It’s a constant fight in this industry,and they wonder why they can’t find techs……, there are good shops out there,but they are maybe 25%

1 making you pay for a broken part 2 paycheck irregularities 3 returning a old part back to supplier in a new parts box 4 using used parts when they're supposed to be new parts 5 payroll checks bouncing

I worked for a guy when on pay day it was a race to the bank to see who's check was going to go through and who's would bounce. I was young and little to no bills and I just asked the guy if he wanted me to wait till he had the funds in the account to cover my check. He was really good about telling me if the check was going to clear on payday or if I needed to wait and when it would clear. It wasn't a big deal till he took his large family (13 total) to Hawaii for Christmas and told us our paychecks were in his mail box and we could just swing by and pick them up. No paychecks in the mail box and he called everyone after his 10 day vacation screaming at us why we didn't show up for work while he was gone. His excuse was his daughter who did his books must have forgot to put the checks in the mailbox before leaving for Hawaii. It took a couple of months and a threat from the state to get my last paycheck. I know a couple of guys waited longer than I did to get paid.

Well, as a shop owner, I always paid my employees and my bills first. If anything was left over at the end of the month, I paid me. I always write defective or warranty on bad parts so that they don't restock them to the shelf as a return, no fit part. Same on core returns, write CORE on box. This practice eliminates HONEST mistakes on our part and restocking mistakes by our supplier. If my employee is giving me his BEST EFFORT and breaks something, I eat it. Just part of the cost of doing business. If it becomes a habit, I need a new, more careful employee. I also quoted high, so if possible I could lower the price. Easier to lower the price than ask for more.

Thankfully in the 30ish years I've been wrenching, I've also been a tow driver here and there, I've only had paycheck bounce twice I believe. The times were about a year and a half apart but it was a small tow company, not a shop. Boss immediately took the cash out of his pocket and made it right both times plus have me a little extra.

When parts are defective I write it on the box in marker b.c. I have had the same situation from Worldpac. Blows my mind.

Not a negative video. A lot of businesses engage in shady practices, not just automotive. Good Information. Workers need to educate themselves Wolves will eat the sheep. Thanks

Always write down the RO number and how many hours you're owed on that RO. Happened to me last week. I was missing 8hrs for the week

I work for myself. Have a tiny company. Sometimes, you simply have to fire the costumer.

Good points, have seen most of these examples play out over the years. When estimating a job always better to under promise and possibly over deliver. I know you don't want to overprice a job, risking losing it (this pertains to many businesses not just automotive). When you quote a price for a job, customers are going to fixate on that number even though it's just an "estimate." If there are two options, it's always good practice to quote the more expensive part option or verify first if we are talking differences of hundreds of dollars. The customer will be much happier if he/she picks up their repaired vehicle and the bill is less than initially quoted, than the reverse.

I remember a few years back my shops former owner had us start clocking in and out. Said it was the law that we start doing it. Then after 5 or 6 weeks I noticed I was at exactly 40 hours and asked the secretary about it. She said the owner told her to modify all techs hours down to 40… I stopped clocking in and out. When asked I told them why. That was 4 years ago and they never asked again, they just began writing in fake clock hours I suppose. :/

Thanks for the video, it’s unfortunate that some people need to hear this.

I've seen the improper parts return several times. The pair of new pads on top of a pair of used pads happened to us last a while back. The getting the same part back I just sent back boxed wrong happened twice last month. The third time we kept it until the new part came in to avoid that again.

I used to have a boss would hold over some bigger jobs till the next month. Making the flat rate tech not make his bonuses sometimes. Once i found that out i refused flat rate at that shop.

I used to have a boss in my first shop that would try to just pay me in parts not really shady but I did not get enough to pay my bills but my rig had all new shit haha then I was hired as flat rate and was only given tire jobs and I am fast but when you have 4 techs and 2 machines I don't care how fast you are your not making your hours so I would work 50 and only get 35 needles to say I walked my tool box out to my truck after they had a meeting saying we need to clean and not get paid for the down time I am not sure how that is supposed to work I am hourly now and I clean after every job

Really like the motive of your shop frm, not to mention your probably a huge reason things are done right. Really hate it at the dealership when I have to do a job twice because service advisors are trying to be hero’s or trying to save customers money.

