{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Jaded Mechanic Podcast","title":"Flat Rate Doesn't Match the Real Repair with Josh Forbes","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":6670,"description":"In this episode, Jeff is with Josh Forbes of Maxim Muffler in Winnipeg talks about his unconventional path into the automotive industry. What started with constant breakdowns on his first car—a 1993 Ford Tempo—turned into a career built through hands-on learning, apprenticeship experience, and years of navigating different shop environments. Josh shares lessons from dealership life, the importance of shop culture, why employee appreciation matters, and his concerns about the future of right-to-repair legislation.\nTimestamps:00:00 Tools and Debt Lessons\n 00:45 Podcast Introduction\n 02:44 Shop Schedule and Weather\n 03:27 First Cars and Fuel Costs\n 08:22 Tempo Breakdowns That Started It All\n 12:24 College Training at Fanshawe\n 14:17 Choosing the Trade Path\n 17:54 Ford Dealer Quick Lane Reality\n 24:19 Book Time vs. Real Repairs\n 36:41 Why He Left the Dealer\n 39:06 Finding the Right Shop\n 41:29 The Culture That Changed Everything\n 45:21 Appreciation Over Pay\n 52:17 How Bad Culture Breaks Technicians\n 55:04 Forever Apprentice Mindset\n 58:44 Trade Pay Gap Debate\n 01:02:19 DIY Repair Horror Stories\n 01:07:54 Training Service Writers\n 01:16:24 The Right to Repair Fight\n 01:21:22 Quality Control Basics\n 01:23:46 Training Instead of Punishment\n 01:27:35 Oil Leak Case Study\n 01:31:46 Recognition and Longevity\n 01:37:35 Smart Tool Buying\n 01:40:05 Diagnostics, Process, and School\n 01:47:00 Wrap Up and Final Thoughts","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/Sk2Cxg758d7EdB1ogJfG9vxVkVeo1MgDWAiF0B9gSYw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQxMjAxLzE2ODI4/OTE3NjctYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}