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Anyone out there paying good techs by the hour or salary? I have one salary guy. He is a great tech, but not as motivated to produce as I would like. Another hourly guy who works real hard, but thinks he will loose out big time on flat rate, and one flat rate guy who know how to turn hours but is eyeing the "other side" now that things are slow. So far the mix is working. Anyone out there have any really good techs NOT on flate rate?

Heh heh heh. No replies yet.

I'm not sure if anyone has the energy to tackle this subject.

I know I could spend hours on it......

Cheers
DD

I'd always reply but my experience is just observations, not real-world practice.

And that observation is ... depends on the tech. Some techs are internally motivated to turn hours and some aren't once they go hourly. It isn't usual for a shop to retain a production bonus even with hourly techs - it might be the way to go.

Two big negatives that I see creep in - One, when a tech goes hourly he starts to be the go-to guy for things we aren't getting paid for. Before you know it a majority of his time is spent doing productive but uncompensated things. Two, if you make the change for one tech, what's to stop everyone else from wanting the same deal. Establish clear criteria on how some would be eligible for the option (years of service, consistent production, etc. are typical)

I hope that helps.

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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

WE DO THINGS DIFFERANTLY HERE. ALL THE TECHS ARE PAID HOURLY. THEN THEY ARE GIVEN BONUS MONEY BASED ON HOURS FLAGGED. IF THEY FLAG MORE THEN THEIR SET GOAL FOR THE WEEK, (5 HOURS PER DAY FOR THE KIA GUYS AND 10 HOURS FOR THE USED CAR TECHS THEY GET PAID ADDITIONAL MONEY BASED ON PRODUCTION. BUT FIXED RIGHT AND NO COMEBACKS ARE MINUMUM REQUIRMENTS. PRODUCTION WENT UP AND UNAPPLIED LABOR IS NOW IN LINE.