I got fired for not paying for a part ,bc I couldn't afford it. Oh why bc they cut my pay 3 weeks before without telling me. Now I'm starting all over again at a different brand. Not making any hours.

I've gotten used brake pads from a parts store before. I've also gotten used spark plugs. It's a little confusing at first when you open up a parts box and find used parts.

Or when they run the customers credit card before the job is done to hit the “number” for their bonus. After they took all kinds of training on the legality of doing just that without the customers knowledge

My dealer pulls money out of lube tech checks for damages. The day I lose money over something that’s not my problem is the day I walk out.

I have worked for a couple of people that you had to pry on payday your check would not bounce

This industry sucks!!

A friend of mine bought 8 spark plugs from Autozone and 4 of them were used. He took them back and the manager told him they didn't sell used spark plugs. They gave him 4 more and when he opened the box right there on the spot were the other 4 used ones ! lol

Not in an auto shop. But back when I worked construction I had a boss/owner that couldn't pay payroll or pay for crane rental. None of us lasted very long at that company.

Worst part I ever got was a used fuel pump. Someone wrapped it up in multiple plastic bags and taped it so you couldn’t smell the gas and then returned it to the store. No one checked the box and they resold it to me.

I also hate blatant epa violations and my dumbass coworkers dumping oil and anti freeze in the drains.

One you forgot - stuck working next to the absolute worst tech who borrows your tools to never return them, books fat hours mainly through every type of fraud and theft, doesnt shower or wear deodorant on a hot sweaty day, blasts rap/country trash music much to the raging annoyance of coworkers, smokes all day right under sign that states NO SMOKING, constantly asking you for help but wont help you in return, cant diagnose anything and expects you into doing it for him because "we're a team"

I was working in a body shop. Tech next to me was welding, but had done the proper thing and lined the entire interior with welding blankets. But as we know, there can always be that tiny little ember that finds the hole. It smoldered inside there for a bit, then burst into flames. Ruined parts of the interior, obviously. We thought he would have been fired instantly. The owner said he has insurance, so let's alert the owner of the car, let them know they'll be getting a new front seat, headliner etc. We all thought that after the car was finished that the owner would then fire the body tech. A week later, he was still working there. This owner was extremely cool about things like this. He always told us that no matter how small or big, as long as we come to him or the shop supervisor and not try to cover it up or Jerry Rig something that would blow back on him later, that he'd find a way to make it right. However, 98% of the time, due to insurance company's mandates, this same shop would order LKQ's JUNK Chinese and Korean after-market body panels/parts, and we would do the same as you, return warped, dented, rusted, ill-fitting parts and many times, get the same one in return. Or we would have to take a lot of unnecessary time to try and make it fit or fix the dents. We all knew that had they ordered/paid for the OEM parts, it would have actually saved the Insurance Company more money than they were trying to save with 3rd party parts.

I had a shop manager that would change a lifetime alignment recheck to an alignment check if no adjustments were needed. Takes one down from 0.8 to 0.6. Told him if he does it again I'm contacting a law firm and getting the government involved. Made sure to let it known around to other techs too. Never happened again and no, he didn't try to retaliate against me in anyway

A lot of business owners think that all the money is theirs. They earned it!

I have had my hours short before and it’s always been resolved. Never had to pay for a part I’ve broke even tho that’s far and few between. As for anything else never had those kind of problems.

This is good advice for all trades.

You can on commission based pay. A lot of loop holes and gray area there.

It is shady to not pay the week the work was completed. It’s not the techs job to collect money from the customer.

I’m a marine technician on Mercury engines and the first place I worked when I started out my boss threatened all the time to take something out of my check if I tore it up. I dropped the hood from an outboard motor on the ground once and the bastard took half the cost of the repair to the paint out of my check. I work for a good shop now lol

I’ve for sure been the last one to the bank multiple times!!! I confronted (ex) employer after a couple times getting my money later in the day he made it to were I got my check 1st everytime first lol

Keep track of Your Flag Time. Parts have been a serious pain for a long Time. Back in the 90's I had a Maxima that I could not find an Alternator for that would full field the hundred Amps called for at a Reasonable Price. Kept coming back with a discharged Battery. All the Alternators were rebuilt and would only put out 35 to 60 Amps. Not enough Amperage to hold up the AC with All the Rest of the Demand. I did 5 Alternators and gave up. Told Them a Quality Part from the Dealer would fix It. They refused to Pay the Mark Up. I did All That Work for Free. Parts Supplier refused to Pay for My Labor.

