Any Dodge / Chrysler techs? Questions about a career change for me...

[Coalsmoke]

A little while back I packed up the welding business, the economy wasn't helping but mostly I'm tired of being out in the cold and mud. I have a Ba legal degree, and tried a job relating to it, but I discovered what I already knew, that I'm not much of a office person, not at this point in my life at least. (Don't ask why I got the degree, seemed like a good idea at the time, so maybe it will pay off later in life. ) Anyways, I decided that I'd like to give wrenching a shot full time. I managed to get a position at the local dodge dealership starting soon. I'll be starting near the bottom and working up through the apprenticeship over the next 4-5 years.



Any advice from those working in the trade? What to watch out for? I figure being that I'm 26 I have enough years ahead of me to give something like this a shot. The flat rate system looks like it could pay good later on when I'm journeyman, but I have a feeling I'll be starving for the first couple of years until I start to get up to speed.



Thanks,

CS

 

[Dodge-Tech]

In this economy you would be making a huge mistake. I left the Dealer over 3 years ago after working as a tech for 15 years. The business started falling off, and when you are flat rate no work coming in the door means no pay. And this is a big, busy multi-car line dealership. Chrysler started cutting the warranty repair times, and didn't want to pay for any diagnosis for warranty issues. All kinds of parts went on restriction, meaning you have to call Chrysler to get approval to replace anything of value. Being on the bottom of the totem pole makes you a target for layoff when the business starts to fall off. I still visit there, I have a few friends still working as techs. Every time I ask how things are, it's the same response-"worse than ever". " out of work by noon time". "someone else got laid off". "management changes". etc, etc. When I first started as a tech in the early 90's, you could make quite a good living. Now, it's a different story. Also as a side note, I found through experience, the more you know and specialize in, the more you will get loaded with the warranty work, which pays significantly less. For example-if you are good at rebuilding transmissions, and diagnosing and repairing Cummins engines, that is ALL you will do. Meanwhile, the C or B tech that doesn't do this type of technical work is getting the quicker , better paying repair and maintenance type work. In the end, it's your choice, but right now more people are fleeing the dealers, finding independent shops, rather than suffering.

 

[MMeier]

A little while back I packed up the welding business, the economy wasn't helping but mostly I'm tired of being out in the cold and mud. I have a Ba legal degree, and tried a job relating to it, but I discovered what I already knew, that I'm not much of a office person, not at this point in my life at least. (Don't ask why I got the degree, seemed like a good idea at the time, so maybe it will pay off later in life. ) Anyways, I decided that I'd like to give wrenching a shot full time. I managed to get a position at the local dodge dealership starting soon. I'll be starting near the bottom and working up through the apprenticeship over the next 4-5 years.



Any advice from those working in the trade? What to watch out for? I figure being that I'm 26 I have enough years ahead of me to give something like this a shot. The flat rate system looks like it could pay good later on when I'm journeyman, but I have a feeling I'll be starving for the first couple of years until I start to get up to speed.



Thanks,

CS

How are you set up on tools? One tech I know at a local "dealership" has over $200k in his tools, and is starting to regret it.

 

[pullya]

I've never turned wrenches for a living but from what you wrote and the way things are looking right now I would suggest you put your degree to work. As much as I hate attorneys I think at least right now you have a better change of making a good living working in the legal profession. Depending on your skill set you might be able to work a 4 day week or do some work from home were you wouldn't be stuck in an office everyday. I think you will see a lot less legal professionals laid off or looking for work than you will techs at a dealership. When the auto industry as a whole turns around you can take another look at changing professions--I just don't think i'd do it right now. IMO

Jay

 

[BigEasy]

How are you set up on tools? One tech I know at a local "dealership" has over $200k in his tools, and is starting to regret it.

$200,000 in tools? You have to be kidding...

 

[MMeier]

$200,000 in tools? You have to be kidding...

Ummm... . no!

 

[BigEasy]

Then I wish I was his tool man... I've seen Mopar master techs with $40k in their tools, damn nice boxes included... and they had WAY more stuff than they really needed, by their own admission. For $200k, you could open your own shop!

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks Dodgetech for the honest advice. Being on the inside I now see exactly what you mean. I would still stick with it still, but unfortunately I have an old injury that is forcing me out. I don't think it would be a problem but I'm maxing out on pain meds and its still bad, and the Dr says get out or get used to being crippled for life so I'm getting out.

As for the tools, I'm a junior guy in the shop and have about 10K worth, which is turning out to be pretty sufficient for my needs. Once in a while I have to borrow something, but not often. I bought craftsman pro line instead of the designer tools like snap-on. Most of the senior guys with the designer tools have about 35-45K invested in them including their boxes. There are no $200,000 tool chests in this shop, and its one of the largest dealerships in the province. I honestly don't think you could spend 200K unless you were buying part of the building as well.

 

[dclassens]

I am a diesel tech at a local tractor and implement dealership. I know it is hard to compare to cars but tools are always changing. I own about $20K in tools and storage and could see $200K happen, no problem. I work with no benefits right now, but pay is about $60K take home a year. We use my wifes insurance and I am stowing money into an IRA and education fund for kids right now. My point is I would NEVER work flat rate, especially in michigan. RUST is a KILLER up here. It is not my fault and I should not take a money cut. I spent over an hour getting one bolt out of a JD backhoe bellhousing on friday. That work would have been for free.



Also, we are still very busy. Overtime is ALWAYS available and sometimes forced. Not selling many tractors, but everybody needs the OLD ones to run. Just my $. 02

Dave