| Author | Message | ||
     Rick_a |
A while back I started this thread, "When is it time to give it the old heave-ho?" Well, looks like it's time. I'm so mad right now I can't sleep. I feel so tense my face hurts. For those who don't know I'm a disgruntled, underpaid employee at a Harley/Buell dealership. I was finally approached about a raise and it ended up being $0.26 an hour...after three more years of loyal service. On top of that they're adding wreck estimates to my daily duties. My manager tells me how I'm the best qualified to do the job, then our general manager gives me endless bull about why they don't need to pay me any more money. I'm so fed up. I could be making twice the money as unskilled labor locally. It's ridiculous that I'm the highest qualified and least paid in my department. I love the job as well as a few of the people I work with and I'd really miss the hell out of 'em, but the situation has gotten totally ludicrous. Sorry for the rant. I need to vent. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
there are plenty of other dealers around there. maybe not real close but you have to do what you have to do. my daughter stuck it out over at brandon hd and now is in the parts dept. hoping to make better money than in motor clothes. good luck on your decision. | ||
| Slaughter |
Sometimes the best choice is AMF... and I'm not talking the AMF company, formerly known as American Machine and Foundry - former owners of Harley-Davidson. Tough choice but sometimes it does work better to not have to stick it out. Just don't bail out without somewhere else to go. Don't know how easy it is for you to talk to your management types but I'd start putting out "feelers" to other companies and still talk to my bosses' boss. It's a good exercise sometimes just talking to other places who are hiring, just to see what your opportunities really are. Much as I think loyalty is very important, loyalty goes two ways. | ||
| Ulynut |
"Just don't bail out without somewhere else to go" is right. There is plenty of work out there for people who are loyal and willing to work hard. Find something good before you go. Your friends at work will still be your friends when you find a better job, so don't worry about them. You need to take care of yourself first. | ||
| Bill0351 |
WOW! They offered you an additional $10.40 per week, after 3 years? I would be completely insulted. I don't know what your goals are, but getting an education was the best thing I ever did. Now I'm a teacher. I look forward to going to work every day. The pay is isn't going to make me rich, but it pays all the bills. It also leaves summer to work part time and ride. When I finally decided to go back to school and finish my degree, I was totally surprised to find that my employer bent over backwards to let me work as many hours as possible and still get to my classes. Along with the GI Bill, I was able to make it through without any loans. Like I said, I don't know what your goals are, but before you leave your current job, be sure to have a plan. Good luck, Bill | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Dude there will always be someone making more money than you are. (Even Bill Gates isnt the richest man any more) Go where you have the time to enjoy your off time, time where work isnt a drudgery to go to, and that gives you some upward latitude with responsibility and pay increases down the road. Failing that.. take the leap and go into business for yourself. | ||
| Rick_a |
I really don't care to be rich. I'd be happy just makin' it. I was (am) very insulted by the way my "raise" was handled, however, and am puttin' my feelers out to see what else is out here. I got grilled by my GM for about 15 minutes...lectured on his nonsense reasons why they don't need to pay me any more money and how they're disappointed that I had the nerve to ask. That's a sorry attitude to have towards employees. The message was take it or go home. I told my him straight up that I've never been treated worse by an employer and that the "raise" that doesn't even come close to covering inflation is a JOKE. I mentioned how I could make the same money and more after three years at any corner auto parts store. He simply replied that maybe I should re-evaluate where I'm working. Ain't that the truth...and he has the nerve to talk to me about "loyalty to the team." It took everything in me to not get myself fired on the spot. | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
Sounds like you need to move on. If your GM said that, he obviously doesn't want you around. Get your ducks in a row and find another job. Leave on good terms with a 2 week notice. That way they can't say anything negative about your exit when the next employer calls for a reference. Telling them to go blow will feel good for a little bit, but it will hurt you in the long run. IMO | ||
| 86129squids |
 Any Johnny Paycheck tunes? | ||
| Deadduck |
+1 on what Andre said. When management tells you that, it usually means that they feel you are dead weight, someone to simply fill a void but not exactly someone that they see fit to mold into future management. Just remember that that is simply their opinion about you and not the whole of management in all parts of the world. You will eventually find a group of people that realize and respect what you bring to the table and there will be mutual respect both ways. A little thing about loyalty is that it only happens when economics make sense for both parties. I have had people in the past that I've told about the same thing to and one of two things usually happens, they find another job, or they re-evaluate their thinking and become the best employee I could ever have. Have you had any one-on-ones with your manager or the GM for that matter in the past few months where you have asked them what you would need to do differently to move up in the company? and take what they say to heart? changed your actions so that you become "their" model employee? If you don't mind reading a little I would recommend a book called "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, and another book by John C. Maxwell called "The 17 essential qualities of a team player" both good reads, good stories, and is taken to heart will help you in whatever you decide to do. All of this is my opinion based off of past experience. Good luck to you and always keep a positive attitude Deadduck | ||
| Bcordb3 |
It's a lot easier to get a job when you have a job. I would look for something else to do, another shop, another trade. Twisting wrenches at that shop isn't the last job in the world. You could do side jobs, tune ups, etc. at home, it would pay the rent once the word gets around there is someone around not charging the stealership prices. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
I would have been fired!!!! Three years and thats all they will offer you! Please do yourself a favor and take everyones advice and find another job! I have been at my company just over 3 years now, and I'm searching like a mad man for a new one! I turn wrenches and hate it! F' the man! | ||
| Rainman |
Loyalty doesn't exist in business anymore unless it's a serious mom and pop outfit. It's all bottom line, baby, and even if you're the best they've got a lot of folks will talk you down. Employees with low self-esteem don't leave as readily. DON'T ASK HOW I KNOW ALL OF THAT. | ||
| Oldog |
Rick sorry to hear this, I too think that you should be looking else where. You Will Be better off in the long run, but don't jump till you got your new job lined up. You working sunday?? I'm visiting the area this week. take one of your pistols to the local range and pop a few, it helps  | ||
| Rick_a |
Thanks, all. I didn't take it personally, they give everyone a problem when it comes to raises...they don't like to give 'em. Most long-termers in my department got a small raise AFTER FIVE YEARS. Employees usually only get offered 'em after they've found something better and put in a notice. Some take it, most leave.
