756puller Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Got a situation going on at work. Had a 4 man crew in the shop at the start of the summer. Had one young kid quit that has been there for about three years to go work for a farmer. We have another guy that's been at the shop for 7 years that has started taking around a month off at harvest time to pick his own crop. Now it's just going to be me and the service manager there to work on about 20 combines and whatever else breaks down during this harvest. Think it's time to sit down with management and say more compensation is needed with all this added work? I've been there 15 years so it's not like I haven't been dedicated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowaboy1965 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Never hurts to have a talk... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
756puller Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 I'm thinking it's time thier pay scale hasn't been updated since the early 90's I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Dinan Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 1 hour ago, 756puller said: I'm thinking it's time thier pay scale hasn't been updated since the early 90's I know. How much has their service rate gone up since then? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeeper61 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Unless the Service manger or the owner knows how to turn the wrenches I think you have the upper hand The down side is they could over work you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.B. Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Wages are up everywhere, and seems like every industry is in need of help and retaining help. Yeah the ball is in your court. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
756puller Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 It's a working service manager, I've been here 16 years and have basically seen the rates double from 65 to 120 an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Dinan Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 The local jaun deere dealer has been $120 an hour for 4-5 years and they can’t keep good technicians, won’t pay enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
756puller Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 That's the case every where, had a cat guy apply here a while back probably ten years experience and they offered him starting out $20 an hour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Dinan Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 3 minutes ago, 756puller said: That's the case every where, had a cat guy apply here a while back probably ten years experience and they offered him starting out $20 an hour The guys that I know, started with the Ag dealer, quit and went across the river to the construction dealer in Missouri and quit there to join the union,. They go to work for a contractor that supplies them a service truck, that they drive home every day and they are making 35-40 an hour plus overtime and benefits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
searcyfarms Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 13 minutes ago, Alan Dinan said: The guys that I know, started with the Ag dealer, quit and went across the river to the construction dealer in Missouri and quit there to join the union,. They go to work for a contractor that supplies them a service truck, that they drive home every day and they are making 35-40 an hour plus overtime and benefits no brainer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirt_Floor_Poor Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Honest question here - Why are shop rates so high? I have always wondered why when it is obviously not because they are giving a large percentage of it to the technician. Is it overhead? Insurance? Training costs? Something else? It seems like the dealer taking over $100/hr cut is a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowaboy1965 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 1 minute ago, Dirt_Floor_Poor said: Honest question here - Why are shop rates so high? I have always wondered why when it is obviously not because they are giving a large percentage of it to the technician. Is it overhead? Insurance? Training costs? Something else? It seems like the dealer taking over $100/hr cut is a lot. Probably all of the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowaboy1965 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 25 minutes ago, 756puller said: That's the case every where, had a cat guy apply here a while back probably ten years experience and they offered him starting out $20 an hour My son is making that or near that as nite shift team lead at walmart. Granted it's like trying herd cats most of the time but still. Wife was making 20 as a receptionist at a dental office. It took her 15 or 20 years to get to that level but still. Point is as you know 20 an hour ain't what it used to be and with record inflation..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKwelder Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 5 minutes ago, Dirt_Floor_Poor said: Honest question here - Why are shop rates so high? I have always wondered why when it is obviously not because they are giving a large percentage of it to the technician. Is it overhead? Insurance? Training costs? Something else? It seems like the dealer taking over $100/hr cut is a lot. Costs can really run up when you have a building payment, insurance, inventory, special tools, company vehicles, and loans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirt_Floor_Poor Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 10 minutes ago, AKwelder said: Costs can really run up when you have a building payment, insurance, inventory, special tools, company vehicles, and loans I get that, but, there are lots of dealers around here that have over ten guys in the shop. Just ten guys working 40 hours a week is $40K a week to the dealer. It really seems like the technicians around here deserve at least a little more than I know they get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeeper61 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 For the knowledge and skill required for that kind of repair work the hourly rate should start around $35 with full benefits 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowaboy1965 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 19 minutes ago, Dirt_Floor_Poor said: really seems like the technicians around here deserve at least a little more than I know they get. Well that is probably true in a lot of cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjf711 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 2 hours ago, 756puller said: Got a situation going on at work. Had a 4 man crew in the shop at the start of the summer. Had one young kid quit that has been there for about three years to go work for a farmer. We have another guy that's been at the shop for 7 years that has started taking around a month off at harvest time to pick his own crop. Now it's just going to be me and the service manager there to work on about 20 combines and whatever else breaks down during this harvest. Think it's time to sit down with management and say more compensation is needed with all this added work? I've been there 15 years so it's not like I haven't been dedicated. What is the age of the person making the decision on compensation? Younger managers are of the world that you make money by moving around from 1 opportunity to the next, not by staying in the same spot for 10 years or longer and getting raises, keep that in mind. Another thing i was talking with my local indy mechanic, that i see at alot of dealerships in construction (CAT DEERE) is, those are great first job opportunities to get experience and so forth, but if you want to make $$$ you have to own the shop and take the risk. This guy is a sharp mechanic but he is spending alot of time doing oil changes on old chevys when he can troubleshoot a modern landrover better than a dealer. Have to be smart about the work you do and gravitate to where YOUR shop rate is reflective of your experience and toolset. You can do oil changes, but, not for 34.99 or that type of work may hinder your ability to take on more profitable ventures. Id poke around and see what other options are out there, and do some investigation before i talk about salary at a place im already at just so that if it gets heated or they take it as you being "ungreatful" you are prepared with your options and can act in a professional way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
756puller Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 The age of the dealer owner is probably early 60s and his son is 30. Don't think money's to much of a problem have a big main house, a river cabin, vacation house in Arizona and a plane to go fly around in. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ky966boy Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Apply somewhere else and see what they offer it will give you lots of bargaining power but be prepared to go if need be . I went to a new place for $5 more once 11 months later old place offered $5 more than that to come back . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
756puller Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 I've already got a weekend job at a shop making $5 an hour more than I am now. Plus I don't have to have any tools there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawleigh99 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Are you hourly or salaried? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Englander Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Average A&P mechanic at a major airline is making in the 90k range. Our guys, granted very experienced and with a lot of responsibility are way north of 150. There's no reason a good and experienced diesel mechanic shouldn't be making 90 or more depending on location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binderoid Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 If you have talent, how about a tool box in your pickup and become a regional mechanic? You can charge less with less overhead, all you need is a couple accident prone clients, and if you’re any good word will travel on ahead of you; you’ll have more work than you know what to do with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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