[asphaltgambler]

I do take some offense to mechanics being "rip-offs" Aggreed that customers don't always get what they're paying for especially in the auto repair business.

The current flat-rate pay system does not in itself promote good quality work but by default. Customers pay for results plain and simple. The technician wants to be as efficient as possible to make the most money. If the tech is not skilled or is sloppy it will in the end cost him money both short term and in the long term by losing a customer and then his job .

Very, very few shops pay for good work performance or high customer satisfaction. It is understood that if the tech does good work and meets deadlines that automatically the tech will be rewarded with high pay.

Look, most technicians do want to do a good job on each vehicle and take pride in their work. But they are the only highly skilled blue-collar tradesperson that is compensated this way.