I been managing and working as a lube technician for last four years. I have worked in dealerships and Indy shops prior, I have recently got a job offer for local Toyota dealer as to start hourly and when I'm ready they would put me flat rate. As of now it would be a .45 raise and once I go flat rate they boost me a dollar. Would it be smart to take job as now I'm getting 43_46 hr's weekly and the job offer its straight forty until I go flat rate.
offered a job should i take it
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LEVE
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One the downside, what do you have to loose?
ihateminimumwage
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Are you only being paid hourly now (with overtime I hope, going into that 43-45hr range)?
Are you confident in your abilities/speed for flat-rate to be a major upgrade?
Not happy with the current job, or just looking for something new?
Will the position be an upgrade to mechanic, or staying as a lube tech?
Are you confident in your abilities/speed for flat-rate to be a major upgrade?
Not happy with the current job, or just looking for something new?
Will the position be an upgrade to mechanic, or staying as a lube tech?
drivesitfar
Well-known member
here's a couple things to consider:
1) how do you like working with the guys and the boss you are working for and is the new job similar better or maybe worse?
2) benefits?
3) long term employment at either an issue because you don't want to be with no job?
4) how much difference in travel and gas costs or parking if applicable?
5) which job has better growth potential as you learn and get better at your job?
you can post your answers or fill in the blanks if you still need help or grab some paper and start doing your own "Pro's" and "Con's" list
good luck
1) how do you like working with the guys and the boss you are working for and is the new job similar better or maybe worse?
2) benefits?
3) long term employment at either an issue because you don't want to be with no job?
4) how much difference in travel and gas costs or parking if applicable?
5) which job has better growth potential as you learn and get better at your job?
you can post your answers or fill in the blanks if you still need help or grab some paper and start doing your own "Pro's" and "Con's" list
good luck
I am being paid hourly now which is awesome anything over forty is time and half I'm very confident with my speed to go flats rate.the position is going to be labeled lube tech that can do repairs. As of now the lube techs at dealership doesn't even do tire rotations. And I'm just looking for a change. Growth with company now is one more spot which is management at the dealership its straight technician. With flat rate. I'm just up in the air cause for the first two months its forty hours at set pay and I'd be loosing close to 100 weekly.
How well do you interact with the new boss? I have seen plenty of guys hired on a promise and the promise never panned out because they weren't buddies with the boss. With some guys it did work out and others were like they already had them so why raise them. What new are you supposed to be doing in the future that makes you worth the extra dollar, and will that dollar come on its own or will you have to confront the boss? And if you have to confront him, how will that go?
I knew one guy with little talent but was super kind and friendly to everybody and entertaining to the boss and got raise after raise and got sent to school after school. Another guy got a cushy job as a machinist trainee and they were leading him with a promise of a raise like a carrot on a stick. He quit and got a job as a hand in the oil fields. One place I worked if you were freaky they loved you. If you were normal ...well. I didn't have facial tattoos so I didn't stick around long
It's a wide wild world out there.
I knew one guy with little talent but was super kind and friendly to everybody and entertaining to the boss and got raise after raise and got sent to school after school. Another guy got a cushy job as a machinist trainee and they were leading him with a promise of a raise like a carrot on a stick. He quit and got a job as a hand in the oil fields. One place I worked if you were freaky they loved you. If you were normal ...well. I didn't have facial tattoos so I didn't stick around long
It's a wide wild world out there.48RON54
Well-known member
Well, cut in short term but better long term possibilities right? I'd do it. You should be able to easily live on $100 less a week with a little work. Little less fast food...little more ramen...little less lights on at night...little less etc etc.... it all adds up, trust me. I say do it, but then again I really want a change in life so I am biased.
ihateminimumwage
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Good point, whatever is being offered, get it in writing.
Where was this at. Sounds like my kind of shop.One place I worked if you were freaky they loved you. If you were normal ...well. I didn't have facial tattoos so I didn't stick around long
3/4 drive
Well-known member
With the Toyota recall once you get to flat rate you will be getting 100+ hours every 2 weeks our Toyota shop has perks at 50 + Hrs. a week and more perks at 100+ hrs for flatrate.
Vegaman_Dan
Well-known member
This begs the question of where do you want to be 5 years from now? 10? If the oil change shops offer you a future or chance of promotion where you want to be, then stay. Maybe you'll want to eventually own a lube shop of your own as a franchise. It's something to consider.
But then dealer work looks better on a resume and has higher respect amongst your peers in the industry. It might offer more promotion opportunities and a better future there.
