This is topic I just got hired , As a Tech..... in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by MACK.GT (Member # 10461) on :
 
This will be my 1st actual Tech Job In The auto industry. Hopefully l get Good enough quick enough at it.. Any advise From those who have been In my shoes would be coo. Thanks CA Fords .......
 

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Posted by Greasy (Member # 5258) on :
 
Do the best you can and pay attention. You'll get the hang of it. Good luck
 

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Posted by turbo50 (Member # 6700) on :
 
If they dont offer it make sure you buy both long and short term disability insurance.
 

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Posted by POWERED BY FORD (Member # 9204) on :
 
Run and don't look back lol
 

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Posted by MACK.GT (Member # 10461) on :
 
Thanks for the well wishes, Im really excited about it and have worked hard in school over the past 4 semesters for this oppertunity !
 

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Posted by TR1 (Member # 296) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by MACK.GT:
This will be my 1st actual Tech Job In The auto industry. Hopefully l get Good enough quick enough at it.. Any advise From those who have been In my shoes would be coo. Thanks CA Fords .......

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quote:

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Originally posted by POWERED BY FORD:
Run and don't look back lol

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+1, been in the industry for nearly 7 years and I'm taking my ass back to college this fall. True TECHNICIANS get no recognition anymore and the labor times keep getting shorter and shorter. I've been flat rate for land rover for 2 years now and have doctors that make 10x what I do saying my job is too hard. Maybe there's a killing to be made somewhere in the industry, but it's not at a dealership. Don't even get me started on the politics...
 

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Posted by SacStangDriver (Member # 8304) on :
 
Listen to old people. they know what they are talking about.

[ 2013-06-15, 01:28 AM: Message edited by: SacStangDriver ]
 

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Posted by MACK.GT (Member # 10461) on :
 
So theres a bad side to it , negative effects on your health over time, and the piece work thing I get that. So how about if you get a good hourly rate shop to work for that is not a dealership. And how about all money folks have made , cars and houses bought, thousands of dollars worth of tools in the toolbox, and the ability to make thousands of dollars more with them, all the money you save by fixing up your own projects , and having tons of money to finance those projects and do builds just the way you imagine them to be, just like in the magazine...your family, your friends, even your neighbors look up to you and respect you because of how good you are at building and repairing cars, and what you have done with your life. ?......
Back to the career part, what if you end up working at Shelby, or Bentley, or some other ultra high end company, even BMW. Last time I was at new car show , the volvo folks were telling me about how highly paid their techs are paid and how theres so few of them, and that they get flown across country all the time . Or even a local mercedes general manager was telling me that he has techs making over 100k a year because of overtime pay, and the lack of people getting into the trade these days (exact words).....
Im just saying though, theres a BIG PLUS side to it, if you have the vision , and know what you want out of it, and stay hungry for it. And always remember that persistence wears down resistance!
 

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Posted by Robb (Member # 9444) on :
 
I wouldn't make a career out of being a tech at a dealership, that's for sure. I work as a detailer at a dealership and that is a cake walk compared to what techs do for the same amount of money so I don't mind it but its definitely not going to be a long term thing. Dealerships are all about quantity, they don't care about quality. They want as much work out of you as cheaply as possible.

Like a guy said above, I'm taking my ass back to college. Cars are suppose to be my hobby, Not a career.

[ 2013-06-15, 06:31 AM: Message edited by: Robb ]
 

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Posted by Greasy (Member # 5258) on :
 
You've got to find the right dealership, I got lucky with my job.
 

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Posted by Cobra 93-4992 (Member # 4992) on :
 
Get a career where your not doing manual labor, go back to skoo get a desk job and then get money, married , kids, then fat , divorced, child support , herpes from your mistress then die of aids. Be reincarnated and try again.
 

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Posted by Cobra 93-4992 (Member # 4992) on :
 
I love going on cafords for life advice we all have our shit together right?
 

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Posted by turbo50 (Member # 6700) on :
 
I gave you solid advice rather than a kick in the nuts. We all know you arent going to turn back now and we are VERY happy to see a fellow enthusiast do well in life (i.e. go to school, get a job) so regardless of what advice you head on here, please pay attention to mine. I do speak from experience.

When you are used to making 40-50 dollars an hour, then you get hurt and have to rely on the state of california, for example, they max out at 940 a week.

That is peanuts when you are used to three times that.


Short term disability is typically offered with your benefits package, however, it is also typically 100% of your base pay for 4-24 weeks.

Long term disability is typically OPTIONAL on benefits packages and is also typically 65% of your base pay.

Aflack, Aetna both offer disability insurance and it ranges from 25-50 dollars a month.

Break that up into 2-4 pay periods and pre tax deduct it and you are a fool not to carry it.


I wish you luck.

TURBO50 OUT!
 