Ain't that the truth. Been there, too. Did pretty well for myself, but also worked my *ss off.
Not a bad idea. I think I'll be doing some 'smithing on one of me rifles. I don't work on Sundays, thank goodness. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Working at a place where you are happy is great advice. HOWEVER... Happy doesn't pay the bills!!!! I worked for the State for 13 years before finally leaving. I was mostly happy with the job, but after 13 years, I was only making $3,000 over starting pay!!!!! The State was basically not giving raises to anyone and when they did it was across the board... Supervisors would talk about the "happy" aspects of the job and I would tell them, happy only goes so far and happy don't pay the bills... I finally jumped off that sinking ship and went to the County... I have a job where I work more now, but the work is still satisfing, plus my first year I got a 5% raise on a 3%-6% scale. Here's the kicker... It looks like I soon maybe doing the same job I used to do for the state, with LESS work, but MORE money... Go figure!!! | ||
| Mainstreamer |
It's time for you to move on Rick_a. The stress you are putting yourself through is a danger to your health and to your relationships. Try the unskilled labor route if it's 'more money' your looking for. If it's respect you seek and feel you don't get from your current employer, well not much you can do about that there. When you work for someone else you are at their mercy. For goodness sake, do something to get that bitterness behind you...... for your own well being. | ||
| Bombardier |
If you are a get up and go type guy, and from the complaints I have read on this site about Buell servicing, perhaps you should do a bit of research about servicing the bikes of other Buell riders in your own time. I am sure that if you tell the other riders upfront that you will offering this service and lay down your rates up front, they will be happy to pay for the good service they are not getting at the local Harley Dealer. Just a suggestion. | ||
| Teeps |
I've been working for close to 40 years... retail and corporate. Opinion/Observation: you will never get paid, what you think you're worth while working for someone else. | ||
| Ironken |
Rick_a: don't know if you are interested, but, U.S. freight railroads regularly hire. Look at operating crafts (conductor). Pay isn't bad. Once your seniority gets established and you can hold all year long the pay is usually between 60K and 90K depending on RR and location. U.S. RRs love military background. here's some links: https://careers.csx.com/psp/ERECRUIT/EMPLOYEE/HRMS /c/ROLE_APPLICANT.ER_APPLICANT_HOME.GBL?NAVSTACK=C lear https://www1.recruitingcenter.net/Clients/NS/Publi cJobs/controller.cfm http://www.unionpacific.jobs/careers/explore/milit ary/index.shtml | ||
| Rick_a |
Well, if there was ever a sign, I got it today. Our dealership got dropped by Buell this week. I'm currently looking into law enforcement, security, correctional, and a local aftermarket motorcycle company warehouse job. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Our dealership got dropped by Buell this week Thats a HUGE sign!! Good luck on finding something soon! Semper Fi!! | ||
| Rick_a |
We didn't get dropped...I just found out that they screwed up the licensing so they're suspended from selling Buells until they straighten things out... Messing with me gave them bad Buell Karma  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
the reason I never went into law enforcement, too many situational rules on armed engagement & picking up criminals on monday to only have them back out on the streets doing the same Shi@T by friday was very discouraging. private security/investigators/bounty bail collectors have way better lines of responsibility & tasking & better pay. +1 if you are self employed  | ||
| Irideabuell |
I feel your pain Rick. I spent 15 years with Burger King Corp. and loved the job for the first 12 and left in a hurry once I landed my current job with Barnie's Coffee. Barnie's is a family owned company and the owners appreciate every little thing you do and let you know it. Work for BK was horrible the last 3 years. Familiar with the old saying you can't get blood out of a rock - believe me, they tried. Good luck with your job search. Be selective and the right thing will come along. It took me three years to make a change, but it was the right one. | ||
| Kuuud |
Good luck with whatever you do Rick. I wonder how many raises that GM got in the same 3 years or how muck the hourly shop rate went up in the same period. I only wish I knew a local trustworthy mechanic like yourself when things were beyond my capabilities of doing it myself. The local stealership currently has my bike held hostage. It's been 3 weeks and they haven't touched it. That's after the service manager said " We're not very busy, bring it in anytime"!!! |
