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[quote=”Pithy Radish” post=131578][quote=”Rhynorock” post=131567]^^^+1
Hit the nail right on the head, man.
Just today, a “regular” customer blew up at me because he received the wrong parts from a very new co-worker, for what he says “the last time” (although I don’t recall this prick ever stepping foot in the store). But he was the unfortunate victim of dealing with a counter person who had been on the job for a single day when buying his parts. The sale must have happened during my day off, but the customer brought his receipt for the return, so I could get info from the transaction number and the employee number who conducted the sale, and sure enough, the kid who sold him his parts was on his very first day working at my store, coinciding with the date of the transaction, The kid apparently wasn’t aware that a late 80’s C/30 rear shocks differ between single cab to crew cab. It also didn’t help that only one part number was actually on the shelf, so he sold the guy what was in stock, not realizing the difference, despite being right in front of his face on the computer screen in plain english.
Auto manufacturers create far too many differences and subtle details to train for everything (ahem FORD), the only thing alleviating that is extensive experience. And going back to what Radish was speaking about, unless you get lucky and get promoted, being a parts guy is a dead end, low paying job, normally not worthy of putting forth effort to keep. Honestly, if I hadn’t gotten lucky to be promoted, I’d have left months ago.[/quote]
Let me tell you man, a good parts guy is worth his weight in gold. I understand this because I have to deal with them every day at the dealership I work at. These guys I work with are good, I’ve only seen them get a technician one wrong part and that was because somebody messed with their storage system. They understand which part each vehicle uses, and if they don’t have the part in stock they know where to get one. These guys have been doing it for years, and I’m very impressed with how they just know which each car uses, and most of the time they are right.I understand that it is a hard field, especially when you’re dealing with almost every common place car make, and with cars that are 20-30 years old, sometimes older. Today all of the experienced parts guys have been replaced by minimum wage workers that are most likely just out of high school. They don’t have the skill, nor the experience needed nor do they stay long enough in these shops to pick up the trade.
Personally I think you’ve got it pretty hard man. You have to deal with the company cheaping out on coworkers, and dealing with their inexperience with anything car related, and lack of training. Naturally this means pissed of customers, you probably get all of their ire. But… Keep it up man, we need good parts people out there. Our industry would not function without you guys.[/quote]
This is exactly right. I used to work at a retail parts and service store; the majority of the parts employees were kids out of high school or in college with no real training making minimum wage. The company was more concerned about planograms and tire displays then training us how to look up parts on their 20+ year old computer systems. Needless to say, they went bankrupt and are no longer in business.
My first car was a 1994 Eagle Vision ESI with the 3.3L V6. I got the car for free from my dad’s boss’ neighbor. He had bought another car and apparently no one else wanted an off brand rebadged Dodge Intrepid/ Chrysler Concord. I did a bunch of work on the car which lasted me until I was halfway through college when the #1 cylinder lost all compression. I wanted to take it apart and see what happened and if I could fix it, but I was busy with work and school and never got around to it. It sat in my parents yard for a whole year until my dad donated it to a charity which towed it away. My guess is they sold it for scrap. I did save the emblems off of it though.
[quote=”Chevyman21″ post=131550][quote=”Madmachine” post=131544]I have a feeling that within the next decade, the Federal Government will require automakers to install cell phone jammers in cars that will be in opperation whenever the vehicle is running. Lawmakers are already talking about this. I don’t like the Nanny State, but when people are too stupid to know when to get off the phone and stop endangering others, what are you gonna do?[/quote] People need to realize that as much as they think they can multitask efficiently, they can’t. It is a fact that the brain can only process so much at any given time effectively. In any case, good luck putting any electronic doohickey in my truck; no OBD system, no sensors, and no electronics at all. But, I’m smart enough to throw my phone across the bench seat and not touch it when I drive, no matter what…it can wait.[/quote]
I feel the same way. I never use my phone while driving. The traffic around here is dangerous enough when I’m paying 100% attention to the road. You’re right that jamming tech won’t be used in old cars. You can bet it will be hardwired in new cars though, with the removal considered a federal offense just like the removal of emission equipment. States that require vehicle inspections will also verify operation of said jammers.The only way around it will to be to not buy new cars.
