Get registered for the ASTA Expo 2025 at the Raleigh Convention Center: https://geni.us/ASTA2025

Don't get to the end of this year wishing you had taken action to change your business and your life.
Click here to schedule a free discovery call for your business: https://geni.us/IFORABE

Don't miss an upcoming event with The Institute: https://geni.us/InstituteEvents2025

Shop-Ware gives you the tools to provide your shop with everything needed to become optimally profitable.
Click here to schedule a free demo: https://info.shop-ware.com/profitability

Make sure you mention: CTISUMMER to get FREE data migration!

If you're ready to make a real change in your shop's success, join Shop Marketing Pros' Plan With the Pros workshop this October to connect with them and other shop owners. You'll leave with your entire year for 2026 planned out.

Click here to register: https://geni.us/PlanWithThePros

Shop owners, are you ready to simplify your business operations? Meet 360 Payments, your one-stop solution for effortless payment processing.

Imagine this—no more juggling receipts, staplers, or endless paperwork. With 360 Payments, you get everything integrated into one sleek, digital platform.

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In this episode, Lucas and David are joined by Brandon Sloan. Brandon discusses resolving a tricky issue with a 2014 Sierra by identifying a hairline fracture in a spark plug. Lucas criticizes flat-rate pay systems, emphasizing they unfairly burden technicians and reflect poor management practices. Lastly, Brandon and the hosts discuss the repercussions of misinformation in the industry, highlighting the importance of expertise and transparency.

00:00 Story emphasizes changing priorities over passion.

07:50 Misdiagnosis due to incorrect identification of part.

14:47 Costs demand sufficient revenue to justify wages.

16:31 Understaffed machinists struggling with workflow demands.

21:18 37" tires damage Dodge Ram transmission quickly.

26:25 Dealers avoid ECM tuning for big trucks.

33:45 Acknowledging being a flawed shop owner.

38:12 Pricing changes for engine modifications and upsells.

47:03 Lower cost means lower quality expectations.

51:28 Inspecting 2014 GMC Sierra transmission. Converter replaced.

57:17 Educated customer on spark plug resistance issues.

59:47 Cam actuator caused DTC; updated software fixed.

01:04:30 Lucas Underwood was murdered by fake friends.