I Have Had Enough of the Auto Business

[asphaltgambler]

- I'm done. I'm 51 years old, currently a BMW / Euro Technician and still recieve absolutely no lasting respect, full commision only, no sick days or any real benefits. I have owned my own auto repair small business back in the mid 80's and most recently have been through a failed partnership. I consider myself (from my peers) to be knowledgable, exellent problem solver, good at what I do + I posess great people /management skills. In short; I am in demand in my field.

I have seen and survived many ups and downs in this business over the last 35 years but never this bad and it's more than just the economy. It's the evolution/technical progression of todays' automobile and the determination of the business side to remain in the dark ages.

When I was a kid, I could not ever imagine a time where two of the the big three automakers would file for bankruptcy, with the third almost there all within months of each other. The repair side failing right along with it. As long as there are people who allow themselves to be wh*red out by the mangers and owners; business will continue as usual.

In December a sought out and hired a small business consultant, paid him well to advise me objectively on what to do and where to go career wise as well as a few financial issues in my personal life. That advice may turn out to be .................priceless

In a nutshell: Get out of the auto industry and anything retail in general. Look into the only three industrys' that have real growth and will continue so even in bad economic times. 1) Homeland Security 2) Healthcare 3) IT - Use my best traits, skills and interest; figure out where they 'fit' in one of these areas. Then pursue the logical path in training and certifications to break into the career I've decided.

My choice: Electronic Security Technician - I 'm am currently involved in ongoing training and certs in that area. I shoud be 'resume-ready in 6-8 weeks. I'll keep you posted

[Noney]

Congratulations man! Sometimes just making that decision can mentally make you feel like a 1,000 lb weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

[kaisen]

I think the auto repair business is different on the local and regional levels. The shops I use are slammed busy. A friend started a high-end (Ferrari/Lotus/Lamborghini) shop a year ago and has already doubled in size and added 1000 customers. He is booked a month out. In winter.

Good luck to you. Burn out happens. You might find yourself happier than ever. I hope so!

[GH85Carrera]

Professional auto repair has to be a pain. So many drivers see a car as an appliance. They have no idea what is wrong with a car, but they figure the mechanic is a crook out to rip them off.

Good luck in your new profession.

[asphaltgambler]

Basically in this industry lots-of-work does not = good income for the tech. Most business owners are taking the advantage of the downturn with their employees. As in less pay, reduced per job pay, increased liability to total loss on the tech, increased hrs on the clock, reduced or no benefits. All becuase they can.

Some would argue that the owners/managers are just being good and efficient at what they do. In better times; good techs would NOT put up with any of the nonsense that currently occours in the industry. They would walk. Not now, there is no where to 'run'

[kaisen]

So why not be the owner/manager and take advantage of that disparity?

[VincentVega]

Good luck. I turned a love of wrenching, although only in high school and college, into IT work. While its not exactly the same, I still troubleshoot, think, design things... but at least I'm mostly clean and work usually has AC.

I still do a bunch of side work and get involved in way to many projects to keep my feet wet. Nice thing is I can turn down work I dont want and us it only for fun $$.

Tons of opportunity in IT security in NoVa/DC, especially if your can get cleared.

Excellent move!

[Scott R]

I hung my wrenches up 16 years ago for IT. Best decision I've ever made.

Edit: I did EXACTLY the same thing as Vincent, wrenched for GM though college.

[HardDrive]

Once you see the dark side of a business, its hard to ignore. I left my field 4 years ago. No way I would go back.

[Superman]

Good luck. Smart idea to approach this problem with your mind and eyes open.

[red-beard]

The owner side is better, but scary. Sometimes you wonder if you're going to make payroll...

[asphaltgambler]

The dark side is right........................been a foreman and manager previously in this business - they are generally more expendable than a good tech. Through the years I've had a good run overall, but I'm quickly becoming a dinosour, already at the back side of 50 and not getting any younger. I'd rather quit the business now and sacrifice for a real career and future than to just fade out like so many other guys are and have been.

