Finally back from Navy (2 week) Active Duty

[Jack_Tar]

Well Guys,
This has been one heck of an experience. I go away for two weeks to do my active duty time for the Navy Reserve. While I am gone, the guy I left in charge of my shop decides to not do anything and has the other guys, and girl, in the shop doing either jobs off the books and he pocketed the money or has them doing stuff that is in no way profitable to the shop. As soon as he is challenged about what has gotten done, he quits, just before I was going to tell him he was fired. As it turns out he is planning on going into business with another guy in town that is a shady mechanic. (Not shade tree but shady) What is up with people today? Is it so hard to find honest people that have a passion for doing this work and are not on some kind of drugs? I am finding that there are so many scammers in this business. I know of a couple of shops, and another that is about to open that give a quote and take 1/2 the money down and never get anything done or disappear. On top of that where do they find customers that are going to drop thousands of dollars and not see any work done. I don't want 1/2 the money, To be honest I want all of it, but i want it on a weekly installment after my customers see the work that has been done that they are being billed for.

Sorry for the rant guys. I thought this might be a good place to vent since everyone here are car guys might understand.

[Postsedan]

Mike,

The hardest part of our business, any business is finding GOOD People....the cars and the customers are the easy part. So sorry to hear this news.

Thank you for serving our country [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]

Dan

[Jack_Tar]

Thank you Dan,
It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to serve in the world's greatest Navy.

As for finding good people, that has proven elusive. I have one helper that I have kept and she is still a little green, but she is a hard worker and not afraid to get dirty. She is learning well so we will have to see. What is it with people in this industry? It seems like of everyone in the automotive industry about %60 are on some sort of drugs and I don't mean prescription either. I asked my snap-on guy about that and he told me that he sees it at just about every shop on his rout. Guess I'm going to have to start drug testing applicants and do random testing later.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Maybe you can hire some veterans from your area or perhaps students from local tech schools...you can teach a person a skill or a trade...hard to teach them values and decency if they don't have it to begin with.

Thanks for your service..my father was a Navy guy in WW2..good luck.

wilma [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[GaryC]

I worked for a friend off and on in the late 80's early 90's that did a lot of GTO's for customers just over in Maryland and he had the opposite going for him. Plenty of good workers but when it was time for customers that brought their cars in to have frame off's and what not done to pay up a little on the restoration to keep it going it was a struggle to get any money from them and the car would just sit. We actually had a 64 GTO body standing up on it's firewall wired to the loft area in one of the bays for 2 years before the guy finally just came and took his stuff home. My friend that owned this business was too nice and wouldn't even charge any storage fees. He's still in business, but has learned quite a bit since then.

[Nova Jed]

All of your experiences seem so true. The shop in which I for, has had the same kind of problems. My cousin has also had these problems in the past. Your business is only as good as the employees that work for you too, as you so stated. It is very sad to here this from you. I myself had gone to Virginia Military Institute. A certain pride and dedication was learned and strengthened while I was there. So,therefore, I salute you for your service and dedication to our country. Times are tough in this country when everything seems to be about the almighty dollar.

Don't give up the fight. I'm sure things will work out for you. If you have one good employee already, you have a good start. If she wants to learn, teach her and you both shall profit.

[Lynn]

1. Thanks for your service. Again, THANKS for your service to our country.

2. Karma is a bitch. Just wait. Whether you call it karma or reaping what you sow.... Just wait.

3. Like Jed said, keep up the good fight. Honesty and hard work still pay off. Maybe not the quick buck that lying and cheating sometime brings, but in the long run, life is much better.

[x Baldwin Motion]

hidden security cameras. for your customers protection and your piece of mind with employees when you can't be in the shop. it may reasonable to get applications you can view from your smart phone.

and welcome home shipmate. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]
I had to retire from the Navy reserves after my third tour in GTMO, I'm sure you understand.

[Jack_Tar]

The last ship that I was on stopped in GTMO for 3 days once. I bet being stationed on that base is like being on a ship at sea only never being able to pull into port. You can never leave the base.

Thanks for the uplifting words everyone. Yes, we are going to keep on trucking along and yes, you reap what you sew. My plan has not changed. I want to have shop that is successful, large and recognized on an international level. When I get there, and it won't take too many years, all of those who have abused my kindness, and there have been several, will be watching from the cheep seats as our customers car win major awards and receive major publication and international attention and will be saying &quot;Oops, I wish I had...&quot;. I am not out for pay back or to get anyone, success will be my reward.