Body Shop Closed Its Doors

[Suburban 550 28]

On Friday, after 35 years at the same body shop, the owner has decided to close its doors forever. I'm totally devasted at this point, the thoughts of starting all over again at the age of 53 and even to try to find another good job is going to be hard because there aren't too many out there. Thank God the wife has a good paying job and we will be able to switch over to her health care benefits. Well, there is unemployment benefits for now but the thought of sittin' back and doin' nothing will drive me crazy. I guess I'll be able to get things done that I couldn't when I was workin' and I still have another round hood to restore. Hope I find something soon.

[Ken B 3,189]

Sorry to hear of the lost job Ray. Do you have the room to be able too take on side jobs? Just a thought.

[VinsRJ 723]

This must be the new "American Theme"....... Looks like I'm starring down the same barrel. Sorry to hear................. Good luck and keep look'n forward.

[MikesRJ 558]

I just got re-hired, and started last Monday, after being out-of-work for over a year and a half. Keep your head up and don't underestimated the power of every contact you have. Make sure you mention it to everyone, you never know where or when the next successful contact will walk into your life.

I will be back in Detroit next week, then over to Germany (Munich) for additional training for three weeks (during Octoberfest no less; Oompa Bands and St. Paulie Girls serving Beer! How can you top that?); all because I mentioned to a buddy that I was out of work. He lead me to this opportunity which should be a great one.

Keep looking around buddy, you'll find something.

[Roger from southern Iowa 1]

Sorry to hear this.

Around here (so far) good body men are not having any problem finding work.

Wish you the best.

[rmaynard 16,292]

Ray,

What a bummer. I know how you feel. After 35 years in the office equipment industry, I found myself on the outside looking in.

I was always good at fixing things around the house, so I went into the handyman business (you remember Pandora's box at the show). It has not been easy, but it is better then unemployment. At age 60 now, I find that "real" employment is only a dream.

With your skills Ray, you will survive. Here's and idea. Start a shop that specializes in body work and painting of Wheel Horse tractors and I think you will have more business than you can handle.

Keep your chin up and keep networking. The more people that know what your skills are, and that you are looking for work, the better your chances of finding something.

Bob

[fireman 1,022]

Ray,

Sorry to hear about this. If the Body Shop has been doing good, why don't you and/or some of the other guys take it over if the owners just going to shut it down. That's what I would do

Jeff

[buckrancher 2,694]

been there Ray after 24 years at my last job. Keep your chin up

there work out there for someone with your skills

we'll be talking to you soon buddy

Brian

[Butch 194]

Try and hang in there buddy. I know it's easier said than done but you can collect unemployment for awhile which you sure have earned after 35 years on the job. Get some projects done around the house.

I don't know what new job I would consider at your age and where you live but what about an insurance estimator. Same line of work and insurance companies probably pay well with good benefits.

There always seems to always be truck drivers jobs around.

Considering where you live you may have to change your line of work. If I were an employer I'd be thrilled to get someone like you. 35 years in one place since high school says a lot about character and loyalty.

Hang in there and keep us posted.

[Coadster32 793]

Sorry to hear about the job situation. If it makes you feel any better, the last couple of guys I hired at the shop were over 50yrs old. They have great experience, insight, ethics, and are mature. (Nice not to have a guys underwear showing, and have to babysit someone.) Seems as though the younger ones feel that they are entitled to something, and don't need to earn their spot. (The young ones here on RS are certainly excluded from that statement). I like you would have only one job on my resume, and that speaks volumes. Can't tell you how many guys I've interviewed and have 12 jobs in the last 6 years. Tells you alot about someone. You are very marketable, and don't give up! :USA:

[racinfool40 203]

I feel for ya but hang in their I have been lalaid off for over a year and a half now from a industrial fork lift manufacturer was a welder there for 6 yrs and prior to that was in the commercial construction field were i was a welder also and carpenter. I've learned to market the skills iI have and has led to some good moonlightin jobs. So hang in their :)

[DoctorHfuhruhurr 137]

Did he close because he was going to retire or did business decline? Maybe a few of you from that place can continue it on if it's a profitable venture and buy the equipment off him cheap.