[Burnin' oil]

A very good friend of mine started wrenching at a dealership, then opened his own shop, then got his dealer's license and started selling used cars, then stared leasing to the poor credit crowd and is now trying to wind up affairs as he is preparing for bankruptcy. He wants nothing to do with cars ever again. The upside is that I'm going to pick up some tools and what not for a good price.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by red-beard

The owner side is better, but scary. Sometimes you wonder if you're going to make payroll...

LOL, Grass is always greener.
Most folks who work for someone else have no idea the pressure or stress the owner is under.

There's an old saying: "the worst boss I ever had was when I was working for myself".

[asphaltgambler]

In short - the auto business, viewed through young eyes in the late 60's to 70's was a HUGE growth industry. As a kid I remember the first time I saw disc brakes on a domestic vehicle, the shortly after; the advent of electronic ignition - then 'smog' controls/devices. I saw almost unlimited potential.

My approach then and was to gather all the technical schooling and also the business side I could to further my career. That was what really defined me early on. I loved it, I'm passionate about all things mechanical. I not only play one on TV, I am a true hobbyist in the 'off' hours

Today, here and now, I see no real growth in the car industry at all, from where I stand and work. My progressive views and work ethic allowed me a lot of creativity when the manufacturers could or would NOT produce a vehicle that ran proporly. I had many a customer compliment in the 80's/early 90's that their car didn't run that well when it was new. These days = "0"

But, as hard as it is to do, it's time to move on and become passionate about a new career in a growth industry. H&ll - Homeland security has only been around since 2002

[scottmandue]

Kind of sad to hear because good mechanics are hard to find.

However I feel your pain, worked in Dad's HVAC business for ten years, I knew I needed a change. Options were go back to school or get a contractors license... I could have made a LOT of money as a contractor... but couldn't bear the thought of dealing with customers/the trades/the building department. So now I have a great job but I live paycheck to paycheck.

Such is life.

Best of luck in your new endeavors.

[asphaltgambler]

Problem is most people want, even demand a great Technician, but no one company is willing to sacrifice some profit to pay a minimum, base rate, or gaurantee. If I diagnose and repair the veh correctly the first time, on time I have completed my obligation. But if someone at the front counter p*sses the customer off, or the *****ty parts I install go south, or a miriad of other things go wrong where does that leave me??

If I have completed my task correctly but something else goes wrong, I suffer. This business is the only one where a highly skilled blue collar workers are fully commisioned. All other trades journeyman level electricians, plumbers, finish carpenters. HVAC guys are hourly w/performance bonus. They (in most cases) are supplied with a van, phone, tools, benefits and their companies still turn a profit

My gross income this year is down $35K from mid '07 level

[azasadny]

Good plan! I wish you the best!!

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Problem is most people want, even demand a great Technician, but no one company is willing to sacrifice some profit to pay a minimum, base rate, or gaurantee. If I diagnose and repair the veh correctly the first time, on time I have completed my obligation. But if someone at the front counter p*sses the customer off, or the *****ty parts I install go south, or a miriad of other things go wrong where does that leave me??

My gross income this year is down $35K from mid '07 level

My gross income this year is down $35K from mid '07 level too.
As are many working in many different fields.

I also have signed many paychecks over the years. Many of my good technicians were making $80-100K in a franchised dealership environment. Some still are, but some also do not have jobs at all. BTW, I have not worked for a dealership or dealer group that did not guarantee a base. Most bases were in the $3000/mo range. Many technicians also turned 110% efficiency, month in month out. Those were the techs that could make $10K in a great month.

[Brando]

Best of luck asphaltgambler. I got out of being a P-Car tech when the dealers here started working to run independents out of business. What once was a steady, strong relationship between our shop and the local big-name dealer went out like a light, overnight.