The Jaded Mechanic Podcast

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In this episode, Jeff Compton and the Mileage May Vary Podcast welcome Sunny Massera from Portland, Oregon. Sunny shares his experience transitioning from a Bronco specialty shop to a performance and used car dealership, emphasizing the importance of shop culture and personal growth. The conversation also covers key topics like performance shop pricing strategies, the critical role of communication and customer education, and how strong service processes—especially handling warranty issues—can set a shop apart.
00:00 Talking about a big meal
04:53 Considering job opportunities
07:21 Discussing HP Tuners class
12:40 Transitioning to Modern Car Work
15:12 Bundling accessories into payments
18:06 Challenges with car repair enthusiasts
22:47 Pricing strategy for the West Coast
23:06 Balancing customer types and rates
29:18 Employee's caravan maintenance story
31:53 Discussing transparency in auto repairs
33:32 Understanding automotive service pitfalls
38:06 Handling Warranty Issues at the Shop
40:16 Handling customer complaints
43:52 Handling difficult customers
47:00 Discussing parts markup and labor costs
49:05 Comparing service rates and customer care

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
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Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
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Handling a Jasper transmission failure is frustrating, but knowing how to navigate the warranty dispute process is essential.
When a part fails immediately after installation, the tension between the shop and the provider often centers on compensation. We break down the realities of a warranty claim when the payout doesn't match the effort required to fix the vehicle. It is not just about the failed part; it is about protecting the shop's bottom line.
00:00 Learning to communicate effectively
05:44 Staff accountability practices
08:28 Handling employee mistakes
12:11 Handling a unique warranty case
13:04 Effective communication for technicians
18:04 Resolving a process issue
21:47 Communicating with parts department staff
23:37 Software feature wish list
27:47 Discussing staff accountability
29:56 Discussing engine parts returned for analysis
35:30 Buying brake pads in 1999
38:07 Dealing with VIN number issues
41:51 Technicians' career aspirations
44:14 Challenges of becoming a shop owner
46:19 Improving counter efficiency
51:22 Discussing warranty opportunities
52:10 Wrapping up with gratitude

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232

Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors.
Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
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In this episode, Jeff Compton is together with Kent Bullard, John Firm, and Dawn Sloas at ASTA to discuss personal growth, leadership, and building stronger teams. Kent explains why getting uncomfortable is necessary for growth and how hardship can become an opportunity to learn and improve. The conversation explores why money should be a result of good execution rather than the main goal, and why leadership and culture are often the biggest challenges for shop owners. They discuss building trust, encouraging teamwork, asking better questions, and creating an environment where employees can learn from mistakes.
They also cover accountability, the risks of micromanagement, letting people experience the consequences of their choices, and building processes with input from the people doing the work. The key takeaway is that real growth comes from ownership, continuous improvement, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
Timestamps:
00:00 Turning Trauma Into Growth
00:50 Morning Meetup Banter
01:22 Coffee and Cold Brew
02:25 Caffeine Toothpick Hack
02:51 Kent at ASTA
03:46 First Hunting Trip
05:20 Nature and Gratitude
08:58 Institute Updates
09:55 Goals Beyond Money
13:54 Execute and Grow
16:47 Leading With Encouragement
18:52 Culture Starts at the Top
21:05 Stop Blame, Start Teamwork
22:13 Leaving Doesn’t Fix It
22:46 Own Your Choices
24:11 Ask Why It Happened
25:58 Accountability, Not Micromanaging
29:15 How You Ask Matters
31:08 Let Consequences Teach
34:37 Stress Builds Strength
40:19 Comfort Kills Growth
41:37 Systems Over Blame
45:21 Voice Versus Vote
46:50 Wrap Up and Next Guest
47:42 Final Thanks and Subscribe

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232

Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors
Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
Save 15% on your next Launch Tech USA tool with code Launch15. Use that code at checkout HERE

