 |
 Toyota Sienna CE 2005 Toyota Sienna CE Yellow For Sale by Owner Excellent Condition Taxi Cab $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 6d 17h 43m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 |
 Lexus LX 470 2006 LX470 55000 MILES WHITE CREME LEATHER 2 OWNER LOADED XLNT COND $30,300.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 55m |
 Ford Other Clean rust free Arizona 1967 FORD LTD 2 Door Hardtop original 390 V8 one owner $2,900.00 Time Remaining: 2h 49m |
 AMC Hornet AMX 1977 AMC Hornet AMX Rare 1 of 32 Alpine White 48k orig doc miles 2nd owner $6,500.00 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 3m Buy It Now for only: $6,500.00 |
 GMC Yukon Slt 2005 Gmc Yukon Slt Sport Utility 4x4 Leather Interior Full Power Original Owner $3,050.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 26m |
 Hummer H3 SUV 2007 HUMMER H3 4x4 AUTO CD 65K 1 OWNER CLEAN $16,980.00 Time Remaining: 20d 18h Buy It Now for only: $16,980.00 |
 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab NO RESERVE 1 Owner 0 Accidents well maintained long bed Quad Cab 615 335 1504 $4,550.00 (28 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 46m |
 Chrysler LeBaron GTC IN FLORIDA NEW TOP NEW TIRES V6 LOW MILES 2 OWNERS 94 94 Rarer Than Sebring $1,325.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 42m Buy It Now for only: $3,990.00 |
 Nissan GT R Skyline Premium Package Pearl White Fully Loaded Very Rare 1 Owner Car WOW $74,980.00 Time Remaining: 19d 17h Buy It Now for only: $74,980.00 |
 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1978 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Restoration Automatic 8 Track Owners Manuals A C Nice $7,600.00 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 2m |
 Jeep Liberty SPORT 03 Jeep Liberty 37L CLOTH POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS ONE OWNER 84K MILES $8,991.00 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 15m Buy It Now for only: $8,991.00 |
 Jeep Wrangler Sport ONE OWNER LOW MILES EXTRA CLEAN $15,800.00 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 37m Buy It Now for only: $22,988.00 |
 Ford Taurus SES 2001 Ford Taurus 1 owner 54563 miles loaded flex fuelmoonroofNO RES $3,300.00 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 30m |
 Mazda CX 7 Turbo 2008 MAZDA CX 7 GRAND TOURING TURBO 1 OWNER $14,995.00 Time Remaining: 20d 16h 30m Buy It Now for only: $14,995.00 |
 Infiniti I30 LUXURY I30 01 INFINITI I30 ONE OWNER ORIG MILES NON SMOKER NO RESERVE BOSE BOOKS ROOF FL $5,301.00 (23 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 19m |
 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn HEMI Quad Cab 1 Owner Loaded with Options 20 Chrome Wheels 1 Owner $19,950.00 Time Remaining: 19d 17h 7m Buy It Now for only: $19,950.00 |
 Ford Explorer RED SUV 4X4 WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC108K MILES OWNERXLT SUPER CLEAN $5,800.00 Time Remaining: 3h 25m Buy It Now for only: $6,500.00 |
 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS AWD AWD 4WD ONE OWNER SUNROOF MOONROOF EXTRA CLEAN $14,988.00 (16 Bids) Time Remaining: 34m |
 Dodge Ram SRT 10 Dodge Owners Dream 2005 Dodge Ram SRT 10 Truck in Excellent Condition $25,900.00 Time Remaining: 6d 20h 2m Buy It Now for only: $25,900.00 |
 Chevrolet HHR FWD 4dr LS 2010 Chevrolet Hhr CLEAN 1 OWNER NO RESERVE Gas Saver $6,351.00 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 52m |
 Ford Transit Connect XL CARGO 2010 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT CARGO WARRANTY BIN PACKAGE ONE OWNER FLORIDA VAN $17,500.00 Time Remaining: 5d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $17,500.00 |
 Mercury Mariner 07 Mercury Mariner Premier One Owner Low Reserve $5,900.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 7m |
 Honda Pilot EX L AWD w N 2005 Honda Pilot EX L AWD w Nav HtdSts Mrrs 6CD 1 OWNER WARRANTY RfRails 3Rows $8,100.00 (42 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 7m Buy It Now for only: $8,900.00 |
 Chevrolet Astro 1 OWNER 2003 ASTRO PASSENGER VANV6AUTOMATICCLOTH16IN WHEELS53KWE FINANCE $8,900.00 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 16m Buy It Now for only: $8,900.00 |
