you have tools loaned out? How do you get a trailer or wrecker to come lift it. And so on.
Always take your tools as soon as you leave. Don’t ever leave your boxes there. I’ve seen so much fuckery go on about this shot and it boils me every time
Great video Mike, sounds like to me the wrong person was fired. Oh well there loss and your right things like this is in every Industry. Sorry you had to deal with this but in the long run you will better off. Where ever you go they are getting a winner!!!
Wow I would have loved to have someone like you work for me and my dad. They definitely sound like terrible managers and bosses. Great job standing up for yourself! No better time to start working for yourself tho man!
nice to see the truth to come out. a lot of people who haven't been in this situation before would just say you were a disgruntled employee. But this stuff is why I cant wait to leave this industry. Its no longer fun for me and hasn't been for years now. Do I regret getting in this industry, No not really mainly because I learned a lot of skills I can use anywhere. I also can repair my cars. I tell my apprentices who see the frustrations that go on including my own that you gotta pick your posion its the same every place i've been somethings are better at one shop than another. But you can take your skills and apply them anywhere. I will admit this industry has taken its toll on my physical and mental health. What i'm going to do next is still undecided. 12/31/24 is all i keep telling myself.
Everytime in this situation the owner/fellow employees depending on situation always treats it as causing drama. All because the owner has no clue how to manage the people they employ or hire friends that they see outside of work and don't want to be judge by said friends friends they hang out with. Had our top tech that was always complaining about issues that weren't right and finally he started not caring and spreading the issues to customers. Needless to say one of the customers was friends with the boss and his wife and they came to their house and told them what he said and got fired the following day. He started doing this after his son died and the boss was spreading rumors that his son probably died from drugs which wasn't the truth and that's when the employee stopped caring and telling the companies business. Unprofessional owners are ruining the job market for the good employees trying to make things better. Sorry for the rant lol.
The prior shop I worked at when the new owner took over my vacation time got scrapped had to start tge accrual over. Then said shop owner, went on to berate me infront of the two green horns he hired and favored. Was a green shop owner, 3 yrs time working in the industry in a shop environment. I left that place and about 7 months later he went under. Toolboxes have wheels for a reason we must have our red line in the sand of what kind of BS one is willing to tolerate.
It's good that you called it abuse because that's what it is. People who are a part of the problem call workplace abuse victims "snowflakes". As if they just need to "tough it out and be a man". No consideration of any kind as to how much this affects the quality of life of you AND your family. I was also at a toxic shop for WAY too long. It was a little more subtle in its abuse. I feel like my wife lost out on a couple years. She'd want to go out and do things but I'd be so ANGRY all the time. I never yelled at her or took anything out on her but I was just emotionally unavailable. If we did go out I'd be a damper on things. Or maybe we'd go somewhere and I'd be able to forget about everything and we'd have a great time! Then as we got closer to home it'd all come crashing back as one big come down. Thankfully I was able to gain my experience and all the things I needed out of it so that I could move on to a much more sustainable shop. I'm now in a good place. I count myself one of the lucky ones. It hasn't COMPLETELY jaded me but I truly hope there's a special place in hell for the kinds of people who perpetrate this kind of abuse... Having said all that I do want to say thank you for your videos. I had so many bosses, managers and foremen with fragile egos that would try and make people feel small, insignificant and incapable of making it in the trade. You always seemed like someone who'd be at their skill and experience level, or even higher, yet you'd have the little guy's back. When I'd have a particularly hard day I'd watch one of your videos and come out feeling, "Ya, I CAN do this..." I can't say how much I appreciate that. Of all the people on UA-cam, you're the one I'd most like to sit down and have a beer with. Cheers!
Bad management is a systemic issue industry wide. I think the mantra is “when you can’t manage anywhere else; manage an automotive shop”. You’ve got way to many people in the industry who are only interested in temporarily making the owner happy, at the expense of everything else. The typical tactic is to fire anyone you don’t agree with. A top notch manager will win over disagreeable people. Firing is reserved for when you need to trim the dead weight.
best part is, they're all still there dealing with it. every single day. maybe they won't say it out loud, but in the back of their heads they hate dealing with it. everyone does. but you are not there! WIN
I have been a fan of yours for a long time Mike. I'm 47 and the Lead tech at my shop and probably all the franchises the owner owns. I am Master Certified + L1 and know more applied knowlwdge than anyone else in the company and yes sometimes more than the owner who also carries the same certs as I do. I'm feeling like I'm topped out on pay on my next raise and then I'm done as far as monetary incentive goes. Honestly, coming from Diesel and Heavy Equipment, I probably should have stuck with John Deere. Indy shops are fun and you can make a lot of $$$ but there is no exit strategy unless you set it up for yourself with 401K or investments. I'm getting to the point where I either go solo and open up a small shop or I go wayyy back into my early IT career. Good luck to you man.
If you're looking for another shop where you can be a lead person, you'll probably experience the same thing all over again. The most successful mechanics on UA-cam work for themselves. I am not a mechanic, but enjoy watching those type of videos. Just my observations.
I've only ever had to deal with favoritism a few times. One of the last dealerships I worked at was like this. Mainly because our shop foreman basically held the shop hostage in a way, but it was the reason I lost quite a bit of momentum to want to learn and build myself up as a technician because being able to ask questions and take care of my needs of making money to pay my bills intertwined quite often and there were moments when people also made me aware that things were expected. I've been told "respect is expected", I've been told "he thinks he knows more than he actually does", I've been told I have attitude problems, I've been told I am insubordinate. It wasn't until a few weeks ago, I realized I don't have a problem with people of authority. I have a problem with authoritarians and authoritarianism that they possess. If that makes me a poor worker, so be it. People like that are the solid reason I'm seeking other options and wanting out of this industry due to how I was thrown around and treated. Granted, on a positive note, I work for a great employer now. Does it have its share of bad stuff? Of course, but it's nothing like what I've dealt with in the past.
Eerily similar to my experience with my previous employer and their management down to getting fired! I got pushed into a team lead (Foreman) role then lost that except for being expected to dispatch for my team on Saturdays because the new foreman conveniently didn't work weekends. Scrape to make 25-30hrs a week while the new foreman turned 55+ a week with his total lack of factory certifications (couldn't do warranty work at that time without certs). We had two shops and went from small teams in both to each building having one tech dispatching the others, the ones who got that job were both good lap dogs for the manager and always seemed to turn hours just fine, clearly the rest of us were being lazy! Service manager ended up firing me via text message in the middle of a Saturday after I disagreed with yet another bad call on his part.
