Math to consider when complaining about tech work pricing.
#121
10-17-2007 | 03:19 PM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
RE: Math to consider when complaining about tech work pricing.
ORIGINAL: dog200753
Where I work if the problem is not fixed,and we diagnosed it,then we pay for it.Also we work 42 hours per week but only guarented 35 hours.That is how our flat rate system works.If your good at what you do you can make more time,if you are not then you only make 35 hours,It is possable to make 40 to 60 hours per week or more.Also if the job pays 3 hours and you take 5,you only get paid for 3
Where I work if the problem is not fixed,and we diagnosed it,then we pay for it.Also we work 42 hours per week but only guarented 35 hours.That is how our flat rate system works.If your good at what you do you can make more time,if you are not then you only make 35 hours,It is possable to make 40 to 60 hours per week or more.Also if the job pays 3 hours and you take 5,you only get paid for 3
I just know, when we provide an estimate for a customer, and we finish the job in less time. The customer only gets charged for the actual hours. If we screw up and it takes longer ... We charge them only what we originally estimated the job would take. That is unless something unexpected comes up. We can either do the job as per the estimate or do that as well as fix the unexpected "discovery" that arose in the meantime...THAT is left up to the customer.
#123
10-17-2007 | 04:17 PM
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Math to consider when complaining about tech work pricing.
When I worked at a Honda shop I was a flat rate mechanic.
IF you think you are a good wrench think again........Flat rate will either be your friend or bust you.
ALL procedures have a specific time they can be done in which is specified in a flat rate manual.
Example: Gold Wing stator, I have done 10+ I know all the tricks to get it done fast. I still get payed 3 hours to do the job BUT because I have done so many, and I am a master mechanic,I know which wrenches which bolts etc to remove and can breeze through the job in 2.5 hours.
Does it always work out so good................hahahaha I wish.
My first stator job took me 4.5 hours.
Not many mechanics can make the cut doing flat rate vs hourly.......
NOT all parts fit exactly, things go wrong, you get pulled away and forget to punch out on that job.........
IF you think you are a good wrench think again........Flat rate will either be your friend or bust you.
ALL procedures have a specific time they can be done in which is specified in a flat rate manual.
Example: Gold Wing stator, I have done 10+ I know all the tricks to get it done fast. I still get payed 3 hours to do the job BUT because I have done so many, and I am a master mechanic,I know which wrenches which bolts etc to remove and can breeze through the job in 2.5 hours.
Does it always work out so good................hahahaha I wish.
My first stator job took me 4.5 hours.
Not many mechanics can make the cut doing flat rate vs hourly.......
NOT all parts fit exactly, things go wrong, you get pulled away and forget to punch out on that job.........
#124
10-17-2007 | 06:39 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 1
From: Grand Island , New York
RE: Math to consider when complaining about tech work pricing.
I enjoy working on my own bikes , I have seen to many guys take shortcuts and be careless with other peoples bikes. I am not saying you are like that but I refuse to give my hard earned cash to a over-priced H-D dealer to do simple maintenance , that goes for my four wheelers as well.
#125
10-18-2007 | 12:00 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Windsor, CO
RE: Math to consider when complaining about tech work pricing.
What the hell? - "Profession is reserved for Doctors, etc..." That's B.S. Here's what the dictionary says:
[snip]
I'm a surveyor. That is my profession.
[snip]
I'm a surveyor. That is my profession.
#126
10-18-2007 | 12:44 AM
RE: Math to consider when complaining about tech work pricing.
Ahhhh, debates over flate rates....The vast majority of shops in this country do not pay a guarantee. Therefore, if the techonly 'turns' 25 hours in a 45 hour week, then that's what he gets. Believe me, it happens and more often than you think. I was a training director ata Chev dealership when 911 happened. The market tanked after that-yes, even the repair side. The shop average production was 32hrs per tech. (38 techs)For many, that was a 'good' week. Most were putting in 50hr weeks to get that 32. During the year that followed, 3 filed bankruptcy and one lost his house.All the media would have you think flat rate is making dealers/techs rich. According to NADA, the optimal shop efficiency is 119% for a 40 hour week. Most are below that-and that's not taking into account those techs that come in early, stay late, and work through lunch. Are there techs that beat the book? Absolutely! If you are paid to perform a task and you have done that task 20, 30, 50, times, you are going to be pretty darn good at it. A tech has hundreds of tasks that he has to perform, some frequently, some not. It evens out in the end. They're not getting rich, they're just making a living.
