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An author who has achieved some level of fame eventually has to tell fans “I’m sorry, I can’t read your manuscript.” Frankly I’m surprised you even attempt to answer every automotive question that comes in. After a forum takes hold it takes on a life of its own. People who hang out there will answer each others questions. You put the machine in place and throw the switch, the rest takes care of itself. Of course you want to keep tabs on it…read over the feedback; every now and then throw in a token response to let everyone know you’re paying attention, but trying to micro-manage it all isn’t going to be possible…especially if you’re planning on growing the show even more.
If I were you I wouldn’t answer Emails and let everyone know you just can’t do it. Celebrities can’t answer fan letters without a staff and you’re building something of a celebrity status. What do you think would happen if you blasted off a question through an Email to Mick Jagger? Of course you’re not exactly Mick but as those ‘views’ add up you’re going to have the same problems on a miniature scale.
So yeah, dance with the one that brung ya. Concentrate on the videos and send the viewers over here. They’ll answer each others questions. You have only one mandate and that’s to make better and better videos and bring in the numbers…oh, and to hundreds of hours working on that little red Sonoma with lots of video so I can get my little red S10 nightmare out of my tractor barn….lol Go get’m Mick!Have I mentioned that ETCG viewers are the best? If I haven’t I should have. Your understanding is appreciated, not many do but I felt the need to put it out there in a video. You’re right though, I did set up the forum and more importantly the search function to help serve those looking for help. I do feel if I spend more time on my video production nothing but good can come from that so that’s where I plan to focus my energy going forward. It will also be nice to have a little free time back, I’ve been getting a little burned out lately, working 7 days a week will do that to ya.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=38774]… I’ve been getting a little burned out lately, working 7 days a week will do that to ya.[/quote]
Had been there and done that. Take time off with your family.
Without your videos, I will not attempt to work on my brakes. Thanks. As you know, I will be working on my 91 Civic timing belt next when weather permits.
You’ve provided an awful lot of information through your videos, knowledge that would normally take years & lots of skin off of the knuckles to acquire, for free . People who view them are in your debt more than anything, thankfully it looks most can see this though going by the comments & feedback on YT
Your videos are informative, if you have an opinion on something you appear to make it look like you’ve thought things through rationally & objectively plus you make me laugh sometimes too.
So what’s not to like? – Thanks Eric!.
Maybe you could ask a buddy or two to scan through all the forum questions for ones that arent being answered, or answered wrongly, as sort of a prescreen so you dont feel like you have to read through everything yourself. Its a thought, maybe its already happening, I havent been around the forum much but I think I might be here more often for advice/help on an old American car that I inherited and have grown to love.
Hey Eric,
Loved what you had to say about fleet maintenance. I would like to share my experience with a small taxi/wheelchair company. Here are some of the pros. You are working on well maintained, important equipment. No flat rate. Keeps your skill level diverse and up to date. The vehicles are generally clean. You can become familiar with a vehicle, seeing it through it’s entire life. It is possible to be proud of the work you are doing, and your fleet. Not much politics with a small operation. As far as cons go, The employee benefits aren’t as good as a big dealer. The hours sometimes are nights and weekends when the units are not on the road. There also is some pressure to keep the wheels rolling on those money making vehicles. You end up doing road service in extreme weather. We’ve had to go rent a trailer and tow vehicles back from 200 miles away. Also I don’t know anyone who enjoys working under the hood of vans.
As with most small shops there are jobs you end up doing that have nothing to do with mechanics. You might end up moving snow, mowing the lawn, unclogging a toilet, painting, or sheetrocking.
Although I have moved on to a brewery doing machine maintenance (exit strategy) I still put in hours there as needed at 20.00 per hr. I would recommend anyone newly out of school to start with a fleet if possible. Even if it doesn’t pay as much to start. As the owner of the fleet depends on you more, the raises come. At least in our area it isn’t easy to replace a good tech that is dependable. A smart businessman knows he has to pay a living wage to keep you.[quote=”roywrench22″ post=39915]Hey Eric,
Loved what you had to say about fleet maintenance. I would like to share my experience with a small taxi/wheelchair company. Here are some of the pros. You are working on well maintained, important equipment. No flat rate. Keeps your skill level diverse and up to date. The vehicles are generally clean. You can become familiar with a vehicle, seeing it through it’s entire life. It is possible to be proud of the work you are doing, and your fleet. Not much politics with a small operation. As far as cons go, The employee benefits aren’t as good as a big dealer. The hours sometimes are nights and weekends when the units are not on the road. There also is some pressure to keep the wheels rolling on those money making vehicles. You end up doing road service in extreme weather. We’ve had to go rent a trailer and tow vehicles back from 200 miles away. Also I don’t know anyone who enjoys working under the hood of vans.
As with most small shops there are jobs you end up doing that have nothing to do with mechanics. You might end up moving snow, mowing the lawn, unclogging a toilet, painting, or sheetrocking.
Although I have moved on to a brewery doing machine maintenance (exit strategy) I still put in hours there as needed at 20.00 per hr. I would recommend anyone newly out of school to start with a fleet if possible. Even if it doesn’t pay as much to start. As the owner of the fleet depends on you more, the raises come. At least in our area it isn’t easy to replace a good tech that is dependable. A smart businessman knows he has to pay a living wage to keep you.[/quote]Thanks very much for your comments and for sharing your experience. I’m glad to hear that there are still jobs out there like that. It sounds like you’re doing pretty well. Thanks again.
So Eric, plan on doing any more trips out to Cali any time soon? Wish I could make the meet and greet stuff in July, but it’s too far.
And about answering the questions, like everyone has said, don’t feel bad. You should have’get a partner in crime, someone that could help you out with stuff like that that you trust.
[quote=”georgelv1999″ post=65405]So Eric, plan on doing any more trips out to Cali any time soon? Wish I could make the meet and greet stuff in July, but it’s too far.
And about answering the questions, like everyone has said, don’t feel bad. You should have’get a partner in crime, someone that could help you out with stuff like that that you trust.[/quote]
No plans for the near future but I would like to go back at some point. I really liked Hollywood. I have friends there so I would have a reason if I did head back that way.
As for questions, I’m working on that. Wait till you see the new website later this month.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=65479][quote=”georgelv1999″ post=65405]So Eric, plan on doing any more trips out to Cali any time soon? Wish I could make the meet and greet stuff in July, but it’s too far.
And about answering the questions, like everyone has said, don’t feel bad. You should have’get a partner in crime, someone that could help you out with stuff like that that you trust.[/quote]
No plans for the near future but I would like to go back at some point. I really liked Hollywood. I have friends there so I would have a reason if I did head back that way.
As for questions, I’m working on that. Wait till you see the new website later this month.[/quote]
Let us know in advance if you do come out, we can have a meet with everyone from LA. Hollywood is a good place to hang out. Traffic does suck in LA, but think about it this way…. where else can you go from snow-capped mountains to the beach in 1 hour?
I would also love to go to Ohio, specifically Cleveland. I’ve been a fan of Bone Thugs -N- Harmony since 1995 and since they’re originally from Cleveland. I also like Drew Carey so hey, 2 for 1, LOL!
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