19 vacancies at a BMW dealer
Discussion
Our workshop has pinched six technicians from the local BMW dealer in the last 4yrs, and that's just our workshop let alone all the others on site (I work for a large automotive firm in the Midlands). Having spoken to the guys they all say the same thing - treated like s
t, not paid enough, work really long hours and they would be absolutely flat out every day getting pushed and pushed by the service managers. They've had roughly a £10k payrise to come to our place and now work probably 15-20hrs less in a week. Unsuprisingly, none of them miss it at all!
t, not paid enough, work really long hours and they would be absolutely flat out every day getting pushed and pushed by the service managers. They've had roughly a £10k payrise to come to our place and now work probably 15-20hrs less in a week. Unsuprisingly, none of them miss it at all!zeDuffMan said:
I've read a few stories of bullying in service depts. Good mechanics aren't flooding through the system anymore so they need to start looking after people. With little experience they can take their skills almost anywhere they want...
They treat their employees like they treat their customers then !Am I the only one who does not give a st about the 'experience'.
The number of youngsters manning the desks is incredible.
I go in for work. Reception say hello and guide me to the manned desk of 5 people who log and input into a computer.
Then they shout to a guy behind the temporary wall who I assume work on the cars.
He comes in with completely clean overalls. But is wearing mechanic garb.
You never ever get sight of the wrench monkeys.
I have even asked to talk to one so I can better explain issues with the M3.
Absolutely put off main BMW dealers. The bodyshops are brilliant in comparison.
You talk to the guy inspecting and delegating the work.
BMW need to go back to grass roots level.
Sod the men in suits
t about the 'experience'. The number of youngsters manning the desks is incredible.
I go in for work. Reception say hello and guide me to the manned desk of 5 people who log and input into a computer.
Then they shout to a guy behind the temporary wall who I assume work on the cars.
He comes in with completely clean overalls. But is wearing mechanic garb.
You never ever get sight of the wrench monkeys.
I have even asked to talk to one so I can better explain issues with the M3.
Absolutely put off main BMW dealers. The bodyshops are brilliant in comparison.
You talk to the guy inspecting and delegating the work.
BMW need to go back to grass roots level.
Sod the men in suits
I've worked in the motor trade since 2006. Specifically in the motor factor sector; supplying parts for cars. The game keeps changing, and from my observations, the mechanic sector cannot keep up. Cars and parts are more complicated and there is not enough training, know-how and expertise that is filtering down.
I always wonder what will happen to these back street mechanics in the next 10 years; will they adapt or will they go the way of of the Dodo bird because they cannot invest in the tooling and all diagnostic equipment etc?
I always wonder what will happen to these back street mechanics in the next 10 years; will they adapt or will they go the way of of the Dodo bird because they cannot invest in the tooling and all diagnostic equipment etc?
gizlaroc said:
Genuine question, but how much training does a main dealer tech need?
All they do is plug in the computer, then replace the part as per the instructions on screen.
I took my ML into Mercedes last year, the copper seals on the injectors wear over time and leak fuel which turns into a black gunk.
I asked them to replace all 5 washers and put in new stretch bolts. They couldn't do that, they had to diagnose the problem at £120. I said lift the bonnet you can hear and see the fuel spitting out.
No, they have to plug it in, £120, then if replace all 5 injectors, seals and bolts at £1900 including vat.
I bought the washers and bolts from parts for £13, took it down the road where he changed them all for £60.
I can see why youngsters who have trained wouldn't want to work in a main dealership after a while, it must be soul destroying, you may as well work a factory line.
I gave up working in main dealers I now work in a factory building vehicles instead,I earn more money, get more overtime and at a proper overtime rate, not some time and a quarter rubbish, I don't have to work compulsory Saturdays but I can for overtime if I wish including Sunday's if the work is there,All they do is plug in the computer, then replace the part as per the instructions on screen.
I took my ML into Mercedes last year, the copper seals on the injectors wear over time and leak fuel which turns into a black gunk.
I asked them to replace all 5 washers and put in new stretch bolts. They couldn't do that, they had to diagnose the problem at £120. I said lift the bonnet you can hear and see the fuel spitting out.
No, they have to plug it in, £120, then if replace all 5 injectors, seals and bolts at £1900 including vat.
I bought the washers and bolts from parts for £13, took it down the road where he changed them all for £60.
I can see why youngsters who have trained wouldn't want to work in a main dealership after a while, it must be soul destroying, you may as well work a factory line.
The core hours are less than a main dealers
I don't have to park outside somebody's house half a mile down the road the bonus system is a tad more legit, i don't get covers in s
t, I just hope it lasts, Can't see me ever going back to working in a garage tbh id rather learn something else
Schermerhorn said:
I always wonder what will happen to these back street mechanics in the next 10 years; will they adapt or will they go the way of of the Dodo bird because they cannot invest in the tooling and all diagnostic equipment etc?
Excellent question....and I have no idea. Working on cars all day is a young man's game (I'm 48) and whilst I haven't done it as a job since 1992, I still dabble but find it increasingly a pain in the arse. The retail motor trade seems to be on a relentless race to the bottom anyway - someone told me Arnold Shark or one of the Pendragon showers of s
t selling Vauxhalls (Evans Halshaw?) are paying a tenner commission on a car sale. Why would you even bother?iSore said:
The retail motor trade seems to be on a relentless race to the bottom anyway - someone told me Arnold Shark or one of the Pendragon showers of st selling Vauxhalls (Evans Halshaw?) are paying a tenner commission on a car sale. Why would you even bother?
I have no idea, but does anyone know how much commission other people in retail get?t selling Vauxhalls (Evans Halshaw?) are paying a tenner commission on a car sale. Why would you even bother?I'm not talking about check-out operators, but buying a £500 watch for my wife was a better sales experience than I've had buying many cars.
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