getting irritated

[iroczman]

well i am still in college going to be a mechanic and have about one more semester in it and i have worked in a independant garage for well over a year and i am still a freaking oil change guy not making much over minimum wage. the shoty thing is that i can and have done a lot more and the service manager knows i can do more but i am stuck and cant advance! it ain't like i don't have the tools cause i have spent between 12 to 15 thousand dollars on tools and box(mostly Snap-on). so yeah just trying to blow off some steam. so all of the money i have is going to tools and not the iroc-z so it's flustrating... grrr!!!

[72chevelleOhio]

If you want my advice....too bad your getting it anyway!

Moving up takes time for a couple reasons. The first is: a lot of retards work in the field. A lot of morons can replace parts, but it takes a good tech to fix a problem....
The second is (related to the first): if you can do a certain job without fucking it up or without fucking it up too bad, then they want to keep you there because they have someone they know is capable of doing that job....and dont forget, if they pay you more, its takes more out of their profit.

If your not making the money you want to make, or in the position you want to be in, by all means see whats out there. You may find a better job, or the threat of leaving might send them into a panic and get you more money etc....

Flat-rate shops are the most cut throat places to work. I have heard all kinds of stories, I could go on for hours. If your not an ass kisser then you get shit on, plain and simple.

You will never stop buying tools. I have said it many times, I stopped counting at around forty grand, I still buy tools. You might as well figure that into the budget....

As far as being "green" to wrenching for a living, I would say get your groove. Whatever job you get, do it in an order where you wont forget anything. Don't get your greasy paw prints all over the vehicle. Dont blast your radio. Don't run your mouth (about anything) Listen to what the older techs tell you (if you know its bullshit, pretend to listen...trust me you'll find out why later in your career) Don't lie if you screw something up. Ask questions, if you don't understand, ask them to show you. (if they don't show you ask someone whos not an asshole or someone that will show you the right way, not the short cut)

Once you find out all your limits, and how good you are, then you can do whatever you want. (as long as the job gets done right...still no greasy paw prints!!!)

If I am way off course, didnt read your post right, or dont make any sense......I'm drunk or not anything.

[wrightz28]

Short and simple:

This is why your box has wheels, move on

[cuda_dude]

It might not hurt to just have a conversation with your manager and ask him what opportunities you have for advancing and let him know you are interested it taking the next step.

[MrPbody]

When I was a youngster (yes, cars DID have wheels...), I went to school for mechanics. One of the biggest obstacles I encountered after that was "you're a SCHOOL BOY. What could YOU know?" That's changed SOME due to how complex certain parts of modern cars have become (engines still have the same stuff in them...), but society as a whole has still not yet realized how skilled and important automotive techs really are. They (John Q. etc.) see the service advisor, and if things go "bad", the manager. They seldom see the tech, at least in dealerships. Service managers used to be good techs with "people skills". They could talk to customers and to mechanics alike. Things have changed there. Today, service managers are usually business majors with no clue how a car WORKS. A car is more of a "widget" to them. Service advisors (we called them "writers") are also usually not "versed" in cars. There's another "layer" now, known as "lead tech" or "shop foreman" or some other euphemism for a guy or gal that has both people skills and KNOWS cars. They would be good managers except for the unsightly dirt under their nails... They talk to the tech and "translate" to the writer, manager or customer. Bureaucrats have managed to infiltrate all parts of life, eh?

When I needed a "raise", I had to move on to another shop. Once hired at a certain "flat rate", it was seldom or NEVER that one would get a raise unless shop "time" increased. Your percentage would stay constant. My father never understood why I couldn't "hold a job". it was difficult to explain it to him, an "outsider" to the car world.

If you're really stuck on the lube rack, and have mechanic's skills, look around the town. There WILL be an oportunity for you. Some folks stay on the lube rack forever because they can't deal with the pressure of responsiblity for customer's cars, or they just can't grasp what it takes to be "good". Sounds like you're not one of those. As an "old fart" that miised the boat, I highly recommend you specialize in automotive electronics. That's the area of expertise sadly lacking. Plenty of us ol' engine guys around... LOTS of money to be made by a good diagnostician!

Best of luck, and glad at least SOME young people are "signing up". It isn't clean work, but it sure is hard! NEVER forget: "Mechanics are just like whores. They lay on their back and screw the public..."

What's the difference between a doctor and a mechanic? A doctor washes his hands AFTER he pisses...

Jim

[Genopsyde]

very well put

[iroczman]

but the thing is when i first started i did a lot more plus services but after the first 6 months it just started to be just services which is fine cause its easy and it helps that i get paid hourly but then it sucks cause i want and willing to do more and jump at every chance i get but all i do is lofs. but i can also see that since we hired 2 more techs that one is simply a parts changer and the other had worked and is fairly experienced in ford and the fact that we have A LOT of people the need oil changes that they kind of need me. but it would be nice to do something more than a service now and again. i am always paying attenion to what comes in, whats wrong, and the cure and always wanting more. i love this field cause there is no way that i can sit in an office all day on the phone. not that i cant it is iwont if i dont have to. and i can deal with customers so that is always a plus. Thanks for your guys input. kind of blowing off steam. so.

[72chevelleOhio]

Say something to the manager. Tell him you would like to switch it up a bit. Rotate oil changes with the parts changer.
Dont keep quiet about it otherwise you'll just be pissed off about it and eventually your work will suffer because of it.
Theres always room for your foot in your mouth! I know that for sure!

[abaird]

MrPbody had some good points. There is good money to be made doing diagnostic and electrical work. I kinda got thrown into that role my first day on the job for the shop I work at and it worked out for the best. I had been out of tech school for seven months at an independent shop where I only did front end work(alignments, brakes, etc.) and yes oil changes. Started a new job for a chain store where this shop needed someone to do diagnostic work. I have worked there 10 months and am the lead tech. So my point is there are other jobs out there and good techs are in high demand.

When a tech makes a mistake can he say that he is practicing auto repair? After all, doctors practice medicine.