Technicians, what kind of lifestyle are you living? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SHYNE · #1 12-12-2002, 08:02 PM

I was wondering technicians, what kind of means are made for your efforts in the workplace?

I am not inquiring into a dollar amount. I think of technicians as Doctors for our automobiles. They diagnose problems similar to medical doctors diagnosing an illness.

I want to know if you feel you are being justly compensated for your talents? Do you have all your wishes answered?

I really respect your talents and wanted to know if the industry has been undergoing an "evolution" in a sense, moving away from greasy wrenches to fine tuning with diagnostics and the like?

I was watching a program about Mercedes-Benz E.L.I.T.E. program. Graduates were learning how to diagnose today's vehicles and the training looked quite intensive. I love turning the wrenches myself, I wanted to know if compensation is just for you people who sweat over vehilces.

I would be very interested with your stories, comments. I was wondering how the industry has changed in your careers.

I dream sometimes about becomming an ASE certified technician even though I am in school for business. I was just wondering if it is as fulfilling as it is after working on your own vehicle yourself and enjoying the feeling of finishing something yourself.

I cannot wait to read some responses! Thank you for reading this folks!

Mike McKinney

chowpit · #2 12-13-2002, 06:51 PM

Christmas has come early! What an opportunity this is!

I HATE turning wrenches for a living!! I have been doing this crap for 12 yrs with 10 yrs spent on MB!

Admittedly, I liked it more when I first started doing it. I thought the flat rate pay system was great. Running around slapping parts on cars and not giving a s**t as long as it was fixed when I was done. I was sooo arrogant that on many occasions I wouldn't even test drive the car after I was done.

Then I started to grow up. I saw the others around me doing the same things I was doing and thinking "what a f*****g hacker!" I went to MB school and really transformed my style after that. Now quality is top priority. The car is test driven BEFORE I work on and AFTER if necessary.

Herein lies the problem. Shop owners I've worked for don't want quality work! They want production! They say they want quality work as long as it doesn't slow you down. They don't give a rat's ass if you torque wheels or not. Just fix the car!
The faster you go the more they take away from you. As mechanics get faster and figure out shortcuts they cut the flat rate accordingly. MB audits their warranty claims periodically. If they find a flat rate job that is being beaten on a regular basis they cut the rate.

Around this area mechanics are still treated like dumb rednecks. On occasions they do an article to attempt to glamorize the profession and that's because they are leaving in droves and no one is replacing them. The working conditions are poor. The only reason the shop I work at is not classified as a dungeon is because its above ground. Many shops are not air conditioned, poorly heated, and poorly lit. Some don't even have proper means of disspelling exhaust fumes.

Independents won't buy the necessary test equipment to repair late model cars. Some can't really afford to.

Dealers just don't want to pay money at all.

Benefits may as well not exist. If you take a vacation, holiday, or sick day you are paid a fraction of your flat rate pay. This can be as much as 50%. All the salaried help still gets full pay if they take time off. Speaking of time off, if work is slow they don't want you to leave even though they don't pay you to stand around.

To give you an idea of the low opinion the public has of mechanics, think of all the sucessful quick lubes and quickie brake shops that exist. These guys are not exactly the cream of the crop. Do you really want some flunkie doing brakes on your car for $39.95?
Not me.

suginami · #3 12-13-2002, 08:47 PM

Man, that sounds awfully depressing.

Do you work at a dealer, an independent, or are you a shop owner that works at his own shop?

#4 12-13-2002, 08:50 PM

My brother's been a mechanic now for around twenty years. First at a gas station, ten years for Nissan, a few for Mercedes and Toyota, back to Nissan, now at Lexus in Dallas, TX.

He has always had a great gift for knowing how things work and working with his hands. A true artist. He makes a decent living, but has had new troubles because of the physical work he does. Now, at 41, his back is giving him trouble and he ignores it. We all wish he's get it taken care of.

Other than that, I think he loves what he does. He has had to change what he does with the onset of the computerization of engines and all. But he's very intlelligent and enjoys it.

