Your responses are all either outdated nonsense that some people still incorrectly believe or some form of ad hominem attack against me and nothing more.

 

Whoop-a-dee-doo.

I started initially by taking all 8 automotive ones in two nights - against advice from everyone I knew because I was told I wouldn't have time and it's just too much to know. I found out the first night that these certifications were a joke. I subsequently recertified them 2 times with the L1 both times; never having to study...took four one night, five the next and was beating most guys out of there with 1-2 tests. I'm far from a genius and never scored less than a 98%. That's how EASY and pointless they are. But hey, if Faye Hadley FEELS more qualified to be on TV because she flaunts the patch, more power to her.

If a person has to remind you how smart they are, it usually means they're not.

 

Well, it looks like I can buy and sell both of your educations in 5 minutes for 50 cents
Welcome to 2024

 

You're not taking my near 30-year career and the ACTUAL knowledge I have amassed along with the customer base and money that has come along with it.

But you read a book or sit in a break room staring at some dude talk on a video for a few hours then take some multiple-choice question tests every few years. Yay.

Have a nice day staring at the framed pieces of paper on your wall. I have work to do.

 

If you have no certifications and wanted to start a shop and told everyone but you have 30 years of experience with zero ASE certs good luck getting business. Would you even be insurable without any credentials? This is a totally different time than the 90s. Some companies want a bachelors degree just to sit at a computer and do data entry. Great for you that you spent 30 years with the same customer base but in reality NO ONE can go open a shop in any town across this country and expect customers to be flowing in with no credentials but touting experience.

I dont necessarily agree with all the education requirements for a lot of things but the day and age we live in requires you to have pieces of paper showing you passed a test so people can look at the piece of paper and get a small warm and fuzzy. Stop sitting on a high horse and thinking you are better than someone just because you didn't want to take the tests for the piece of paper.

 

It all depends on what you're doing. I spend most of my time doing cylinder head work, block work and grinding cams what ASE tests should I take? I do quite a bit of work for dealerships too. Never EVER accept a certificate as a substitute for actual knowledge. If you do, you'll be disappointed. By the way, I've worked in this industry for over 35 years and I've never seen anyone put any real emphasis on some sort of certification. Every shop that I do work for has more work than they know what to do with and they have a hard time getting enough help.

 

You answered your own question before you asked it...

 

I know, there is no certification. If a shop can find a guy who can turn the work and have very few comebacks then they will have no problem with job security.

 

I dont doubt you know what you're doing because I've read your comments before. I know there is no replacement for experience. That said, in YOUR situation word of mouth is more i.portant than anything. If you were changing oil, doing brake jobs and actual vehicle maintenance for the general public, you aren't going to get business without having mechanics who are ASE certified. Hence why you said "It depends on what you're doing". If you have an established business and a reputation that is TOTALLY different than someone trying to start anything today. You can get a job at a shop or a dealership without certifications. The Ford dealer down the street is looking for people with no experience and claiming you will be a "Technician's Apprentice" but they also only pay $16/hr. If you have ASE certs you can get $21/hr.

 

One of the local Cleveland OH Ford dealers lost its ability to even work on diesels because they did not have an ASE-certified Diesel mechanic (or that may have been Master Diesel Mechanic). Yes, the knowledge requirement is greater for a Master certification!
My one buddy is required to renew his Master cert every few years. He does not work for any Ford dealership - but he is a paid 'Technical Consultant' to several independent auto repair shops in the area. His deep-dive scan tool subscription is several $Gs/year. Many small shops can't afford that...

 

I can count on most of my fingers and toes how many "Certified Master Techs" I wouldn't trust to rotate tires. That paper means Jack unless there is a number of years of experience behind it. I was "ASE Master Certified" before the end of my first year of auto tech school. I had my L1 after the end of my second year. Would you trust me to work on your car at that point? I wouldn't because I knew relatively NOTHING about the business by then (although I, unlike Joe Biden) WAS the top of my class but had no real professional experience.

I admit to not being perfectly clear but you didn't read where I mentioned actually having these certifications (both ASE and GM Technician) for a third of my career before deciding that the money wasn't worth the hassle. I run my own shop, have insurance, and am usually booked solid through 3 weeks or more without any advertising. I also don't have employees because...well....if I put my name on it, it is GOING to be up to my standards.

If you think I'm on some sort of high horse because I think experience outweighs a few Technician A says/Technician B says questions, then so be it. But I have been on both sides and my reputation in this area speaks volumes to me. Want to guess how many referred/new customers ask to see my certificates?

 

There is no shortage of "mechanics" with 30+ years of "experience" who's shops are dirtier than a 6 year old's bedroom and they have dozens of vehicles parked out front and tons of work and I wouldn't trust them to check my oil. Blanket statements like 30 years of experience are subjective. One peraon with 30 years of experience could be the best around and another could have 2 teef in his head and be dumber than a box of rocks.