07-31-2013, 10:37 AM
(07-31-2013, 05:14 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Unfortunately there is not much of a career being a motorcycle mechanic, lousy hours, not much pay, no benefits, not much of a retirement, not much chance for advancement, have to buy your own tools, you work while others ride, good chance you will be laid off in the winter, and thats if the shop you work at doesn't go out of business...I could go on and on. Thats why shops get young guys without much experience, who eventually burn out and go somewhere else.
I spent 17 years in the motorcycle industry before finding a real job. My younger brother was a great mechanic for 7 years before he got a job as a Fireman. The other excellent mechanic at that shop went to work for the local water dept.
It's a catch 22 for both dealerships and customers. We both want the best, but the nature of the industry just doesn't allow it.
Ferret, do you think over time this will improve and the motorcycle dealership sales / parts / service divisions will become more professional to the benefit of the customers as well as the employees & business owners?
I think there has been a shift in the last 20 years toward professionalism in the automotive dealership area (not to say everything is perfect there, but on the whole...).