Average hourly wages.

Bradmerritt

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Hey I work at a used dealership. By myself I do all the work. I usually do 3-4 full recons a week with a few quick cleans and washes etc. I have mastered the buffing wheel with the products I have here at the shop I have wetsanded whole vehicles/ scratches out and done it the right way. I Do a better quality job then the detailer in our town that had 27 years exp. I make 10 an hour now and have been there six months? Any input guys? What should i be at ? I'm not hacking stuff it's all done professionally thanks

Brad Merritt
 
Hey I work at a used dealership. By myself I do all the work. I usually do 3-4 full recons a week with a few quick cleans and washes etc. I have mastered the buffing wheel with the products I have here at the shop I have wetsanded whole vehicles/ scratches out and done it the right way. I Do a better quality job then the detailer in our town that had 27 years exp. I make 10 an hour now and have been there six months? Any input guys? What should i be at ? I'm not hacking stuff it's all done professionally thanks

Brad Merritt

1. What State do you work/reside?

2. Are you 18 years of age, or older?

3. By definition of your employment status (contract) are you
a.) An: Independent Contractor; or...
b.) A bona fide employee of this Business?

If you are reticent about providing information to the above inquiries,
you may otherwise wish to contact your State's: Department of Labor (DOL) offices.
They'll be able to furnish you with pertinent information/guidance regarding, among others:

-Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
-Wage & Hour Division
-Prevailing Wages
-Employee Classification/Misclassification as Independent Contractors

Since it sounds like you work at a "Smaller Business"...
-When was the last time you approached 'managment' about a wage-increase?
-What preparations have you made for yourself (going back to the same ol' grind/wage; resignation) if:
Asking for a raise...ruffles a few feathers (even up to a possible termination)?.

I've seen cases where it's been handy to have ones local:
Civil Rights Commission (CRC) phone number nearby<<<("Tough row to hoe", though...IMO.)

:)

Bob
 
Just asked him for a raise two weeks ago said he wants to give me one hasn't mentioned it. (I have) but he makes excuses. Like I said I'm legitamite I work hard and I do quality work. What should I say to him on terms relating to detailing that will state my point that I deserve a raise ? Thanks for your help


Brad Merritt
 
Brad,

You're doing 3-4 reconditions per week. I assume that's how many vehicles he brings in each week for resale. Are you working 40 hours per week? How much down time do you have or is it taking the full 10-13 hours per vehicle? Then I have to ask, and that may be a tough question to answer without being biased, but how much value do you add? Are these $2,000 cars where the buyers aren't completely concerned with the condition, but more worried about having transportation? If that's the case, the value-add probably isn't great, so $10/hr is more than likely the max he can pay you. If these are $15k - $20k vehicles where they're coming in trashed and by you taking 10-13 hours to completely bring them back to life, which means the difference in selling the car for $18k as opposed to $14k, then it sounds like you're adding plenty of value. If you're doing the type of work you're saying you do, which can also be subjective (not meant to be offensive), and you can see the value-add in your work, then I think a raise may be justified. But for now, it sounds like he offered you the $10/hr. and 6 months ago it was good enough for you to take the job. Without knowing all the details, it's hard to say whether your boss can justify a raise, or can even afford it for that matter.
 
These vehicles are complete shitboxes he buys them for about 1000-3000 and the 1000 dollar ones end up going for 4-5000 dollars when me and the mechanic are done and the other ones go for 7-10000 dollars. I bust my ass on every car. I have all skills in detailing.
I work 35 hours a week and I usually get about 4 full recons done I'm talking about like bringing them back to life. On the interiors i completely gut it out some vehicles I even take my air ratchets and rip the seats right out.
On top of the whole paint correction and interior scrubbing I do a lot of work the for customer jobs, wholesale auction cars and I also usually wash the whole lot and vacc the cars ( Its a 30 car lot). I don't only just get done 4 cars I do more like i just said. On top of all that I have turned the whole detail shop around. I completely cleaned the whole place out. It's very big. I changed distros to better products and saved him moneys well it's a whole new shop with me running it. I am very deserving of a raise I'm just trying to figure out how much I should ask if you don't know that's fine I'll figure it out was just looking for some more input to help me! Thanks man


Brad Merritt
 
And I'm in RI
Brad Merritt

(The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system
is a system for classifying all occupations in the economy
including private, public, and military occupations.)

For Rhode Island:
This is the closest Occupational Code I've found...

http://www.dlt.ri.gov/lmi/pdf/soc.pdf

53-7061: Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment

Starting wage: $9.20 per/hr.

Median Wage: $10.50 per/hr.

Experienced Wage: $11.77

Statewide Occupational Wages - Occupational Order

Occupational Wages by Major Occupational Group


Here's a couple of RI's Government Nos.

