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So I was offered an entry level position from a Cadillac dealership. I’m just about done my schooling, currently doing the PA Emissions course. I was offered 11 an hour for a two week orientation. Then they want to throw me into flat rate at 15 an hour. This just outside the Philadelphia area. What are your thoughts on the pay, being a caddie tech, and new tech being thrown right into flaterate? I’m looking for any and all opinions.
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Starting out flat rate is going to hurt the hell out of your wallet. Also make it a pain to get the tools you need. Most places do hrly for 3-6 months. But, every place is different. I personally will not work flat rate till I am convinced I can make times.
I took the job, I learn quickly and want out of my current job bad enough. If flat rate hurts me that badly I’ll see if I go hourly for several months. Maybe I’ll document all my missteps as a new tech on here for people to point and laugh at :dry:
In the mean time I have to endure two more weeks as a Nabisco vender…
Cadillac is a great brand to work on. Keep your mouth shut and pay attention to the Techs who are always busy thats who you want to learn from. Starting flat rate will be hard but eventually rewarding.
Judging by your name your a Caddie tech right? What are some of the traps or problems you see new techs encountering?
Also, what tools would you consider most important to a new tech coming into this brand? I have the basic hand tools, a 3/8 air gun and a 1/2 air gun with impact sockets metric deep and shallow for them. I also grabbed a impact driver. I have a multimeter and intend on getting a power probe off of amazon. Anything specialized I should be expecting to have to buy?
I have alot of questions and can’t think of them all lol. Are the customers snobby?
There’s no traps or problems you’ll have working on Cadillacs, their pretty easy to work on and you’ll quickly learn the pattern failures since you’ll see the same cars over and over. Pay attention to the other techs and you’ll learn what extra tools you will need in the future. Every one does things different so learn from as many people as you can. As an entry level tech you’ll be doing a lot of oil changes and tire rotations so you don’t need an extravagant amount of tools to start. Sounds like you have a good amount of tools to start out. This oil filter wrench all of us at the shop use http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Specialty-Tools/Drivetrain/OF537A/Swivel-Oil-Filter-Wrench-2-7-8-to-3-1-4-73mm-to-82-6mm-. A good set of combo wrenches metric and screwdrivers of all sizes. The dealer should provide the specialty tools.
And the customer base is going to vary. Don’t know how the folks are up north. I’m in Orlando and we get all types of customers young and old. Most customers are pretty cool. I like Cadillac cause its a higher end brand so the customer base for the most part will pay for good service. Especially Escalade owners.
[quote=”CadyTechFL” post=130185]And the customer base is going to vary. Don’t know how the folks are up north. I’m in Orlando and we get all types of customers young and old. Most customers are pretty cool. I like Cadillac cause its a higher end brand so the customer base for the most part will pay for good service. Especially Escalade owners.[/quote] I met some Caddy owners at a car show, very nice people. Pleasure to talk to really, and they knew I wasn’t upper class. This sort of relates back to the ETCG1 video about “Rich People”. Rich people may or may not be snobs, but in my experience the rich people I’ve come across are sophisticated, well mannered and down to earth. I’ve actually had one invite me to her house for coffee and a chat.
I Hope its NOT Faulkner Cadillac That whole service department is totally screwed up I know those people A very good friend works in the parts dept You said they are paying you 15 an hour flat rate Hate to burst your bubble but MAN thats LOW 20 Years age I made 22 an hour hourly as a fleet tec with all the over time I wanted ave 52-57 hours a week plus DHLs benefits Faulkner could NEVER match
I will go to my grave On WHY in the world would any one go with flat rate IT good for the dealership BAD for the tec
I got off the Mickey mouse pay system many years ago
Here is way fat rate DOSE NOT WORK had a 2014 ford escape come in the shop last week The car could be going down the highway and lose all power as if the battery just failed Car went back in forth the the dealership C&C ford and they could not fix it because by the the they got it all was well Took some time but found that there was a poor wire splice from the factory under the rad support
took about 4 hours to find AT the dealership under flat rate you do not get payed to spend the time to chase down stuff like this If you took the time well by the end of the week you will see your pay is not good at all Plus the moron service writer will be up your ass Flat rate has burned out many good tecs
And as complicated as todays cars are IT WILL GET WORSE When will dealerships get the big picture and STOP screwing the tec and the customer and GET RID OF THIS Flat rate crap
SORRY for the rant I just get so ticked off with how poorly dealerships are run And I have talked to a lot in philly They are all crying their
sever dept is WAY off WITCH I tell them wake the F#@$#% UPGlad to hear the customer may not be so bad. How is their service department messed up? Can you give me some examples?
[quote=”iEatRazorz” post=129084]So I was offered an entry level position from a Cadillac dealership. I’m just about done my schooling, currently doing the PA Emissions course. I was offered 11 an hour for a two week orientation. Then they want to throw me into flat rate at 15 an hour. This just outside the Philadelphia area. What are your thoughts on the pay, being a caddie tech, and new tech being thrown right into flaterate? I’m looking for any and all opinions.[/quote]
I’m at a Toyota dealership in NJ and the flat rate pay here starts at $16 a FRH. I would think a luxury brand like Cadillac would fetch a bit more in the Philly area, especially if you are or will be emissions certified.
Still, if you can into flat rate that soon out of school then do so. I’ve been at this dealership for 4 years, graduated from school 2 years ago, and am still waiting on my chance at flat rate. 🙁
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