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When speaking to shop owners, it still appears that many are still looking to hire a qualified tech. It has gotten better, and I believe it's because most shop owners are more willing to create a better workplace and pay package. What are your top ways or thoughts on attracting and keeping auto techs?

Many shop owners believe that paying flat rate is the only way to achieve high labor production. Others say that flat rate promotes the wrong culture. Many technicians are on straight salary. And there are those that prefer a blend of paying hourly plus an incentive bonus if certain billed hours are produced. While there are many pay plans out there, is there one that has worked for you? And produced the results you are looking for?

What do you do when one of your techs say, "Hey boss, the shop down the street just offered me $5.00 more an hour than what you are paying me." This actually happened recently to a fellow shop owner friend of mine. And, it's happening a lot more these days due to the tech shortage. Do you match it? Do you sit down and talk to the tech, persuade him or her to stay because money is not everything? Or do you tell the tech, make your own decision? Or, do you put a plan together TODAY to avoid this from happening in the Future? Your thoughts?

One of the thing that has been brought to the forefront during this employee-shortage era, is the fact that we need to increase the pay salaries of the average technician and service advisor. In my opinion, we need to increase the pay for entry level people also. Other industries have done, we must also. If we are to attract quality people and retain who we have employed, we need to address this issue now.

Hello guys, First I want to say thanks to all that post such great thoughts and ideas! I just recently(within the last few months) took over my dads shop. He started a dealership about ten years ago and started the shop mainly to service his vehicles. We have had several people run the shop with absolutely no success. I am very new to the shop business. I currently farm with my brother and also buy cars for the dealership so I can't put all my time into the shop. I just have a few questions and would appreciate any and all advice! First off, what is decent pay for a tech? I have two flag hour techs that I think I pay very well. One gets 22.50 and the other gets $25 per hour, plus they get a 15% raise if they flag so many hours. What do you think? I also have an hourly guy (who is the best bang for the buck!) and a service writer/ shop manager who takes care of the daily shop business. Secondly, I've been reading about policies and procedures, which this shop has never had, and I was wondering where would be a good place to start. I guess I'll leave it at that for now. Thanks