In Canada getting fired without cause gets minimum 2 week severance. Mike, with his experience, position etc would have got at least a year. And you have to be caught stealing, assault something severe to be fired with cause. My wife was fired at the start of the pandemic, got offered 3 months, her lawyer got her 14 months. Judges here are not sympathetic to poor treatment of workers. Get escorted out the building, you can expect another several months severance. As I tell my younger colleagues, you can get fired at ant time for any reason, the company has to bring prepared to pay for the privilege.
@@Curlyim2 Georgia, where I am is an At will state, meaning you can be fired without reason, you can file for unemployment though and unless you got fired for stealing etc, you will get it
Shop Managers thinks they know how to run a shop but never been in a shop and they know more then you. I know exactly how you felt. There are times that I may just open a shop again and say fuck it.
You know everything u have said about that shop echos in my shop. The favoritism thing is a sure fire way to lose good techs. Another thing that bugs me is giving the gravy to new techs just so that way they dont leave why us senior techs get the bottom feeder heavy diag tickets. Its very stressful and exhausting. So good for u. Even though u got fired which really doesnt mean anything in this industry, i bet all that weight instantly fell of ur shoulders. I pray u find a shop that takes u seriously in the future.
Excuse me sir I’m a little new to the channel I’ve been watching your videos for a couple years and didn’t realize I wasn’t even subbed but am now! Can you tell me what the shop or dealership was called you worked for and what state ?
Talk to a Union to organize the shop or move on. Your are not the first one this has happening to... This is Happening to Workers daily in this USA. You are just an indentured servant, sorry.
Im in an hourly shop and i work on and diagnose everything from lawn power equipment to cars trucks heavy trucknto excavation equipment to cranes and all in between and to be away from the dealership flat rate bs is lovely been here for awhile now would not look back at flatrate or dealership life again
I'm so blessed that I work for a great shop. My boss, the owner is an animal. He's a millionaire, and he's out there in the trenches turning wrenches with us when it get's busy. I'm sitting here having a drink and bullshitting on UA-cam, getting holiday pay on Memorial day. There are good shops out there, but you may have to put those wheels on your tool box to use a few times to land a good one.
sounds like you're better off and on to something better! I work for a municipality so I don't know what flat rate is like. I work in one of the smaller yards with 2 other guys. One is the supervisor and the other is a useless bum who sits in a chair and plays on his phone nearly all day every day. I have the lowest job title of all 3 of us and I'm expected to do nearly all the work. Every time I say something I'm the problem 😂
Oh man! I am soooo dealing with this exact situation at the moment. Shop is flat rate and new manager is running it like an hourly shop, etc., etc.....
I just got fired for my attitude but I was dealing with very similarr situation. Tired of getting pushed slaround and believe me I told them my 2cents.
Well, I guess you have a forum to vent about your now ex job. If we work for others in our lives most of us will have jobs and supervisors/owners that we feel are not good leaders and show favoritism. It is just what it is. Now, having said that, my brother manages the service and parts departments of 3 dealerships owned by the same person. He is literally begging for techs. You should have no problem getting a job. Leave it go, go find a better position, keep your head down (at least for a while) and carry on. If you are as good a tech as you say you are you will make money for the next organization you work for and for yourself. I sense they might have kept you around as long as they did is because you DID make money for them. But, if you are going to complain incessantly at the next shop eventually they will sacrifice your revenue production for a more calm work place. No place is "fair" because it seems everyone has their idea of what "fair" is. Divvying up the work load at a flat rate shop is a real juggling act even if the supervisor is trying his/her best to be "fair." Someone is going to feel the other guy is getting the better tickets, always.
Wouldn't be surprised to find out that the shop manager or service writer was getting kickbacks from the lower shop techs to get those good tickets, worked in a independent shop was that way and was like that at Mercedes Benz where the Team leader dispatched work.
I think it’s good you made this video for the audience and yourself. Now I wouldn’t make any more videos or comments about it and move forward. It’s weighing you down it seems and spend your energy on your next adventure. Either at a new job or starting your own shop again. Rip off the rear view mirror. Your future is bright.
Bottom line. Flat rate takes money out of the top guys pockets. They hate it. That being said this behavior is "normal" now. Or has it always been this way?
I don't hate it. Its the only way to make good money. Yes, some shops take advantage, and if that's the case, you should leave. However, in most cases, the techs are not good enough to turn high hours. So, you have 2 choices. You can either complain about the situation, or you can work on getting better. Once you reach a certain level, the money just starts rolling in. Its not easy, but if you see the process through, you'll be rewarded in the end. Its very easy to find a job in this field. If its not working out for you in one shop, leave and try a different one. Do it as many times as you have to.
Shop managers often don't know whats happening. They go strictly by numbers and then think they know everything about cars when they've never been a technician. (my ex-manager)
Mike, may I suggest finding a nice shop (if possible) like Justin Dow has. With your knowledge and experiance you're in high demand. Just be responsible for the cars you're working on. At the end of the day you punch out and go home. Screw all thar other stuff, you dont3 need the aggravation.
Better for you that you are gone Mike. They will implode in due course and probably never figure out why. Really surprised Bam Bam didnt see the same thing hhnless it was he, who gained the favouritism. Cheers from Australia. Never gunna stop watching your thoughtful & forthright commenting. Tim.
I am glad to get the "rest of the story". Sorry for your suffering. I was fired after 6 months of "abuse". similar to you. Then years later found a good friend who was employed there years before me. HE quit after 2 weeks. He did not want the abuse. He was smarter than me. Nobody needs this. Good luck in the future!
Yup, i left my last job b/c after a new "shop foreman" came in, there were two tiers of technicians. Ivory tower elite techs that got all the good stuff, and everyone else that got shit on. I left. After that eleven more techs left. Grass is greener where I am now.
I’ve been fired and I’ve quit. I have my own business now. It’s hard when your not working and that’s what your trying to do. Get your own shop with hoist. Start small and cheap. Get some good insurance.
no 12 yrs older, was a Printer, like newspapers or packaging type printing, for most of his life, moved to the US and was not qualified to work at a large print shop, in the US, as he has no degree and no one would hire him, so he started selling tires
Most techs I've seen couldn't diagnose their way out of a paper bag. Your experience and tooling are worth gold in any shop. Shop flat rate around here is average $200 hr. There's lots of room for you to get paid. I would never work flat rate though. The emotions are always flying high in a flat rate shop. Always worrying and squabbling about hrs and tickets. All the warranty clerk bs at dealerships. Accounting for hrs etc. Get yourself an hourly gig at a busy shop. They'll be dying to take advantage of your diagnostic capabilities. Making the right calls every time keeps the cars flowing through the shop!