[Ken B 3,189]

From what I've seen and experienced personally, if a few were to purchase the biz there would probably be too many cooks in the kitchen or too many chiefs and not enough Indians if ya know what I mean. :)

[Butch 194]

Did he close because he was going to retire or did business decline? Maybe a few of you from that place can continue it on if it's a profitable venture and buy the equipment off him cheap.

2 brothers started the business 35 years ago. Now they're in their late 60s and early 70s and decided to call it quits.

[tarcoleo 119]

I operated a shop specializing in the restoration of "anything smaller than a

breadbox" for twenty years, after 15 years of R&D in smokestack industries.

It should not be surprising here that people treasure many things because they are familiar and often better than new stuff. Thus, they are willing to pay for someone willing to love, respect and rework their treasures, whatever they are. All you need to do is find a good location and effective media to inform people your services exit.

Local classified advertising worked for me in New Jersey. Be creative! Don't

depend on others to put you to work.

Tom in RI (retired) :)

[dclarke 4,082]

Ray, sorry to hear about your job. hope something comes your way soon.

[mavfreak 11]

I just lost my job to. ( My job went by by) post. Its a very hard thing to deal with when you lost your job whgen its not your fault. Here in PA from what I understand alot of body shops will be closing because of the clean air thing there starting. I'm havin trouble finding a job right now just because there isn't any. But keep your eyes open and your chin up. Good luck to you

[JimD 3,347]

Ray, as you know I sat on unemployment for six months while looking for a job. When it ran out I got a call from a company contracted to the local college for a job in housekeeping of all things. I took it, didn't pay much but it was something. I just started my second week back in a machine shop, I feel very lucky to be there. hang in there and as others have said keep telling everyone you know about your situation, That's what finally got me this job, so it does work. Best of luck to you my friend.

[Suburban 550 28]

Thanks for all your moral support guys, it is very much appreciated. What it basically came down to, my boss is 79 years old would have kept it open and his brother who was 73 decided it was time to retire. My boss asked me and the painter to stay on and we could keep it going and we would pick and choose what jobs we wanted to take on. It sounded like a good deal until the last minute the painter decided to take on a job in the window manufacturing business. That left me the last man standing. The garage is currently up for sale and if I was a little younger and could find a couple decent bodymen, I know I could get it for a great price. But the cost of health insurance (owner paid over $1100 a month for the wife and I) and liability insurance is through the roof. Plus when you change the name of the shop, DEP will be in on you like flies on sh**. Alot of shops are changing over to waterbourne paint on there own but down the road it will be mandatory and basically what it boils down to is all the small shops will not be able to afford to stay in business. After doing bodywork for all those years, my body and lungs are startin' to show wear and tear and I would like to stay in the automobile business maybe as a body shop manager, parts department of auto dealership, or an insurance adjuster. Guess I'll have to wait and see what happens. Again, thanks for all your concern. :USA:

[papaglide 542]

Ray, everything happens for a reason. God bless.

[whfan74 2,071]

Really sorry to hear this Ray! Hang in there.....like many people have already stated you have a very useful talent that is needed. Something will pop up for you when you lease expect it.

[Buzz 502]

Ray, my BIL was an insurance adjuster in New Mexico for a few years. He said now you need a college education. I guess they value book learning over hands on experience. It wouldn't hurt to call all of the adjusters that came into your shop and ask how to break into their line of work. Also let them know you are losing your job. They are in a dozen body shops a week, they could spread the word that you're available. Type up a resume with your experience and qualifications and send it to every body shop, including dealerships, in the area.

Good luck

[dclarke 4,082]

Hope you had a good week Ray and things are going well for you.

[Suburban 550 28]

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for their concern with the loss of my job. Sometimes when you sit back and think, I was very fortunate to have the job that I had for the last 35 years. A wise man once told me, when one door closes another one opens, and that's what happened today. After only collecting unemployment for the past 5 weeks, I received a call from a paint and body shop supply company that we did business with for many years and accepted a job with them, which I start on Monday. I had a few chances where I could have worked for a couple other body shops but I sat back and asked myself is that what I really want to do in this stage of the game. So as a word of inspiration to any unemployed RS members, some decent jobs are out there and hopefully you'll be as lucky as me someday. :)

[mavfreak 11]

:) I am so happy for you! lets hope it takes you to retirement!

Never give up hope!