So......my new place of employment

[Fastbird]

Hires Automotive in Fort Wayne. Found some stuff out. They're a family owned business, for something like 84-85 years now. Four locations in the area. Still considered a "small" business in the big picture. I'm VERY happy to be a part of the company.

After deliberation, it was decided to start me at the store on the south side. This is actually VERY convenient for me. Like 1.0 miles to work convenient. Tool box was towed over today (company paid for), and best of all, they're going to let me get situated with a pay split of $10/hourly and 8/hr flat rate. TOTALLY digging it.

DOWNSIDE -- The store I'm at doesn't have it's own scanner, ball joint press, etc. UPSIDE -- The lead Tech (who's also the store manager) is VERY freaking cool. He said "help yourself to my stuff, just treat it like your own and put it back." This is a team environment store. It's the oldest one, doesn't have fancy painted floors, etc. But it felt like home to me walking in. Grungy, dirty, work getting done.

Oh, and it's also the largest, with a HUGE warehouse attached. And this in the back room too!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Auto%20Uploads/IMAG0668.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i177/Fastbird93/Auto%20Uploads/IMAG0669.jpg

Oh yeah.......I could get used to this.

[popo8]

THATS GREAT SEAN!!!

So glad its all coming together for you!

[jaysz2893]

Awesome Sean! Been a long time coming but couldn't have worked out better for a great Guy!

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[Tyler Wheat]

Awesome!

[Ashley]

awesome!

[94Blackbird]

Awesome! Glad to see things finally going your way man!

[LT1RUNNER]

I hate you.................good luck.

[Featherburner]

Good luck at your new place!

[Chris]

Good to see your happy!

[SexyTransAm]

Is that a bar lol. Place sounds great!

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[Ryan Stout]

Nice!

[meissen]

Wow - very cool!

[biggriff]

good stuff....looks cool

[popo8]

Any pics of the shop itself also?


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[BaddAss93TA]

Good looking shop! Glad to hear the transition is going well.

[popo8]

How are things goin Sean...

Looks like they are keepin u pretty busy.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Fastbird]

Truthfully? I think I made a very big and serious mistake taking this job.

The guy who hired me in, did a TON of upselling basically. "Oh, 40+ hours a week isn't a problem, we pay you for all diagnostic time, it's a M-F schedule with Saturday on rotation, yadda yadda yadda." And I bit. Turns out........

All hands on deck on Saturdays. Great.

Most of your diagnostics are 1/2 hour whether you spend under that or not. Some can go a LONG time.

My highest week yet has been just shy of 32 hours. Thank god for pay splitting (hourly with a supplemental labor hour rate) otherwise I'd have taken a HUGE pay cut coming here. I found out that most guys work six days a week to get their hours in. Oh....yaay.

The company policy for you getting paid is pathetic. First, EVERY vehicle you bring in you're required to do a full inspection on, unpaid. They promote it to you as "this is how you find things wrong that need fixing so we can quote it and get the vehicle in." So now I'm one of "THOSE" mechanics who's supposed to look for anything and everything on every job that comes through. Second, warranty work. If you put an alternator on a car and it goes bad under warranty, you're expected to fix it without getting paid the time for it. Third.....brake inspections the company doesn't charge for, so neither does the tech get paid for. Fourth, if an alignment is unable to be done due to component failure, you get a half hour for an "alignment check." BUT. If said vehicle comes back to have the problem components fixed and the alignment done, you lose 1/2 hour off of your hour alignment time, even though you put time into it prior. THe companies mindset seems to be that "we'll not charge the customer for this or that" but they take it directly out of the ass of the techs doing the work. I feel like I'm doing nothing but lining the owners pocket with half my work.

Today was the head though, and the service writer (if you can call him that, he's a counter guy who does the quotes up and rings people out) ended up in a shouting match in the shop. I was balls deep in a horrible 01 Ford Focus nightmare brake job that I ended up spending ALL day on. Literally didn't take a break or stand around, I was going on the car the ENTIRE day today. Before I got my parts I had time to diagnose a Jeep Grand Cherokee down to needing a radiator. Parts for the Focus show, I get driving on that one. Get it done, move on to the next. The counter guy/writer told the Jeep customer I'd have the radiator done today. He then proceeds to come into the shop and throw me a ticket for a 01 Lincoln LS we were looking at yesterday saying "here, I need you to figure out what needs done on this" knowing damn well I'm booked solid right now, and we looked at it together yesterday and the coolant leak is shrouded and stuff has to come out to find it. I told him I can't do three things at once much less two, and he proceeded to berate me telling me I'm costing him customers (he gets a % of store profit) and I need to learn to work 2-3 cars at once, and that I need to not have a one track mind. Now let me say that I CAN multitask, and I can do multiples at once......if I'm stuck on one or the other. It's not like I was standing around waiting for parts or drums to turn or something. I was literally wrenching on this goddamn Focus the ENTIRE day. I didn't even take a piss all day, for reference. So now I'm on the shit list because I apparently can't do two things simultaneously, I'm costing the writer customers, and for spite, I left as close to my off time as I could manage today (about 20 minutes late), and the Jeep didn't get touched because like I said, I was nonstop on that damn ford POS all day. And the Focus isn't done either because the brakes just aren't right, there's something else going on. Gotta love it.

I think I made a very big mistake coming to the "big shop" world. I genuinely miss the little one man shop back in PA that I was at. Generally nice vehicles (not like the fucking ghetto hooptie pieces of shit I work on everyday here), you know ahead of time what you're doing, and the old boss and I had a very very good working relationship. I can't turn back now, otherwise I would. I have GOT to figure out how to get my own shop going.