I feel this frustration on an exact level with the local toyota dealership I worked for. Place is a mill for taking in and turning over techs from mismanagement.
The industry sucks, the shop owners suck, normally the job sucks too. SO WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP ENTERING THE AUTOMOTIVE FIELD? Do you simply enjoy the abuse?
There’s no quicker way to destroy shop morale and productivity than to play favorites. If your owner was worth a shit, he would have shut that shit down immediately. Zero tolerance or you lose the good techs.
Ok so I'm confused what the "upper" and "lower" shops are. Or why they're split up. I figured it was on a hill or something but it's pretty flat. There's 10 bays, 3 on one side, 7 on the other - why would anybody try to split a shop up like that? It's the same business, same building, you have one "shop manager" assigning tickets to techs at "both shops" but techs are split between an "upper" and "lower" shop, and they have separate foremen? ... it sounds like an absolute clusterfuck of stupidity for no reason.
Sounds like the shop owner and new manager both take turns hugging each other’s skirts I had a boss that liked pointing his fingers in peoples faces he tried it with me he done it twice while screaming at me I quietly said one more time and I’m going to hit you so hard that you are going to be chewing your food in your pants Never had a problem with him again but he kept abusing others so after 3 years I Quit looking back I wish he would have fired me it would have been a blessing thanks for your story and keep up the great content
I’ve had to deal with several managers that want yes men. Everyone being threatened with their jobs weekly really brings the moral of a shop down. Seems like this was a way better move for you
All I have to say as an outsider looking in if this is all true you sue. Especially if he was treating you like that. There's plenty of things you said if true that would get him in trouble. That sucks because stuff like that is hard to prove. You should've probably not put this video up until you contacted a lawyer. Plus you should've documented everything. Documentation is key.
@@flatratemasterI totally get it. The burden of proof would be on you in court. I do hope you are doing well and I really enjoy your content. I'm now a mobile tech,. mostly ADAS, diagnostics and programming and it has been a good change for me.
I can’t believe you put up with that BS for 5 years. I would have been out of there. I just changed dealerships and it looks like I traded one set of problems for a different set of problems. At this point I’m tired of it and considering opening my own shop.
Had the shop manager and boss of the chevy dealership call me into the office they were verbally abusing me and screaming for 30 mins I walked out. Told guy next to my bay I’m heading out for the day. He txt me later boss and Forman was looking for me. Was going to yell some more then found out I left. Well next day call me into the office to apologize he lost his temper. I just said it’s a new and I’m ready to make some money. Was a sketchy dealership glad I left later on.
Don’t know how long you were there, but I know it was a while. The first time leaving, or leaving a long term job, is hard. I was unhappy at a job for 12 years, finally left and moved on. Liked it fine for a while, but felt something was missing. After 5 years, left that one (pretty good money and company truck). Including that one I just described, I’ve had 5 jobs since 2019. If anybody thinks I’m afraid to leave a situation that doesn’t work for me, there in for a shocker.
I am a terrible employee. Most Foremen and Bosses are clueless. Mostly though, they do not like to be 'corrected', as many develop a 'superiority attitude', and can not accept responsibility for being wrong, or being ineffective communicators. However, as an employer, I have specific reasons for doing things a certain way, which is also difficult for some employees to accept.
That’s why tool box’s have wheels.
Some have really big wheels.
Some have chrome wheels.
"The 🛞's on the 📦 goes round and round"
I was looking for a job when I found this one
Typically the easiest answer
We tend to put up with a toxic work environment. Because it’s familiar. we use the fear of money. Being out of work holds us back. Congratulations on your new beginnings.
I agree, I am so glad I was able to save enough money keeping my head down to be able to quit and move across the country. I was only able to do that being frugal and taking the oppurtunity COVID provided. I know a lot of people who wish they did the same but were scared of the unknown and had too many debts to take the chance.
@@BreadAndGatoradetaking risks is how you achieve success. I have played it safe the last few years for all the reasons yall said. I myself am now in that boat. Time to move on and move to where I actually want too be in my life. This career can suck the life out of you by just staying in a shit shop for too long.
The fact that you can communicate and speak coherently on camera, are not obviously on meth, and are a proficient technician gives you a step up on the vast majority of technicians out there. Do not take abuse by morons, go to somewhere where they will appreciate you for your skills and experience.
“Not visibly on meth” haha!
You’re right though. My generation can’t work (not trying to start shit, just saying) and the older generation is retiring. A lot of people in between are on drugs. This dude and anyone left like him is an asset. Show up on time and work and you’re way ahead of the curve.
The vast majority of businesses don't value the individual. They need the lowest common denominator. The person who can get the job done and be paid the least to do it.
@@sethallison5682 Until you get fired, letgo, relieved of duty etc etc what every they want to call it for doing all the right things picking up the crap from the endless dust cloud left behind.
Why don’t you start your own shop?
Flat Rate Master. I know what you mean about favoritism. I watched several people at the shop screw off and walk around with the boss and take almost 2 hours to actually start doing any work every morning. This went on for 3 years. I said something about in a meeting and suddenly the next time they did their "shift bid" which was about 6 months later I went from being second in line to third in line which means I got the shift that no one wanted because they only offered 3 different shifts. I told them I could not work that shift and they said work the shift or leave. So I thought about it for about an hour and after a little more than ten years of working there, I called a wrecker to come get my toolbox. When the wrecker showed up my boss come out of his office and said "are you sure this what you want to do"? I said no it's not what I want to do I was planning on working here until I retire but you aren't giving me any other choice. He then said so you're just going to quit today without giving me a 2 week notice. I just laughed and said did you give me a 2 week notice. I was there longer than most of the techs and even longer than my boss and that's the way they treated me.
Why would you need a two week notice for being the one quitting
Wow that’s bull
Ya that's some bull shit their loss 🔧🚗👊🇺🇸💪
@@Mustangg16 Meaning he didn’t give me a 2 week notice about my shift change, he just said work the shift or leave. So I left.
@@Mustangg16 ive worked places where even during trainign they let you know what you shift will be and even when they're going to be a change in shift slots, they try to do a case by case basis granted that was a call center but still it shows some amount of respect for employees.
