What it is like to be a mechanic.

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Bluestreak

I don't want to
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http://www.angrymechanics.com/page.html

It s a long read , but this guys hits the nail on the head. I like how he talks about working flat rate. My fiancee works 70 hours a week and usually gets paid round 55.

As for tools; he has around 45K in tools right noe. He needs a bigger tool box and that is going to cost about 10K. Keep in mind that you can't get a loan from the bank for that, you have to go through the tool box maker which is usually 18 -26 % interest.

Shop favoritism is a big park on Chriss' shop. ONe mechanic there never gets written up for any of his screw ups/comebacks and comes in when ever he wants to. Hes the one I was talking about the was hitting the sensors on the alignment machine insead of actually doing the alignment. If he doesn't know what is going on - he waites untill the manager is gone and takes ot to another place to get fixed. Good new - this ******* is moving to Califorina in winter!

"Then you get automotive parts companies that pay cash under the table to technicians by running a parts special every month. Then the technician saves the parts boxes, lids or caps or some trinket in the bottom of the bottle or in the bottom of the can proving that they have used the manufacturers products."

Gm does a lot ont that with flushes and gas system treatments. I remember Chris collect stickers and sending them into GM and getting $140 checks.


"We cannot keep new people in the trade because shops try to get young people out of trade schools that just paid $20,000 to $35,000 to work for $6.00 to $12.00 an hour. That is after they have been told how much they can make in the field. Trade schools telling these poor S.O.B.s that they will be making $50,000 to $100,000 and full benefits. "

So true - Most locatation in town will pay you about $8-10 a hour for someone out of school while they will pay the same for someone who has never gone to school. I have never seen a mechanic around here make more them 65K a year while most make round 28-30 a year.

" I have seen ads for up to $5000 dollars (US) if you stay a year. "

THis is true now too. Firestone will offer you up to a 1200 signing bonus if you stay ONLY 6 months!

Want more - check this out. http://www.flatratetech.com
 
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MilTownSHO

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Exactly why I opted out of being a mechanic.

But there are benefits, if you get good, you can make 60 hours pay on 40 hours work for example. Really depends on the shop.

BTW I do know more than one mechanic in this area making over 65k a year.
 

black92

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I know a few guys that make over 65k also but they put in a lot of hours.
 

Kickinsho

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Very true. My neighbor has been working 12 hour days at the import shop he runs. Hard to find someone who knows what they are doing, and then the pay issue always comes up.

As far as the school thing goes and telling young kids they can make a ton of money..............everyone should beware this type of hype. Even in massage school they claim you can be making over 50K a year. They are usually going from statistics based in a ritzy area. Most massage therapists work for hourly or on commission and that does not give them very much either.

Gotta watch out for all that stuff out there.

I hear ya on the tool box stuff. Not that I have personal experience with it, but my brother-in-law is a CAT mechanic up in Green Bay and WHOA, talk about big tools and big price tags to go wtih. Yikes!!
 

Bluestreak

I don't want to
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Yah, Snapon - the box he was looking at that would fit his tools cost just about 10K. Then compound that with 23.95% interest - that is what snapon charges. - Screw that. I was thinking of saving 5 grand and getting something off ebay. I'll drive to pick that up.

If Chris was in Milwaukee in a bigger shop - he could easly make 85+ a year. Last week he booked 82 hours in 58. SO he can get the hours it's just the hours are usually not there for him to get. That's part of living in Sheboygan.

And I don't understand WHY shop owners don't want to PAY for experienced mechanics that KNOW what they are doing and KNOW how to fix stuff the first time. IN this neck of the woods there are more then enough warm bodies that are willing to work for $8 a hour.
 

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