Quote:
Originally Posted by Calum
I've been a technician for 13 years now, not automotive, but that's beside the point. I've also been working on cars for over 20 years, I know my work and trust it.
The way automotive shops are run is the cause of the vast majority of the problems, but to the end consumer that doesn't matter. I've know three automotive techs that I trusted. Two work at a small shop about a half hour drive away and they do all of my alignments. The other took a job installing elevators years ago. I'm sure there are more, probably even close to me, but I can't afford to find them. Maybe I'm too picky, maybe I just live in a bad area, I don't know.
Sorry if you take offense to my view point, but it comes from my own experience. YMMV
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Oh no, no offense was taken. I understand exactly what you were talking about. Being on that side of the fence I've seen some shady techs myself. Needless to say, they didn't last very long. But I do agree, it's the way the system is run that causes all the problems.
When I left the dealer, BMW redid their warranty system resulting in like a 20% paycut. On top of that the only thing managers/owners care about are numbers the techs are putting out. I even almost got fired once from a low customer service index that turned out had nothing to do with me. I was rated low for things like the customer lounge not having Wi-Fi. Another customer loved my work and how fast I got her back on the road. But she gave me a 0 because she didn't know how the survey worked.
Pretty much every one of my friends that are auto techs agree, the flat rate system needs to go. We would rather be paid hourly and get the job done right then rush through car after car hoping to make an hour or two. A lot of my friends at the dealer have quit as well and moved on to other fields.
Anyways, I plan on looking at the engine this weekend. I'm curious to see where the plugs and everything sit now.