Aaron · #5 12-14-2002, 01:00 AM

Going with what Chowpit said, the dealership environment is really bad. I worked for two MB dealerships prior to working for an excellent independent MB shop here in Cincinnati. I have my own workshop which is a small, two bay operation in Cleveland but I only do work on a by-appointment-only basis until I will be able to find some land on which to build a new building with a storefront. Until then, I still do some work at the independent here in Cinci, by the name of Precision Motorcars. Precision has been in business specializing exclusively in Mercedes-Benz for 30 years to date and they have a top reputation here in town. The onwer, Dan Fitzsimmons puts much money into the business constantly and has all the necessary equipment (Star Diagnostic, WIS, etc..) to work on ANY Mercedes, from the 1930's to current.

At my own garage, MB Classic Company, we specialize in vintage Mercedes, meaning that 1991 is our "newest" model year we will work on. Most of our work is restoration, so we might have a car in there for months at a time. I am not equipped with any type of computer for the new models and don't plan on being so equipped anytime soon. I have shop manuals and microfiche for everything from the 1940s to the last of the W126 S-Class (1991). A major focus of mine is my comprehensive collection of special Mercedes tools, many of which are no longer available. Certain things, like the old Beissbarth camber/caster gauges are my preferred method when setting suspensions up on cars from the 50's and so on. Additionally, we don't work on a time-pressing system (no restoration shop can) but at the same time still try to be as efficient as possible while turning out the very best work we can. My other thing that I am a stickler about is using only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts. The price might be higher but to me, using the right parts is what makes and keeps a Mercedes-Benz a true Mercedes-Benz.

We will do service work on cars newer than 1991, but when I say service, I mean strictly maintenance work. Again, I do get factory updates and bulletins for the new cars through a dealership connection and I do keep everything on file should we ever need to reference back to it but we try to keep away from the new "plastic" Mercedes. We will make exceptions though for customers who own a new MB in addition to a vintage model.

I absolutely love the business. It's tough work specializing in one marque, especially only vintage models of that marque but it's the one job I enjoy going to every day. As for our staff, it's myself and one other fellow. Our paintwork is subcontracted out to a Mercedes-Benz only bodyshop, we do bodywork in-house as well as all mechanical work and overhauls. Interior work is also subcontracted out. Aside from not having the space to have a stitch department and a spray booth at current, people with the skills necessary to perform these tasks are getting to be few and far between and those that I have interviewed did not meet my criteria for hiring them. When we open up the new shop in the new facility, we will have the capability to do everything in-house. Only thing I'd love to be able to have which most shops around here don't would be a chassis dyno. Perhaps....Perhaps...

Snibble · #6 12-14-2002, 11:15 PM

Aaron.. are you the owner of the small mercedes lot on High St in Columbus? I think its called MB Classic.. but you said its in Cinci. Cool to see a close by member if you are the owner

#7 12-15-2002, 12:32 AM

I'll piggyback on what tkamiya said. I'm also 37.

After I was graduated from college a few years back, I read a response that Ross Perot gave when asked what his secret was to getting to where he is today with all his wealth. His reply was pretty simple: find out what you love to do and do that for a living. Simple as that. If you love what you do, you will do it well and everything else (marerial goods) will naturally follow in time. If your goal is to get rich, you will be miserable and nothing will ever satisfy you.

I was a UPS driver while in school. They offered twice to move me into management. Each time I turned them down because the package industry didn't interest me in the least. I had met enought drivers/others who decided to go for the money over what they really wanted to do in life who were now miserable. It was a great job while in school and nothing more. I loved working in television. Immediately after graduating, I took a full time job playing tapes overnight, working over twice the hours for only $50 more a week with less benifits. I LOVE what I do, and now am seeing those other effects of success.

I also see a lot of people that make a lot more money than I who are "trapped" in jobs that make them miserable. Thank God He gave me the grace to make the right decision years back.

Aaron · #8 12-15-2002, 02:01 PM

Snibble,

No, I'm not the owner of that place, it's called MB Classic CARS actually. That is owned by Bill Dovell's brother (Bill owns another MB lot/shop on Indianola St. called Bill Dovell Motor Car). I have been there though, and MB Classic Cars sells mainly newer Mercedes. Dovell Motor Car sells older ones. My uncle used to live in Upper Arlington so when I'd visit him we would cruise by both of those shops and check out their inventory. Bill is a nice guy, one time he sent a gasket for an old M110 engine I was working on all the way from Columbus to me in Cincinnati---for free!

