Why'd you close the business and go into what you're doing now? Not enough customers to pull the wool over their eyes?
Well, it seems obvious you won't or can’t answer the question. Remember, you are the one who stated charge more money and that will fix the mechanic shortage. So, lets try again to see if you can answer the question but in a simpler context. Try this:
That's a somewhat unfair question, because it assumes an existing customer base and gives no sense of unmet demand in the area.
You should incorporate that into your advertising. Consumers deserve to know a little about the mindset of who they're doing business with.
Not really as its pretty reflective of what’s been happening on the recreational mx side for the past 10 years., ie., longtime shop owner retires with an existing customer base but there’s no one to step in and take over that business and continue support for those customers. His contention is that more people would look to take over that business provided they raise the shop rates because the existing customers will simply rollover and say thank you for the higher rate.
Interesting. How do you determine what an A&P/IA is worth?
I compare to local engineering salaries.
Without weighing in on the current debate, this comment provoked an interesting mental exercise as I tried to determinate my personal break point for a shop rate. Certainly my local shop has been slowly and steadily increasing their hourly rate, softening the blow somewhat with the "old rate" for big projects for loyal customers. I'm not sure it would be a hard break, but certainly I'd begin to consider deferring some maintenance (I'm currently a guy who doesn't defer anything to annual) and at some point I'd have to get out of certified aviation to minimize exposure. At that point, a consultative maintenance service such as Savvy begins to make more financial sense.
Even more interesting. So, what is your local engineer making these days per hour for your comparison?
Get your own data. I hire engineers for a major manufacturer, so my market data is confidential.
Thanks. Seems few can answer simple questions in this thread. For context, that starting $83,000 equates to more than the median A&P salary ($81,500) in the US to include the airlines where the top outs in 2022 where around $125,000 per year for a base wage.
lol wut?
Nope. Never increased my base rate from the day I opened.
I see exactly one person using anything terminology resembling “the customer is always right,” or “giving the customer everything they want,” and it’s you. Making stuff up, changing the rules.
Starting wage for a legacy (AA) in 2025 is $44.06 for 2080 hours a year = ~$91,000 Plus benefits (including flight benefits!)
I never changed the rules, Please show me what you are inferring.
And I still stand by that statement for the simple fact per your previous comments you believe a one man aircraft maintenance shop that lasted 40 years with a large, established customer base is somehow a failed business model.
Except I never stated that or the customer is always right. Only you have.
I’m inferring that the way you bring irrelevant information into posts and demand that people defend something they didn’t say is changing the rules of the topic, and is probably indicative of the way you would operate a business.
Same with me. I even said "the customer is not always right, but that you never win an argument with a customer". But he continued with the "customer is always right" charge because that is what he wanted to hear. Perhaps I should have gone into more detail. I told that to my staff. I also told them that if a customer had a problem they couldn't resolve (and they were authorized to take reasonable measures to resolve a problem) they should come to me. If I couldn't reasonably resolve the issue I had no problem firing a customer that needed firing.Except I never stated that or the customer is always right. Only you have.
When I've had a customer late on payment I might waive interest charges just to get paid.. THEN not work for them again. When they know you're not going to work for them, they have no reason to pay you.
Not necessarily, Most businesses have an Ideal size. The size where they are making the most money per item(s) they are selling.
That’s real life example for the AnP/IA I currently have used for 25 years. In 2 years he is retiring. He is not local to me, about 30 min flight, but I continued with him when we moved, because of our relationship. His shop rate went to $140 an hour last year, up from $130 the previous, and $120 the year before that.
And at $83,000 divided by the standard work year of 2080 hrs, that equates to $40 per hour. Also $83,000 does not take into account benefits, but the 2080 does account for 80 hrs of vacation. You can do the math for $125,000.
True. But in the context of the OPs claim its all about increasing the mechanics wage and they will flock to the recreational mx side. And while the commercial side of GA and 121 can support mechanic top out wages in the $125k range I never seen that in general at the recreational level unless the mechanic had a specialty skill set that supported the higher wage. But most small shops I'm experienced with would use a median wage to base their shop rates on to include whatever net profit they wanted. Rarely was the "shop" rate the same as the mechanic wage. Even my "mx rate", once I dropped my shop, included my wage, insurance cost, and profit.
And I still stand by that statement for the simple fact per your previous comments you believe a one man aircraft maintenance shop that lasted 40 years with a large, established customer base is somehow a failed business model.
Except I never stated that or the customer is always right. Only you have.
I use examples to prove my point then people find fault with the most minute things like grammer or spelling then its off on a tanget.
Perfect example of a tangent.
If an owner is 'on the edge' then they should sell it. Flying an UN-maintaned AC is a good idea how? I'd bet a club or rental would fit thier budget much better.
Now you think an A&P should work for nothing?