[meissen]

Damn, sorry to hear that dude. Are there maybe more shops in your new area than back in PA? I would imagine the closer you get to Detroit the more shops would be around, but maybe I'm off on that.

[Fastbird]

I don't know really. No little mom and pop shops I know of for now. Right now I just want to go back to PA and start working for Dave (my old boss) again.

[popo8]

OMG, Im so sorry man.

i asked you that question hoping to hear from you and how things were going well. Figured you were busy with work and the family and friends in the new place.

Im so sorry to hear all that.

[Fastbird]

Thanks guys. It's tough right now. Really unhappy unless I'm just being left alone to a job, and even then that's marginal because these are some SERIOUS pos cars that come in and are a PITA to work on.

I just don't like having to be one of "THOSE" mechanics (I won't even say Tech because I'm definitely NOT a tech at this place) who's sole key to survival on work relies upon nitpicking every vehicle that comes through in order to quote every possible thing to a customer in hopes that they bite on something.

[Chris]

Thanks guys. It's tough right now. Really unhappy unless I'm just being left alone to a job, and even then that's marginal because these are some SERIOUS pos cars that come in and are a PITA to work on.

I just don't like having to be one of "THOSE" mechanics (I won't even say Tech because I'm definitely NOT a tech at this place) who's sole key to survival on work relies upon nitpicking every vehicle that comes through in order to quote every possible thing to a customer in hopes that they bite on something.

God that place sounds ass backwards let some teen on 10 bucks an hour lube and inspect to feed you bigger repairs!

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[firebird_1995]

So sorry to hear this. I know its easier said than done but just do the same work at the same pace you did at the other shop. You'll have a better name for yourself doing the customer right by not upselling them on "repairs" they don't need and when they do need repairs, giving them the same quality time and effort they are paying the shop for. In my opinion that's what gives a mechanic a good name, which is what you'll need when you open your own shop.

Do they have anything in the company policy about doing side work? If not, just start throwing business cards in every car that comes through and undercutting the bastard shop.


Sorry not very practical advise, I'm a little pissed from reading their bullshit "policies" (are they even legal) ???

[CamaroZGuy]

Sorry to hear this...

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[Fastbird]

That's what I have to wonder, if it's legal for them to do some of these things. The ones that really get me is the alignment inspection/cut and the warranty work. Why make the Tech pay for it? All things I'm filing away for when I do someday open my own shop.

And Chris, I really feel like a lube tech. Our store is the only one of the four without lube techs. And we get damn oil changes all day long. I did 5 in a row one day at .3/hr each to include inspection.

Also, seems that all brake jobs are blanketed at 1.2 hours no matter what you're working on. Some brake jobs simply take more time than others, but every single one I've done has been a 1.2 so far, no matter if you turn the drums/rotors or put new ones on. that's per axle, but still.

[Fastbird]

You know what, while I'm on this rant.....I'd also like to tangent off about how continually, throughout the day, I get pulled off whatever I'm working on to do a damn air pressure check on some asshat who won't do it for themself. I happen to have my box in Bay six. Where do they ALWAYS send the car to be checked? Bay six. Since when do shops just arbitrarily do work for people for nothing. But I'm expected to drop everything and air up some persons tire at least 3-4 times per day.

I don't know if it's the busted ass ghetto location I'm in or what. I'd seriously be searching for work elsewhere, but knowing the pay structures out here, I got hired in WAY above the going rate (guy next to me is making $6/hr less than I am) and I don't think I could have that anywhere else. The guy who hired me in got in hot water for that one at least.

[SexyTransAm]

Damn sorry to hear this! And I know what ya mean bout the putting air in tires. It never fails any time im elbows deep in something I get a call back in my bay saying, " so in so has a low tire light on. What do u think it is?" And every time im like well have they checked to see if a tire is low on pressure? Then they send em back to me to check it and fill it. Just kinda pisses me off more and more every time. Got to take time away from real work to do something ya can train a damn monkey to do.

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[popo8]

Im hating hearing this stuff... With one of my best friends being a tech/mechanic at a small garage...i have the utmost respect for the knowleged and effort ubguys put into vehicles... Esp since ive been hurt and become more helpless.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Fastbird]

Well, that was short lived. Got let go today. No specific reasons but the fucking owner didn't have the courtesy to even do it to my face. He simply called the store and told the manager to let me go. It was alluded to that I'm simply making too much money, as the store has been over payroll by 10% since I showed up. I just got fucked hard. Don't know what I'm going to do. Talked with my wife and we're going to most likely do everything we can to get back to where we were in PA. My boss there wants me back and offered to pay for PA State Inspection certification as well as a 2/hr bump once done if I come back.

[Blackbird96WS6]

Shit... So sorry to hear that man :( Honestly it sounds like it'd be best if you went back to PA because it sounds like you really miss it and your boss is willing to help out. I hope everything pans out quickly for you.

[firebird_1995]

From what you've said about him your old boss is top notch. Were you under a probation period?

[Fastbird]

Shit... So sorry to hear that man :( Honestly it sounds like it'd be best if you went back to PA because it sounds like you really miss it and your boss is willing to help out. I hope everything pans out quickly for you.

Thanks man, so do I. I have a lease to get out of here, and if we can get out of it, we'll be heading back to PA. And it KILLS me to do that because the best friend I've ever had or will have is just a few miles away at this point, and I'll be losing that if we leave.