G-Benz · #9 12-16-2002, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sflori
I also see a lot of people that make a lot more money than I who are "trapped" in jobs that make them miserable. Thank God He gave me the grace to make the right decision years back.

True dat!

I made almost twice as much as an IS contractor back in the "dot-com" and Y2K days! To be perfectly honest, many of us were OVERLY compensated for our jobs! But hey, it was a great ride when it lasted, and I was able to provide a nice home for my family and 3 nice MBs in the garage!

The trouble was I HATED my work! As a consultant, the regular full-time people secretly despised you (they were well aware of consultant fees), you were always scrutinized by the clock, and your production had better be equal or greater than their best employee!

The reps always promised great contracts and long project timeframes, only to find yourself in mismatched jobs and prematurely shortened projects! You couldn't get training in anything you weren't already specializing in, so I found myself locked in COBOL projects when I wanted to branch out in newer technologies.

I make far less money today, and with the debt load and obligations of a more lucrative past, have a difficult time balancing money from time to time, but I am far happier at my job now than then.

I got my MBA years ago, but I wouldn't even consider getting into management! I like being able to create something from scratch, and I feel that is far more fulfilling than reading e-mails and attending board meetings!

#10 12-17-2002, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by G-Benz
I wouldn't even consider getting into management! I like being able to create something from scratch, and I feel that is far more fulfilling than reading e-mails and attending board meetings!

Exactly!! I've also been approached a couple times to get into management in television. Thing is there's nothing in an office that can duplicate a control room in the middle of a live news program. Nothing quite like having producers screaming and people freaking out all around you while you pull off a flawless show! I'd never trade the insulation of an office with all the BS paperwork and memos for the action in the control room. At the end of the show I done(except for maybe a post-production meeting). I have friends that have to take projects/other home with them on weekends on a regular basis. When I leave the studio, my job stays there.

suginami · #11 12-18-2002, 12:31 AM

It's kind of sad that you're in a profession that you don't enjoy anymore.

Can you imagine yourself continuing to do this for the rest of your life?

I wonder if it might not be a good idea to look into a different line of work.

I can't imagine getting up everyday in the morning going to a job I didn't like.

chowpit · #12 12-18-2002, 12:35 AM

suginami,
I currently work for an independent though I have worked for both. Neither is a clear cut winner as far which would be the best to work at. I'm so jaded about this profession that opening my own place is out of the question. The only way I would open my own shop would be to win the lotto. That way I could do it right, and the way it should be done, otherwise I would be a hyprocrite.

And on another note in regard to sflori. I know what you brother is going through.
This profession is physically punishing. You are required to make you body twist and turn in ways in wasn't meant to. Just hanging over fenders for extended periods is tough in itself. Today I had the pleasure of jarring the crap out of my elbows using a slide hammer to remove a rear hub on a BMW. Later on I was so lucky as to be able to do underdash work on a 450SL.

euro 287 · #13 12-19-2002, 10:29 AM

Well I cant complain about what I do, I love it and I dont know if I could ever quit. Unfortunatly I am leaving the Indi I am at now due to low markdown on the flate rate cause you have the skills to do something quicker than any others in the shop. I wont be going to Mercedes I had an offer from Hyundai with alot of Benifits. I will do Mercedes part time at my buddys shop who specializes in them too. This industry can be rough at times , but it depends on if you can get a good MB shop or one who just wants productivity. I myself am productive but I like quality. I had the pleasure of doing one of our members evaporators this week on his 140 and he asked if I took the dash out cause he couldnt tell. Things like that make you feel good cause I dont do hacks or partial work. I will eventually get back in Benz if I find a good indy who has their buisness straight. And yes I feel compensated for what I do but I think like mosts shops if the management is running right then you will get the best repair possibleand a bunch of happy techs.

chowpit · #14 12-22-2002, 11:27 AM

It's kind of sad that you're in a profession that you don't enjoy anymore.
I couldn't agree more.