Providence Area Office:
US Dept. of Labor
Wage & Hour Division
380 Westminster Mall, Room 546
Providence, RI 02903

Phone:
(401) 528-4431
1-866-4-USWAGE (1-866-487-9243)

ATTN: Daniel Weeks, Asst. District Director

Your correspondence to the above, may be of some
additional enlightenment in your Occupation, Wages, Rights...IMO.

:)

Bob
 
And I am not trying to sound cocky but I take complete pride in all of my work and I leave the finish flawless the interior beatiful as well I consider myself as one of the best in my area and state. Like I said not trying to sound cocky but detailing has been my life ever since i first started I eat breath and sleep it. I have practiced months an months every day and even was tought initially at a body shop buffing fresh paint, then I did my own vehicles and from there got a job at 2 different shops they both didn't want me to leave an still ask me for help whenever I stop by today. Thanks again for the input


Brad Merritt
 
And I am not trying to sound cocky but I take complete pride in all of my work and I leave the finish flawless the interior beatiful as well I consider myself as one of the best in my area and state. Like I said not trying to sound cocky but detailing has been my life ever since i first started I eat breath and sleep it. I have practiced months an months every day and even was tought initially at a body shop buffing fresh paint, then I did my own vehicles and from there got a job at 2 different shops they both didn't want me to leave an still ask me for help whenever I stop by today. Thanks again for the input


Brad Merritt

Brad...

-Why not contact the NO.'S and/or look at your State's websites listed above...They also deal with job searches.

-No matter how good you are...
Your current employer is paying the prevailing-wage for
your occupational classification, as so recognized by RI.
Getting an increase from them may be like pulling:
"Hen's Teeth" (from a Rhode Island Red)

BTW...How much per/hour-wages are you seeking to earn for now, in a few years, and when nearing retirement age?

:)

Bob
 
Why don't you start your own business? If you believe you are the best in your area, then you will have lots of work come your way possibly.
 
$10 an hour for what you are making him his ridicolous. At the bare minumum you should be making $30 pr hr. I would start looking for employment elsewhere
 
These vehicles are complete shitboxes he buys them for about 1000-3000 and the 1000 dollar ones end up going for 4-5000 dollars when me and the mechanic are done and the other ones go for 7-10000 dollars. I bust my ass on every car. I have all skills in detailing.
I work 35 hours a week and I usually get about 4 full recons done I'm talking about like bringing them back to life. On the interiors i completely gut it out some vehicles I even take my air ratchets and rip the seats right out.
On top of the whole paint correction and interior scrubbing I do a lot of work the for customer jobs, wholesale auction cars and I also usually wash the whole lot and vacc the cars ( Its a 30 car lot). I don't only just get done 4 cars I do more like i just said. On top of all that I have turned the whole detail shop around. I completely cleaned the whole place out. It's very big. I changed distros to better products and saved him moneys well it's a whole new shop with me running it. I am very deserving of a raise I'm just trying to figure out how much I should ask if you don't know that's fine I'll figure it out was just looking for some more input to help me! Thanks man


Brad Merritt

OK then...
I suppose that this oughtta take care of your working for this employer:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...345-auto-detail-shop-extra-service-ideas.html

"Hi I'm opening up my own shop next spring. And I was wondering if any of you had any good ideas for extra services and offers for promotions"
~ Brad Merritt

^^^Good Luck!^^^


:)

Bob
 
I would say you really really need to start taking before and after shoots and videos... as well 50/50 shots....
So you bring 4 cars back to life every week ? adds over $2000.00 worth price after a full detail ?
You really should think about using it to build your personal portfolio.
It will be 4 cars every week that will serve to promote your experience and abilities to yours future private clients.
 
Why don't you start your own business? If you believe you are the best in your area, then you will have lots of work come your way possibly.

What I plan on! I could make way more money!


Brad Merritt
 
I would say you really really need to start taking before and after shoots and videos... as well 50/50 shots....
So you bring 4 cars back to life every week ? adds over $2000.00 worth price after a full detail ?
You really should think about using it to build your personal portfolio.
It will be 4 cars every week that will serve to promote your experience and abilities to yours future private clients.

I have photos on my phone I'm gonna start taking more and a lot of them then put something together I wana be able to show people my work! I have brought my boss in re back showing him half an half shots of hoods on cars and he doesn't even care! So whatever #### em


Brad Merritt
 
Stop all the cursing ^ That is a terrible habit and will get you nowhere ;)
 
I have photos on my phone I'm gonna start taking more and a lot of them then put something together I wana be able to show people my work! I have brought my boss in re back showing him half an half shots of hoods on cars and he doesn't even care! So whatever #### em


Brad Merritt

It's like beating a dead horse to show your work to someone which eyes doesn't see the beauty....
If your cell phone has a great photo quality it's fine, or else I recommend getting a camera... there are some good sub $150 cameras that are great, with full hd video and stuff... I use a Cannon ELPH100HS right now... great camera for the money.
 
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