[Chris]

Damn man woulda been one thing to leave knowing it was crap specially since you just got there. I know I've been sick and tired of moving at least once a year

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[Fastbird]

From what you've said about him your old boss is top notch. Were you under a probation period?

There was no probation period. This was a pre-arranged hiring that apparently was off the cuff, the guy who hired me in got in hot water because of how much he offered me (I'm not a violent person but I am seriously thinking about going to his store and knocking his ass out for all the BS lies he fed me), I was unexpectedly put into a store that apparently really didn't have the payroll for me to come in at. It's like it was all set up to be a losing situation and I was the only one who didn't know it.

[popo8]

Well, that was short lived. Got let go today. No specific reasons but the fucking owner didn't have the courtesy to even do it to my face. He simply called the store and told the manager to let me go. It was alluded to that I'm simply making too much money, as the store has been over payroll by 10% since I showed up. I just got fucked hard. Don't know what I'm going to do. Talked with my wife and we're going to most likely do everything we can to get back to where we were in PA. My boss there wants me back and offered to pay for PA State Inspection certification as well as a 2/hr bump once done if I come back.

Ohhhh man... Im so sorry. IDK what to say Sean.

[Badbird_96]

Well atleast your old boss wants you back and wants to help you get on your feet. Most of the time when you leave and this happens then your screwed. That said, man what a crock. I hate that its turned out this way.

[Madman337]

Well atleast your old boss wants you back and wants to help you get on your feet. Most of the time when you leave and this happens then your screwed. That said, man what a crock. I hate that its turned out this way.

Geez man sorry to hear that it turned out so bad but you could always get this guy to politely come outside to "talk" and spit in his face so he will take a poke at you and THEN you knock his teeth out.
PS dont listen to me I will get you in trouble just like my wife tells people hahaha.

[SexyTransAm]

I know id wanna burn the damn place down! I really hope all goes well for u

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[CALL911]

Knowing the situation a little more intimately, I think you need to stick around long enough to see all of your options. You already went through the expense and PITA of moving out here. From knowing you weren't 100% happy in PA working at the garage, and living where you were, my feelings for wanting my friend to be close aside, it would be foolish to make that kind of big decision without at least looking at your options if you would stay. If you do, you will have more information to base the big decision on at the least. It would be wiser to make a decision with more options than less.

I know I can find you a much better job than the garage would pay, even with the $2 raise right here. It won't happen over night, and you would probably have to work somewhere else in the mean time, but the opportunity for a life career with room to advance to a real future here would be greater than the garage back in PA. Who knows, its possible the "mean time" job may still be better than the garage. Give it a chance before you bolt.

[Fastbird]

I"m not bolting yet. Going to spend next week searching options out, but if something doesn't start to materialize quick, may have to bolt before funds run dry and we really get stuck.

[firebird_1995]

If there was no probation period and no lack of performance or disciplinary write ups (we know that's not the case) then you were wrongfully terminated. Id go talk to the guy that hired you and drop that word in his ear. Thats total bullshit.

[Fastbird]

I could be mistaken on the probation period. They don't have benefits or anything of the like for 90 days. I bet that's their probation period though it wasn't specifically spelled out.

I should have seen this coming. Simply because of how off the cuff everything was when I showed up. Caught the lead tech/store manager at the store I went to completely off guard, the owner put me through a semi-interview when I got here, etc. I was under the impression it was all a done deal, show up, move in, start working.

Hindsight being 20/20, I should have stuck it out where I was at in PA.

[CALL911]

Not to speak on Sean's behalf but, shy of some legal miracle, I don't think it will get Sean any legal or financial gain by going back and trying to pursue anything.

We need to focus on the situation at hand and the best future for Fastbird. Unfortunately it seems time is limited to looking at options. Personally I don't think it's wise to waste that time on the circumstance of being let go.

[thunderkyss]

I don't know what things are like in Ft.Wayne, but around here, you could make what you were making doing side jobs out of your garage...... if you had a garage. It would be a bit of a hustle keeping jobs lined up, but I know guys who do it all the time & stay pretty busy. & they're doing good work, transmission/engine rebuilds, front ends, shocks.

I got into this thread late & I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal, but you're probably better off getting out of that place, I've never heard of a garage paying out like that, making the mechanic work for free to do warranty work?? I can understand if you put the belt on wrong, but if the alternator goes out because it's a bad alternator, that's just not right.

But the "one of THOSE" guys thing. I wouldn't take it that way at all. Most people bring their car to someone else, because they don't know what they're doing & they don't know what they are looking at. You're the expert & if something is wrong with their car, you should tell them. If I go in to get my prescription renewed, I'd want my optometrist to tell me if she sees something in there that could be a problem down the road..... like a cataract.

If you don't see anything wrong, don't write anything up. If it's wrong & needs to be fixed, what's the harm of writing it up? If the dude behind the counter is charging them too much, that's not on you. & if it's a POS, he needs to be charging a little extra, if the book says it's a 1 hour job, he needs to factor in a multiplier (x1.5, x2) depending on how bad it is & you should be the one to tell him how bad it is.

And if you're the new guy, you're the new guy. They're going to keep dumping the crap jobs on you until you're not the new guy. That's just the way it is. Last thing, & I don't know you from Adam & in no way do I mean to offend you. But if dude went out on a limb & hired you in at a favorable rate, got his but in a sling over it and what not, you're the hot-shot & they expect you to act like a hot-shot.