#127
10-18-2007 | 12:57 AM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Math to consider when complaining about tech work pricing.
There's alot more to flat rates than most techs would like you to know. To start off, flat rates includes the time it takes the tech to get the keys and work order for your vehicle, go out into the customer parking lot, locate your vehicle and drive it back into his bay. Also, things like bath room breaks, taking out tools and putting tools back away are also included in flat rate time. Walking over to the parts department to get the necessary parts are included. Then when the tech is finished he takes your vehicle back out to the parking lot and parks it. All functions are included.
Now imagine your work order has five different functions on it. (Oil change, new front tire, replace burned out bulb, etc). If each function is written on the estimate out of the flat rage manual, he is being paid five times to go out in the parking lot to get your vehicle while obviously he's only doing it once!. This is (or atleast it was years ago) referred to as "overlap".
Also you want to be aware of "included" items. An example would be you want to put new wheels and tires on your car. The flat rate for changing the wheels involves taking tires off and putting them back on the new wheel. What if the shop charges you their regular fee for the new tire (which includes changing). That's a case of being charged twice for changing a tire.
Now imagine your work order has five different functions on it. (Oil change, new front tire, replace burned out bulb, etc). If each function is written on the estimate out of the flat rage manual, he is being paid five times to go out in the parking lot to get your vehicle while obviously he's only doing it once!. This is (or atleast it was years ago) referred to as "overlap".
Also you want to be aware of "included" items. An example would be you want to put new wheels and tires on your car. The flat rate for changing the wheels involves taking tires off and putting them back on the new wheel. What if the shop charges you their regular fee for the new tire (which includes changing). That's a case of being charged twice for changing a tire.
#128
10-18-2007 | 01:13 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Math to consider when complaining about tech work pricing.
ORIGINAL: whaap
There's alot more to flat rates than most techs would like you to know. To start off, flat rates includes the time it takes the tech to get the keys and work order for your vehicle, go out into the customer parking lot, locate your vehicle and drive it back into his bay. Also, things like bath room breaks, taking out tools and putting tools back away are also included in flat rate time. Walking over to the parts department to get the necessary parts are included. Then when the tech is finished he takes your vehicle back out to the parking lot and parks it. All functions are included.
Now imagine your work order has five different functions on it. (Oil change, new front tire, replace burned out bulb, etc). If each function is written on the estimate out of the flat rage manual, he is being paid five times to go out in the parking lot to get your vehicle while obviously he's only doing it once!. This is (or atleast it was years ago) referred to as "overlap".
Also you want to be aware of "included" items. An example would be you want to put new wheels and tires on your car. The flat rate for changing the wheels involves taking tires off and putting them back on the new wheel. What if the shop charges you their regular fee for the new tire (which includes changing). That's a case of being charged twice for changing a tire.
There's alot more to flat rates than most techs would like you to know. To start off, flat rates includes the time it takes the tech to get the keys and work order for your vehicle, go out into the customer parking lot, locate your vehicle and drive it back into his bay. Also, things like bath room breaks, taking out tools and putting tools back away are also included in flat rate time. Walking over to the parts department to get the necessary parts are included. Then when the tech is finished he takes your vehicle back out to the parking lot and parks it. All functions are included.
Now imagine your work order has five different functions on it. (Oil change, new front tire, replace burned out bulb, etc). If each function is written on the estimate out of the flat rage manual, he is being paid five times to go out in the parking lot to get your vehicle while obviously he's only doing it once!. This is (or atleast it was years ago) referred to as "overlap".
Also you want to be aware of "included" items. An example would be you want to put new wheels and tires on your car. The flat rate for changing the wheels involves taking tires off and putting them back on the new wheel. What if the shop charges you their regular fee for the new tire (which includes changing). That's a case of being charged twice for changing a tire.
Flat rate breads butchers hacksand thieves within the dealers. Someone needs to makesome time for payday. So they pre-flag the next job. Then it sets there until they get to it. Now they have taken time (lets say 50% pre-flag) so they need to make it up now.. Guess what happens.