[quote=”Chevyman21″ post=131547][quote=”MDK22″ post=131546]Yeah in the USA corporate greed makes it so you have to have your own tools 95-98% of the time. Shop tools are normally used abused and put away broken and specialty tools normally are the same but, are supposed to be provided. Hell the last 2 yrs I had to make tools before my brand actually made them because they put out the vehicles before the tooling. We are lucky if we see it 6mo later.
Not every brand is like that but…..[/quote] With respect, I believe it has more to do with what my dad told me: People were stealing and breaking tools left and right so shops had no choice but to force techs to bring their own tools. This practice has been adopted going back to the 70s according to my dad and since then, more and more shops here in the USA have adopted the practice. An investment of tools also shows dedication and an investment in your career.[/quote]
At my dealership they tried doing the TXM (Toyota Express Maintenance) program for the lube techs. The idea was for two techs to be assigned to each bay while dividing up the inspection procedure and sharing shop supplied tools. Not only did the program itself not last, most of the shop supplied tools ended up broken and missing. Now Toyota is pushing to bring TXM back. I guess they didn’t learn the first time around that 2 guys to 1 car isn’t efficient and tools are only treated well when they are your own.
I have a feeling that within the next decade, the Federal Government will require automakers to install cell phone jammers in cars that will be in opperation whenever the vehicle is running. Lawmakers are already talking about this. I don’t like the Nanny State, but when people are too stupid to know when to get off the phone and stop endangering others, what are you gonna do?
Good post. I’m a tech at a Toyota dealership and see this all the time. People think that because they bought a Toyota it only ever needs oil changes,brakes and tires. The best is when they come back complaining about a problem that we diagnosed last time they were here.
“Yes, your check engine light is still on with a P0420 code. Yes, you still need a catalytic converter. No, it didn’t fix itself.”
Sigh.
I would be more concerned with the condition of the body and frame then the mechanical parts. Is the cab or bed rusted? If so how badly? Is the frame solid? Is there evidence of collision damage? Bodywork and rust repair are the most expensive part of restoring old cars.
This truck is 30 years old. I would go in assuming the engine, transmission, and differential(s) need to be rebuilt. That isn’t too big a deal, considering it is fairly inexpensive to rebuild those engines and transmissions. Parts are still widely available, both from GM and the aftermarket.
Just about every part you would need for this truck is now reproduced. This makes it a good candidate for a restoration project. Good luck.
[quote=”iEatRazorz” post=129084]So I was offered an entry level position from a Cadillac dealership. I’m just about done my schooling, currently doing the PA Emissions course. I was offered 11 an hour for a two week orientation. Then they want to throw me into flat rate at 15 an hour. This just outside the Philadelphia area. What are your thoughts on the pay, being a caddie tech, and new tech being thrown right into flaterate? I’m looking for any and all opinions.[/quote]
I’m at a Toyota dealership in NJ and the flat rate pay here starts at $16 a FRH. I would think a luxury brand like Cadillac would fetch a bit more in the Philly area, especially if you are or will be emissions certified.
Still, if you can into flat rate that soon out of school then do so. I’ve been at this dealership for 4 years, graduated from school 2 years ago, and am still waiting on my chance at flat rate. 🙁
Hi, my name is Kevin. I graduated from the TTEN program and earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ. I’ve been working at a Toyota dealer as an hourly lube tech for the past 4 years. Before that I worked as both a parts person and a lube tech at a now defunct auto parts and service chain for 3 1/2 years. I have A4 and A5 ASEs and am working on getting more. I have never worked as flat rate but am trying to work up to that position at my dealership. As it stands now I am next in line seniority wise, so hopefully a position will open up soon.