Just Interviewed with an Amazing Shop.... - Page 2

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I'm not familiar with anything that opened up in the last two years around there. I did work at a PCA tech session at Funktion Auto and know Curry's pretty well. My buddy who opened Competizione in Gaithersburg hired away the techs from Ferrari of Washington up there. I didn't know there was another such shop opening in the neighborhood. When this is all done, please tell who the owner is and where he hired his other folks.

asphaltgambler · 12-02-2010, 10:11 AM

Rick - I believe this shop has been in that location for a while. It is so unasuming, you could look directly at the building and still never tell except for a small sign on the upper right portion. All windows have custom mini-blinds installed and pulled all the way down.

The main entrance is actually to the side and locked unless they are expecting you. All employees park at the rear. So if you did really look at the building you would assume that it is vacant

McLovin · 12-02-2010, 10:19 AM

The owner's name isn't Willy Wonka, is it? Older guy, wears funny hats?

asphaltgambler · 12-02-2010, 10:25 AM

uh no... but he was a little edgey+arrogant

Rikao4 · 12-02-2010, 10:32 AM

hope you get this gig..
and interesting about that cap & pen..

'I'm not supposed to say anything'..
what if this is another test...

Rika

asphaltgambler · 12-02-2010, 10:35 AM

uh no... but he was a little edgey+arrogant

McLovin · 12-02-2010, 10:39 AM

OK, but if some shady guy named Mr. Slugworth asks you to pocket a part during your tour of the shop, don't do it. It's another one of those tests.

asphaltgambler · 12-02-2010, 10:59 AM

It's nothing short of CIA like

Zeke · 12-02-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

It's nothing short of CIA like

Well, our local Ferrari guy has the back half of a building that has a totally unrelated business in front. To get to the back, you have to enter a separate fenced in compound. No signs and they rarely park cars in view.

Yet the barn door is wide open all day long. I walk in now and then and the owner is friendly even though he knows all I own is a Porsche.

asphaltgambler · 05:07 AM

The director explained the reason for such 'secrecy' .....Is that all the clients are very high profile. That even on occasions the customer prefers an alias on shop tickets. Further explaination is that some of the vehs there are almost priceless - as in the 1930 Dupont serial #1

They also had a 1930 Dupont convertible serial #4; where they hand-made a complete top from scratch - they did 'cheat' as little as the mechanical frame work was mostly intact. Another thing I thought interesting was that the other makes were also from Ferrari owners, that they would not service "just any vehicle from any potential client" That even being a Ferrari owner does not automatically qualify you to become a client. THEY interview the potentail client to decide.

javadog · 12-03-2010, 05:35 AM

Sounds like there's a lot of ego involved here. I can understand the need for confidentiality and all that but another shop that I know that prepares Pebble Beach-quality cars, for some of the richest men you'll ever (not) meet, has an owner that is so laid back you'd never suspect he could do an oil change on his own.

I'm sure this place would have nice facilities and interesting things to work on but I wonder if the working environment would make you happy. Nobody needs unnecessary drama and stress at our age.

JR

Joeaksa · 12-03-2010, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

I'd work at a shop like that for 40K/year.

While I would love to do this, would not ever do it for $40k a year. A man's time is worth something and this is not a living wage in most areas.

You get what you pay for and this sounds like they want a craftsman and not a "parts changer" and thats what you usually get for low wages.

Hope it works out for you!

asphaltgambler · 12-03-2010, 05:47 AM

WOW - !! Spot-on!! That was one of the major downers that I had after the interview and driving home. This guy is the service director - so yes he would be my boss. Not sure how his 'tude would play out if this goes any further, It is definitely a major concern of mine.