This is probably the most important video you have made. Like everything else, it's not what you know. It's who you know and how well you play the game. Nothing is going to change until the industry stops treating technicians like entry level employees compared to everyone else in the shop. Flat rate is not a bad system, but when it is combined with that mindset it leads to the situation we are in now
Similar to how things have gone in a certain product boycott where people voted with their dollars, it is important for technicians to be fully ready to vote with their feet. There is a cerain amount of crap that happens in every workplace, but your life and happiness are too important to stay at a place where the crap gets worse and not better. It is NOT what you know. Neither is it WHO you know. It's "find a place that at least TRIES to do right by their people or load up your toolbox and make tracks TODAY." Better to hit the door too soon than too late.
Ha ha, we always say in my business, It's not who you know it's who you blow. See it ALOT.
@@rontiemens2553 FYI, that’s not a boycott. It’s a sector of people that decided to move to another product and they will never stop “boycotting”…. The former customers (I’m one of them) would NEVER take the chance to be seen/photographed/etc by a stranger or their friends buying or consuming that product ever again.
There’s several different cultures and ideologies out there. Former BL drinkers weren’t city folks. They aren’t recent college grads nor do many of them work in cube farms at mega corps that are woke.
They are country folk who were raised not to accept the BS that is being shoved in our faces.
Unfortunately “That” mindset will always be in certain shops. When you look for a new shop to work at, throughly interview and background check the owner & manager. Good people will always take care of you regardless of pay plan.
Flat rate IS a bad system. What other industry uses that bullshit?
I left the last shop I was at because the new shop manager who just graduated from college came in waving his business degree around saying he was better than techs who had 20 years experience. The new manager had no idea how to run a shop and assign work properly. He thought any tech could do any job , so he had lube and heavyline techs doing diagnostic work.
I worked as a auto technician for 40 years and it's very stressful working in most shops. 😧
Same here 2 Dealerships maybe 4 tire stores and a frame shop Basically I liked that line of work but but it’s a DAMN UNGRATEFUL JOB. 1
40 years is ridiculous, imagine working that long and not being offered a pension package. Entire industry is garbage.
I’ve been through a similar situation. I left but not before the boss and I had a heated exchange. I had also worked for my boss for 21 years and along with another guy helped grow that business to what it was. Long story short, me and the other guy have a shop together and my former boss and shop are gone.
That’s awesome love stories like yours
No shit?! Did his shop close down? I did not realize that, but I am out of that loop since going mobile. Glad to hear things are still rocking and rolling for y'all at the shop.
@@gearheadautomotivel.l.c.5476 yes. Longer story. Next time I see you I fill in the details
Good on you for leaving. When I gave in my resignation letter at the end of my shift the manager asked to speak to me. I told him I wasn't interested and left. I'm sure it would have felt good to air him out but I think they enjoy being able to make you lose control of your emotions.
@@BreadAndGatoradeI don’t know if that is a manly and professional thing you did here. You seem proud of it but you have to realize as a man you need to learn to control your emotions.
I went thru the same thing when I was fired last November... I filed an EEOC complaint and now I have a right to sue letter. I hired an attorney and now it's a wait and see game...
Whats the update?
The 'yes men' in the repair industry are the biggest problem in my eyes.
I think we've all been guilty of staying in a job longer then we should have done.
The problem with yes men besides the obvious parts is the fact they get so full of themselves they can and have destroyed a business because they will never see their issue which typically pushes people away including customers
I tended to be a lot more hard headed when I was younger and I'd stick it out in an obviously bad situation. A few years ago something snapped in me, though, and these days I won't put up with any of that kind of BS. Shop I was at got bought out by some big corporate entity and they came in talking a big game, but ended up wanting to micromanage literally everything. I'd been at that place for 5 years and I think something in me finally snapped and I walked. The shop was actually doing great. Only reason the owner sold was because he wanted to retire early. Ever since then I've had a "no BS" attitude. Toolboxes got wheels for a reason.
I’ve dealt with a number of the issues you stated plus a few more since my boss sold his business just a few months ago. The industry is not what it used to be but unfortunately I love working on cars so here I stay.
Best of luck in wherever you end up. I’ve enjoyed your channel for a long time.
Horrible managers, seems to be all too common nowadays. Sorry to hear about your experience.
I look forward to hear what you got planned for the future. You're a free man now. No-one to hold you back but yourself.
i am halfway through the video. I have been watching you since i started to do my own oil change years ago. I am shocked to what abuse people are willing to put themselves just because of their reasons. I am very happy to hear that you are free now. You are in USA, live free and prosper! Greetings from a mediocre software developer in Bulgaria, who loves cars and if money was not an issue I would be working on cars 24/7. Unfortunately I am a job hunter and I have todo what i dont like, just because i have to pay the bills. I wish you all the best and I hope that your channel will grow immensely now . I wish you to open your own shop and get your own employees. Be the manager that you wished you had. You will do great man. I respect you from the bottom of my heart. Once again good luck I am happy for you!
You're a smart guy. You're a patient guy. You've got a lot of good character traits. Make sure you don't put up with crappy treatment anymore. Find a place or make a place where you're appreciated.
I put up with BS for years to the point I was on medication. It was so bad but I wasn’t going to let them win. I retired early and now I can’t believe how I ever tolerated it.
I hope you make the UK someday soon, I will buy you a pint👍
Worked for dealerships half of my life and this story is so familiar. All managers should have previous tech experience otherwise they are worthless. Owners just look at balance sheets and otherwise don't care about day to day operations.
I just left a fleet shop. Working in a 3.8 million dollar facility, to a small independent shop that has had 3 additions added on over the years .because I wasn't being treated right . I haven't looked back yet. I am treated, respected, and paid correctly now. I do hear what your saying about skating on ice everyday. Good luck to ever auto tec reading this, you guys are gonna need it.
Same here! Cheers
Removed the bathroom door !? As someone that’s had my colon removed, I would tell him up front. I’d turn him in for an ADA violation. Mess with my access to a restroom, it’s war !
The vacation thing almost happened to me too. I booked a cruise a year in advance and we got bought out a month prior and someone threw away the calendar. But I still went, I no longer work there now and I like my new job way better and there’s no hoops to jump through, weekends off. 🙂
It's simple, sometimes you have to pick up your balls and understand you are a subordinate. If you think there are things being done wrong you can voice your opinion. If your superiors don't care, nothing you can do about it. You either keep it moving or quit. If there are things that are illegal or immoral you can report them to the appropriate authority and/or quit.
Also understand if you can run a business better than the place you work, do it and put them out of business. Statements like "he doesn't like people questioning his authority" don't really fly in an employee/employer relationship. Most larger business have insubordination policies for this reason.
