Good Article Flatrater. I highly agree mechanics are over work and under payed(at dealershits). I worked as a GM mech. from 90-93 and it sucked. I wound charge the time it took not the max limit in the Time Code book. But the shop super would always change it to get more money. I was told if the Customer hasn't complained about something it's not broke. Meaning if it's broke and they don't know and it's not a life threatening ie. steering, suspension etc, let them come back later so we could bill them again. So I just walked out, I seen nothing wrong with informing the caars owner that ya we fixed the trouble but your sparkplugs wires are shorting out. That was a big NO NO to the dealer! Now there is almost no contact with the accuall mechanic who done the work. After that I worked at a body shop, it was even worse. Charge for NEW parts when they came for out back or some other used salvage yard.
So today I have my own Shoppe. I make great money, no complaints yet, I have a cute little sign in my office;Labor $40 an hour; if you want to watch $50hr.;if you worked on it before $60hr.; if you want to help $70hr. People get a kick outta that. I had seen a pitition at my local Autozone this year, that the Dealerships were trying to stop consumers from doing there own work, I signed against that rightaway. It's just all about making more money. \,,/ \,,/