There are just some days I wish I didn't turn wrenches

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As a few of you know, I have been looking for a position as a service writer/advisor/manager, for a while now. I am likely going to hold out till I go to work with my friends shop as a second man there and I will fill in as a tech when needed to help work flow or assist on a current job. I will also answer phones, build estimates, bill out customers and chase parts. I also will not be scheduled as 5 days and 8 hours a day. I will be more in line with about 3 days and 5-6 hours average for the 3 days. More or less if so needed.

I do look at CL and Indeed and any other source. I see a pattern. Techs are being asked for at a rate of minimum $25 to $28 an hour and a high of close to $45 to $48 an hour. Good techs deserve the better pay, for sure and there are plenty of shops looking for techs. Too bad the younger generation wants to play computer games and get indoctrinated in college and there are no vo-tech schools. Hell, I don't even see trade schools advertised on tv that much any more.

Now, as far as a qualified service writer/advisor/manager, that is crazy stupid around here. The only place advertising the higher salaries are the dealerships. The local Goodyear is advertising for a service manager at $28 an hour. The independent shops are actually advertising for an advisor at $30k to $40k and a recent one I applied at and talked to the owner was advertising at Indeed at $40k to $55k. He asked me what I would want to come to work there. I said $55k and in 30 days, if I am not doing the job, let me go. If I am doing the job, I want $60 and by end of a year I want $70k to $75k. I told him that I would be able to sell enough service to justify my pay. I have done it before and can do it again. He has not contacted me back. They, the shop owners, want cheap labor for 45 hours a week. Not gonna do that.

If shops want quality employees, they gotta pay for that quality. I offered 30 days to prove my claims.
 
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The thing is, I had more experience in shops than the owner did and I had more service writer/advisor/manager experience than he has as a shop owner. I did offer to show my ASE certifications and my certificate from the International Automotive Technicians Network for Technician Time Management. He said if he hired me, he would look at them. I would have thought he would look at them before hiring me. His main concern seems to be, how cheap can he get me or someone else for. Even though he said the pay range was stated as $40k to $55k, Depending on Qualifications and Experience.
 

MrMonte

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My son was a tech for 8 years at a Chevy dealership and got all the TSing jobs that others couldn't do. The dealership was always trying to get free labor from the techs and the pay was so low. I got him a job at my work (Semiconductor) and he tripled his pay the 1st year. With the hourly rate dealerships charge you would think they paid the techs very well. Just not right.
 
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Actually, across the country, the techs can get a great wage as long as they hold out because there is a huge shortage. But then something like what your son did happens and a tech is lost to another career.
 
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Above all other reasons I have either not gotten an interview or hired after an interview, is that I am 71 as of 12/24. I know that is more than 75% of the reason. Someone, someday, somehow, someway, will get an experienced seasoned tech savvy writer/advisor/manager but will be at a salary I can agree to and not cheap rookie wages.
 
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More and more progress on the 2010 FJ Cruiser. If you go back in this thread and look, you will see the difference in the two radiators, the old and the new, and that will floor you. How did this engine ever cool off!!!! Also, look at the tables that showed what came off this FJ.IMG_20231207_191741.jpgIMG_20231207_191747.jpgIMG_20231207_191753.jpg

IMG_20231207_191734.jpg
 

TollKeeper

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WHAT! You didnt wash the engine bay! Your fired! LOL

I had one guy complain that I didnt wash his engine bay when I had the engine out. I asked him if he wanted me to do a frame off restoration while I was in there. He didnt think it was funny. I sure did.
 

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