I'm saying all this as a person who quit a job they rather enjoyed because of "management". I now work contracts. I wouldn't say I enjoy it more but the pay is better and the real benefit is not having to be involved with any politics in the workplace. I come in, do my job, get paid. When the contract is up I can peace out.
Sorry that was the situation. Sometimes you stick around hoping the problem will leave, and sometimes it does. You’ll find something new that you will enjoy! Thanks for sharing!
That shop owner is a jack off!! You do the work that brings in revenue. You have the expertise and skill set. You have what it takes to get the job done...and do it right. I manage a business unit for a large multi national company. If a situation such as this was encountered, I would sit the manager down and tell him who has a "value added role" and who is the "non-value added, but necessary" position.
It seems that the owner does not understand that you are the value added position and perform the work that the customer pays for. Shame on him for allowing such a poisoned work environment to fester. He will pay a high price until he realizes what needs to be done. Revenue decrease and customer complaints will sort it out in the end.
Well stated Byron ! F*ckn A - I agree and approve of your comment completely sir , thanks .
When I started to get treated as a slave is when I left the field. When the owner wants to sell work at the end of the day and ask if I can finish it, then I proceed to tell him we close in a half hour and I'd like to go home. Then proceeds to tell me that doesn't concern him rubbed me the wrong way. Now I work on forklifts and building maintenance...never been happier. If I want to stay late and get overtime..that's my call. Good luck in finding your next venture. Your skills could be utilized somewhere else. The only reason I stayed an auto tech for 19yrs was my ego. "I can fix anything." I was a damn good mechanic and my former employers still know it. My mental health and paycheck are much better.
Happens every day. Things are changing fast as shops struggle to find even a reliable lube specialist.
I been on here a little over 4 years and been watching you say 5 years now, I have seen that shop grow as you were at the helm of things. They really grew as a operation because of implementing you.
I feel you most and myself included stay longer than they should way longer. Best advice start your own business full time. I worked 70 hours for decades working and managing a shop for someone eles and doing my own thing. My health got bad from exhaustion and burnout. 3 years full time for myself now and wish I would have quit 20 years ago and worked solely for myself. I filter customers and work and can say NO now and don't feel I have to fix every shops can't fix issues and do only work I make money for time I give of my life and not about fixing everything around.
Great video, thanks for sharing it. The shop owner and manager are toxic you are better off not working there. No one should be treated with disrespect.
It will be interesting to see how long the Manager lasts now, he doesn't have anyone to blame for his mistakes! I also really feel bad for the customers, if there are that many issues with diagnosing issues... those numbers will now just increase. Anyway, glad that you are out of there and hope that your next position will be one in which the owner respects you!!
Ive seen a few shops fail when the customer follows the mechanic. I think that is why they try to push the service writers so much.
He'll last as long as he likes. In these situations, people see the bs and just ignore it, so when you or any other good employee leave the gear is just replaced and the machine continues on. Just why you just have to leave and move on most the time seriously
I understand, Sir. I have watched the same thing happen at my place of work. I would like to have retired in 2018, but I’m holding out hard for 5 more years to 20 years on the retirement system.
Man oh man. I thought you had the perfect setup going man. Kudos to you for giving us high quality content, in a hostile work environment, the past 5 years. You helped me grow from a c-tech to an A-tech FAST! Hope things start looking up man. And you need to vacation on your wife’s birthday for now on!!!!!!
He did have it made, but his arrogance and being full of himself cost his job also other things he is not mentioned and of course he wont do thhat
@@Bud-vx9lg why dont you tell us all about it then big shot
LOL, both of us!
nice BRAND NEW Account bud;) please do explain
@@flatratemaster Know need you speak enough all on your own!!! Just saying!!
As an electrical and diagnostic tech for almost 30 years, I always got the comebacks and the odd jobs the other techs could not fix, they never wanted to pay, which is why I left the field and went into fleet forklift repair. Best move Ive made. Shop owners are going to realize that its not that easy to find replacements for the techs they lose.
Sounds a lot like how my last few years at the Toyota dealership went, two years ago almost exactly I opened my own shop. Couldn’t be happier, just me and only me. Glad you’re still making videos you’re one of the first auto channels I watched years ago when I was getting into the industry, and I’ll keep watching!
Yea...I filed a complaint with the EEOC. Was told by the main investigator I'd been discriminated against, but I'd not be able to successfully sue the agency that screwed me as their attorneys and resources would grind me into the ground. God bless America...bend over...no lube for me...
But, please...allow me to opine on the microphallic manager that soiled himself. He lacked love as a child and, due to feelings of inadequacy due to his tiny member, he feels the need to abuse others. Let us pray.
You didn't protect yourself very well did you?
Take pictures, record conversations.
Shops are a dime a dozen. Find a shop that will treat you better.
If you wanna come to Vegas, I can get you an at Public Works. Government job. Pension. About $100,000 per year and a shit-ton of time off. Mostly maintenance, most of our vehicles are under warranty. Easy work. Union.
Couldn't agree more. P.W. is the place to be.
I sympathize. I have been a tech for 18 years. I have seen my fair share of shit from owners toward me and others. The best move I made was becoming a field service tech for industrial generators. Made the move not long ago best decision I ever made. I wish you luck in your search.
Mike. I feel all your pain. Being thru all of that, the abuse, the shit work, having to fix other people’s mess, watching our 10 year veteran tech get fed gravy work because it was known he sucks at diag so they just stopped giving it to him and gave it to me and a couple other people. I took a pay cut leaving that brand for Toyota and I couldn’t be happier. I’m surrounded by 2 managers and a lot of good guys. Finally found a place I can thrive
I had the kind experience of as a newbie tech.
Had tons of crazy stress and was paid little to nothing for it.
I had all the Crap oil changes, and had all the tires, tire diags for leaks. And all the stuff that didn’t bill that many hours.
I could see that they wanted more and wanted me to be faster but I can only do so much with the shop running that way. While the other Tech that I worked with got the big suspension, and all the big tickets.
I did get my fair share of brakes, alternators, and parts changing which did get me through some weeks and had them a little more satisfied whenever there was lots of stuff like that but that was only a few weeks out of the year.
And also as a first year tech, they had me fixing steering wheel grommets on Hyundais and Kias
Engine swaps. Transmissions,
They had diagging old trucks without obd2.
As a new tech I was stressed underpaid, and it showed as I barely slept.
I had a sour experience with automotive, but it’s great to see you pull through and help those who may be experiencing the same things.
