In a trade full of broken pay plans, flat rate pressure, and corner-cutting techs, what does professionalism even mean anymore?

This episode of Flat Rate Life goes straight into the bays—where real technicians are still showing up, doing it right, and trying to survive in a system that rewards the wrong things. Whether you're at a dealership, indy shop, or looking to leave the auto industry altogether, this one’s for you.

Because no matter how crooked the system gets… you can still choose to be a professional anyway. Or not. 

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This episode is a full takedown of the fake voices in the industry—YouTubers, TikTok techs, podcast guests, and influencer mascots who pretend they speak for working techs… while cashing in behind the scenes.

They don’t turn hours. They don’t fight dispatch.
But they’ll gladly sell you a torque wrench they got for free.

We let these clowns become the face of the trade—and now it’s bleeding out while they keep smiling for sponsors.

This one’s for the real techs still grinding, still breaking, still showing up to a system that forgot about them.

They don’t speak for us.
And this trade deserves what it gets.

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The industry loves to sell techs on training. “Level up,” they say. “Get certified. Build your value.” But out here in the real world? The more you train, the more shit work you get—and the less money you actually make.

Shops don’t care what you know. They care how fast you can make them money. And once you’re certified, all you get is harder jobs, worse hours, and no support.

We’re talking about the lie behind training, the managers pushing the dream, and the managers who use your skills without ever paying for them. You’re not crazy. You’re just stuck in a system that was never built to reward you.

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Every 2 minutes, a mechanic quits the industry. That means by the time you finish this episode, 15 techs will have walked away from the trade — and I’m not surprised. In this one, I break down the real numbers, the reasons behind the mass exodus, and the daily pressure techs face that nobody outside the bays wants to talk about.

From flat rate stress and toxic shop culture to pay plans that change on a whim — this episode is for every tech who’s been on the edge or already walked.

Why are techs quitting in droves?

 Is the flat rate system broken?

What happens when nobody wants to turn wrenches anymore?

If you’re a dealership tech, indie mechanic, or someone who’s fed up with the way this trade is headed, this one’s for you.

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Let’s talk about one of the biggest lies in the industry: overtime in flat rate doesn’t exist. You can work 55 hours, flag 60, bust your ass all week — and still walk out with zero extra for the extra time you were actually at work. That’s not just shady… it’s a straight-up scam.

In this episode, I break down how shops and dealerships dodge overtime pay under flat rate, why the system is stacked against techs, and how this loophole has become just part of the game — even though it shouldn’t be.

Why flat rate and overtime don’t mix

How you lose money while flagging more hours

 What your time is really worth (and why they don’t want to pay it)

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re exhausted and still broke on payday, this one’s for you.

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The automotive industry isn’t just broken — it’s bleeding out. Shops can’t keep techs, nobody wants to enter the trade, and the ones who stay are getting burned out, disrespected, and underpaid. The system is eating itself alive, and management either can’t see it… or doesn’t care.

In this episode, I lay it all out — the toxic pay structures, outdated leadership, and constant churn that’s driving good techs away for good.

Why shops are losing techs faster than they can replace them

 How poor leadership and cheap pay are wrecking the trade

 What happens when nobody wants to turn wrenches anymore

This one isn’t just for techs — it’s for every service manager, GM, and shop owner who thinks they’ve got time to fix it. You don’t.

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You're not just trying to get hired- you're trying to get paid. In this episode, we flip the script on shop interviews and break down the REAL questions every tech needs to ask before taking a job. From flat rate traps and shady pay structures to bad bays and weekend shifts, I cover how to spot the red flags before they cost you time and money. Whether you're a seasoned diag tech or any tech looking for a new shop, this could save your ass.

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NEW EPISODE!! 6/2/2025   Today I talk about stress. 

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Recording this from my boat in the Gulf Of AMERICA 

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Dealers getting sued, crooks, advisors can't sell work so they delete the recommendations, HR departments suck, and whatever else I talked about. 
Want to contact me??? Email me 

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