 Saturn VUE FWD 4dr I4 Green Line Late Avail 2008 SATURN VUE HYBRID LOW MILES FLORIDA ONE OWNER $9,701.00 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 10m |
 Jaguar XF XFR 10 JAGUAR XF SEDAN NAVIGATION ADAPTIVE CRUISE SUNROOF 510HP ONE OWNER 27K MILES $50,658.00 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 35m Buy It Now for only: $50,658.00 |
 Dodge Sprinter 3500 NO RESERVE 06 Dodge Sprinter VAN HIGH TOP DUAL REAR WHEEL W POWER LIFT 1 OWNER $13,100.00 (27 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 9m |
 Ford Thunderbird 1957 Ford Thunderbird UNRESTORED LOW MILEAGE THREE OWNER $21,500.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 53m |
 BMW 7 Series 740iL 1 OWNER BMW 740iL WIDESCREEN NAVI SUNROOF REAR SUNSHADE CLEAN CARFAX WARRANTY $12,990.00 Time Remaining: 19d 3h 2m Buy It Now for only: $12,990.00 |
 Ford Expedition XLT Gramps FLORIDA 1 Owner FORD EXPEDITION33000miLike NEW16 23mpgSee 170 PHOTOS $6,980.00 (16 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 14m |
 Nissan Altima 25 S Sedan 2009 Altima S Immaculate One Owner Simply Like New $15,900.00 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 2m Buy It Now for only: $15,900.00 |
 Ford Explorer Sport Trac FORD Explorer Sport TRAC GREAT COND 1 OWNER $3,501.00 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 7m |
 Lincoln Mark IV One Owner 1974 Lincoln Mark IV 20000 Miles $4,950.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 56m |
 Audi A3 20T Sport Pano Roof Power Seat Audi Concert 1 Owner 19 Wheels MUST SEE WOW $21,950.00 Time Remaining: 19d 17h 8m Buy It Now for only: $21,950.00 |
 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 4WD Crew Cab 1 OWNER 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 HD Crew Cab DIESEL LT DUALLY 4X4 FLATBED $18,600.00 (19 Bids) Time Remaining: 52m |
 Mercedes Benz M Class ML350 4X4 2007 ML350 4MATIC 1 OWNER NAVIGATION IMMACULATE WARRANTY $19,995.00 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 10m Buy It Now for only: $19,995.00 |
 Mercedes Benz GLK Class 4 Matic 4MATIC AWD 4WD OFF LEASE 1 OWNER $2,850.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 16m |
 Honda Odyssey ONE OWNER XM RADIO DVD PLAYER POWER TAILGATE BACKUP CAMERA CLEAN CARFAX $27,100.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h |
 Ford F 150 FULY SERVCED 2006 Ford F150 STX Single Cab Automatic 1 OWNER V6 RIMS Mini Rear Doors CLEAN $10,895.00 Time Remaining: 20d 22h 33m Buy It Now for only: $10,895.00 |
 GMC Yukon XL xl 2001 Gmc Yukon XL SLT Very Nice One owner $4,605.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 56m Buy It Now for only: $7,750.00 |
 BMW X3 30i 2009 BMW X3 30i M Sport Package Black ONE OWNER Low Miles export ok FL $27,995.00 Time Remaining: 4d 3h 10m Buy It Now for only: $27,995.00 |
 Lincoln Town Car 06 Lincoln Town Car Designer Navigation One Owner No Reserve $6,101.00 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 22m |
 Cadillac Allante 1988 Cadillac Allante automatic 3rd owner $3,250.00 (25 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 46m Buy It Now for only: $5,000.00 |
 BMW 5 Series 530 530i Navigation Black Tan Leather Sunroof Very Clean 1 Owner Local AZ Car $19,950.00 Time Remaining: 19d 17h 4m Buy It Now for only: $19,950.00 |
 Mercedes Benz E Class 4dr Sdn 50L NO RESERVE LK 2003 E350 CLEAN Mercedes Benz ONE OWNER NO ACCIDENTS $6,220.00 (35 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 53m |
 Chevrolet Chevy Van 1 Owner Chevy G20 Wheelchair High Top Van with Crow River Lift 750lbs $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 6d 18h 15m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 |
 Toyota Sequoia SR5 2007 SEQUOIA SR5 4X4 1 OWNER MOONROOF FINEST ANYWHERE NO RESERVE $11,100.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 22m |
 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LS 03 2500 EXTCAB 4DR 4X4 60 VORTEC GMC SIERRA TWIN 1 OWNER FLEET NO RESERVE $6,678.31 (35 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 22m |
 Land Rover Freelander VERY RARE 4DR WGN S ONLY 30K ONE OWNER FLORIDA MILES CLEAN CARFAX SERVICED SHARP $9,900.00 Time Remaining: 8d 15h 23m Buy It Now for only: $9,900.00 |
 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited NAV 57L HEMI One Owner Low Reserve $9,000.00 (23 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 37m |