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Posted by 06ragtopgt_SOS (Member # 11327) on :
 
So I just re-read my post above and realized it sounds awfully bitter. I was a few beers in last night after a shitty day at work. One good piece of advice I have for you is to not let the tool truck guys push you into a big shiny tool box, the box will not make you money, its the tools in it that matter. Also if you're flat rate, keep a close eye I'm your hours flagged. Service writers tend to mess up on closing paper work and then you won't get paid. Other than that the only key to efficiency is repetition. Hopefully you end up happy with your job and make a ton of Monet, either way, being a good tech is a hell of a skill set to have. Good luck!
 

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Posted by SLOWBACK 67 (Member # 6348) on :
 
I've never been a tech but I'm assuming like most jobs if you work hard & show some responsibility you could maybe move up to a manager position...... Then your in charge of all the guys doing the heavy lifting. Just make sure you don't let the power to to your head and remember what it's like being the low man on the totem pole.

Good luck and hope your new career works out.
 

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Posted by SLOWSN95 (Member # 8269) on :
 
I've been a mechanic/tech before. Its hard work. Its a good idea to invest in the disability insurance and to take care of your body as much as you can. After 6 months, your knees, back, elbows and everything else starts to ache. In this industry, its probably a better idea to work smarter than harder as long as you do everything in a timely manner.

And please listen to 06ragtopgt. The tool guys will try to push you to buy a box and tools. Work your way up, and try not to get yourself into too much debt right away. Lots of people start with craftsman tool when they start out and do just fine.

Good luck.
 

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Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :
 
For the record, a tech or mech?
 

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Posted by MACK.GT (Member # 10461) on :
 
For the record, its a tech postion paid by the hour. I will definitely research disablility insurance a bit more and get some or make sure I have some through work, and also not get into debt with the tool truck folks. I order my tools online and get the student discount still too.
 

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Posted by CobraTerritory (Member # 6476) on :
 
If you have to borrow a tool more than once buy it. Nothing more annoying than someone constantly asking to borrow something. and please clean up what ever it is that you borrowed.

- Finally got to vent. Hahaha
 

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Posted by DSGMach1 (Member # 6177) on :
 
Take Dan's advise and NEVER forget it. All I have to add is that Yes, pay attention and double check, triple check everything you touch and when in doubt, recheck again. And lastly, no matter if it's your manager or boss who says otherwise, if you're uncomfortable about doing something on a car or a "service" you're about to do or did, don't do it. I have been asked to perform jobs that were either unethical or just plain illegal by previous employees, but remember, they can be fined and so can you.

On the bright side, good luck, work smart not hard
 

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Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :
 
How many ASE's do you have to your credit?
 

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Posted by MACK.GT (Member # 10461) on :
 
5 ASE certificates, thanks for all the input !
 

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Posted by SacStangDriver (Member # 8304) on :
 
Once you get enough experience and if you can. push it to work for yourself as i have. I started off rocky but business is steady now.
 

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Posted by cobraracer46 (Member # 1142) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by MACK.GT:
Any advise From those who have been In my shoes would be coo. Thanks CA Fords .......

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Run for the hills! Quit now while you are young! The automotive trade can be a tough way to make a living and it pays less than the electrical and plumbing trades. Furthermore Compared to the plumbing and electrical trades, the Auto techs have to invest a ton in tools.

Good luck!
 

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Posted by ECOboostin (Member # 4347) on :
 
How about congratulations.
 

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Posted by 89Rodknocker (Member # 2951) on :
 
I've been turning a wrench for over 15 years now and can tell you its a hard job. Remember you'll never be the best tech. Be humble if you walk in there like you know everything you probably wont be there long. Looks into retirement know. Your not going to be able to do it till your 65. I would head the negative advice others have given and get out now. If you can open your own shop do it. but with warranties going to 100k miles and services going to 5000 mile intervals. It's going to crap. where did you get hired at?
 

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Posted by Robb (Member # 9444) on :
 
IMO, The only way to be successful in the automotive trade is working for yourself. You already have to buy the tools and such. Auto mechanics isnt an easy job at all, Yet you have to do all that work for $14-16/hr while the dealership is charging $100 an hour for labor. Its BS. Atleast on your own, You can open up a side business and work for yourself and get all the money that youre breaking your back for.
 

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Posted by MACK.GT (Member # 10461) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 89Rodknocker:
I've been turning a wrench for over 15 years now and can tell you its a hard job. Remember you'll never be the best tech. Be humble if you walk in there like you know everything you probably wont be there long. Looks into retirement know. Your not going to be able to do it till your 65. I would head the negative advice others have given and get out now. If you can open your own shop do it. but with warranties going to 100k miles and services going to 5000 mile intervals. It's going to crap. where did you get hired at?

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quote:

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Originally posted by cobraracer46:

quote:

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Originally posted by MACK.GT:
Any advise From those who have been In my shoes would be coo. Thanks CA Fords .......

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Run for the hills! Quit now while you are young! The automotive trade can be a tough way to make a living and it pays less than the electrical and plumbing trades. Furthermore Compared to the plumbing and electrical trades, the Auto techs have to invest a ton in tools.

Good luck!

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