I of course would have to side with Dr Diesel on this. Too often I hear this type of slam on dealer techs, and if I happen to point out that not all dealer techs are bad, i just get handed the "Oh, your an exception Gilly, you're a good one". Well, I happen to think that the poor ones are the exception and it's a case of the few rotten apples spoiling the bushel.
I do take exception to Dr Diesel's statement that "mechanics" are parts replacers and technicians are not. Maybe I'm "old school", but I rather prefer the title of "mechanic" over "technician", not that I really dislike being called a tech, I just prefer "mechanic". To me "auto technician" is a newer type of label for the same person, just like how they call just about anybody a "technician" these days. If your a lousy mechanic, that's just what you are, although I do see a genre of lousy technicians who are referred to as "parts replacers", which I acknowledge the presence of.
I do know another "old school" kind of guy who insists that they started calling us "auto technicians" just so they could pay us less
Gilly