Personally, I'd be asking the manager of the dealership how they got their start, and what happens to their senior technicians. Do they stay in the garage or do they move up?
But then dealer work looks better on a resume and has higher respect amongst your peers in the industry. It might offer more promotion opportunities and a better future there.
Personally, I'd be asking the manager of the dealership how they got their start, and what happens to their senior technicians. Do they stay in the garage or do they move up?
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
I think you answered your own question there. A big hell to the no unless your looking at full flat rate compensation. Forty five cents an hour?
That won't even cover the "idiot" forehead tattoo JK 
. Why put yourself in a position to be screwed? No upside without a large FR pay increase. The dealer knows what they are doing here and it's saving them a bundle on their "lube supplies".
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captain14
Well-known member
How old are you? How do you feel after a full week of work? Listen to your body also.
bareass172
Well-known member
This is one of the best pieces of advice in here (I think). I know a lot of guys who loved doing the work when they were younger, but got older and it got to be hard on them physically. Some were lucky enough to move into management, the others either deal with it or they had to find new careers later in life (a much scarier prospect to many).
Everything posted is great advice though.
Bruce57
Well-known member
This is one of the best pieces of advice in here (I think). I know a lot of guys who loved doing the work when they were younger, but got older and it got to be hard on them physically. Some were lucky enough to move into management, the others either deal with it or they had to find new careers later in life (a much scarier prospect to many).
Everything posted is great advice though.
I went the opposite direction. Started my career turning wrenches, moved up to management and went back to turning wrenches at 55. After 20 years in management I had had enough. Yep, after some weeks my body reminds me of my age. However, I sleep better at night and have more time to spend with my family. I made a lot more money as a department manager. But I am doing what I enjoy with a lot less pressure. I enjoy going to work again. A smaller pay check didn't really change my life much. Enjoying my work made a more of change. Good luck with your decision.
Sheriff Roscoe
Well-known member
This is essentially my thoughts too. Don't focus too much on the here-and-now. Perhaps a little but your main focus should be down the road a few short years from now (3-5yrs).
I did much the same, went from the shop to the front desk for 6yrs. Went back to the shop a couple of years ago and am happy with my decision. Less pressure, no phone ringing incessantly, no annoying customers.
jagwinn
Well-known member
Son, one of the biggest mistakes financially is to rely on overtime to make budget.
First, develop a budget on 40 hrs. and then bank all overtime. [lesson learned in 60 years]
O.K.? don't rely on overtime!
Aetsh
Well-known member
$.45 raise/hr, and losing $100 a week/$400 a month? Doesn't sound like a great deal monetary wise..
I wouldn't even consider moving my toolbox for less than $2 more than Im currently making
I wouldn't even consider moving my toolbox for less than $2 more than Im currently making
Just wanted to point out, he isn't making "less" money, he is starting off with a 45 cent raise, but losing a couple of hours(Which is true that he makes less $$ / week but i think when over-time kicks in it's better and he has a chance at flat rate which can be good money for a quick mechanic). I find that when i've been promised 40 hrs the first week is usually around 55-60 then second is about 40-45 then it jumps back up again. Just personal Experience though.
I would talk to them, ask if you can get it in writing and take a shot at it if you are financially stable enough to do it, if it doesn't pan out, lube techs are always in demand because most people don't want to change oil all day.
Also think about what you can do in your newly acquired free time, do you have home projects that are slacking? do you rebuild old cars (which can be profitable) in your free time? any other basic side work is usually way better than, say, a couple extra hours, i've made $20 for walking down the road and fixing some business's lawn mower before, a buddies dad offered to give me $50 to replace his exhaust manifolds because he didn't want to do it. Those things add up really fast, especially if your neighbors like you!
Make sure to consider your position, can you become manager or division manager? (If you work at a family place like Baxter's Auto Parts, your'e screwed because all the higher-ups are family) But if you work at somewhere like maybe a jiffy lube, the managers make decent money compared to the techs. You could also use the free time to learn more and get ASE Cert's, they almost guaranty a pay raise and open a ton of new opportunities in jobs.
Age is always a factor, if you can't keep up with the work long term, you may want to play it safe.
Best of luck!
Givl Reggin
Banned
No one can truly make that kind of decision for you. But, they can give you some things to think about that you may not have considered and offer a perspective you may not have thought of.
Someone above mentioned if you like your present job and the people you work with... that alone can be something to hinge your decision on. Having a great work environment and people around you makes a big, big difference.
Working less hours and no overtime may be rather attractive option... especially if you have a family or other hobbies, that's provided you like spending time with your family.
