MechanicLink
Region: US
Thursday 11 June 2026 22:52:44 GMT
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Rob :
my old boss said the second car is sold by the workshop not the sales department. because if we maintain the car bad and not make it reliable the costumer never buys that brand again. the workshop is more important but make the mechanics a good part of the show and not always the salespersons.
2026-07-19 09:28:08
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Ryan :
100% the hourly rate is not the whole problem its the flag rate
2026-07-18 21:22:36
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Zer0 Tech Mobile Repair LLC :
The automotive repair industry has been looked down on for years. People depend on vehicles every single day, but the technicians repairing them are often treated like they are overcharging or trying to rip someone off. I understand the shop side of it too. A shop charging $100–$150 an hour cannot just hand all of that to the technician. That labor rate has to cover insurance, software, scan tools, specialty tools, lifts, equipment, training, building costs, taxes, warranty risk, office staff, and everything else it takes to keep the doors open. The frustrating part is the double standard. People will pay $200–$300 an hour for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, welding, fabrication, or other skilled trades and accept that those services cost money. But when an automotive shop charges $150–$200 an hour, suddenly we are labeled crooks. Modern vehicles are not simple anymore. A technician is not just “turning wrenches.” We are expected to understand mechanical repair, electrical diagnostics, computer networking, programming, HVAC, hydraulics, emissions systems, diesel systems, ADAS, hybrid systems, and more. On a single vehicle, we may have to perform the work of an electrician, HVAC tech, plumber, welder, fabricator, computer diagnostician, and mechanic all in the same day. The difference is, those trades are often respected when they charge premium rates. But when an automotive shop charges to diagnose and repair systems that combine all of those trades into one machine, suddenly it is treated like robbery. The tooling alone can cost thousands. Scan tools, programming equipment, specialty tools, lifts, diagnostic software, service information, training, insurance, and warranty risk are not cheap. The knowledge required keeps growing every year, but the respect and pay for technicians have not kept up. Techs deserve to be paid what they are worth, and shops have to charge enough to survive. The problem is that the industry has trained customers to undervalue automotive repair while expecting dealer-level knowledge, fast turnaround, warranty, and cheap prices all at the same time.
2026-06-12 01:51:05
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James Clatterbuck :
ive worked for chrysler for 13 years now my pay amount has increased but bring home has stayed the same bc repair times have been cut exactly how u said. and now to even get a motor that is visibly leaking coolant into multiple cylinders you have to tear it apart send in so meny un necessary documents for them to release the motor time that I don't get paid to do
2026-06-12 00:01:12
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dbee :
Techs NEED salary or actual high blue collar wages, NOT FlatRate pay structure
2026-06-12 22:43:41
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STSR77 :
Look at most skilled trades and unfortunately the mechanics are on the lower end AND they are working on machines that have become MUCH more complex.
2026-06-11 23:16:01
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Patrick Wilder :
I interviewed a tech today. the tech stated he wanted 51k a year. I offered him 16 an hr x 50 hr a week (10 hrs of overtime which is 1.5x16) = $45760. plus bonus 3% of all parts and labor - with no cap and the guy was mad / said no. 200,000 would equal the 6k he needed. aprox 3846 a week in repairs (parts and labor). For those outside the indrustry that is basically 12 brake jobs a week.
2026-06-11 23:32:55
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Sal :
"techs want purpose" my purpose is to pay my mortgage and put food in my fridge. everything else is secondary
2026-06-12 09:07:04
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alexmitchell1785 :
Until you race a clock 6 minutes at a time for a living you truly will never understand. I feel every manager and writer should have to have been a flat rate technician for at least 2 years
2026-06-13 15:50:40
6
Marshall Harritt :
money isnt the only problem no work life balance/ work hours are #2 problem but problems 3-900 would all be solved if #1 aka money was fixed period
2026-06-12 13:06:18
5
CrispiKreme :
Mechanics act as customer service reps, parts department, service writer, plumber, electrician, and we have to fund all of our own tools. So tell me again how it’s not the pay 🤷🏻♂️
2026-06-12 19:09:02
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RJ :
im getting a lot of mixed signals going into the trade, some say to quit some say they love it, idk what to think now😭
2026-06-12 13:05:36
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Scotty Eller :
I have met Lucas personally. He is on the change in the industry. Podcast, he makes a lot of sense. I agree with what he says. I agree with what you say. It is about compensation, but we always say it's compensation. It's about the hours, it's the hours that we're allowed to get to do the job. And the fact that one technician would be held down.So another one that doesn't want to work will get a paycheck, too, and shops will play favorites.There's way more things in this conversation.
2026-06-12 10:33:40
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REDREPAIR :
Two years ago , it was money and management, Now it’s only MONEY — I sold my shops in 2023 , two to a group of long term employees, 1 to someone who has managed for me over the past 40 years . All have failed . Mechanics are looking to make good living that management is Honest to the Customers and the employees. I always hated Flat Rate had it in one of three shops ; because the employees didn’t want the hybrid. Hybrid was hourly, weekly, monthly, and yearly profit ,efficiency bonuses, and profit sharing. I didn’t do SPIF or Piece work . Did I make mistakes—😂😂😂😂 OH YES !!!, did I tick of employees, yep, did I tick off customers— then they quit coming in — yes . Everything affects the mechanics.
2026-06-12 19:40:35
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Scotty :
I still think we should be working in percentages of the shop rate. The lube, tire, and C techs shouldn't be more than 12% and when you get to A and B techs it should cap around 30-35%. The lead techs and Forman should have it on them to negotiating to get up to 45-50% since they are the top dog and have a worth they need to set.
2026-06-14 19:18:20
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John Doe :
Flat rate is the biggest problem, and the labor sales the service writers allow
2026-06-16 22:51:58
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saltedorange :
To me it's simple. Get rid of flat rate and pay a competitive hourly wage. Whatever that may be where you are at. Then offer a percentage of whatever the tech recommends and the customer gets.
2026-06-12 12:20:33
5
JD :
What's properly? Techs in my shop are uncapped. Most make 6 figure Incomes and work the hours they choose 🤔
2026-06-13 19:11:13
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Chris_MF_Craig :
I might have to get in on this conversation 👀
2026-06-12 14:25:02
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👿 :
corporate greed is the problem
2026-06-12 11:26:10
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CheeseCakes_Own :
imagine upping the labor rate for the shop as a whole and no one working on the cars is making any more make it make sense
2026-06-12 12:24:30
6
checkenginechuck :
While I agree with Lucas that technician pay isn’t the only problem I totally agree with you that it is by far the most stand out problem across the board
2026-06-12 12:18:09
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Saavedro88 :
This needs to have a million views.
2026-06-12 10:59:08
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Through_the_eye_of_bug :
Flat rate is a scam. I work hourly but I know guys we work salary with bonuses
2026-06-12 04:07:52
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Tatter :
Shop rates where I am have gone up 2.5 times as much as they were 10 years ago. Tech compensation has not
2026-06-12 11:49:55
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