Why do owners feel the need to micromanage?

[YarisSedan]

So I manage a automotive repair shop. On a daily basis the owner/ owners like to altenator popping in and out on a daily basis as well as calling and texting. To see the status of the day. On top of they are constantly tryign to dictate how to do my job. But on top of that what one owner tells me to do another owner may say the oposite. But to make it confusing enough what either of them want one week may change another. So there is no possible way to appease anyone just resulting in a revulting nightmare of headaches.

One example is that the owner requires everyone to take a 1 hour lunch. But then there are days where we are busy and then they will say to take a 30 min lunch to work and help the customers. BUT a week later they will say how come you didnt take a 1 hour lunch. Because you just told me to take a 30 minute lunch that day to help the customers. NO I told you to take a 1 hour lunch from now on. So what they want changes and what they tell us they seem to forget.

Another example is how i deal with customers. Now keep in mind these people have no automotive experience what soever. They want me when a customer comes in. To pull the car in the shop. Start removing wheels before there is even a workorder written. And then give them the estimate. That way they will feel obligated.

Even though BAR requires a signed estimate with consent to perform any work on the vehicle before it is even pulled into the shop with customer and vehicle information.

Another example is when a customer comes in for a oil change. Dont tell them its a 2 hour wait. They will just walk out. Which is what i would do when there is a 2 hour wait. I was like what would you like me to tell the customer? If i tell them its 20 minutes and they wait 2 hours they will be pretty pissed and not come back to our shop again.

Sorry to rant and rave i am just so pissed and yarisworld is my only outlet.

What ever happend to honesty and integrety. I know what most members are going to say. When your owner starts making you do questionable business practices it is time to leave. Just the only thing is i am stuck right now because i am looking for a new place to live. If anyone recalls my previouse post about my curent living situation with roaches. So i cant just quit. And i dont have another job lined up at the moment.

[YarisSedan]

Oh yeah and to top it all off. They just hired some moron mechanic. After me and the other tech told the owners not to hire him. I think it was a favor hire for a friend of the owner or something which is why they disreguarded what we said. I think he may be partially blind. As well as he does not seem to speak or understand english well. Yet he suposidly is a mechanic for 15 years. Yet when he puts his oil change stickers on the car he puts todays date and milage. Or better yet sometimes he puts the date 3 months ago?!?!

[eTiMaGo]

Originally Posted by YarisSedan

So I manage a automotive repair shop. On a daily basis the owner/ owners like to altenator popping in and out on a daily basis as well as calling and texting. To see the status of the day. On top of they are constantly tryign to dictate how to do my job. But on top of that what one owner tells me to do another owner may say the opposite. But to make it confusing enough what either of them want one week may change another. So there is no possible way to appease anyone just resulting in a revulting nightmare of headaches.

One example is that the owner requires everyone to take a 1 hour lunch. But then there are days where we are busy and then they will say to take a 30 min lunch to work and help the customers. BUT a week later they will say how come you didnt take a 1 hour lunch. Because you just told me to take a 30 minute lunch that day to help the customers. NO I told you to take a 1 hour lunch from now on. So what they want changes and what they tell us they seem to forget.

Sounds like my typical day Sometimes I just wanna bring a voice recorder to the office to remind people of what they actually asked me to do...

[RedRide]

That's not micro managing.
It's just pure, ol' fashioned incompetent managing.

[YarisSedan]

Yeah i thought about that too. To remind them of what they just said. I noticed your from thailand. My family is from there. i remember going there when i was little. They had this huge multi story mall. I went ther with 20 bucks american money once it was convereted over i couldnt even spend it all at the mall. I came home with so many cool toys. And a new fanny pack. That was when fanny packs were cool =)

[wiliker]

Sorry to hear about your terrible bosses. They sound a bit shady as well

Hopefully you can get out of such a bad work environment.

I saw you mention that you were looking for a place to stay. I have an extra room in my condo that is for rent but it's a bit far from where you are currently. I am located in Hercules, just an FYI in case you didn't mind the drive.

Here's the ad on craigslist.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/roo/1343630812.html

[elmo]

What ever happend to honesty and integrety

that goes out the window once they start making the big bucks, i have a friend that is constantly getting screwed by his bosses but the money is to good to quit

[eTiMaGo]

http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/car...to-Be-Free.htm

Good reading somewhat on the topic

[Tamago]

i worked for a company where the owner would coach me on how to hold a ballpoint pen.



IMO it doesn't get more degrading than that.

[Phaeton]

The owner is The OWNER, it's his money at stake so he might tend to take things a little more serious than a manager. I'm not saying it's right, I deal with the same crap every day.

[TLyttle]

I quit a few jobs in my career because of clowns like that, mostly because my values would not allow me to lie or rip off customers. Look at it this way: you were looking for a job when you found that one, and wiliker just solved your accommodation problem, at least temporarily. Your integrity and reputation should not be sacrificed to the greed of the owner.

Being the owner is no excuse for that kind of crap; bail while you can, as a company with that kind of ethics won't last long.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by YarisSedan

So I manage a automotive repair shop. On a daily basis the owner/ owners like to altenator popping in and out on a daily basis as well as calling and texting. To see the status of the day. On top of they are constantly tryign to dictate how to do my job. But on top of that what one owner tells me to do another owner may say the oposite. But to make it confusing enough what either of them want one week may change another. So there is no possible way to appease anyone just resulting in a revulting nightmare of headaches.

