19 years, Gone... Boom

[HOOCBB]

That's the same thing that happened to me when I was working at a GM dealer a few years ago. The time I was there was long enough for me to see just how cutthroat the business is and how management likes to play favorites with the techs.

Lately I had been thinking about picking up a wrench again, but this thread just reminded me of why I never pursued another shop job.

Good luck to you on deciding your new career. Been there, done that, stole the t-shirt.

[JimD]

Dang that kinda sucks. I'd go back to driving trucks before i worked for a stealership.

[mstng86]

Sorry to hear this, CSI is bullshit especially when you pay revolves around it.
Had a customer give us a bad CSI score because the coffee was not hot enough and the cookies where not fresh!

This.

Alot of times a CSI is filled out on the overall experience with the company and one person gets the blame. Some clients just don't distinguish between a single employee performing poorly to an entire department or company.

[Ruffdaddy]

Loyalty doesn't factor into the equation. It's business - where lower overhead and higher margins are the reason the company exists. You don't hear the business crying because an employee quit to take a higher paying job somewhere else do you? Where is the loyalty!? Haha.

And those loyal employees you talk about come at a price. Lets see how loyal they would be if the money wasn't right. Point being, it's about dollars-and-sense on both ends. Actually if you think about it, the guy that got canned should be somewhat thankful - 19 years worth of checks ain't a bad run.

At least someone understands this shit...

[GSXRK5]

Nice. Once I was a Ford Tech die hard.....right now, Fuck the Ford dealer that killed me.

This sir is why i'm looking for a way out of the business. I've worked for a Ford dealer for 7 years and it's progressively gotten worse by the year.

[joes01bullitt]

Sorry to hear this, CSI is bullshit especially when you pay revolves around it.
Had a customer give us a bad CSI score because the coffee was not hot enough and the cookies where not fresh!

[fordracing19]

Sorry to here. Peterbilt is fixing to hire again.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[JFurst]

In 1992, I started working at a Dallas area Ford dealership as a porter. I started the Ford ASSET program and graduated #2 in my class by 1995.

I have worked in Service since then and have done about 95% front end work. Brakes, alignments, ABS, noises, vibrations, electrical power steering concerns, even a few lift kits for 4X4's.

I have worked with 7 service managers, 5 fixed operational managers, 6 shop foremans, 4 owners in this time.

In December 2010, things started to change. The quick lube/service guys started to get all/most of my "gravy". I started to get all the "problem childs" no other tech could hear or duplicate. I still can hear some noise's that older techs can't hear. Technically they should have gotten the job back, but no... seem to come to me. I started to call myself the Mushroom Tech...."Kept in the dark, and fed shit"

Well, today I got the speech, " We are going to part ways with you due to low CSI scores."

No warning, no get your CSI scores up, no second chances( and yes I asked).

19 Years. I have NEVER gotten written up once. Never got a warning about low CSI's. Never got a warning to get shit together. I truly think managment wanted me gone... Why? I would like to know. Rumor is a new guy from another store.....

I am 39. No kids, no Wife... I think its time for a career change.

sorry to hear, get in line. No more are the days of loyalty to an employer, always have an exit plan, look out for yourself, and have a plan B.

[bpawl]

I know someone that worked a similar position at a ford dealship for 7 years, had same thing happen to him about 4 months ago. Sucks, but at least your single without kids. Should be easy to start something else with a resume like that. Good luck.

Glad I got working for a dealer out of my system in a year. Sucks, but most mechanics I know at your age wish they'd chosen a different career field any way. It is fun in your 20s, until your entire body starts to ache from the work. Best of luck.

[YALE]

We might be hiring maintenance mechanics soon. I've got a couple of people on the list I'm trying to help already. Want me to add you in? Stephenville is a relaxed little town.

[tito]

I have seen dealers do shit like this several times over the last few years to friends of mine who had dedicated themselves to being the best they knew how to be. It would seem the FoMoCo (as well as Chrysler, GM, Toyota, Nissan, etc) are totally ok with stabbing their best and most loyal long-time employees in the back the second they see a chance to save a penny even if it means the quality will suffer because by hiring lower paid new employees they still save money in the big picture.

Loyalty doesn't factor into the equation. It's business - where lower overhead and higher margins are the reason the company exists. You don't hear the business crying because an employee quit to take a higher paying job somewhere else do you? Where is the loyalty!? Haha.

And those loyal employees you talk about come at a price. Lets see how loyal they would be if the money wasn't right. Point being, it's about dollars-and-sense on both ends. Actually if you think about it, the guy that got canned should be somewhat thankful - 19 years worth of checks ain't a bad run.

[12second5.0]

They did you a favor. Make your career change.

[psdtech]

Eh, i have seen PLENTY of service advisors at Bankston and the old Payton Wright who deserve to get negative marks on their scores.

As often as shit breaks on my car, im a god damn street PHD on how much shit costs to fix. =P

I agree withe the service writer part. The tech is not in the possition to talk to the customer but can get slammed by csi scores. Sales and writers atleast have the chance to explane it to the customer. From what I've seen the worst csi scores are from trim and suspension techs due to new car (less then 1500 miles) issues.

[ram57ta]

Not sure if I should say yet.

If they are pissing all over you and your livelihood....what does it matter? I have seen dealers do shit like this several times over the last few years to friends of mine who had dedicated themselves to being the best they knew how to be. It would seem the FoMoCo (as well as Chrysler, GM, Toyota, Nissan, etc) are totally ok with stabbing their best and most loyal long-time employees in the back the second they see a chance to save a penny even if it means the quality will suffer because by hiring lower paid new employees they still save money in the big picture.