mecp installer vs not mecp installer

I was never MECP certified when I was installing and I would much rather let myself (or someone of my skill set) touch a car then some of the MECP certified people I worked with.  Getting the certification doesn't really mean anything, unfortunately.

At the end of the day, when I'm going to let someone work on my car I like to talk to that person, get a feel for what they're going to do, and try to figure out how knowledgeable they are.  If I'm not happy with the technician I leave.  I don't care what the papers hanging on the wall say, if I don't think the guy/girl is capable of working on my car I don't let them.

Now, if MECP positioned themselves to be liable for any mistakes an MECP certified technician made then I might have different feelings, but at the end of the day the MECP board has NO accountability for what their "certified" installers are doing.

If you have a good portfolio and are knowledgable no shop is going to turn you down for a job just because you aren't certified.  If they require MECP certification they will hire you with the condition that you get certified within x months.  A good shop would also pay for the test as well.  But a shop won't pass on a good installer just because they arn't certified.

I had never had a customer ask me if I was certified or whatnot.  I guess MECP is getting bigger over the years so maybe more customers are aware that it exists.

Still_walkin, you should get a job at a Big Box store such as Best Buy.  Hands down, it's the best way to get into the business, unless you have a connection with a good independent bay that is willing to train.  Here's how I see it;  They are willing to train you, pay for your mistakes, and pay for your MECP certification.  Granted they will only pay for only so many mistakes, but you won't have that gorilla on your back trying to be so careful that you make more mistakes.

As far as the MECP certification goes, I got my First Class certification while I was with Best Buy only because it gave me pay increases.  I learned a few things (just what IS Mu-metal!??!), but nothing that changed the course of my install career.  My customers have NEVER asked if I was certified, what MECP was, or anything remotely close to certification.  The only thing my customers notice, or ask for, is the install gaurantee, which is set by the policies of the install bay, or company, I work for.  MECP certification will never dictate the install gaurantee of a shop.

Oh and I am going for my master's cert.  just because it would be cool to be considered part of the Elite, as least on paper. lol