 Mercedes Benz M Class ML350 AWD 2008 ML350 AWD Immaculate One Owner Below Wholesale $25,900.00 Time Remaining: 19d 21h 37m Buy It Now for only: $25,900.00 |
 Dodge Caliber R T 2008 DODGE CALIBER R T AWD1 OWNER $12,500.00 Time Remaining: 37m |
 Chrysler LHS 1996 Chrysler LHS 73K RUST FREE ONE family owner Nice and RUNNING no reserve $3,499.00 Time Remaining: 21h 2m |
 BMW 5 Series 4dr Sdn 545i 2005 BMW 545i Sport Package Cold Weather Package Clean One owner $19,995.00 Time Remaining: 13d 22h 20m Buy It Now for only: $19,995.00 |
 BMW 8 Series 1993 BMW 850CiA Sport Coupe Service Records One Owner V12 Loaded Black Black $10,895.00 Time Remaining: 16h 1m Buy It Now for only: $14,900.00 |
 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid 2010 RX 450h Hybrid AWD Immaculate One Owner Below Wholesale $39,900.00 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 45m Buy It Now for only: $39,900.00 |
 Mercury Grand Marquis GS 2002 Mercury Grand MARQUIS GS 62K 1 OWNER CLEAN CARFAX CLEAN Florida Car $500.00 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 58m Buy It Now for only: $6,200.00 |
 Ford Ranger EDGE 2002 FORD RANGER X CAB EDGE PKG 1 OWNER FLORIDA TRUCK LOW RESERVE NEW $3,550.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 57m Buy It Now for only: $5,975.00 |
 Dodge Journey AWD R T 2009 Dodge Journey R T AWD One Owner Chrome Leather $12,800.00 Time Remaining: 11d 21h 53m Buy It Now for only: $12,800.00 |
 Infiniti QX4 2002 Infiniti QX4 AWD 4 WD Loaded NO Accidents Original Owner $3,050.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 22h 38m |
 Porsche Cayenne S AWD 1 OWNER CAYENNE S AWD IMMACULATE XENON BOSE HEATED SEATS CARFAX CLEAN TX $11,995.00 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 15m Buy It Now for only: $11,995.00 |
 Nissan Altima S Sedan 2006 Nissan Altima LOW MILEAGE WELL MAINTAINED ONE OWNER POWER WINDOWS $6,006.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 19h 1m |
 Lexus RX 300 RX300 LEXUS RX300 SUV LOW MILES ONE OWNER CAR AUTOCHECK REPORT $6,655.55 (36 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 56m |
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 Honda Civic Hybrid NO RESERVE HYBRID ONE OWNER CLEAN CARFAX CVT TRANSMISSION ABS A C AM FM CD MP3 $9,300.00 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 7m |
 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 2001 Corvette Convertible 14K MILES 1 Owner Preferred Pack Leather NO Accidents $26,950.00 Time Remaining: 20d 20h 27m Buy It Now for only: $26,950.00 |
 Infiniti G35 Sedan 4dr x AWD 5 DAYS NO RESERVE 08 G35 X AWD XENON FACTORY W TY 1 OWNER SAVE MAKE AN OFFER $13,800.00 (22 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 45m |
 Ford Super Duty F 250 XLT 2003 Ford F 250 Crew Cab 1 owner low mileage $4,494.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 19h 43m |
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 Subaru Baja 4dr Turbo 4dr Turbo Automatic 25L 4cyl Leather CD AWD ABS One Owner Clean Carfax $8,600.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 58m |
 Nissan Frontier XE V6 XE 33 V6 CREW CAB 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER BED EXTENDER BED LINER 1 OWNER 35K $13,960.00 Time Remaining: 19d 19h 29m Buy It Now for only: $13,960.00 |
 Ford Escape 4dr 23L Hyb 1 OWNER 4X4 HYBRID NON SMOKER NAVIGATION BACKUP SENSORS LEATHER $13,500.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 37m |
 Mercury Grand Marquis LS BEAUTIFUL 1 OWNER 2002 MERCURY GAND MARQUIS LS $3,950.00 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 6h 7m |
 Ford F 250 DIESEL 4X4 2 OWNERS 73 POWER STROKE DIESEL 4X4 LWB CAMPER RARE CARFAX CD A C AUTO TX $7,750.00 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 39m Buy It Now for only: $7,750.00 |
 BMW 8 Series 840Ci 1994 BMW 840CI1 OWNERLOW ORIGINAL MILEAUTOCK OKONE OF A KINDORIGINAL PAINT $15,778.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 5h 41m |
| Account limit of 2197 requests per hour exceeded. |
"It's all about beating the clock." This quote comes from a wise old service manager, advising me on how to maximize my income as a flat-rate technician. If you have ever wondered why your car doesn't get fixed correctly, or all your concerns weren't addressed, you can blame, in part, the flat-rate pay structure.
