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I would like to hear your opinions on flat rate versus hourly pay in the industry. Personally I do not have a problem with flat rate if the business is generating enough customers every week that each technician has the opportunity to flag at least 40 hours.
I would like to know how other technicians cope when they work on flat rate in an environment where flagging 40+ hours isn’t always an option. Do you work other jobs?
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I wouldn’t say ‘dying’, just transforming into something else. People in auto repair especially the ones that have been around a while are reluctant to change from what I’ve seen. It’s the newer techs like yourself that need to help bring about the change if anything is going to happen. Organize, make yourselves heard and think of both sides of the equation. You’re on one side of the paycheck, the owner is on the other, if you’re going to get rid of flat rate you need to come up with something that both sides can agree on to replace it.
I wouldn’t say ‘dying’, just transforming into something else. People in auto repair especially the ones that have been around a while are reluctant to change from what I’ve seen. It’s the newer techs like yourself that need to help bring about the change if anything is going to happen. Organize, make yourselves heard and think of both sides of the equation. You’re on one side of the paycheck, the owner is on the other, if you’re going to get rid of flat rate you need to come up with something that both sides can agree on to replace it.
I dont really mind flat rate, never worked salary. I did work at one place that payed hourly plus commission. It was $7/hr plus 15.5% of parts and labor after the first $1500 in parts and labor, $30/hr that you worked. So if you worked 40 hours you would get 15.5% after the first $1200. 50 hour work week so base pay was just shy of $400/week, minimum wage was 5.25/hr dont know what they pay now since min wage is over 7/hr now. I job offer I had from another shop was $7/hr plus 10% of total parts and labor, but turned it down because the commute would have been over an hour 1-way.
I dont really mind flat rate, never worked salary. I did work at one place that payed hourly plus commission. It was $7/hr plus 15.5% of parts and labor after the first $1500 in parts and labor, $30/hr that you worked. So if you worked 40 hours you would get 15.5% after the first $1200. 50 hour work week so base pay was just shy of $400/week, minimum wage was 5.25/hr dont know what they pay now since min wage is over 7/hr now. I job offer I had from another shop was $7/hr plus 10% of total parts and labor, but turned it down because the commute would have been over an hour 1-way.
So after reading some more posts on here and elsewhere. What are you guys making per flag hour? And how long have you been there and/or in the business?
So after reading some more posts on here and elsewhere. What are you guys making per flag hour? And how long have you been there and/or in the business?
I was repairing a truck engine at the dealership. The customer have 3 kenworths tractor in his business. He is getting old and would like to pass the business on to his sons. He would like is son to learn to repair the trucks. His sons reply ” why would I want to strain myself working on engines when I can make the same money sitting in a ac room around a computer “.
I was repairing a truck engine at the dealership. The customer have 3 kenworths tractor in his business. He is getting old and would like to pass the business on to his sons. He would like is son to learn to repair the trucks. His sons reply ” why would I want to strain myself working on engines when I can make the same money sitting in a ac room around a computer “.
I left the industry because I didn’t like flat rate and all the politics associated with which tech was getting the gravy jobs, etc. It was the best move I ever made. I ended up working as a machine mechanic for a pharmaceutical company. They were impressed with my mechanical background and they loved that I had all my ASE certifications, despite the fact that they wanted me to fix/maintain their machinery and not motor vehicles.
Anyway, within 5 years I became the shop supervisor and was making close to a six-figure salary. Not bad at all for just five years out of the auto industry. Now of course I’m doing even better salary-wise, so I’m a happy camper.
BTW, I still love to wrench on cars, so I do side work from my home garage all the time. I actually have a decent little side business going, but not because I need the money, just because I like the work and it keeps me current.
I left the industry because I didn’t like flat rate and all the politics associated with which tech was getting the gravy jobs, etc. It was the best move I ever made. I ended up working as a machine mechanic for a pharmaceutical company. They were impressed with my mechanical background and they loved that I had all my ASE certifications, despite the fact that they wanted me to fix/maintain their machinery and not motor vehicles.
Anyway, within 5 years I became the shop supervisor and was making close to a six-figure salary. Not bad at all for just five years out of the auto industry. Now of course I’m doing even better salary-wise, so I’m a happy camper.
BTW, I still love to wrench on cars, so I do side work from my home garage all the time. I actually have a decent little side business going, but not because I need the money, just because I like the work and it keeps me current.
I have 4 years experience, got out of the game for a bit, decided I miss working on cars, got back in, could get nothing but entry level positions. Making 10 per flagged hour, going in for a raise in a week (90 days) or getting back out again.
I have 4 years experience, got out of the game for a bit, decided I miss working on cars, got back in, could get nothing but entry level positions. Making 10 per flagged hour, going in for a raise in a week (90 days) or getting back out again.
All I can say is you guys need to get away from the dealerships. $10/hr flat rate is BS. Tire techs make more than that.
All I can say is you guys need to get away from the dealerships. $10/hr flat rate is BS. Tire techs make more than that.
Flat rate is really something that is good and bad.
I hear from all the old guys how it was back in the day when they got 50% of the door rate. I think that if it was still like that we wouldnt have many problems. I work at an indpendent and I make 32hr flat rate. Our door rate is 90.I am the only tech there. We have a service writer and a helper. It works for use. I guess the money isnt that bad either just is never the same.Thats where the problem is…
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