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Ok, well I have worked at the same dealer since I was 18. I started there, learned there, and basically built myself up there. Lately we haven’t been busy at all, owners/managers are now being pushy with upsells (not the usual, threats) we do nothing all day but change oil and if there’s one decent job of the day 5 guys have to fight over it, and it usually goes to the golden child. Now I hear we’re bringing on a new tech, friend of the general managers family. What the hell am I gonna do? Almost everyday last month I was turning .8 to 2.0 hours a day. My shops labor rates are insane, and we are pushing people away. I live in a smaller town and know a lot of other techs and they are busy and a lot of what the indys are doing is worked declined at our store.
I was offered a job with ford, but after 2 interviews and a promise of a job, better money but I really want out of dealerships. I have been putting a lot of thought into branching out on my own. I have people who will come, but I do not believe it to be anywhere near enough. I put an add on cl about some side work and was blown away by the amount of people responding, so it raised my interest.
I am wondering if anyone else has been in this similar situation, and if they can maybe advise a bit into what you did, and what your thoughts are. I’m assuming shit or get off the pot.
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It’ll take years before you can survive on your own at a dealership… you have to work your way up to “golden boy” status first. But…
If I were you, I’d get in with Ford and reap all the knowledge they have to offer. Go to every school and learn Ford’s inside and out. Become a Ford guru; add it to your resume’. At the same time, cash in on all your CL side work.. money in your pocket plus dealer specific schooling = $$$.
Work the dealership for their knowledge. Work on your own for cash in your pocket.
It’s what I like to call a “win/win” situation.
To quote Mr. CarGuy, “your toolbox has wheels for a reason.” Roll out and go where you will be happy.
Your story is a common one unfortunately. Things are tough all over as they say. I think the dealer is a great place to stay up on the latest and greatest but it does lock you into a particular make, and warranty work can rob you blind. It used to be that working at the dealer was a great option but these days I’m not so sure.
I liked working at an independent much better. It seemed a lot more personal. The pay wasn’t as good but from where I sit now I’d rather take a pay cut than sit around all day.
As for being out on your own. It’s a lot more expensive than you think. A lot of your income gets eaten up in operating cost. Also, don’t expect to turn a profit till you’re about 3 years in. It can be VERY rewarding to own and operate your own business however.
A lot of options I know but to me it sounds like you might be due for a change. I wish you luck whatever you decide.
Start your own mobile service.
You can make great money and charge the customer less.
Go get a dba so you can buy parts wholesale.
You can just do the jobs you want and be nice about referring them to someone else for stuff you don’t wanna do.Cash is king.
Say for instance you just do a few brake jobs, replace a few starters, a ball joint replacement and rebuild a few alternators in a week. You’ll make way more CASH than doing those jobs through a stealership.Promote your service and network. Don’t get into stuff that you ain’t tooled up for unless you see that that is a way to pay for the tooling up and it is the type of work that is enjoyable and profitable.
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