I miss being a mechanic

[Quixfire]

Here is a little background; I was a professional mechanic for 16 years, eight of which was spend in Ford Dealerships. I haven?t worked in a shop since April 30th, 1999 when I when to work for Ford Motor Company as a technical advisor. Since then I have only worked part-time in my friends shop or at home. I mostly do A/C work and restore/repair classic Ford race and muscle cars. I enjoy most of the work I do since it is very challenging or technically detailed, a far cry from basic engine repair or changing brake pads. My current job is with a vendor to Ford as a technical advisor and it pays better than working in a dealership. And the benefits are much better than what I ever got as a mechanic, even when I owned my own shop. But I miss the interaction with my customers and the satisfaction of a job well done. I don?t get that where I work now. I don?t see happy customers, or mad ones either, when my job is complete.

I want to be back out there taking care of people concerns on their vehicles on a one on one basis. Or should I find satisfaction that I am providing a greater service to the Ford Community by supporting dealerships and their technician through my current job.

I?m not sure what I should do?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Heh, I'm not sure there. But I'm an engineering tech at a company that makes medical equipment and I've considered becoming a mechanic to get away from the paperwork. I like fixing stuff and seeing someone leave happy. You just don't get that here.

 

[Blieb]

Maybe you could work Saturdays at a shop somewhere ...

Just to get a taste.

 

[T2T III]

The feelings that you express are felt by a lot of us who get into "desk" jobs. Usually, there is little satisfaction from doing things that doesn't involve a lot of "hands on" work or interaction with clients. Granted, some people are not "people" people, so they would prefer to stay away from customers. However, if you're an extrovert like I am, it's very tough to not work around people and see their pleasure when you do something good for them.

 

[Ferocious]

I think I'd work at Walmart before I ever became a paper shuffler again.

I

 

[Pacfanweb]

I would stay where I was at if I were you. You won't find many Ford techs that wouldn't LOVE to switch jobs with you, and that should tell you something.
But if you like having to argue for every tenth of an hour you make, and having to constantly tell customers with brand new $30+ vehicles that there is no fix for the problem they have and Ford is currently "investigating the problem", by all means quit and get a job at a dealership.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
<snip>
I?m not sure what I should do?

Open your own shop! Then you have the opportunity of making the money you're used to making, and you still get the one-on-one customer contact.

 

[notfred]

Come over this afternoon, last night my car decided it didn't feel like driving anymore. Doesn't seem to be any spark. The ignition coil tests out fine, I dunno what's wrong with it, but last time it ran (for a couple minutes before it died last night) something was certainly making a hell of a lot of static on my radio.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

notfred: check your grounds for loose wires and also check for any potential shorts that may be arcing.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Blieb
Maybe you could work Saturdays at a shop somewhere ...

Just to get a taste.

I do work on Saturdays at my own shop and sometimes at my buddies. But I don't usually talk with the customers or they have known me for several years already. It helps me vent my frustrations and keeps me from jumping right back into auto repair.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: DurocShark

Originally posted by: Quixfire
<snip>
I?m not sure what I should do?

Open your own shop! Then you have the opportunity of making the money you're used to making, and you still get the one-on-one customer contact.

I have been thinking about this for a few years. Finding the right location and capital has been the major set backs. There are two towns where I use to work in that I would have no trouble running a business other than finding someone to do the paperwork so I could fix cars.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: notfred
Come over this afternoon, last night my car decided it didn't feel like driving anymore. Doesn't seem to be any spark. The ignition coil tests out fine, I dunno what's wrong with it, but last time it ran (for a couple minutes before it died last night) something was certainly making a hell of a lot of static on my radio.

Are you serious? If so do you still have a TFI ignition system in your Mustang or did you upgrade to an aftermarket system?

Radio static comes from an increase in RF interference, which could be caused by a bad plug wire or an overcharging alternator (makes a whining noise through the radio). My guess would be a bad coil wire or cracked distributor cap, but it would be easier to diagnosis if I were there.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Originally posted by: DurocShark

Originally posted by: Quixfire
<snip>
I?m not sure what I should do?

Open your own shop! Then you have the opportunity of making the money you're used to making, and you still get the one-on-one customer contact.

I have been thinking about this for a few years. Finding the right location and capital has been the major set backs. There are two towns where I use to work in that I would have no trouble running a business other than finding someone to do the paperwork so I could fix cars.

Check with your local small business support office. Your current county or state should offer such a thing. Getting capital should not be an issue. And, if you really want to do it right, have your wife be the proprieator - she'll be entitled to additional discounts and incentives since it would be a woman-owned business. Plus, you could declare this in your advertising. I'd be willing to bet that you would be very successful with this setup.

Best of luck !

 

YGPM

 

[Shockwave]

YGPM

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Originally posted by: DurocShark

Originally posted by: Quixfire
<snip>
I?m not sure what I should do?

