TheBussman1647545507 Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Right now I've been working as a Mechanic for Sommer Auto for only about 4 months. Before that I've been working at Sommer about for over 2 years doing other taskes such as automotive electronic systems diagnostics and repair. stereo system installs. and my main job of installing starter interrupters. I have no automotive schooling and I'm not ASE certified yet (defiantly want to be soon I pass practice tests.) I Have lots of knowledge and a significant amount of experience (working on my own cars, friends cars and my dads projects.) I have a set of tools. probably my biggest limitation is that I'm currently in high school until May 12th. I want to work full time over the summer though and I will start college in the fall. I live east of Columbus. The reason why I would like to move to a new place to work is simple. They do not take me seriously and do not let me just work. Other than that some smaller issues are; bay is falling apart, water drips on your head constantly. Crappy portable rack only goes halfway up. let me know if any of you have Ideas Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verse Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 I'd stay where you are. Keep getting experience. It's going to be like that anywhere you go when you're 18 and have little to no experience. You're going to get the worst jobs, the worse rack, the worst bay. That's just how it goes. You need to get at least 4-5 years of expeience, not including schooling until most employers will respect you as a tech. Just my .02 I'm sure other people on this board would agree with me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBussman1647545507 Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I'd stay where you are. Keep getting experience. It's going to be like that anywhere you go when you're 18 and have little to no experience. You're going to get the worst jobs, the worse rack, the worst bay. That's just how it goes. You need to get at least 4-5 years of expeience, not including schooling until most employers will respect you as a tech. Just my .02 I'm sure other people on this board would agree with me though. That makes sense, the rack and the bay aren't my biggest problems don't you think $8/hour is a joke though? Just trying to keep my eye out to see if i can better myself. trying to keep my college debt as low as possible. does ASE make a big difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hal Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 For an 18 year old with no certs and still in HS, I'd say $8/hr is normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verse Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 For an 18 year old with no certs and still in HS, I'd say $8/hr is normal. Yeah, I'd say that's not half bad for the age and experience. I was making like $7.25 + commission at NTB for almost a year. It usually equaled out to about $9.00. ASE's will get your foot in the door, but they aren't that hard to pass so they don't mean a whole ton, but they usually get your foot in the door. We hired a guy once when I worked at Saturn who was a master ASE, master Ford, and had a toolbox the size of my house, but he was the slowest person I've ever seen. Not only that, but he couldn't remember easy shit and had to ask me like 4-5 times a day. Needless to say he wasn't there long, but you can't bank on ASE's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBussman1647545507 Posted April 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBussman1647545507 Posted June 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 started a new place today, we'll see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Automotive Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 I just saw this. I was just going to comment, that you need to get out of there for your health and safety. Ive been through there before. Not a place that I would go again. Where did you end up going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99FLHRCI Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 Yeah, I'd say that's not half bad for the age and experience. I was making like $7.25 + commission at NTB for almost a year. It usually equaled out to about $9.00. ASE's will get your foot in the door, but they aren't that hard to pass so they don't mean a whole ton, but they usually get your foot in the door. We hired a guy once when I worked at Saturn who was a master ASE, master Ford, and had a toolbox the size of my house, but he was the slowest person I've ever seen. Not only that, but he couldn't remember easy shit and had to ask me like 4-5 times a day. Needless to say he wasn't there long, but you can't bank on ASE's. I would have to disagree. ASE is generally good for $.50 a cert. After only 5 yrs. in the industry I was working at NTB making $24/hr flat rate. That is generally what I was making at a couple other shops as well. The ASE Master Cert. makes people willing to work with you on the pay rate. $8/hr. is not bad for no cert. and in high school. Pep Boys is only offering $7.15 w/o certs. I would take the brake and suspension ASE tests. Once you get those 2 take the exhaust test. Those three will make you an Undercar Specialist. Nothing more then a title but it looks good. I have never worked in an exhaust shop and was able to pass the exhaust test on my first try despite pipe bender questions. The brake and suspension test are pretty much straight forward knowledge that anyone who works on cars should be able to think their way through. I do agree that they are only pieces of paper and don't mean anything against experience but, unfortunatly businesses generally don't see it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 I do agree that they are only pieces of paper and don't mean anything against experience but, unfortunatly businesses generally don't see it that way. and if your in a dealer you have to have Master Techs AND Factory trained in that area or warranty claims can be kicked back not paid. they had that happen at coughlin after i left on a corvette, i was the only GM certified vette tech they had and GM kicked back a claim since i wasn't the one that worked on it. matter of fact if your not certified in the area that you are working on (i.e. brakes) and something happens and your not certified in brakes then they can go back on all the jobs you worked on and make the dealer pay them back for them all, warranty wise anyways. i'm sure the same could be had if someone got hurt over something that you worked on and sued the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1647545494 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 I would have to disagree. ASE is generally good for $.50 a cert. After only 5 yrs. in the industry I was working at NTB making $24/hr flat rate. ntb is not a flat rate shop.... if your going to take the time to go to school and learn something my advice is don't become a mechanic its not worth it. I only say this becuse I've been turning wrench's for a long time you broil in the summer freeze in the winter and your covered in fucking dirt all the time other than that I guess its not so bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBussman1647545507 Posted June 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 I just saw this. I was just going to comment, that you need to get out of there for your health and safety. Ive been through there before. Not a place that I would go again. Where did you end up going? I agree that it's not a very good choice for health and safety and have absolutely no intentions of making a career out of this. For me it's what i can get paid the most for doing without a college degree. Also I can learn a little bit and apply the knowledge and experience to my personal vehicles. I'm working at a little shop at 161 and Karl, It's called Fogle's. So far it's working out pretty well i'd say, starting at $10/Hour. I'm starting electromechanical engineering in the fall at CSCC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hal Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 ntb is not a flat rate shop.... if your going to take the time to go to school and learn something my advice is don't become a mechanic its not worth it. I only say this becuse I've been turning wrench's for a long time you broil in the summer freeze in the winter and your covered in fucking dirt all the time other than that I guess its not so bad He speaks the truth, NTB is percentage. I hate to say it, but, I agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 if your going to take the time to go to school and learn something my advice is don't become a mechanic its not worth it. I only say this becuse I've been turning wrench's for a long time you broil in the summer freeze in the winter and your covered in fucking dirt all the time other than that I guess its not so bad + what ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skold Posted June 8, 2008 Report Share Posted June 8, 2008 i started at lexus flat rate at 9.00/hr 6 years ago cuase i had no exp or schooling, that all changed tho, just work hard some were and youll move up the ranks, keep you mouth shut turn your wrench do good work and youll move up. I would suggest going to germain caddy. call me for more details 614-989-4814 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted June 12, 2008 Report Share Posted June 12, 2008 if your going to take the time to go to school and learn something my advice is don't become a mechanic its not worth it. I only say this becuse I've been turning wrench's for a long time you broil in the summer freeze in the winter and your covered in fucking dirt all the time other than that I guess its not so bad I agree with this comment, find something you like doing. For some reason I just keep doing this. It's better than construction, and I just can't take college, I can't sit still long enough for school. Finding something YOU LIKE is most important. I'll urge my daughter to go to college too, but I won't force her. Best of luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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