Re: Dealer Service Lowdow

Posted by jimg.allentown on December 02, 2015 at 06:46:02 from (173.49.143.208):

In Reply to: Dealer Service Lowdow posted by Sprint 6 on December 02, 2015 at 05:32:09:

That was a very good description of how the "system" works. I was also in your situation. I also reached a similar level of expertise within the Ford organization of dealers. However, you only scratched the surface of the corruption that infects the "system."
First, there was an "experiment" of having different levels of technician pay based on level of experience and certification. This was coupled up with a division of work based on the required levels of experience and qualification. Enter the crooked dealer thinking to make some extra money without paying the rate for the more experienced technicians. They began giving high tech work to unqualified "trainees" to "figure out" with the trained techs standing by to "help out" if the trainees got stuck. For FREE. First time they tried that on me, I figured out the scam quickly. Next time, I clocked on the job. Service manager had a hissy fit. I informed him that I had bills to pay and a family to support, and I was not here to work for free. At the same time, the customer was not getting what they were paying for.
Then there was the time cutting. When I first started encountered the front wheel drive overdrive transmissions, the flat rate to R&R and overhaul one was nearly 17 hours. This was in the mid to late '80s. By '93, it was cut to just over 11. Same job, same operations, just less time.

I am totally in agreement with what you say here. I left the business for similar reasons to yours.

Almost forgot..... Ford started a program in the late '80s called ASSET. They offered a training program for new techs that involved interning at a dealership combined with classroom time. Completion of this course resulted in the equivalent of an Associates college degree. (I could have passed that one blindfolded and hog tied). They promised high starting wages in the vicinity of $50,000 annually to the graduates of this program. HA!! Not at today's flat rate!!!

One thing to consider, though. EACH DEALERSHIP is a SMALL BUSINESS!! Mom and Pop so to speak. As such, they do not have the power or resources of a big business behind them. While there are some that get bigger than average, and acquire several dealerships under one organizational banner, they are still small businesses. As such, most are SALES organizations. Most dealership owners are SALESMEN. To them, we technicians are a necessary part of overhead.

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