I don't think you were sticking it to them on that Focus, if it took all day, it took all day. But they probably didn't charge the customer for an all day job. Whatever the issue was, it would probably have been a good idea to tell the service writer (or whoever) there was a problem & he's going to have to discuss it with the owner of the vehicle.

Like I said, I don't know you from Adam. you seem like a nice enough guy. But it is a business & they have to make money to pay you.

[firebird_1995]

The only reason I was suggesting it is to get his job back. It would get some cash flow coming in while looking for another job.

[Fastbird]

One thing today really irritated me about the shop though, and I did let them know my dissatisfaction on it. I was doing the rear brakes on a 00 Daewoo Leganza. I was pulling and greasing the caliper slides and cleaning the bores out (not required, but I like to ensure they're not gunky) and I noticed that one bore on the bracket had rusted completely through on the backside, and there was actually a visible hole through the thing! I showed it to the writer, and was instructed to "put it back on, it'll be fine." I don't think so, but I voiced my disagreement with that statement, and made sure that the lead tech heard and understood that I didn't want to put that back on. there's a damn reason that caliper pin was damn near frozen solid in the bore. Is that shoddy or what?

Thanks for the support everyone. Part of me wants to just go back to PA near family support and back to the shop where everything, and I mean everything, was copacetic as far as working there. But the ambitious side of me wants to shy away from that because there's no future potential with that shop. It's the owner, and me. And I'll never be the owner, there's no retirement benefits, no vacation, no health care. And I need more than that, which is why I ended up out here in Fort Wayne at this glorious job that was all played up to me.

Fuck, I'm probably going to have to pay to have my tools brought home too.

[Chris]

Do you have AAA or Roadside through your insurance? Use that tow to bring them home!

[CALL911]

Sean, I am really glad you see this. I've said from before you left PA that I want what's best for you, my feelings for wanting you to be out here aside.

I know in my heart that I can find the future out here that PA can't.

If allowed the chance, it can happen. First things first, lets get you on your feet, give you something to pay the bills and if absolutely nothing else, give you another option besides moving back to what you know is awaiting you back in PA.

Rest easy buddy. It's been a long day. We will start figuring things out on Monday. Together.

[Madman337]

What I have found out over the years is that you as an employee are bound by any and all company guidelines-rules ect but the company can break them all at will without anybody doing anything about it, that being said the only way you could get anything out of them is if you happen to be part of a protected class suck as older workers disabled ect.
I do feel for you tho because the job market sucks and employers can tell you "hey if you dont like it I can get somebody else to do your job" and they arent kidding. What this is causing is that those people that are highly trained in one field will branch out in to another field to keep working and their replacements are the type that will put rusted crap back on a car without thinking about what could happen to the customer. I can tell you that if I were your boss then what you reccommended would have been what happened for that job tho because for some strange reason I still care about doing quality work.

[Fastbird]

because for some strange reason I still care about doing quality work.

This. I'm not in it to knock out as many cars in a day as I can. I'm in it to do quality repair work to vehicles. The company I was as of earlier today working for runs it's stores trying to get every last car in at all times. They rush the techs, and I refuse to be rushed. I had the writer get on me on Tuesday as he put it because "I am costing him customers" because I am narrow sighted and one track minded. Why? Because I refuse to drop what I'm doing in the middle of a job to start diagnosing another job. The expectation was that I balance 2-3 cars during the day. I have ZERO problem with that IF I'm at a stopping poitn on a job like waiting on parts, rotors being turned, etc. But I have a big problem with stopping a job that's rolling along in order to get the next one in. Serves no purpose in my book because then you're not getting either job out the door until the end of the day, when you could get one out early and another out later.

I'm still irritated at being told to put that rusted through caliper bracket back on that car today. I don't do shit like that.

If I could come up with the money, I'd be so much better off opening my own shop up.

[thunderkyss]

I'm still irritated at being told to put that rusted through caliper bracket back on that car today. I don't do shit like that.


That's the customer's call. If it's going to add more money to the repair, you really can't do extra work without the owner's consent, at least I think that's the case in Texas. And, that's one of the things "THOSE" guys do.

The writer shouldn't tell you what should be done & what shouldn't be done, or what's necessary, & what's not. If that part were to fail & the lawyers traced it back to your shop, he'll sell you out quick.



If I could come up with the money, I'd be so much better off opening my own shop up.

Yeah, it's funny. Nobody wants to loan you money if you don't have any. And if you've got money, you really don't need a loan. Once you figure out where you want to be though, you need to buy a house & not throw your money away on a lease. It might seem like a long time, but 10 years from now, you can have some decent equity in that house, sell it & use that money to start your business. Or, if you get you a place with some room, you could start your own thing on the side.

My dad worked in a refinery when I was growing up. When I was 6 he bought a house behind a garage, well, he bought a garage with a house behind it. It was a six bay garage and it was always full. He worked shift work, so he had plenty of days off. But he wasn't much of a business man & pretty much gave it away.

[ZGOBYBY]

Sean, first off, my heart hurts for you. I am so distressed for you. First, become familiar with your state or local laws regarding rentals. I wouldn't be immediately stressed over the imminent threat of eviction. Call your landlord and talk to them about the situation, keep an open line of communication regarding the situation.

In my honest opinion, I think that staying put is your best option right now. I know that you have good people that can help you find something to hold you over for the time being until you can find something more lucrative. You are always welcome to put me down as a personal reference for employment. When we see each other next weekend, we can talk more. But I would just stay tight and do what YOU believe is best ad the patriarch.

[Fastbird]

Thanks for the support everyone. Admittedly I'm still in shock at how everything happened going all the way back to being hired. You know what they say, if it's too good to be true...........