It's stories like this that remind me where I work isn't so bad.
Your biggest mistake was sitting there taking it. I have never let anyone talk to me or treat me in any disrespectful manner. I would have walked out, probably quit. I have damn near gotten into fist fights with abusive people over me. Do not ever put up with it. I have documented everything in jobs that I could show as being illegal and even called in authorities for inspections. People want to be that way, I can as well. Fight back.
Exactly
went thru the same situation many years ago best thing that ever happened started my own businesses and never looked back!!
I know that feeling, I stayed at one job for to long and yes if you made one mistake they talked about instant termination. I should have quit when I got what I wanted out of them.
You should do a video about the ins and outs of moving out of a shop. What if they try to hold your tools? How you go about packing up that many tools? What if you have tools loaned out? How do you get a trailer or wrecker to come lift it. And so on.
If they try to hold my tools, they will deeply regret it.
@@notsure7874no shit.😂 I’d deploy the tactical nukes haha
Always take your tools as soon as you leave. Don’t ever leave your boxes there. I’ve seen so much fuckery go on about this shot and it boils me every time
Great video Mike, sounds like to me the wrong person was fired. Oh well there loss and your right things like this is in every Industry. Sorry you had to deal with this but in the long run you will better off. Where ever you go they are getting a winner!!!
Wow I would have loved to have someone like you work for me and my dad. They definitely sound like terrible managers and bosses. Great job standing up for yourself! No better time to start working for yourself tho man!
nice to see the truth to come out. a lot of people who haven't been in this situation before would just say you were a disgruntled employee. But this stuff is why I cant wait to leave this industry. Its no longer fun for me and hasn't been for years now. Do I regret getting in this industry, No not really mainly because I learned a lot of skills I can use anywhere. I also can repair my cars. I tell my apprentices who see the frustrations that go on including my own that you gotta pick your posion its the same every place i've been somethings are better at one shop than another. But you can take your skills and apply them anywhere. I will admit this industry has taken its toll on my physical and mental health. What i'm going to do next is still undecided. 12/31/24 is all i keep telling myself.
Everytime in this situation the owner/fellow employees depending on situation always treats it as causing drama. All because the owner has no clue how to manage the people they employ or hire friends that they see outside of work and don't want to be judge by said friends friends they hang out with. Had our top tech that was always complaining about issues that weren't right and finally he started not caring and spreading the issues to customers. Needless to say one of the customers was friends with the boss and his wife and they came to their house and told them what he said and got fired the following day. He started doing this after his son died and the boss was spreading rumors that his son probably died from drugs which wasn't the truth and that's when the employee stopped caring and telling the companies business. Unprofessional owners are ruining the job market for the good employees trying to make things better. Sorry for the rant lol.
The prior shop I worked at when the new owner took over my vacation time got scrapped had to start tge accrual over. Then said shop owner, went on to berate me infront of the two green horns he hired and favored. Was a green shop owner, 3 yrs time working in the industry in a shop environment. I left that place and about 7 months later he went under. Toolboxes have wheels for a reason we must have our red line in the sand of what kind of BS one is willing to tolerate.
It's good that you called it abuse because that's what it is. People who are a part of the problem call workplace abuse victims "snowflakes". As if they just need to "tough it out and be a man". No consideration of any kind as to how much this affects the quality of life of you AND your family. I was also at a toxic shop for WAY too long. It was a little more subtle in its abuse. I feel like my wife lost out on a couple years. She'd want to go out and do things but I'd be so ANGRY all the time. I never yelled at her or took anything out on her but I was just emotionally unavailable. If we did go out I'd be a damper on things. Or maybe we'd go somewhere and I'd be able to forget about everything and we'd have a great time! Then as we got closer to home it'd all come crashing back as one big come down. Thankfully I was able to gain my experience and all the things I needed out of it so that I could move on to a much more sustainable shop. I'm now in a good place. I count myself one of the lucky ones. It hasn't COMPLETELY jaded me but I truly hope there's a special place in hell for the kinds of people who perpetrate this kind of abuse...
Having said all that I do want to say thank you for your videos. I had so many bosses, managers and foremen with fragile egos that would try and make people feel small, insignificant and incapable of making it in the trade. You always seemed like someone who'd be at their skill and experience level, or even higher, yet you'd have the little guy's back. When I'd have a particularly hard day I'd watch one of your videos and come out feeling, "Ya, I CAN do this..." I can't say how much I appreciate that. Of all the people on UA-cam, you're the one I'd most like to sit down and have a beer with. Cheers!
Bad management is a systemic issue industry wide. I think the mantra is “when you can’t manage anywhere else; manage an automotive shop”. You’ve got way to many people in the industry who are only interested in temporarily making the owner happy, at the expense of everything else. The typical tactic is to fire anyone you don’t agree with. A top notch manager will win over disagreeable people. Firing is reserved for when you need to trim the dead weight.
We all stay longer than we should!
Yep:(
Thanks for filling us in! I hope you are able to move in from this in the near future. I miss your old content.
best part is, they're all still there dealing with it. every single day. maybe they won't say it out loud, but in the back of their heads they hate dealing with it. everyone does.
but you are not there! WIN
I have been a fan of yours for a long time Mike. I'm 47 and the Lead tech at my shop and probably all the franchises the owner owns. I am Master Certified + L1 and know more applied knowlwdge than anyone else in the company and yes sometimes more than the owner who also carries the same certs as I do. I'm feeling like I'm topped out on pay on my next raise and then I'm done as far as monetary incentive goes. Honestly, coming from Diesel and Heavy Equipment, I probably should have stuck with John Deere. Indy shops are fun and you can make a lot of $$$ but there is no exit strategy unless you set it up for yourself with 401K or investments. I'm getting to the point where I either go solo and open up a small shop or I go wayyy back into my early IT career. Good luck to you man.
My dad always said, "You went there looking for a job, you can leave there looking for a job." Good luck on your future endeavors.
If you're looking for another shop where you can be a lead person, you'll probably experience the same thing all over again. The most successful mechanics on UA-cam work for themselves. I am not a mechanic, but enjoy watching those type of videos. Just my observations.