One example is that the owner requires everyone to take a 1 hour lunch. But then there are days where we are busy and then they will say to take a 30 min lunch to work and help the customers. BUT a week later they will say how come you didnt take a 1 hour lunch. Because you just told me to take a 30 minute lunch that day to help the customers. NO I told you to take a 1 hour lunch from now on. So what they want changes and what they tell us they seem to forget.

Another example is how i deal with customers. Now keep in mind these people have no automotive experience what soever. They want me when a customer comes in. To pull the car in the shop. Start removing wheels before there is even a workorder written. And then give them the estimate. That way they will feel obligated.

Even though BAR requires a signed estimate with consent to perform any work on the vehicle before it is even pulled into the shop with customer and vehicle information.

Another example is when a customer comes in for a oil change. Dont tell them its a 2 hour wait. They will just walk out. Which is what i would do when there is a 2 hour wait. I was like what would you like me to tell the customer? If i tell them its 20 minutes and they wait 2 hours they will be pretty pissed and not come back to our shop again.

Sorry to rant and rave i am just so pissed and yarisworld is my only outlet.

What ever happend to honesty and integrety. I know what most members are going to say. When your owner starts making you do questionable business practices it is time to leave. Just the only thing is i am stuck right now because i am looking for a new place to live. If anyone recalls my previouse post about my curent living situation with roaches. So i cant just quit. And i dont have another job lined up at the moment.

OMG, I could have written this post!!! Only, I'm not a mechanic so I'd have to change the vocabulary here and there, but pretty much I have the same complaints!!

We do, too, have people who tell us to do something one day, then the following week you get yelled at for doing exactly what they told you to do but they forgot. doomed if you do, doomed if you don't

The only advice I can give you right now is to NOT QUIT in a huff. I know that's easier said than done, but the reality is that jobs out there are few and far between right now.

So when it gets to the point that you can't stand the place another minute, call in sick, but don't show up when you're so mad that you'll quit. I've done that before and almost always regretted it, especially when money starts running out. I would start looking for a job while you have one, because employers like that better usually.

It's difficult when your boss tells you to do something that goes contrary to your principles. To be honest, I haven't completely resolved that one either and I've been in the workforce a long time, but I've still decided that there are lines I will not cross no matter what. If they want to fire me, I guess they can. But then again, it's California = employment at will anyway

Just keep in mind that when there is a recession, jobs get tougher for the people who have them. There are fewer people doing more work, and the employers feel they can be more abusive to their employees because it's hard to find work.

But what you describes is unfortunately really common, I'm sorry to say.

Hang in there.

[tomato]

By the way, have you decided how much you'll charge for mobile detailing? Maybe you could start that on the side already, why not?

[yaris prime]

Make sure you communicate these issues with them when they arise. Use specific examples and let them know how it makes you feel. Most people are resonable. I'm sure you feel that the things they do make no sense, but they may not realize exactly what is going on, even though, from your perspective, it should be common sense. Just don't let it build until you fly off the handle, then you will look like the unreasonable one.
As far as the dishonest business practices go; that is a tough one. I would suggest that you let them know that it is against your nature to do things that particular way and maybe suggest some alternatives. Let them know that a customer who thinks they have been treated fairly will spread the word and return when new problems arise, AND tell others to do the same. A customer who feels that they have not been treated fairly will not return and will not recommend you. Word of mouth is KING !

[YarisSedan]

Originally Posted by tomato

By the way, have you decided how much you'll charge for mobile detailing? Maybe you could start that on the side already, why not?

yeah i started doing that already on my days off. Been charging 100 a car so far.

But business is only word of mouth so far. Gona try to advertise on craigslist as well. I just orderded a huge stock of supplies and a cordless polisher so hoepfully my business picks up i can do it full time maybe or atleast part time.

[DandiDani]

I couldnt lie to my customers like theyve told you to do. If i was told its only gonna take 20min and i waited for two hours...i wouldnt go back to that shop and i would tell my friends/family not to go there either.Customers will ask if we have something in the backroom bcuz their size isnt on the salesfloor. well some lazy people who dont want to walk back there and look will tell them no this is all we have right now. if im not 100% positive i will go back there.yesterday i had a man ask me for a size 44 pant and i went to the backroom and found a 46. he needed them bad enough and bought the next size up(46).He ended up buying two pairs of pants and a belt and was really happy when he left the store. i find that when i treat my customers well they will come back. if we are always telling them no sir/mam we dont have it bcuz no one wants to walk to the backroom and check...they are going to leave and go find it elsewhere. i agree with yaris prime...maybe if you talk to them.it cant hurt to try...just dont be like my brother and talk AT them(got him fired a couple of times).

[TLyttle]

Years ago there was a survey regarding customer reactions to good-bad service. Something along the lines of a customer who gets good service will tell 2 people, bad service will tell 10 or more.

Same thing with employees: treat a worker honestly and fairly, and get excellent results and loyalty. Treat him like he can be replaced any time, and expect trouble. It is so simple, but most owners/managers never get the message. And wages? "One always pays less for the oats after they have been through the horse once..."

[marcus]

maybe they want to have the MicroImage...lolz