Ben and I are hitting the city tomorrow to go see some of his contacts and see what can be scrounged up. Plan is to try to get something on my plate here, but it's gotta happen fast.

[popo8]

Thanks for the support everyone. Admittedly I'm still in shock at how everything happened going all the way back to being hired. You know what they say, if it's too good to be true...........

Ben and I are hitting the city tomorrow to go see some of his contacts and see what can be scrounged up. Plan is to try to get something on my plate here, but it's gotta happen fast.

Good luck man.....

[ZGOBYBY]

Good luck Sean.

[Fastbird]

Lol, the really crappy thing? My head was so fried after they broke the news, that all I did was lock my box, grab my shit and leave. Left my multimeter dammit. No diagnosing the purple car for me today.

[Fastbird]

Well......that's that. I have my toolbox at home, and I'll go back on Wednesday when the Snap-On guy shows up to settle up with him and drop my uniforms off. Many many thanks to Ben (Call 911) for helping me job hunt today as well as move my tool box home. Believe it or not, a 42" Craftsman bottom and top box will fit in a Chrysler Pacifica, if you take the top box full in one trip, the drawers from the bottom box in another, and the bottom frame in a third trip. But hey, beats paying for a tow truck to do it.

I spoke to the owner today, and I could not believe what he told me. "Well, you were in your probation period and just made too many mistakes. That and your attitude pretty much did it" in not so clear terms. He sidestepped everything and even at one point said that "well there are other factors I'm sure, I'd have to find out and call you back" which tells me he is making BS up, because HE made the decision to let me go. I asked about the attitude part, and he said that he had heard I was complaining about all the free work like brake inspections and warranty work. WHO THE FUCK WOULDN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT WORKING UNCOMPENSATED? But I asked around the store and no one told me I had a bad attitude and was dragging them down. I explain to this asshole politely the above, and told him that I fully admit making the two mistakes (the blown off inspection I did that caused an alignment come back, bad day and everything building up on me, and the antenna that got broke because it, and it only, clipped the door frame) but I also pointed out that I know for a fact that another person in their probation period crushed the top of a van against a lift cross bar doing over $1500 in damage, and he's still there.

Just confirms mine and my bosses suspicions. Excuses to get out from under paying me the $18/hr I was brought in at (apparently no one but leads make anywhere near that much, like $5-7 less).

Good news I just got a call back from a Goodyear about 15 minutes from me. I have a 10 AM interview there, but I"ll be a GMT which is a mid-man, below a tech but above a general service guy. You have to have 5 ASE certs to be a "Tech" under Goodyear, I have 3. I will have 5 soon I guess. I never studied anything in my life and passed 3 of 4 I took (missed the 4th by 1 stinking question), so with some studying I should be able to knock out Brakes and Suspension probably. More to come.

[popo8]

Well in the midst of all the negativity, Im glad you may have some positive soon!

Pullin for you man!!!

[thunderkyss]

WHO THE FUCK WOULDN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT WORKING UNCOMPENSATED?


I would personally look at this from a totally different view point than you. If it doesn't take much time (& it really shouldn't) I wouldn't have a problem doing the inspections for free.

The warranty work, like I said, unless it was something you did wrong, I wouldn't want to replace an alternator for free because it was a bad alternator. Warranties generally don't work that way.



Good news I just got a call back from a Goodyear about 15 minutes from me. I have a 10 AM interview there, but I"ll be a GMT which is a mid-man, below a tech but above a general service guy. You have to have 5 ASE certs to be a "Tech" under Goodyear, I have 3. I will have 5 soon I guess. I never studied anything in my life and passed 3 of 4 I took (missed the 4th by 1 stinking question), so with some studying I should be able to knock out Brakes and Suspension probably. More to come.

I hope this works out for you.

[Fastbird]

I would personally look at this from a totally different view point than you. If it doesn't take much time (& it really shouldn't) I wouldn't have a problem doing the inspections for free.

Here's what the list was:

Check the following:

Air Filter
External Lights/Operation
Washer/Wipers Functionality
Engine Oil (Level, condition, leaks, find leaks)
Engine Coolant (Same as oil)
Power Steering Fluid (same as oil)
Brake Fluid (same as oil)
Trans Fluid (same as oil)
Differential Fluid (same as oil)
Shocks/Struts Check
Suspension/Steering Check (ball joint & tie rods)
Driveline Check (u-joints, driveshaft, wheel bearings)
Tires (pressure, tread depth, wear, any objects stuck in, etc)
Brakes Check

To PROPERLY do all of that stuff, it's going to take you a little while. Sure you can half ass it and be done in 10 minutes, but I don't like to half ass shit.

[BaddAss93TA]

Saw your post a few days ago and didnt really realize what happened. This all seems pretty fubared. Sucks that there are people out there that will do shit like this. I mean the dude knew you packed up and moved for this job, the least he could have done was say, hey look this isnt working out, you can stick around a few more weeks and try to find something. Or offered you a pay cut cuz he was in over his head but most people are too proud to admit they made a mistake if thats what it was... what a mess man.

If you were still out this way I would have some more side work for on on the TBSS, haha. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

[Fastbird]

Ugh, no bueno with that interview. They want a full technician, and with this company, you need 5 ASE's to be there. This is really getting worrysome because I have NOTHING on my plate and need to have something soon.

[CALL911]

Ugh, no bueno with that interview. They want a full technician, and with this company, you need 5 ASE's to be there. This is really getting worrysome because I have NOTHING on my plate and need to have something soon.