I've only ever had to deal with favoritism a few times. One of the last dealerships I worked at was like this. Mainly because our shop foreman basically held the shop hostage in a way, but it was the reason I lost quite a bit of momentum to want to learn and build myself up as a technician because being able to ask questions and take care of my needs of making money to pay my bills intertwined quite often and there were moments when people also made me aware that things were expected. I've been told "respect is expected", I've been told "he thinks he knows more than he actually does", I've been told I have attitude problems, I've been told I am insubordinate. It wasn't until a few weeks ago, I realized I don't have a problem with people of authority. I have a problem with authoritarians and authoritarianism that they possess. If that makes me a poor worker, so be it. People like that are the solid reason I'm seeking other options and wanting out of this industry due to how I was thrown around and treated. Granted, on a positive note, I work for a great employer now. Does it have its share of bad stuff? Of course, but it's nothing like what I've dealt with in the past.
Eerily similar to my experience with my previous employer and their management down to getting fired! I got pushed into a team lead (Foreman) role then lost that except for being expected to dispatch for my team on Saturdays because the new foreman conveniently didn't work weekends. Scrape to make 25-30hrs a week while the new foreman turned 55+ a week with his total lack of factory certifications (couldn't do warranty work at that time without certs). We had two shops and went from small teams in both to each building having one tech dispatching the others, the ones who got that job were both good lap dogs for the manager and always seemed to turn hours just fine, clearly the rest of us were being lazy!
Service manager ended up firing me via text message in the middle of a Saturday after I disagreed with yet another bad call on his part.
I was surprised you got severance after being fired. usually you only get that if laid off. Boss probably did that to protect him from lawsuits!
Yah hope he didn’t sign anything
no signed nothing
In Canada getting fired without cause gets minimum 2 week severance. Mike, with his experience, position etc would have got at least a year. And you have to be caught stealing, assault something severe to be fired with cause.
My wife was fired at the start of the pandemic, got offered 3 months, her lawyer got her 14 months.
Judges here are not sympathetic to poor treatment of workers. Get escorted out the building, you can expect another several months severance.
As I tell my younger colleagues, you can get fired at ant time for any reason, the company has to bring prepared to pay for the privilege.
@@Curlyim2 Georgia, where I am is an At will state, meaning you can be fired without reason, you can file for unemployment though and unless you got fired for stealing etc, you will get it
@@Curlyim2 sounds like a great place to be a lazy worker 🤦🏻♂️ lol jk but I see the pros and the cons to that
Shop Managers thinks they know how to run a shop but never been in a shop and they know more then you. I know exactly how you felt. There are times that I may just open a shop again and say fuck it.
Audi dealer pissing you off?
@@philh9238 No, just dealing with stupid mangers piss me off 🤣🤣🤣🤣
For real. It’s always a dweeb that’s never worked on a car but knows everything
Makes me wonder, you used to speak so highly of the owner & the shop.
Why do shop owners think managers are #1 when we all know most aren't worth a wooden nickel
You know everything u have said about that shop echos in my shop. The favoritism thing is a sure fire way to lose good techs. Another thing that bugs me is giving the gravy to new techs just so that way they dont leave why us senior techs get the bottom feeder heavy diag tickets. Its very stressful and exhausting. So good for u. Even though u got fired which really doesnt mean anything in this industry, i bet all that weight instantly fell of ur shoulders. I pray u find a shop that takes u seriously in the future.
Nothing worse than having to go to a job everyday that you can't stand. Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side.
The grass is way greener:)
Excuse me sir I’m a little new to the channel I’ve been watching your videos for a couple years and didn’t realize I wasn’t even subbed but am now! Can you tell me what the shop or dealership was called you worked for and what state ?
Stop living in the past bud, i went thru a similar situation. I’m way happier now knowing their is other places that will have less stress on me.
Living in the past? Most here appreciate getting to finally hear the inside story. Had to wait until severance pkg finished.
Talk to a Union to organize the shop or move on. Your are not the first one this has happening to... This is Happening to Workers daily in this USA. You are just an indentured servant, sorry.
Im in an hourly shop and i work on and diagnose everything from lawn power equipment to cars trucks heavy trucknto excavation equipment to cranes and all in between and to be away from the dealership flat rate bs is lovely been here for awhile now would not look back at flatrate or dealership life again
I'm so blessed that I work for a great shop. My boss, the owner is an animal. He's a millionaire, and he's out there in the trenches turning wrenches with us when it get's busy. I'm sitting here having a drink and bullshitting on UA-cam, getting holiday pay on Memorial day. There are good shops out there, but you may have to put those wheels on your tool box to use a few times to land a good one.
sounds like you're better off and on to something better! I work for a municipality so I don't know what flat rate is like. I work in one of the smaller yards with 2 other guys. One is the supervisor and the other is a useless bum who sits in a chair and plays on his phone nearly all day every day. I have the lowest job title of all 3 of us and I'm expected to do nearly all the work. Every time I say something I'm the problem 😂
L🤣L
Oh man! I am soooo dealing with this exact situation at the moment. Shop is flat rate and new manager is running it like an hourly shop, etc., etc.....
I just got fired for my attitude but I was dealing with very similarr situation. Tired of getting pushed slaround and believe me I told them my 2cents.
Well, I guess you have a forum to vent about your now ex job. If we work for others in our lives most of us will have jobs and supervisors/owners that we feel are not good leaders and show favoritism. It is just what it is.
Now, having said that, my brother manages the service and parts departments of 3 dealerships owned by the same person. He is literally begging for techs. You should have no problem getting a job.
Leave it go, go find a better position, keep your head down (at least for a while) and carry on. If you are as good a tech as you say you are you will make money for the next organization you work for and for yourself.
I sense they might have kept you around as long as they did is because you DID make money for them. But, if you are going to complain incessantly at the next shop eventually they will sacrifice your revenue production for a more calm work place.
No place is "fair" because it seems everyone has their idea of what "fair" is. Divvying up the work load at a flat rate shop is a real juggling act even if the supervisor is trying his/her best to be "fair." Someone is going to feel the other guy is getting the better tickets, always.
Best advice, let it go and move on. It's the past, don't make it into a boat anchor that keeps you in place.
Wouldn't be surprised to find out that the shop manager or service writer was getting kickbacks from the lower shop techs to get those good tickets, worked in a independent shop was that way and was like that at Mercedes Benz where the Team leader dispatched work.
Nah, complete buddy system
I think it’s good you made this video for the audience and yourself. Now I wouldn’t make any more videos or comments about it and move forward.
It’s weighing you down it seems and spend your energy on your next adventure. Either at a new job or starting your own shop again. Rip off the rear view mirror. Your future is bright.
This is the end, that place is now dead to me, as if it doesn't exist 😎
Bottom line. Flat rate takes money out of the top guys pockets. They hate it. That being said this behavior is "normal" now. Or has it always been this way?
They only ever want to play as little as they can.
