Pride in Your Work

[EricTheCarGuy]

I think it’s important no matter what you do. What are your thoughts?

Topic

[dan]

taking pride in my work has always been a big thing for me, the job done right the first time is my goal, in fact a job that leaves a car in which system i may have worked on running better than when it left the dealership is my goal, tune ups, break jobs, those are some things i do all the time and quite frequently when i work on someones car they are quite pleased with the results. but i find lately in the mechanics business its all about rushing your car out the door because your customer is always in a hurry, leaving little time to do a thero quality job.

my experiences with this from a mechanics stand point is it feels very good too have someone be satisfied with there work so much so they bring a box of doughnuts into the shop as a thank you too you and the guys for fixing they’re car. and it feels very satisfying, in my personal opinion more shops should be paying attention too this, good quality work means loyal repeat customers you pretty much become friends with, and that makes good busness and that is how you make your busness known.

from a customer stand point we have a shop in town, Edland Automotive, the ONLY shop i will ever trust my car with. when they did the Lower Intake Manifold Gasket job on my 98 regals second engine, (because i had no time to do it myself because i spend most of my time in the factory now.) i was VERY pleased not only too see the vallies of the lower plenum super clean and the contact surfaces polished too perfection, but i was also pleased too find the use of quality parts, that is how i actually found out about the Aluminom coolant elbows, they broke the plastic one i had already installed and installed the Aluminom one free of charge, they had sold me from that point on. ever since they have worked on my car and have left me satisfied with there quality every single time. and i think if you do that you make business and friends, I also find people who are picky about who works on there cars (like me.) are SOMETIMES more willing too let them take the time to do the job right rather than rushing it out the door, those are the kinds of loyal customers you want too keep!

[EricTheCarGuy]

There really is nothing like quality work done by someone who cares. Thanks for your input.

[Stuart Marple]

Hey Eric,

I really liked this video.
It shows that when you put pride into something that the end result is usually one that is favourable.

It was good to hear you talk about when you got something running that could otherwise have been destined for bad things.
Last year i was having to do some work on my Volvo V40 T4 (B4194T for those who are interested) as i had blew an exhaust valve when giving it a bit of stick.
Just over a week later, due to waiting on gaskets and seals from Volvo, i had the car back together and running.
That was a really proud moment for me as it was the first time i had ever done anything like that.

More recently, i had to replace the head gaskets on my 4.0 V8 Range Rover P38A. (engine is based on the Chevy V8 short block i believe)
Being my second time at doing something like this i had a little more confidence but was still kind of nervous due to having to deal with two heads.
Again, just a little over a week later, mostly due to weather constraints (no garage), i had the thing back up and running and its been great ever since.

I think it means a lot, not just to other people but also to yourself, to take pride in your work.
I’m not a technician and nor do i work in the industry, but i do understand the need for great and proud mechanics as you are literally putting your life, and potentially your family’s lives, in the hands of those who you rely on to make sure that your vehicle is running and operating how it is meant to be.

Great subject Eric.

[Rereonehundred]

Quality is in the “eye of the beholder”.

Is high quality a repair done with OEM parts, under clean conditions, with correct tools, prepared gasket surface, and new threaded fasteners?

Or…………is quality a beat the flat rate job, with little of the above, that maximizes the tech’s income?

What you see seems to depend on where you stand for the view.

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”Rereonehundred” post=98604]Quality is in the “eye of the beholder”.

Is high quality a repair done with OEM parts, under clean conditions, with correct tools, prepared gasket surface, and new threaded fasteners?

Or…………is quality a beat the flat rate job, with little of the above, that maximizes the tech’s income?

What you see seems to depend on where you stand for the view.[/quote]

I think it’s obvious that a ‘quality’ repair is one done with care and not rushed.

I’ll also add that if you’ve ever worked as a flat rate tech you know that time is important. However efficiency is even more important. You don’t get paid for come backs so it pays to do things correctly the first time. Personally, I did pretty well on flat rate. I didn’t ‘rush’ through jobs but I got them done quickly and with enough quality for customers to come back into the shop and congratulate me on my work. I’m not the only tech that’s ever happened to I’m sure.

I wouldn’t get down on flat rate techs until you’ve worked as one.

[dan]

[quote=”Rereonehundred” post=98604]Quality is in the “eye of the beholder”.

Is high quality a repair done with OEM parts, under clean conditions, with correct tools, prepared gasket surface, and new threaded fasteners?

Or…………is quality a beat the flat rate job, with little of the above, that maximizes the tech’s income?