In this episode, Jeff is with Josh Farris, a Mini Cooper dealership technician from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to talk about diagnostics, dealership life, flat rate pay, and career growth. Josh shares his journey from working on a 1995 Lumina to gaining experience at independent shops, Volkswagen, Lexus, and Mini. They discuss electrical and CAN bus diagnostics, corrosion, warranty work, dispatching, advisor training, and the impact of low paying work on technician morale. The conversation also covers why technicians should be paid for DVIs and inspections, how tool costs can create unnecessary pressure, and why strong communication and integrity matter in automotive repair. Josh also shares his goal of moving into leadership so he can advocate for technicians while helping shops remain profitable.
Timestamps:
00:00 Why Diagnostics Matter
00:50 Podcast Intro and ASTA Trip
01:18 Josh Joins Mini Dealer Life
03:49 Mini Electrical Nightmares
04:52 Early Tinkering Origins
06:00 First Big Fix: Lumina
07:23 Apprenticeship and Licensing Path
08:57 Host First Car Story
11:51 Mods and CAN Bus Problems
13:21 Shop Shutdown to Dealership Track
16:27 Pay Gaps and Flat Rate Reality
18:51 Lexus vs. German Engineering
25:15 Warranty Time Controversy
34:01 Advisor Training and DMS Struggles
37:31 Advisor Knowledge Gap
39:31 Train Advisors First
40:50 Bad Explanations Hurt Trust
42:52 Selling Without Division
45:36 Flat Rate Pay Stress
55:21 Stop Doing Freebies
58:34 Becoming the Mini Lead
01:03:25 Advocacy Through Communication
01:05:38 DVIs and Getting Paid
01:08:33 Tools Over Toolboxes
01:15:15 Warranty and Brand Hype
01:19:14 Tool Brand Stigma
01:20:05 Removing Tool Barriers
01:21:09 Five Year Career Goals
01:22:29 Confidence in Diagnostics
01:24:09 Getting Humbled
01:26:38 Management Stress and Advocacy
01:29:31 Customer Communication Matters
01:31:54 Dealer vs. Independent Path
01:35:11 Training and AI Shift
01:38:54 AI Limits and Reality
01:44:52 Building Diagnostic Talent
01:52:36 Accountability and Integrity
01:59:26 Closing Thanks and Sponsors 

Follow/Subscribe to the show on social media! 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232

Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors. 
 
Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERE
Save 15% on your next Launch Tech USA tool with code Launch15. Use that code at checkout HERE

In this episode, Jeff Compton sits down with Zach Fogle, a 26 year old technician from Idyllwild, California, to discuss shop life, training, technology, and the challenges facing modern technicians. Zach shares his experience working at a small multi generation shop with a towing fleet, including the frustrations of being pulled away from repair work, outdated equipment, limited tooling, inconsistent processes, and low labor rates. They also discuss customer supplied parts, diagnostics, programming, ADAS, Tekmetric, documentation, liability, and why investing in the right tools and training can help reduce comebacks and improve productivity.
The conversation closes with Zach’s hopes for the shop’s future, the importance of networking, and plans to keep learning through industry events and training.
Timestamps:
00:00 Control and Legacy
00:51 Podcast Welcome and Weather
01:36 California Life and Snow
02:52 Zach’s Background in Shops
07:45 Towing Duties and Frustrations
13:14 Paperwork and Processes
22:03 Rates, Pricing and Matrices
27:13 Tooling Gaps and ADAS
32:54 Right Tools and Liability
40:23 Programming and Modern Brakes
45:01 Trust and Service Information
45:30 Hourly Pay Dynamics
46:16 TechMetric Chaos
47:56 Paper to Software
50:23 Canned Jobs Missing
52:19 Older Tech and Tech Gap
53:41 Parts and Customer Parts
55:13 Know Your Numbers
57:20 Tire Plug Interruptions
01:01:51 Free Fluid Check Rants
01:03:56 Coolant Top Off Liability
01:06:51 Charge True Value
01:09:26 Wrong Parts and Returns
01:11:49 One Caliper Debate
01:19:52 Succession and Future
01:23:37 Training Investment Mindset
01:25:16 Training Cuts Comebacks
01:27:01 Self Taught Learning Paths
01:28:31 Proving Your Value
01:32:06 Shop Culture Inspiration
01:34:19 Power of Networking
01:38:29 Finding Your Diag Niche
01:43:28 Avoiding Project Car Traps
01:48:15 Events and Succession Plan
01:56:16 Modern Tech Over Old
01:58:24 Final Thanks and Sponsor

Follow/Subscribe to the show on social media! 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanic
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232