Auto Repair Flat Rate System
The following article is just my opinion on the flat rate system. After being involved with automobiles for just shy of 30 years I have seen a lot of things change in the retail auto repair business. As a matter of fact I have seen huge changes in the world that surrounds this ecosystem.
I could write an entire article on just how the automobile has changed in the last 30 years and maybe I will in the near future. But not only has the car changed but so has the people who drive them and the tools used to fix them. The economy has changed as well. The way that businesses conduct themselves has also changed over the years. But one thing has not changed since I’ve been in the business of auto repair and that is the flat rate system.
Sure a few shops pay mechanics by the hour but by and large dealerships and aftermarket repair centers are still sticking to some type of flat rate system to compensate mechanics. What I don’t understand is in this modern environment of adapting and changing to better service customers why this antiquated system still remains. In my opinion it’s stopping this business from evolving into a customer focused and value driven service that people could embrace instead of loath.
Automotive Pay on a Flat Rate Scale
Just a quick explanation of how this system works. The mechanic is paid a set time for a specific repair. If the repair is to replace an automotive A/C compressor the shop will look the time up in some kind of labor guide. The specific repair is assigned an amount of time that is multiplied against a shops labor rate.
This is where all the problems begin. If it pays two hours to replace this A/C compressor then the technician receives his hourly rate x2 no matter how long it takes him to complete the repairs. The very nature of this system pushes the mechanic to rush the job and try to finish below the allotted time. Pushing so hard it is easy to get caught up in the money that can be made instead of focusing on a quality repair that will stand the test of time.
Another thing that further complicates this pay system for mechanics is the labor guide used to reach the labor figure in estimating repairs. When I first got in the business there were three labor guides and these are still the most popular ones. AllDATA.com repair information, Mitchell’s, and Chilton were used almost exclusively by all auto repair centers when I was a young man.
Now many chain automotive centers have their own version of labor guides. Some of these cut the labor times in half compared to the guides mentioned above. Automotive dealers also have their own set of labor times for warranty repairs. These are also considerably less than the big 3 guides provide. As an example to replace an engine short block at a dealership can pay as little as eight hours. The actual repairs can take as long as three days depending on the situation. As the owner of this vehicle how would you feel about the mechanic’s attitude as he entered Day three and his second day of working for free on your automobile.
Why Can’t We Change Automotive Retail
What got me started on this subject is I was looking for a second job to help close the gap on my bills. The economy in my town is in sorry shape since 2008. I don’t know what the current unemployment rate is, but it was over 20% the last time I checked. A local aftermarket shop has been advertising for mechanics for about two months. I was surprised the job wasn’t filled, because our unemployment is so high in this area.
When I went online and typed the name of the repair shop into the search engine I found some interesting results. A few mechanics that use to work there posted about their experience at this tire and auto center. I don’t need to include the details here, but let’s just say mechanics are not working at this place, because there is no money to be made. It’s not a lack of business as the parking lot is exploding with vehicles, sitting, waiting to be worked on. There’s also a 10 day backlog of appointments at the service center.
But even though the only thing that is stopping this place for making big money is the lack of mechanics they refuse to waver from their exclusive flat rate pay system. When I say exclusive this auto Center is paying less per hour and less per job than any other shop I have ever heard of regardless of the mechanics experience or willingness to perform quality repairs to satisfy customers.
In closing my point of this article is we still need qualified personnel to fix cars. The economy has changed, the automobile has changed, the customers that drive these vehicles and their lives have changed. The automotive service center has not changed the way they pay mechanics in 40 years. If other businesses are able to change and adapt to the current conditions that surround them, how come these automotive centers can’t do the same?
I heard there’s a shortage of automotive mechanics in the United States. Training automotive technicians has become a big business. Many schools exist to provide this profitable service of training people to turn a wrench. Upon graduation these students realize they have just entered a dangerous game that could shave quality years off their life, coupled with a compensation game that is hard to win. Harder at the beginning due to lack of tools, money to buy them and experience to fall back on.
Maybe it’s not the experience of all graduates? I’m sure a few still make money. This is just my opinion about where the business is heading. If you doubt what I’m saying maybe you will poke around a few forums for automotive mechanics and read the writing on the wall. Of course you could also head back to my automotive blog home page and read other stories about the retail automotive business.