I am a tech in a Dodge dealer. I have always been a mechanic of some sorts. I have always been lucky and got paid houry up until the dealership. But flat rate straight up sucks unless the shop is swamped. My service manager fed me a line of **** about how busy they are... Blah blah blah. Yea so damn busy the average weekly flag rate is low to mid 30's. Not accepable in my book. And to touch on the whole "people taking advantage/disrespecting you" thing... I only help out my close family. I work on my moms, dads, sisters and 1 of my brothers vehicles for free. You phuck me once you can kiss my ass. Youll never get a break from me again. I dont talk to my older brother anymore because of chit like that. As much as i love mechanics and working on cars, it does suck as a profession IMO. I probably wont be a mechanic for much longer.. Which kind of sucks like you said, becuse i have a massive investment in my box and tools inside it. But you can bet once i get my garage built at my house ill be doing work out of it.