What's a brake job actually pay the tech??

[techuser]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention. I know that everybody is replaceable PERIOD. They should look close at their situation. They are at 95% training now, I am 100% in everything including service and parts manager and have the aluminum MIG welding needed for corvette orders. There is one other tech in the shop that is 100% and has 6 assessments. He also is looking for another job. A guarantee would fix everything but I'm not asking, they would take that as a ultimatum and I don't play that game. This is how techs flat rate gets bumped up. They WILL need a 100% trained tech and if that tech has his head screwed on right, he can demand the sky and get it. Oh well, as the dealer turns.

[Old Irish]

I, for one, would love to see some alternative pay plans for technicians, as I've felt the flat rate method is becoming archaic. Its fine in a shop that replaces water pumps and brake pads all day long but not appropriate for highly technical repairs.

I have also seen where a veteran, highly trained tech gets the short end of the stick as he is assigned the most difficult jobs while less capable techs get the gravy. In our shop we have a system in place to balance out these situations but yours apparently doesn't.

Now, with respect to training.....

Yes, the department needs trained techs for several reasons but, to be honest, your postings make it sound as though you are hanging your hat on your training accomplishments alone. Don't take offense at this but what else do you bring to the party?

I can't speak for everyone here, of course, but I've waved bye-bye to a few very highly trained techs and never shed a tear.

If asking for a guarantee or discussing this matter with management will necessarily be regarded as an ultimatum then something is horribly broken in the relationship...and the blame for that could fall on either or both sides. Either way, it doesn't sound good so you are probably wise to consider a fresh start elsewhere.

[techuser]

I can dig it. This is the 3rd time back at this dealer. First few months were very good then "dispatch". Believe me, I know how to quit. Kinda funny, I know the service manager has about 2 months until he is fired. He has no idea. Word travels fast in this business. I know exactly what is going on in every dealer in the area. Hopefully the next 2 assessments will roll around fast. Peace out.

[tjsmith]

We run a 99.95 brake special & techs get 1.5

[Whiner]

tjsmith:

What brake pads are you using? What does that 1.5 hours pay the average tech?

Seems like a great price for the customer.

[tcollins]

tjsmith

I would be interested in the EFL and gross both parts and service on that brake job if you would like to share.

[tjsmith]

Sorry to take so long to get back, but what I did was, is I look at a brake job like an oil change at my dealership...I don't make a killing off a brake job. I had a meeting with everyone in the back-end of the dealership & asked everyone if they were willing to try something different to increase brake jobs...I asked everyone to make a small sacrifice...parts would have to discount the pads, service writers & techs would have to discount the time & profit, etc....they all agreed & our brake jobs have tripled, & that is an understatement, they have tripled.

Now with that being said...I pay my techs 1.5 & it averages out to be around $56.00. We try to always use the durastop pads if possible, & the parts buys them from a Delco supplier & get a discount which goes to straight to 687, which that discount goes to strictly parts profit(Makes the parts mgr happy). We charge around $41.00 for a set of pads, which normally cost around $30.00. Everyone was a little scared of the concept at first, but now they all love it.

Again I do not make a killing off brakes, but the $99.95 brake special has grown my business leaps & bounds. All the other dealerships, independents, & Firestone's in my area fuss about our brake special all the time, b/c we have taken away alot of their business, which I love.

And I know that this idea will not work for everyone, but I hope it was helpful.

[Whiner]

I like your idea - it just won't fly around here.

[zsmith]

tj - I'm with Whiner. For years I've suggested involving the techs in the discounting too, so we can come up with some real killer specials, but at this store apparently you don't touch the techs pay, ever!

[tjsmith]

Well the way I put it to my guys was, we will try it for a few months, if it does not work, we will change it back. Plus I stressed to the techs, would you rather do 15 brake jobs at 1.5 or would you rather do 5 brake jobs at 2.0?? And that is what really sold them on it, but again, I know how techs are, & they can be difficult sometimes.