Flat rate vs. hourly shop pay, which one actually keeps techs around longer?

Last month our top guy walked out after 8 years because the flat rate book kept screwing him on warranty jobs, but my buddy in Austin says his shop went hourly 3 years ago and now everyone just drags their feet on purpose. Is it really about the pay structure, or is it more about how the service manager runs the board on a Tuesday morning?

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finleylopez20d ago

Honestly nothing keeps a good tech around like a service manager who actually flips the work their way. Flat rate pays great when the gravy's flowing, but one bad week of warranty comebacks and suddenly the book makes you feel like a thief. Hourly just turns the whole thing into a time clock race, which is its own kind of misery. The pay structure matters less than whether they trust you'll get a fair shot at the good tickets.