What you see seems to depend on where you stand for the view.[/quote]

Quality referring too a job in which someone didn’t cheep out on and rush through, and is using OEM parts really quality in the end? if i where too replace the coolant elbows on someones 3800 engine and use OEM plastic coolant elbows rather than the aluminum replacement units, too me that would not be quality, that would be going cheap, GM cars use a lot of the electronic components are AC Delco, i like AC Delco in some cases but i also think BWD and MSD are good replacement parts as well, BWD often goes the extra mile with there parts, there usually more expensive but that’s because they go where the manufacturer of the original part screws up and makes the part better. For example the Evap solenoid on my car that bolts too the frame, they are commonly known for going bad, i can get OEM… but i got a BWD replacement instead, it was more expensive but i trust BWD in my experiences that this part will not fail me later on down the road.

and beating the flat rate? more often than not i find that people who Genuinely care for there cars don’t want a job rushed and out the door too get a flat rate job done on there cars, they want there baby too be treated like a queen… someone screws up my car they are going too pay! and that’s why i go where i go if i need someone ells to work on my car, there prices may be expensive, they don’t get the job done super fast… but every single time i have gotten my car done there i have had no catastrophic failures, and my car has come back as i have left it and they have used good quality parts, that is quality in my eyes.

[dan]

[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=98625][quote=”Rereonehundred” post=98604]Quality is in the “eye of the beholder”.

Is high quality a repair done with OEM parts, under clean conditions, with correct tools, prepared gasket surface, and new threaded fasteners?

Or…………is quality a beat the flat rate job, with little of the above, that maximizes the tech’s income?

What you see seems to depend on where you stand for the view.[/quote]

I think it’s obvious that a ‘quality’ repair is one done with care and not rushed.

I’ll also add that if you’ve ever worked as a flat rate tech you know that time is important. However efficiency is even more important. You don’t get paid for come backs so it pays to do things correctly the first time. Personally, I did pretty well on flat rate. I didn’t ‘rush’ through jobs but I got them done quickly and with enough quality for customers to come back into the shop and congratulate me on my work. I’m not the only tech that’s ever happened to I’m sure.

I wouldn’t get down on flat rate techs until you’ve worked as one.[/quote]

agreed here, efficiency first speed later, something my instructor had pounded into our heads until it was well versed, you where fast not because you forced yourself too be, but you where fast because it came naturally, because you picked up the right too, chose the right part, used the right lubricant, torqued it too the right spec… and smoothly and efficiently did it, repair made, job insured, car retured too a happy customer and he comes back later the next time he needs a repair, proving you can do a job quickly and correctly, you just need too put quality first.

now the guy who wants too get that car in and out, whoops left a peace of mechanics wire hanging that was holding the break caliper up while i changed the pads, got caught in the wheel and took out a break hose so the driver lost his breaks and crashed the car…. S%#&…..

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”13aceofspades13″ post=98711][quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=98625][quote=”Rereonehundred” post=98604]Quality is in the “eye of the beholder”.

Is high quality a repair done with OEM parts, under clean conditions, with correct tools, prepared gasket surface, and new threaded fasteners?

Or…………is quality a beat the flat rate job, with little of the above, that maximizes the tech’s income?

What you see seems to depend on where you stand for the view.[/quote]

I think it’s obvious that a ‘quality’ repair is one done with care and not rushed.

I’ll also add that if you’ve ever worked as a flat rate tech you know that time is important. However efficiency is even more important. You don’t get paid for come backs so it pays to do things correctly the first time. Personally, I did pretty well on flat rate. I didn’t ‘rush’ through jobs but I got them done quickly and with enough quality for customers to come back into the shop and congratulate me on my work. I’m not the only tech that’s ever happened to I’m sure.

I wouldn’t get down on flat rate techs until you’ve worked as one.[/quote]

agreed here, efficiency first speed later, something my instructor had pounded into our heads until it was well versed, you where fast not because you forced yourself too be, but you where fast because it came naturally, because you picked up the right too, chose the right part, used the right lubricant, torqued it too the right spec… and smoothly and efficiently did it, repair made, job insured, car retured too a happy customer and he comes back later the next time he needs a repair, proving you can do a job quickly and correctly, you just need too put quality first.

now the guy who wants too get that car in and out, whoops left a peace of mechanics wire hanging that was holding the break caliper up while i changed the pads, got caught in the wheel and took out a break hose so the driver lost his breaks and crashed the car…. S%#&…..[/quote]

Indeed. There is a distinction between efficiency and rushing through a job. That was an unfortunate occurrence and does happen from time to time. Not always because of being in a rush though. Mind you I’m not trying to justify it but I myself have made mistakes along the way that could have been costly. I think the one thing that many flat rate techs might be guilty of, including myself, is not test driving a vehicle after a repair to help ferret out problems like you mentioned. Perhaps that step could have prevented the incident you mentioned.

