jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I take my car to the dealer for warranty and recall work only. Friends regularly bring their cars for service, and the bills are always surprisingly high. There are many reasons why auto mechanics are in short supply.

http://www.autoblog.com/2017/05/03/nyt-reports-chronic-national-shortage-of-automotive-mechanics/

Copyrat

The days of good money for good work days are vanishing. I have talked to a few young guys, they want easy money and are ready to accuse the rich for then not getting it.

pbcbob Loc: Delray Beach, FL

We have trained the last generation or two to believe that only white collar jobs are desirable.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

I graduated from high school in 1970, and even then the advisers were telling the kids in the tech shop to get out of there and get a college education, or they would be nothing! It is a growing trend that has been going on for decades and getting worse.

The article talks about kids not getting any training at gas stations, and the fact that there are no more "shade tree" mechanics, either. All true, but not just because today's cars take less maintenance. I sell businesses for a living, and I will tell you that there are several additional issues involved. First, auto dealers are having increasing difficulty making a profit. The manufacturers appear to be helping them by pushing more service work in their direction, by designing autos so that It becomes increasingly more difficult for the local gas station or shade tree mechanic to do the work on his/her own.

Second, a number of computerized systems have been added to automobiles that require ongoing updating. These in turn require incredibly expensive software changes each year, and the updates are exceedingly expensive. The average gas station does not specialize in one automaker, so they have to buy software for each and every one, making it practically impossible for them to financially survive, if they only have your basic three-bay shop.

Finally, the big franchise repair shops, like Meineke, Midas and others used to specialize in very particular automobile systems, like brakes or mufflers. But because of the proliferation of these kinds of shops, and the difficulties cited above that push more of the repairs back into the dealers shops, the franchisees have been forced to generalize and take on more and more service variations. No longer are they doing just mufflers, but are willing to do quick oil changes, tuneups, A/C maintenance, and so forth.

The result is an increasing number of openings for mechanics, along with that decreasing amount of training that would have been historically available.

slo Loc: Longmont Colorado

I have been a professional auto technician for 18 years and can't think of a better return on investment as far as schooling is concerned. I went to school for 18 months, the cost was under $20,000, and was making over $40,000 my first year out. As Gary Uyematsu said in the article, you must have some natural mechanical ability (Yes, I know Mr. Uyematsu personally, there is a smart cookie!) I work at a dealership and we are always booked 2 to 3 weeks out just because we are swamped with work. Good techs can command around $35/hour in my area. We are actively looking and can't find qualified people.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Do mechanics have to supply their own tools? If so, the dealer must tell them what they need. That can be a major expense. I've been accumulating tools for over fifty years.

slo Loc: Longmont Colorado

I have never seen a shop that supplies tools other than brand specific factory tools. It can be a huge expense, but most of us accumulate over several years.

Copyrat

Though sophistication has gone up, there are jobs like brake work, fluids change... that has to be done periodically. An average mechanic could do these work with limited tools... The real problem is willingness to do these kinds of jobs, I think. In NY, Dallas...immigrants are ready to do these jobs at throw away prices and established repair shops are suffering.

slo Loc: Longmont Colorado

True. I have seen the results of some of these cut rate shops and I certainly wouldn't want them working my brakes. Where I work, we know we are expensive, but we guarantee parts and labor for two years. I recommend always doing business with a reputable shop.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Definitely!

Copyrat

The dealership may be paying only $35-40 an hour,while the charges to the customers translate to
$120 an hr.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

As I understand it, charges are by "the job". A muffler replacement on a given car is looked up in a manual and a set amount is charged for the number of hours designated in the manual. If the mechanic can do it in less time, the customer is still charged by the rate designated in the manual. If it goes longer, the overage is on the dealership or repair shop.

But the difference between the hourly rate and what is paid to the mechanic is that high because the spread is not all profit. The vast majority of shops require the mechanics to buy their own hand tools, but heavier equipment - the ones that do not get stolen or lost easily, like lifts, compressors, jacks and so forth - are bought by the shop. Utilities, Rent, Phones, Computers, Software, Advertising, Insurance, Workers' Compensation, Unemployment, etc. are all paid by the dealership or shop, and that is all coming out of that spread.

slo Loc: Longmont Colorado

All true. We call it 'flat rate'. It is a double edged sword, if you are good at what you do, you can make good money, if you are not, well... Don't forger the support staff, service writers, lot techs, wash people, receptionist, appointment scheduler, janitor and service manager all have to be paid out of that $120/hr.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Jerry
I have been a mechanic (not a tech.) for 60 years and have always had to furnish my own tools including impact wrenchs up to and including 1/2" drive I have over 100K invested in tools not including some shop tools I supplied so I could have what I wanted.I started out in filling stations and then Independent shops, I now work in a private shop. We have been interviewing "mechanics" to take over when I retire, hopefully this year.
The cost of quality hand tools today is insane, and power tool are just as bad.I have worked with and had Tech school students work for me, I don't remember how many over the years, but I do know that I have only had 4 or 5 that were worth their wages, skill wise and work ethic.
Monday I must have a truck taken to a shop @ $115.00 per hr because I have gone as far as I can go trying to find out why it won't run. I need diagnostics software to go any farther, used to be you could purchase the software, Now its a subscription and web based, you pay a up front fee of $1200 and up then a yearly fee to keep using it. Plus an internet connection in the shop. My scanner needs a software update and I can't get a tool dealer to call on me or even call me so I can meet and pay him $1500 for the updates. Will be calling Snapon AGAIN Monday. The Snapon scanner will not do Mid-range trucks.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Jerry after reading some of your posts I think you are accumulating A LOT more than just tools. LOL