Interestingly enough, The inside poop from ferrari of washington was that the most of the service guys were pr*cks. That the shop 'environment' sucked. It was joked that most of the personel had to come through the bay doors because their ego would not fit through the side entrance

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I don't know when that 'tude at Ferrari of Washington was going. But the crew my buddy hired for Competizione was Richard Cappocia (sp?) and his two guys. Richard is the nicest guy you could ever meet. I doubt he was just being nice to me because I was his boss's buddy. But I'd show up at Competizione on a Sat. morning in my 993 or on my bike and he gave me a great tour of the shop, showed me what all he was working on, let me watch the engine dyno room, etc. And he did it again a few mos. later when my folks and grandmother were in town and wanted to see it. I got the 'tude from Reddy at the dealership once. But one of their sales guys has a sweet longhood S and so was pretty cool when he'd see me coming in my 993. That dealership is right by the BMW/Mini dealer my wife and I were always at, so I had to stop in once in a while.

cairns · 12-03-2010, 07:39 AM

I've got to meet you guys.

I know Richard but haven't seen him in years. He is the greatest guy and more. He used to work at Porsche of Rockville years ago before he went to FOW and even bought an Audi 100 from me. Sonic bought Porsche of Rockville and ruined the place; he left along with some other really good folks.

Years ago he came over one Saturday morning and helped me install harnesses in a 944. Wouldn't take anything for it- and we spent most of the morning doing it. His wife had their first a few months later; I used to go over to his house just to BS see what he was working on etc. but we gradually lost touch. I hope he is doing well.

FWIW I never cared for FOW. I met one or two good guys there but the overall attitude was snobbery to the point of rudeness. We never did buy a Ferrari. Probably a good thing.

Zeke · 12-03-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

I'd work at a shop like that for 40K/year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

While I would love to do this, would not ever do it for $40k a year. A man's time is worth something and this is not a living wage in most areas.

You get what you pay for and this sounds like they want a craftsman and not a "parts changer" and thats what you usually get for low wages.

Hope it works out for you!

Well Joe, it's not always about the money. To work at a high end place doing restoration work for 20 bucks an hour doesn't seem all that bad to me.

Of course, the first time some dickhead gave me a load, I'd be out the door. So if one can be motivated to work in a hostile environment for 2-3 times what my threshold is, more power to them.

Old cars and old houses are supposed to be fun. I spend most of my time on old houses and have for 40 years. I'm an expert. But the guys building ridiculous McMansions make 10 times what I make.

That's the way it works.

There are a lot of collectors in this country ala Leno and the late Harrah.. They all seem to have some staff. With exceptions, I'll bet there are not 100 mechanics that make 100K a year employed working on classics.

But there are probably 1000 mechanics that work for a private collection.

Joeaksa · 12-03-2010, 04:22 PM

Milt,

Did not say that they had to be paid $100k but if you are going to have "an artist" working on your multi-million dollar car, do you want someone who is taking home $1000 every two weeks doing it?

Would think that someone in this position should be worth a good $60-80k and they deserve every penny of it. We pay our flight attendents $45k to start and they are a lot less trained than the mechanics we are talking about now.

look 171 · 12-03-2010, 08:26 PM

A few years ago, a finish carpenter (he can run 90% of the job)who worked for me decided to go to work for some commerical outfit. He made 15-20K(close to 50 with us) more per year. We have a little bit of the rich Hollywood type clients. Like Milt, we play with a fair bit of their older homes. He lasted a little over a year due to the hostile work place. He hated getting screamed at the moment he stop and look out the window by his boss. Could not take the time off to see his kid's play. He was always reminded that he's getting a lot of money and that he's replaceable. My men takes 5 whenever they want. We don't scream. take time off whenever they want. I have a small crew. They do not take advantage of the situtation because they know how good they have it. Is not always about money. He's still work for us part time.

Working in a place with that many people that have small dick syndrome will take 10 years out of your life. If not, you will become like them.

Good luck Asphalt

asphaltgambler · 12-04-2010, 05:30 AM

Thanks all - If the offer does come in, I'll have to really interview them about the shop experience, at this point all would to balance out. His ad continues to run locally

widgeon13 · 12-04-2010, 05:45 AM

We can keep a secret here.

Good luck!