Keep the faith partner. Can you go back to Goodyear in New Haven and speak with the same guy you did yesterday? See if maybe they would just take you in long enough while you get your remaining certs? We both know you would pass them without problem. I know the guy you spoke with yesterday knows you need the job now, and may be able to relate that up to the HR dept.

Meanwhile, keep up on the applications, and follow up calls.

You are a hard working guy. Places like this looking for a person in your line of work would be gratefull to have a steller performer such as yourself. I pray someone can realize this in the timeframe you need before you decide to leave the Fort. As said before, I know given enough time I can find you a steller job that will fit what you are looking for and then some. But I feel like if you do move back to PA, the bad taste in your mouth from your only job experience here with Hires will ruin any possibilities of ever moving back to the Fort in the future, no matter what the situation.

[NuckinFutz93]

I hope everything works out for you. I've jumped the fence looking for greener grass before myself, just to bust my ass.

Best of wishes!

[jaysz2893]

Man I hate to hear all this Sean... I too have jumped for greener grass just to get mowed down. I will pray, cross fingers, burn incense, rub Buddha, whatever I can to send some deserved luck your way. I wish I could get you a job back here. I know my friend at Raceproven Motorsports is expanding but I dunno if he is hiring yet and it is here in DE and you are far. Lemme know if you need anything.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

[popo8]

Sean...i still want to suggest working for a tow company...

I know u think its out there...but ive done it... I have friends that do it now...they have fun, get paid decent...and they poach work they tow... Makes me think if u want to
Work out of ur own garage...may help.

Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[CALL911]

I've got a lot of leads for Sean that don't involve wrenching, but he seems dead set on wrenching.

[Tyler Wheat]

Sean, I hate to hear this. There's no doubt that your pay has had influence on their decision. Pretty shitty on their part when they knew the situation you're in.

I will say that whatever you do, please end up with a job that you enjoy. You may be in a pickle currently and have no choice, but don't stop there. You seem like you've got a very good idea of what you want, so don't stop until you get it. I've been there and done that and I'm very thankful to have finally gotten a job I truly enjoy.

[popo8]

I've got a lot of leads for Sean that don't involve wrenching, but he seems dead set on wrenching.


Thats what best friends are for Ben...way to step up to help him out.

When its in u...its in u...

And he has a talent for it....






Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Fastbird]

Sean, I hate to hear this. There's no doubt that your pay has had influence on their decision. Pretty shitty on their part when they knew the situation you're in.

I will say that whatever you do, please end up with a job that you enjoy. You may be in a pickle currently and have no choice, but don't stop there. You seem like you've got a very good idea of what you want, so don't stop until you get it. I've been there and done that and I'm very thankful to have finally gotten a job I truly enjoy.

This is why I'm not settling. I've done retail, banking, been miserable at both. Won't do them again. If I can just get a shop to take a chance on me I know flat out I'll make it worth their while. THe whole Hires situation just started out bad from Day 1 when I started getting the truths of the job. The Goodyear was hesitant because I don't have 5 ASE Certs, and apparently, they thought I wasn't any good at doing brakes, suspension, etc. How they got that I don't know, but I bet it's from during my interview I mentioned that I've done performance work for a decade but only done real shop work for a little over a year. But fuck seriously? Brakes, suspension, cooling system, etc, are NOT freaking hard to do. I can do that shit with my eyes shut.

Problem is all these shops are one track minded -- get cars in and out as fast as inhumanly possible. And I know I stated that I refuse to be rushed to the point of making a mistake. Who knows. I know I know what I'm doing. I just have to find another boss who will believe the same.

The biggest reason I'm holding out, is that I have a guaranteed job waiting for me back in PA. Granted it brings it's own host of complications such as no advancement, no vacation, benefits, retirement, etc. But I was well seated, trusted and depended upon, and most importantly, happy.

[CALL911]

The biggest reason I'm holding out, is that I have a guaranteed job waiting for me back in PA. Granted it brings it's own host of complications such as no advancement, no vacation, benefits, retirement, etc. But I was well seated, trusted and depended upon, and most importantly, happy.

It's the no advancement, no vacation, no benefits, no retirement, that makes me worry that the short term happiness may take away a possibility for a long term happiness.

But live here, or move to PA, I've got your back either way. Just want what's best for you. You've had enough shit thrown at you that you deserve to have a job that provides you with the very best future for you and your family.

Any company who will give you an honest chance will learn of who you are and what you have to offer.

[jaysz2893]

Sean, I have learned you should do what makes you happy..but... sometimes you have to modify what it is that makes you happy. If you have no vacation, bennies, to retirement, or no room to move you will get burnt out fast. I did it for 5+ years in my own business. I love building industrial equipment and processes, but after 15+ years of that I can say I am much happier now working in a lab for a big company. Last week I got my review and they want to move me into more of a technical/ sales job and I am OK with it.
This all being said, you need to do what is best for you and especially the family. I am hoping the best for you. If you come back east we will have to g2g again.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

[thunderkyss]

This is why I'm not settling. I've done retail, banking, been miserable at both.

How old are you?

[thunderkyss]

Sean, I have learned you should do what makes you happy..but... sometimes you have to modify what it is that makes you happy. If you have no vacation, bennies, to retirement, or no room to move you will get burnt out fast.

Lot of people here & other forums that work to pay the bills & wrench on their cars after 5:00

However, if I'd invested the time to get 3 ASE certifications, I'd like to put that to use as well. 6 in one hand.