Had an ex colleague where he accidentally broke the John bean alignment machine due to wires dangling all over the place. My ex boss constantly harassed him by passively hinting him to pay. In the end my colleague was a nice guy and he paid but thank goodness he left the shop eventually.

They also have liability insurance for damages, part of any business, shit happens I would always pad an estimate a bit, then when the price comes out lower everybody is happy

The shop I left started messing with my rates so my pay sheet would show I was getting my hours but when the math he was shorting me

My son in law had $550 taken out of his pay by a Arizona car dealer because a customer said a wheel came loose and the wheel was damaged 3 months after it was worked on in their shop.

I worked for a shop many years ago. The owner would say if you make me this much money for 3 months I will give you a raise. I would do it for 2 months then on the 3rd month every time he was gone a lot. So I would have to answer the phone and work the counter. this shady shop owner did that on purpose just so he wouldn't have to pay me more money.

I always take the more expensive. Quote worst case , and if its cheaper lower the bill and customer is happy when they pay.

I work at shop the said on payday that sent payroll on car

🤬I'VE WORKED IN A FEW BAD SHOPS🤦‍♂️

If you're making 50-80 grand a year on flat rate and one day the shop owner decides to tell you "You're getting paid $25 a clock hour from now on" You should first do the math then go to them and ask for the equivalent if they say no they're trying to screw you. You should leave at that very moment. No notice just go. They dont care about you.

Last shop I was in made me pay for my mistakes like breaking things I left thank God and found a better one but I fill really sorry for the people who still work there letting the boss screw them over

The oil change shop I work for was supposed to raise my pay after a certain amount of time. I've made assistant manager and still no raise. $12.50hr but then others say that they're making more. I have a motor vehicle mechanic training permit and attending college for auto technology and they don't see the value I guess. However I'm done with this company and I'm moving on.

I left a shop because of not getting paid for work done in a pay period. If a shop can take a profit, they can take a loss, right? The shop will get their money in the end. They will get it on the next monthly report instead of me getting it two paychecks out. What about cars that don't get picked up after work is done? How is that on me?

If you sign a paper when your hired they can I seen many

I have definitely seen the shady returns, like putting the cheap part back in the expensive box and returning it....I really wanted to call and tip off the part store, but didn't want to get fired at the time

Man I'd love to come work for you haha

Your awesome.

Worked at a shop that was small and seemed busy. Had a wrecker tied into AAA and I billed enough hours myself to make payroll for the whole team. One day I got refused to cash my check because it wasn't good. So did the rest of us. Found out later the account was actually closed. Thing is, this dude lived with his parents, had no wife or kids, didn't drink or do drugs. Never once said anything about casinos so I doubt he was a gambler. Yet our money was gone. Its been almost 12 years, but if I ever see that son of a bitch again he'll need the money he stole from me to pay for the dentures he will need.

What are your thoughts on flat rate working overtime? My shop has been understaffed for a month and a half, I’ve been working 50+ hours a week. I’m normally around 100% productive but curious your thoughts none the less.

This industry is a mess.

End of month panic lol lol lol lol lol

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Commenting for the algorithm

Can anybody explain why anybody would want to get into this industry? Pay sucks, working conditions suck, you need $50,000 worth of tools to even start in the business and you sacrifice your health for very little return on your investment.

You play guitar?

most shop owners are horrible people 8-9 times out of 10

Wait you guys get paid for estimates and building parts lists 🤯

All i got for you is LMFAO!!!!!😆🤣😂 #1 #2 #3....and #5 😂🤣😆🤣!!

First off, I love your videos and have been watching for years. Second I am a shop owner and there is one thing I disagree with. The way I run my shop when it comes to mistakes are simple and clearly laid out. Loose a tire loose your job… if you make a mistake and it’s honest, I’ll eat it just learn from it. If I find the mistake was from negligence… I pay for the parts, they fix it on their own time. Don’t like it or refuse? Loose your job. I expect every employee to do their best no matter the occasion and I take neglect as purposely damaging a customers vehicle… no exceptions!!

If my guys f****** wreck a car they're paying for it

And he has NO idea why he got laid off. You know he’s using real world examples.