Flat-rate simply means that your mechanic is paid a flat fee for a particular repair, regardless of how long the repair actually takes. In other words, if your car needs a water pump, which pays two hours of labor, and the mechanic completes the job in one hour, he gets paid for two.
In theory, this can work to your advantage. If the job takes longer, you still only pay the "predetermined" labor amount. In THEORY, not reality!
The flat-rate pay structure is designed to drive productivity. It's very effective. The flat-rate pay system encourages technicians to work hard and fast, but it does not promote quality.
In terms of getting your car fixed correctly, the flat-rate pay structure has disastrous effects. Flat-rate technicians are constantly looking for shortcuts to beat the clock in order to maximize the number of hours they bill. Experienced flat-rate technicians can bill anywhere from 16 to 50 hours in an 8 hour day.
It's these shortcuts and the breakneck speed at which flat rate technicians work that result in some of the most idiotic mistakes. In the rapid-fire pace of a shop I've witnessed technicians start engines with no oil. I've seen transmissions dropped, smashing into little pieces onto the shop floor. And I've seen cars driven right through bay doors--all in the name of "beating the clock."
Flat-rate technicians can get quite elaborate with shortcuts. My favorite was the implementation of an 8-foot-long 2-by-4, which was placed under the engine for support while a motor mount was removed. It made a job predetermined to take 1.5 hours achievable in twenty minutes. A win-win, right? The technician makes extra money; you get your car back faster. Actually, in many cases the placement of this 2-by-4 damaged the oil pan. Moreover, it caused the car, your car, to balance precariously 6 feet in the air, while the technician manipulated the car lift to access your engine mount. This tactic was abruptly discontinued when a technician's 2-by-4 snapped causing the car to crash nose down onto the concrete floor.
Sometimes the shortcuts create very subtle disturbances, which create problems overtime. A quick example: a vehicle had its transmission serviced with a new filter, gasket, and fluid. During the procedure, the technician was able to save time by bending the transmission dipstick tube slightly, in order to get the transmission pan out faster. The vehicle was reassembled, and the technician re-bent the tube back into place and off it went--no worries....
Six months later, the vehicle returned with an intermittent misfire. The engine wasn't running on all cylinders. After extensive diagnostics, it was discovered that the transmission dipstick tube had chaffed through the engine harness, intermittently grounding out an injector. Hmm, that's strange. Don't usually see that.
The high-speed environment and the subsequent shortcuts illustrate the devastating effects of the flat-rate, sales-driven pay structure on the quality of car repairs. No wonder even an oil change gets screwed up!
The poor quality of work encouraged by the flat rate pay structure is disconcerting enough. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop here. The negative effects of flat-rate get exponentially worse as it opens wide the door to rip you off!
-Theodore P. Olson (Ted)
http://www.repairtrust.com/
Ted holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, GM, and ASE. Over a twenty-year period in the automotive service industry, he has served as a technician, shop foreman, shop manager, shop owner, service advisor, service manager, and service industry consultant. He is the author of eight books and numerous articles on the automotive service industry.
Other Works by Ted Olson Include:
- ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!
- Maintenance Myths: A Step-by-Step Guide to STOP Getting Ripped Off!
- Auto Repair: The Shocking Truth About Who's Ripping You Off and Why!
- Automotive Service Pricing Strategies—a fair pricing guide for service centers
- Being the Best—a comprehensive customer service handbook for service advisors
- Service Center Personnel—an auto repair informational for general service staff
- Service Mission Statement—a philosophical proposal to improve customer service