Open your own shop! Then you have the opportunity of making the money you're used to making, and you still get the one-on-one customer contact.

I have been thinking about this for a few years. Finding the right location and capital has been the major set backs. There are two towns where I use to work in that I would have no trouble running a business other than finding someone to do the paperwork so I could fix cars.

Check with your local small business support office. Your current county or state should offer such a thing. Getting capital should not be an issue. And, if you really want to do it right, have your wife be the proprieator - she'll be entitled to additional discounts and incentives since it would be a woman-owned business. Plus, you could declare this in your advertising. I'd be willing to bet that you would be very successful with this setup.

Best of luck !

I've heard of this and we will be looking into very soon.

Thanks!

 

[Amorphus]

hey, your son looks like he's hiding something mischievous he just did. its a smug sort of smile.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Here is a little background; I was a professional mechanic for 16 years, eight of which was spend in Ford Dealerships. I haven?t worked in a shop since April 30th, 1999 when I when to work for Ford Motor Company as a technical advisor. Since then I have only worked part-time in my friends shop or at home. I mostly do A/C work and restore/repair classic Ford race and muscle cars. I enjoy most of the work I do since it is very challenging or technically detailed, a far cry from basic engine repair or changing brake pads. My current job is with a vendor to Ford as a technical advisor and it pays better than working in a dealership. And the benefits are much better than what I ever got as a mechanic, even when I owned my own shop. But I miss the interaction with my customers and the satisfaction of a job well done. I don?t get that where I work now. I don?t see happy customers, or mad ones either, when my job is complete. I want to be back out there taking care of people concerns on their vehicles on a one on one basis. Or should I find satisfaction that I am providing a greater service to the Ford Community by supporting dealerships and their technician through my current job. I?m not sure what I should do?

I don't know if you've already done this, but have you ever considering building or restoring something for the ultimate customer, yourself? I mean, if I was in your shoes, I would enjoy my current possition, and now that I would have more time and money, I'd invest it in myself. Call me selfish, but hey, that's the whole point of working hard, so you can eventually enjoy life.

 

[StageLeft]

Who gives a damn about ford - do what you like. You have a simple decision I think (well not that simple!):

1) Stay in current job
2) Take a pay cut and enjoy yourself more

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Here is a little background; I was a professional mechanic for 16 years, eight of which was spend in Ford Dealerships. I haven?t worked in a shop since April 30th, 1999 when I when to work for Ford Motor Company as a technical advisor. Since then I have only worked part-time in my friends shop or at home. I mostly do A/C work and restore/repair classic Ford race and muscle cars. I enjoy most of the work I do since it is very challenging or technically detailed, a far cry from basic engine repair or changing brake pads. My current job is with a vendor to Ford as a technical advisor and it pays better than working in a dealership. And the benefits are much better than what I ever got as a mechanic, even when I owned my own shop. But I miss the interaction with my customers and the satisfaction of a job well done. I don?t get that where I work now. I don?t see happy customers, or mad ones either, when my job is complete. I want to be back out there taking care of people concerns on their vehicles on a one on one basis. Or should I find satisfaction that I am providing a greater service to the Ford Community by supporting dealerships and their technician through my current job. I?m not sure what I should do?

I don't know if you've already done this, but have you ever considering building or restoring something for the ultimate customer, yourself? I mean, if I was in your shoes, I would enjoy my current possition, and now that I would have more time and money, I'd invest it in myself. Call me selfish, but hey, that's the whole point of working hard, so you can eventually enjoy life.

I been looking for a 70-71 Torino GT Convertible to restore or customize.

 

[Lvis]

Do what makes you happy.

Just don't look back through rose colored glasses. Remember all the times the wrench slipped and you lost all the skin on your knuckle...

 

[Brutuskend]

Look at your hands.


Clean aren't they!


That's a GOOD thing.

I don't miss working on cars everyday....

 

As for me, I will never be able to put the wrench down for good, it's too much fun.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Roger
As for me, I will never be able to put the wrench down for good, it's too much fun.

Ditto, that why I still work on the weekends. This weekend I have the following vehicles lined up.

1994 Dodge B350 - Front Brake Issue & Electrical Intermittent Problem
1994 Thunderbird - Air bag Light Diagnosis & repair, if I don't needed a Air Bag Module
1990 Jaguar XJ6 - Blower Motor In-op & Rear Brake Lights In-op (Please Pray for me)

And I should be able to finish assembling a 302 Boss engine for a 1969 Mach1.

 

[zCypher]

I like tinkering but I don't think I could see myself doing mechanics as a profession... I'm not driven enough by it adn I don't think I'd be satisfied enough, but who knows. I'm a computer tech right now and it's the best job I've had so far, so I guess I can't really compare.

hey man.. if you really hate making more money u can come fix up my z28 for free and you'll get one on one interaction