I wouldn't let money alone come into the decision factor... you'll always find ways to get by with whatever money you make... but, being happy where you spend 6-8 hours a day/5 days a week can go along way to offsetting that.
Good luck with your decision!
Someone above mentioned if you like your present job and the people you work with... that alone can be something to hinge your decision on. Having a great work environment and people around you makes a big, big difference.
Working less hours and no overtime may be rather attractive option... especially if you have a family or other hobbies, that's provided you like spending time with your family.
I wouldn't let money alone come into the decision factor... you'll always find ways to get by with whatever money you make... but, being happy where you spend 6-8 hours a day/5 days a week can go along way to offsetting that.
Good luck with your decision!
jfcasey
Well-known member
From a Toyota technician.... It's not a hard brand to make money with and there is a steady workflow most of the time since there are always recalls and there is usually a lot of maintenance work fill the gaps when the heavy work slows. I would of for it, you will lose money at first as you already know but sounds like you already maxed out at your current company whereas you have a long ways to go at a dealership.
Not to mention long term experience at a dealer is worth a lot more than any kind of lube place.
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Not to mention long term experience at a dealer is worth a lot more than any kind of lube place.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Where was this at. Sounds like my kind of shop.
Williston, ND. Jobs out the wazzoo, only prob is finding somewhere inside to live. I lucked out on a little trailer and a free place to keep it. Sold it for the same when I left, so ended up staying in the most expensive place in the U.S. for free.
The one place heavy machinery mechanics avoid at all costs! one guy lived WITH his room-mate for 9 months in a mustang in the parking lot (according to the guys there, they all swear it was true). But too damn expensive to live in those conditions anyways.
ihateminimumwage
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I'm good off of that. One of my best friends was working summers out there, living with a buddy in a house that resembled the one in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with no water or power and them sharing a room with a couple of old mattresses. Good pay, but cost of groceries and the taxes later on didn't even out as well as planned in the end.
NineFingerFury
Well-known member
I'm a lube tech/apprentice at a Chevy dealer. 3 months in. If I'm a lube tech after 18 months, I'm moving on to something that'll give me more experience. But at $12.50/hr, I'm not crying either.
cvairwerks
Well-known member
You realize the last post in this thread was over 7 years ago?
richfinn
Well-known member
More responsibilty with less pay??
It's a no for me I'm afraid
Unless they are prepared to support your career in other ways like quality training and benefits then maybe it's worth a shot
In at the deep end doing more complex repairs against the clock, I would think long a hard and be honest with the manager with what support you expect to receive
It's a no for me I'm afraid
Unless they are prepared to support your career in other ways like quality training and benefits then maybe it's worth a shot
In at the deep end doing more complex repairs against the clock, I would think long a hard and be honest with the manager with what support you expect to receive
Certified Drunk
Well-known member
Standing around waiting for parts with flat rate, will net you no money.
in 2014 or today?
Ton ton
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I get the message that this thread is quite old. It's like fruit that takes a long time to ripen. LOL.
toolenthusiast
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I can personally attest to the fact that dealership tricks are the same as they were 7 years ago.
To any young person reading this, even in the year 3000: GET A WRITTEN OFFER. If they say you will be hourly “for a while”, get them to commit to a timeframe and put it in the offer. If they say you will always have work, they should have no problem giving you a formal guarantee of 30 hours. If they say you will get training, get it in writing. If they say you will get a promotion, make sure they spell out the timeline.
Make sure to get a copy of their insurance enrollment paperwork so you can see if they really have “great insurance”.
They should also send a tow truck for your toolbox. If you come to them groveling from the start, you’ll be on your knees for the entire period of your employment.
JatoTheRipper
Well-known member
I know a few people that work at car dealerships and they have never been unhappier. I highly suggest you ask around in your area.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Maybe a total career change is in order. Long time ago I was making $6.50 an hour. Changed to a different career with a little more future. Started at $5 per hour. Took me 3 years to get the same money as I would have made if I had stayed with my original job. By the time I got to the top rate a couple years later I probably made up for the shortfall I had lost.
As I got older, I realized pensions and other benefits are worth any sacrifice you have to make be it education, indentured apprenticeship. Then possibly management/supervision or even your own business.
This move is likely not your last.
As I got older, I realized pensions and other benefits are worth any sacrifice you have to make be it education, indentured apprenticeship. Then possibly management/supervision or even your own business.
This move is likely not your last.
anndel
Well-known member
Are you happy where you're at? Get along with the boss and coworkers? The grass may not be greener on the other side of the fence no matter if you're looking to move up.