Trial by fire is 100% the company's unofficial policy. We have a training department that is more focused on policies and procedures and less on tangible product knowledge. I came from outside the industry and was told that I was joining a "world class training" company. Obviously not that naive but I believed that the company had some sort of training. Unfortunately we do not. I have attended two small group "boot camps" that lasted a day a piece and they were not exactly about the meat and potatoes of the business, but more on the policies we have. Not expecting to be a master tech from the job, but I have been thrown into two serious level 2 suspension and brake classes that were so far over my head that they were a complete waste of time. The actual technicians at my store that attended the classes felt overwhelmed by what was discussed and they are ASE certified!!
Spiffs, commissions, bonuses, and any other "extra" potential income. When I first started, the tire spiffs were on well stocked popular models. You received spiffs on what you sold, wasn't every Tire but the better quality ones. The bonus plan was changed every year to refine it and the focus the company wanted to deliver for that year, which most companies change it yearly too, so no big deal, quite frankly. However, this year everything is thrown out the window. The bonus structure has been changed a few times already, with little to no communication to the sales staff. Furthermore, Tire spiffs payouts have been changed also with the store having to achieve a certain percentage to goal before the individual gains anything from the tires they have sold. Were you a Rockstar and sold a ton of tires?! Won't see a penny from Tire spiffs unless the store hit its percentage to goal. At least that was the new initiative for the past few months, now this month it is different. Shocker. This month the individual has to sell a certain amount of tires plus the store has to hit a certain percentage to goal before getting a dime of Tire spiffs. Go on vacation or take a few days off?! Tough luck. Better luck next time. I used to make 500 to 1000 (in my best month) in Tire spiffs alone plus bonus and pay. Those were happy times clearly. I made 60 and 61k the past two years working consistently 55 to 65 hours a week. They have reduced the mandatory hours but the only time I got close to the new reduced minimum was when I lost a family memeber.
It's hilarious to me, that my region has seen no less than 6 regional managers come through and two are still regional or better, the rest have stepped down to lesser demanding positions. 80 hours is the expectation for regionals (coming from our SVP) so don't go thinking it gets easier as you move up the chain.
Rehireable. Most former employees eventually come back it seems, at least in my region. So many leave in disgust at their pay, then come back or are re-recruited at a higher pay to come back. These people are then offered guaranteed bonus payouts, retain previous seniority, as well as other perks. If they had gotten this before then they probably wouldn't have left, but don't worry about those that have stayed and fought the good fight. Screw those chaps!