[Vince]

Thanks Eric.I take pride in my work too.I work at a gas station as an attendant but I really like to make sure the customer gets the full service.I wash the windows and check tire pressure and I have helped lots of people fix lttle things that would have caused them worry.That’s why your so likable man,you care about what you do and you have helped me learn a lot of stuff.Thank you Eric for what you do. 🙂

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”vincent74″ post=98771]Thanks Eric.I take pride in my work too.I work at a gas station as an attendant but I really like to make sure the customer gets the full service.I wash the windows and check tire pressure and I have helped lots of people fix lttle things that would have caused them worry.That’s why your so likable man,you care about what you do and you have helped me learn a lot of stuff.Thank you Eric for what you do. :)[/quote]

Thank YOU! I really appreciate your comments. Keep up the good work. 🙂

[Scott]

You know, it seems to get harder and harder to find good, quality mechanics. Over the last few years, I’ve been doing a lot of maintenance needed on my 05 Toyota and my recently acquired Honda del Sol. I bought the del Sol not just to enjoy open-air motoring, but to learn from. Eric, you’ve taught me so much about my Honda and about auto repair in general. It really enhances my level in pride of work, especially when I’ve just tackled an unknown problem that I would’ve walked away from before. I take the time, the patience, and energy to fix what goes wrong. If I sense frustration, I stop and take a break. I’ll figure it out. Take five minutes and think. And I’ve got to say, it’s been fun. SO much fun.

Friends will ask me to change their oil, batteries, etc. Small stuff. I love doing it. It saves them money, I’ve learned a new technique on a basic maintenance item, and they appreciate the work that I do. That means the most to me.

If you care, they’ll care.

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”ScottDelSolSi” post=98821]You know, it seems to get harder and harder to find good, quality mechanics. Over the last few years, I’ve been doing a lot of maintenance needed on my 05 Toyota and my recently acquired Honda del Sol. I bought the del Sol not just to enjoy open-air motoring, but to learn from. Eric, you’ve taught me so much about my Honda and about auto repair in general. It really enhances my level in pride of work, especially when I’ve just tackled an unknown problem that I would’ve walked away from before. I take the time, the patience, and energy to fix what goes wrong. If I sense frustration, I stop and take a break. I’ll figure it out. Take five minutes and think. And I’ve got to say, it’s been fun. SO much fun.

Friends will ask me to change their oil, batteries, etc. Small stuff. I love doing it. It saves them money, I’ve learned a new technique on a basic maintenance item, and they appreciate the work that I do. That means the most to me.

If you care, they’ll care.[/quote]

I have to admit that I never get tired of hearing how my work helps people. Thanks very much for your comment and for sharing your experience.

[Joe]

It’s also of note that when you work in the industry it becomes very easy to lose that sight of pride. There’s days where you touch 10+ cars a day as a tech and it gets hard to really connect with a car when you’ve only got x amount of time to jerk around with this car until your parts come in for the other one you’re working on and you have another car going up on the alignment rack. Not to mention you’ve got a bunch of paperwork to keep straight and change hands as well.

To say that I see shortcuts taken every day (and at times I do it myself) is an understatement, but at the end of the day it comes down to good time management, organization, and attention to detail. Those are the first 3 tools that I would advise any new mechanic to get for their toolbox.

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”quickNpainless” post=99008]It’s also of note that when you work in the industry it becomes very easy to lose that sight of pride. There’s days where you touch 10+ cars a day as a tech and it gets hard to really connect with a car when you’ve only got x amount of time to jerk around with this car until your parts come in for the other one you’re working on and you have another car going up on the alignment rack. Not to mention you’ve got a bunch of paperwork to keep straight and change hands as well.

To say that I see shortcuts taken every day (and at times I do it myself) is an understatement, but at the end of the day it comes down to good time management, organization, and attention to detail. Those are the first 3 tools that I would advise any new mechanic to get for their toolbox.[/quote]

Very good points. I think ‘time management’ should be a future video. Thanks very much for your input.

[dan]

Mechanics will make mistakes from time too time, we are human, some of my mistakes are embarrasing, almost dropped a car off the lift because the lift was sticking one one of the posts, also one time i put gear oil in a gas can… yea that really looked smart.

[Author]

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