[Fastbird]

Lot of people here & other forums that work to pay the bills & wrench on their cars after 5:00

However, if I'd invested the time to get 3 ASE certifications, I'd like to put that to use as well. 6 in one hand.

:D I had no time invested in getting the ASE's other than taking the tests. Just prior knowledge, no courses or studying.

So.........this thread could use a positive update. Saturday last week I was given an offer with Meineke here in town. Not the strongest offer, but it was the best suited for me. $12 an hour, HOURLY (WOO HOO!!!!!), guaranteed 40 hours a week, OT possible. After my 90 days go by, I'll be getting a 1-2 raise depending on how I've done.

So I started on Monday, and it's HEAVEN compared to that nightmare the other place was. This shop is in a very nice part of town, so the customer base of cars is MUCH nicer. I.E. no hacked up hoopties coming in. Being hourly, no one is cutthroat about jobs, you don't feel taken advantage of as you're being paid for all work you do, etc. The owners of this franchise own 3 others in the area and are VERY big on keeping the shops maintained. This place is immaculate, has top notch equipment, a complete set of shop tools in case you're missing something or whatever. There's 3 lube bays with 3 lube techs and a Supervisor, and four service bays with 3 service Techs now (I made 3). Everyone is awesome, there's real car guys here (one guy with a suspensioned out 2v Mustang GT (96), one guy with a 99 Trans Am that he's already coming to me for schooling on (word got out I'm the performance guy), and another guy who's got a freaking gorgeous 04 Grand Prix GTP with lots of tasty mods. My Celica went over huge when I showed up day 1 with it, and they're all waiting for me to bring the T/A in.

And the best part.........I'm not being treated like a freaking noob. I got handed a car today that no one could figure out (Toyota Camry, blowing the 10a interior fuse whenever key went on). Lead tech traced it to the VSS and Park/Neutral switch circuit which also feeds the interior harness strangely, but couldn't find the issue. I looked at it as "it's a huge current draw, not something small. So it's NOT gonna be a component." 15 minutes later I'd found the wire bundle resting on the EGR tube, burned through. A quick check on instafix verified, typical mistake when a junkyard motor is put it. I'd have NEVER gotten that opportunity at the other shop. I'm being treated like a tech and not just a nut and bolt turner.

All in all, VERY VERY content right now. Just have to get through this 90 day period and get the income bumped up. As a fall back, AutoZone has me #1 on the hire list (again) and wants me even if part time, so I can do that if necessary.

[Fastbird]

How old are you?

Missed this. 34 I did retail back before I went in the military and retail/sales (AutoZone) part time a couple years while in the military. Spent Nov-11 through Nov 12 working for CitiBank NA as a supervisor in the Credit Cards division. Payed good, great benefits, but what god awful work it was. Worked part time at a small one man shop from Oct-11 through Jan when I left for the debacle job in Ft. Wayne, and that job made me realize that my life after the military will be happiest filled working on cars.

[SexyTransAm]

Great news!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk 2

[Fastbird]

Yeah, I'm pretty psyched. I'm not making what I could be elsewhere, but it's only 9 miles from home, and it's a great shop so far.

[firebird_1995]

Happiness is worth a LOT. Hopefully they will see the potential in you and bigger doors will open. Congrats.

[BaddAss93TA]

Congratulations man.

[Tyler Wheat]

:D I had no time invested in getting the ASE's other than taking the tests. Just prior knowledge, no courses or studying.

So.........this thread could use a positive update. Saturday last week I was given an offer with Meineke here in town. Not the strongest offer, but it was the best suited for me. $12 an hour, HOURLY (WOO HOO!!!!!), guaranteed 40 hours a week, OT possible. After my 90 days go by, I'll be getting a 1-2 raise depending on how I've done.

So I started on Monday, and it's HEAVEN compared to that nightmare the other place was. This shop is in a very nice part of town, so the customer base of cars is MUCH nicer. I.E. no hacked up hoopties coming in. Being hourly, no one is cutthroat about jobs, you don't feel taken advantage of as you're being paid for all work you do, etc. The owners of this franchise own 3 others in the area and are VERY big on keeping the shops maintained. This place is immaculate, has top notch equipment, a complete set of shop tools in case you're missing something or whatever. There's 3 lube bays with 3 lube techs and a Supervisor, and four service bays with 3 service Techs now (I made 3). Everyone is awesome, there's real car guys here (one guy with a suspensioned out 2v Mustang GT (96), one guy with a 99 Trans Am that he's already coming to me for schooling on (word got out I'm the performance guy), and another guy who's got a freaking gorgeous 04 Grand Prix GTP with lots of tasty mods. My Celica went over huge when I showed up day 1 with it, and they're all waiting for me to bring the T/A in.

And the best part.........I'm not being treated like a freaking noob. I got handed a car today that no one could figure out (Toyota Camry, blowing the 10a interior fuse whenever key went on). Lead tech traced it to the VSS and Park/Neutral switch circuit which also feeds the interior harness strangely, but couldn't find the issue. I looked at it as "it's a huge current draw, not something small. So it's NOT gonna be a component." 15 minutes later I'd found the wire bundle resting on the EGR tube, burned through. A quick check on instafix verified, typical mistake when a junkyard motor is put it. I'd have NEVER gotten that opportunity at the other shop. I'm being treated like a tech and not just a nut and bolt turner.

All in all, VERY VERY content right now. Just have to get through this 90 day period and get the income bumped up. As a fall back, AutoZone has me #1 on the hire list (again) and wants me even if part time, so I can do that if necessary.

Hell. Yes.

