I've got ten years experience, nine of those loyal with one brand and one dealership. Spent thousands on tools and continuing to buy new tools to keep up with new cars. Went to technical college, spend a lot of time researching and learning about the new cars that come out and the new problems that arise. Have to do many repairs for the first time without good repair instructions or any leadership- “just figure it out” – under flat rate pay.
They recently took all of our new/used car work and gave it to another team comprised of techs that have been here 1 year or less. Last couple years been making less and being asked to do more for the advisors. I mostly do oil changes, we are forced to work 6 day work weeks once a month with no guarantee of work or pay, I am struggling to even maintain 40hrs of pay at this point even though I'm stuck here 42.5hrs a week or more.
Our advisors get paid more than most of the techs, yet the techs are the ones creating the estimate (inspection of the car, writing up recommendations, providing labor times, providing part numbers- all unpaid time) and the advisor just electronically sends the estimate through without even speaking to the customer.
I am on the way out of this field and currently back in college, looking for new jobs, but man it's just been making me sad and disappointed that I chose to invest in this job.
Instead, I could have started out parking cars as a valet, then one year later become an advisor with no experience and make 6 figures.
Thanks for letting me vent!