I don't hate it. Its the only way to make good money. Yes, some shops take advantage, and if that's the case, you should leave. However, in most cases, the techs are not good enough to turn high hours. So, you have 2 choices. You can either complain about the situation, or you can work on getting better. Once you reach a certain level, the money just starts rolling in. Its not easy, but if you see the process through, you'll be rewarded in the end.
Its very easy to find a job in this field. If its not working out for you in one shop, leave and try a different one. Do it as many times as you have to.
Got a new shop manager, quit the next day. Shop was open, only 1 month after I left. Now just sells snacks, no repairs at all 😂
Shop managers often don't know whats happening. They go strictly by numbers and then think they know everything about cars when they've never been a technician. (my ex-manager)
Mike, may I suggest finding a nice shop (if possible) like Justin Dow has. With your knowledge and experiance you're in high demand. Just be responsible for the cars you're working on. At the end of the day you punch out and go home. Screw all thar other stuff, you dont3 need the aggravation.
Better for you that you are gone Mike. They will implode in due course and probably never figure out why. Really surprised Bam Bam didnt see the same thing hhnless it was he, who gained the favouritism. Cheers from Australia. Never gunna stop watching your thoughtful & forthright commenting. Tim.
They will have to buy some tools now😂
I'm going down the same path with my career. Owners and Managers do not like "smart" people working for them.
I am glad to get the "rest of the story". Sorry for your suffering. I was fired after 6 months of "abuse". similar to you. Then years later found a good friend who was employed there years before me. HE quit after 2 weeks. He did not want the abuse. He was smarter than me. Nobody needs this. Good luck in the future!
Yup, i left my last job b/c after a new "shop foreman" came in, there were two tiers of technicians. Ivory tower elite techs that got all the good stuff, and everyone else that got shit on. I left. After that eleven more techs left. Grass is greener where I am now.
I’ve been fired and I’ve quit. I have my own business now. It’s hard when your not working and that’s what your trying to do. Get your own shop with hoist. Start small and cheap. Get some good insurance.
Let me guess the shop manager is half your age. Same thing hapoened with me now i just work for my self
no 12 yrs older, was a Printer, like newspapers or packaging type printing, for most of his life, moved to the US and was not qualified to work at a large print shop, in the US, as he has no degree and no one would hire him, so he started selling tires
Most techs I've seen couldn't diagnose their way out of a paper bag. Your experience and tooling are worth gold in any shop. Shop flat rate around here is average $200 hr. There's lots of room for you to get paid. I would never work flat rate though. The emotions are always flying high in a flat rate shop. Always worrying and squabbling about hrs and tickets. All the warranty clerk bs at dealerships. Accounting for hrs etc.
Get yourself an hourly gig at a busy shop. They'll be dying to take advantage of your diagnostic capabilities. Making the right calls every time keeps the cars flowing through the shop!
I feel this frustration on an exact level with the local toyota dealership I worked for. Place is a mill for taking in and turning over techs from mismanagement.
The industry sucks, the shop owners suck, normally the job sucks too. SO WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP ENTERING THE AUTOMOTIVE FIELD? Do you simply enjoy the abuse?
There’s no quicker way to destroy shop morale and productivity than to play favorites. If your owner was worth a shit, he would have shut that shit down immediately. Zero tolerance or you lose the good techs.
Good video, I agree I can’t stand people that move tickets around and “feeding” their buddy with gravy work those games are getting old 🙄
Ok so I'm confused what the "upper" and "lower" shops are. Or why they're split up. I figured it was on a hill or something but it's pretty flat. There's 10 bays, 3 on one side, 7 on the other - why would anybody try to split a shop up like that? It's the same business, same building, you have one "shop manager" assigning tickets to techs at "both shops" but techs are split between an "upper" and "lower" shop, and they have separate foremen? ... it sounds like an absolute clusterfuck of stupidity for no reason.
The Lower shop is in a separate building with 6 lifts and the alignment machine
Sounds like the shop owner and new manager both take turns hugging each other’s skirts I had a boss that liked pointing his fingers in peoples faces he tried it with me he done it twice while screaming at me I quietly said one more time and I’m going to hit you so hard that you are going to be chewing your food in your pants Never had a problem with him again but he kept abusing others so after 3 years I Quit looking back I wish he would have fired me it would have been a blessing thanks for your story and keep up the great content
I’ve had to deal with several managers that want yes men. Everyone being threatened with their jobs weekly really brings the moral of a shop down. Seems like this was a way better move for you
Yep im about in the same position in my job after 9 years as soon as i find something worth it ill be out
Well it all makes sense now man, just started a new flat rate shop and I a just a bunch of smoke gonna move on and see what’s next for me
All I have to say as an outsider looking in if this is all true you sue. Especially if he was treating you like that. There's plenty of things you said if true that would get him in trouble. That sucks because stuff like that is hard to prove. You should've probably not put this video up until you contacted a lawyer. Plus you should've documented everything. Documentation is key.
never had any intention of suing, nor could I prove anything in court
Expose the shop and give them a bad name.😅
@@flatratemasterI totally get it. The burden of proof would be on you in court. I do hope you are doing well and I really enjoy your content. I'm now a mobile tech,. mostly ADAS, diagnostics and programming and it has been a good change for me.
I can’t believe you put up with that BS for 5 years. I would have been out of there. I just changed dealerships and it looks like I traded one set of problems for a different set of problems. At this point I’m tired of it and considering opening my own shop.
Had the shop manager and boss of the chevy dealership call me into the office they were verbally abusing me and screaming for 30 mins I walked out. Told guy next to my bay I’m heading out for the day. He txt me later boss and Forman was looking for me. Was going to yell some more then found out I left. Well next day call me into the office to apologize he lost his temper. I just said it’s a new and I’m ready to make some money. Was a sketchy dealership glad I left later on.
Don’t know how long you were there, but I know it was a while. The first time leaving, or leaving a long term job, is hard. I was unhappy at a job for 12 years, finally left and moved on. Liked it fine for a while, but felt something was missing. After 5 years, left that one (pretty good money and company truck). Including that one I just described, I’ve had 5 jobs since 2019. If anybody thinks I’m afraid to leave a situation that doesn’t work for me, there in for a shocker.
I am a terrible employee. Most Foremen and Bosses are clueless. Mostly though, they do not like to be 'corrected', as many develop a 'superiority attitude', and can not accept responsibility for being wrong, or being ineffective communicators. However, as an employer, I have specific reasons for doing things a certain way, which is also difficult for some employees to accept.