[Blackbird96WS6]

Congrats dude! That's great, and firebird_1995 is right, happiness goes a long way toward making a job seem like it's all worth it at the end of the day. I'm happy it's working out for you!

[popo8]

If you enjoy your JOB, its not WORK.

Congrats Sean!

[CALL911]

Very VERY glad to hear it Sean. You deserve it buddy.

Oh, and you never got back with me if you'll be working Saturday morning so I can bring your shop some work. :)

[Fastbird]

Very VERY glad to hear it Sean. You deserve it buddy.

Oh, and you never got back with me if you'll be working Saturday morning so I can bring your shop some work. :)

I sent you a message. I'm in on Saturdays so just make an appt and tell them you want me doing it.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[meissen]

Happy to hear things are looking up bud!

[ZGOBYBY]

I am so happy for you Sean, this really makes me happy to see things have turned around for you. Like I said, "it happened for a reason." ;)

See you Saturday! Got some plans for you and the family!

[Ryan Stout]

Hell yes!! Congrats dude!

[Ninja Mihail]

CONGRATS MAN

[Ashley]

:D congratulations

[The SRZ]

Congrats dude. Hope that 90 days blast by so you can get that raise!

[Fastbird]

Well.....finally caught up with my Snap On guy today. Get this shit. Hires Automotive, and more importantly the Lead Tech/Store Manager guy, told the Snap On guy on Wednesday the week that I was let go to not order the Ball Joint Press Kit I had requested because they were letting me go. They told him "Yeah, we're working him til' the end of the week because we're busy." They they come to me with some bs about calls being made on Thursday, etc. I am so riled up about this right now. I want to walk into that place and just tell off some certain people. Have some common fucking decency to give someone a heads up if it's planned like that. The Snappy guy told me he wanted to tell me but he's not allowed to get into shops business like that. Which I'm ok with. At least he wasn't out the money while I'm trying to figure out when I can buy that BJP kit. But I seriously want to just filet Hires Automotive publicly at this point.

[popo8]

wait...is that the new place u are working for? or the old place?


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Fastbird]

The old place. The new place is going great still. Other than pay (which will take a boost in June) I've got no complaints.

[popo8]

The old place. The new place is going great still. Other than pay (which will take a boost in June) I've got no complaints.

ok cool. didnt know the names , so i got worried.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Fastbird]

Naw, all is well. This is just crap coming back from the old place. Everyone I know here in the industry badmouths that entire company. Apparently back in the day when the father was running it the company was quite reputable, had 11 shops, etc. Son took over and they're down to 4 shops with sub par equipment, shady workers, etc.

[popo8]

poop in some tupperware and pack it up and ship it to them annonymously


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[NuckinFutz93]

I say we get the LTX brotherhood to slam them on the review sites. I'm thinking about making a post on Angie's list. LOL 20-30 bad reviews will knock them down a peg and make them bottom listing on search sites. LOL


I don't know ya Sean, but I really hate douchebags. I would love to slam douchebags for ya! LOL! I have the time.

[Fastbird]

I'm trying to figure out the most anonymous way to really get the word out and let the public know that I was forced to put a faulty part back on a car (the rusted through brake caliper bracket that had the slide pin frozen up. I unfroze and greased the pin but noticed the bracket was rusted through, it NEEDED to be replaced. Got told "put it back it's fine".) I thought about a craigslist posting, but problem is that if someone saw it they would KNOW it was be because that was (unknown to me at the time) my last day there and I made a pretty good stink about it.

I didn't go in to their one store and start shit with the guy that hired me out of respect for my best friend who still frequents te place. I don't want him taking any fallout. But I'd LOVE to go tell the smooth talking asswipe that conned me into the job in the first place off. I just really want to stick it to that entire company.

[NuckinFutz93]

You say go, I'll slam the fuk out of them! LOL

[Fastbird]

Tell you what, if it's an angies list post, type it up and post it here for a proof. I want to keep it factual and organized. Go!

[popo8]

better business bureau...


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Fastbird]

better business bureau...


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

Hmmmm..........

And angieslist isn't anonymous......

[Fastbird]

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Read this, the assclown president and how he contradicts himself between the first and second response!!! This is too funny!!!!!

http://www.bbb.org/northernindiana/business-reviews/auto-repair-and-service/hires-auto-parts-and-service-in-fort-wayne-in-2858/complaints#breakdown

[NuckinFutz93]

Tell you what, if it's an angies list post, type it up and post it here for a proof. I want to keep it factual and organized. Go!


I didn't say it was going to be factual. LOL I said I would slam them.

[Fastbird]

I didn't say it was going to be factual. LOL I said I would slam them.

Lets not. I'm above blatant slander. I just want to get the realistic facts to the public.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[popo8]

better business bureau...


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

Handle it^^^

And if the place has issues...fill in the building...codes...osha inspectors.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[CALL911]

Sean, I know what they did to you was wrong. I don't know if it was illegal or something the BBB can do anything about.

The other half of it; I have gone there for more than a decade. I have had my family go there. It has been my single place to have work done on my cars when I needed something fixed, and have been doing it long enough the very people who have wronged you have been repairing my cars for a better deal than I would get anywhere else in town. They have always done quality work, and fixed things other places would not have been able to. Unfortunately your new place of business is more expensive than Hires, and I will be unable to always take my car to you.

Not a single bit of this justifies what they did to you, and I hope you know I have your back no matter what. But I don't think the company as far as a place to bring your vehicle in for repair is bad. I think they did you wrong, and they do hose some of their employees.