A 26 Year Old Tech Trapped in an Old School Shop with Zach Fogle

Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsors.   Need to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERESave 15% on your next Launch Tech USA tool with code Launch15. Use that code at checkout HEREIn 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at a small multi generation shop with a towing fleet, including the frustrations of being pulled away from repair work, outdated equipment, limited tooling, inconsistent processes, and low labor rates.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 Legacy00:51 Podcast Welcome and Weather01:36 California Life and Snow02:52 Zach’s Background in Shops07:45 Towing Duties and Frustrations13:14 Paperwork and Processes22:03 Rates, Pricing and Matrices27:13 Tooling Gaps and ADAS32:54 Right Tools and Liability40:23 Programming and Modern Brakes45:01 Trust and Service Information45:30 Hourly Pay Dynamics46:16 TechMetric Chaos47:56 Paper to Software50:23 Canned Jobs Missing52:19 Older Tech and Tech Gap53:41 Parts and Customer Parts55:13 Know Your Numbers57:20 Tire Plug Interruptions01:01:51 Free Fluid Check Rants01:03:56 Coolant Top Off Liability01:06:51 Charge True Value01:09:26 Wrong Parts and Returns01:11:49 One Caliper Debate01:19:52 Succession and Future01:23:37 Training Investment Mindset01:25:16 Training Cuts Comebacks01:27:01 Self Taught Learning Paths01:28:31 Proving Your Value01:32:06 Shop Culture Inspiration01:34:19 Power of Networking01:38:29 Finding Your Diag Niche01:43:28 Avoiding Project Car Traps01:48:15 Events and Succession Plan01:56:16 Modern Tech Over Old01:58:24 Final Thanks and Sponsor Follow/Subscribe to the show on social media! TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanicFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232