Can you imagine yourself continuing to do this for the rest of your life? I wonder if it might not be a good idea to look into a different line of work.
I will not do this for the rest of my life. I have tried a couple of business ventures that didn't work out. Right now I'm currently attending night school 4 nights a week for a different career. I have to say that night school has been more fun than my job. I'm also sitting on a Class A CDL which means I will drive the big trucks for a couple of years to pay some bills off if necessary and just walk away from all of it, if it comes to that.

I can't imagine getting up everyday in the morning going to a job I didn't like.
I have an admiration for those like you who enjoy their work. I hope to have one myself someday. I know there is not the perfect job and all jobs have good and bad days but every morning I turn the corner to where I work and see those cars and I just think "ugh." It is draining the life out of me. The shop I work at now I have worked there before (don't ask why I went back). This is the only place I have worked at that I have laid out of work from. I just that much of a drain.

One final note and I will stop bumming everyone out. Many people complain about mechanics ripping them off. Well, I have been ripped off just as much. In my eyes every car that sits in that parking lot is just another b****y, whiny customer that just wants to rip me off.
How?
Here are a couple of examples;
If a customer brings in their MB to the dealer with a "going out of warranty checklist" in which none of the complaints are valid and nothing wrong is found I get paid zero.
If a car comes back that someone else fixed and I have to fix the same problem again I may get paid half the flat rate to fix their screw up. The other mechanic is not penalized. The funny thing about this is the boss will try to suck you into a debate by asking you what you think is fair. I just tell them to do what they want because that is what you will do anyway. I just don't care.
If a customer doesn't think they should pay anything to have their car checked out all they need do is argue about it long enough and the owner will cave. I get paid zero.

This is all I have to say about this.

Alain V. · #15 12-22-2002, 01:24 PM

never mind.
I had about a bazillion word post written , then realized it would not change a thing.
here's the short version.

I've been repairing benzes for 21 almost 22 years.

started in 1981 (man I miss the 80s, you used to be able to make a living in those days) because:

#1 customers were loyal (unlike today where they take a 60k car to wal mart for service)

#2people didn't mind spending money on preventative maintenaince (they used to understand that maintaining a car was cheaper in the long run than fixing a broken one)

#3 you didn't have to spend 10k a year on elec tools scanners,etc,,,,
only to have people come in and ask you to shut off "that light" & then expect not to be charged for it

#4 MBZ prooducts used to be overbuilt and were very durable, making it easy to justify repairs when they were neded

#5 there's sooo many more, but I don't want to wear out my keyboard typing one post.

My working conditions are great because I'm at an independant.
shop has highest quality tool/equip available, we have A/C and proudly keep the place nice & neat.

I used to love it,,,,,,now sometimes I like it,,,,,,but usually I dread it.

I love it when you are appreciated for the work you do, and get a thank you note or some cookies or something. These are the people it is truly a pleasure to work for, because they are loyal, and don't question evry item on the bill.

I like the fact that I've been doing this long enough that I KNOW I can fix the car, no matter what is wrong with it, I am confident that I can figure it out quickly and accurately.

I hate the constant BS from people acting like I am ripping them off, or just being plain rude. It is really getting old having to justify what I charge to some moron who is crying like I am taking him for his last dollar. If I were taking advantage of this shmuck like he thinks I am, I'd be living right next to him in his "wealthy" neiborhood.

I also hate the fact that MBZ has lost their way. By this I mean that "they don't build them like they used to."
It's almost like MBZ is putting out today the types of products that Jag had in the 70s.
More and more, I am seeing parts on Mbs "made in mexico, etc.

As far as pay goes, it is laughable. I am paid well for a tech in this city. My UPS driver makes as much or maybe a little more than me, and all he has to do is bring me the box of parts

I have to have the skills/knowledge/tools to diagnose the car & install the parts. Does this sound like techs are paid fairly to you?

And it isn't that I ahev an employer who isn't willing to pay me what I'm worth. I "am" my employer. The problem is that the insurance and taxes are killing every small business in this country!
I better stop, as I see myself starting to write a book again.