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For those of us who have been slow in the last few weeks, a nice article by our own Joe Marconi!

mspecperformance
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mspecperformance Mentor

mspecperformance

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I know this article doesn't directly relate to how to dig ourselves out a slow period but it definitely reinforces the soul. I felt really good about the article because it was some of the exact same things I have and would have done for my clients. There are those out there and everyone knows them... the fellow shop owner that will do unscrupulous things in the name of profit. Sometimes we have to rely on our good work and reputation to see us through to better days. Anyways, check it out and I'd love to hear some other success stories!

 

 

http://www.ratchetandwrench.com/RatchetWrench/December-2015/Would-you-Choose-Survival-or-Honesty/

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alfredauto Experienced

alfredauto

Posted
Posted

Great story! I think we've all been there. "Put all new brakes on, they sound terrible" 15 minutes in we realize the car needs absolutely nothing except a new anti rattle clip. $35.00 on that home run. Ugh. Another nice guy eating Ramen noodles.

HarrytheCarGeek Experienced

HarrytheCarGeek

Posted
Posted

2004 Ford Freestar is towed in, transmission failure. Recalled by Ford due to torque converter shaft failure. No charge to customer for fix. Happy customer, we are happy for them although we lose a sale.

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skm Community Regular

skm

Posted
Posted

Great article. I actually printed it out and handed it to the the young rip off guy at work. Asked him if that is not what I have been preaching to him on a daily basis for the last year and a half now. He agreed, but today find him doing the same crap taking on jobs he has no business doing and lying to customers. When I called him out on it his response was "I got to make the dubs" A lost cause no schooling doesn't even know the difference between a ford DOHC 3.0 and a OHV 3.0 engine . How can he be allowed to even touch a car :unsure: . It is sad when nationality and religion gives you perks in your job. Me over 25 years of experience ase master , l1, master emission repair license , state inspection license. Him no schooling , no training , knows nothing about cars. same 50% commission pay SAD!!! Maybe one day people will realize that the biggest promotion for this business is word of mouth , Honesty being number 1 !

mspecperformance Mentor

mspecperformance

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Great article. I actually printed it out and handed it to the the young rip off guy at work. Asked him if that is not what I have been preaching to him on a daily basis for the last year and a half now. He agreed, but today find him doing the same crap taking on jobs he has no business doing and lying to customers. When I called him out on it his response was "I got to make the dubs" A lost cause no schooling doesn't even know the difference between a ford DOHC 3.0 and a OHV 3.0 engine . How can he be allowed to even touch a car :unsure: . It is sad when nationality and religion gives you perks in your job. Me over 25 years of experience ase master , l1, master emission repair license , state inspection license. Him no schooling , no training , knows nothing about cars. same 50% commission pay SAD!!! Maybe one day people will realize that the biggest promotion for this business is word of mouth , Honesty being number 1 !

 

 

At least you get your 50% commission. That is a extinct dinosaur in this industry. Do you have 50% off the total job or only gross profit?

skm Community Regular

skm

Posted
Posted (edited)

 

 

At least you get your 50% commission. That is a extinct dinosaur in this industry. Do you have 50% off the total job or only gross profit?

I have 50% commission on the labor only. No parts and yes of total labor

 

I was given 50% commission after 18 years there, all other mechanics where 35-45 depending on their certifications. Once under new owner ship they hired everyone at 50% of the labor.. so after 25 years and all my certifications and then some I get the same pay as a guy been there almost 2 years and shouldn't be doing anything more than changing oil , installing batteries , and doing tires has no training or schooling (a self proclaimed mechanic) . No one else at the shop have any certifications or inspection licenses or emission licenses, I am the only one, but treated the same as someone who should be a lube tech.. It is a terrible situation I could go on for hours , but I have vented enough for today :blink: and it is friday so I won't have to worry about it for another two days.

Edited by skm
  • 2 weeks later...

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

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