question about work

i recently got a new job, but i already sense trouble, just thought id see what yall thought about it. my employer runs a bodyshop/wrecker service, and i have been working for him since monday. i have afew things on my mind that are really bothering me, first the fact that i have no contract with him, just a verbal agreement. im afraid that im gonna get screwed outta the money he owes me because there is nothing other than my record of my hours that says i am working for him. the second thing that is bothering me is the fact that he has a bad reputation with suppliers and customers about not being on time to do work, and im afraid i will kind of inherit that reputation from him, as this is a very small community. i also think im kinda getting screwed on my salary, but as long as he pays me i dont really care, but you gotta admit $6 an hour to swap motors in late model front drive EFi cars seems kinda cheap, right?
i may be clear off base with all this, just figured id run it past yall.
later,
Daniel J. Ludwig

I think it sounds a little fishy. Personally, I would like a little more than a verbal agreement with an employer with such a reputation with customers. I don't know what the going rate for such work as you mentioned is, but I know I sure as heck wouldn't do it for $6/hour. I hate doing anything on modern cars, it's hell with all that fancy computer and emissions stuff. Heck, twice that rate probably wouldn't be worth it for me.

Maybe the cost of living is less down there though. I live in the Philadelphia area, and make $10/hour at my current job working for my school part time (tutoring and lab/teachers aid) and $10/hour at my other part time job through Carnegie Mellon doing work with software we are using. If I worked full time making this money it would be very hard to get by if I lived on my own.

There are plenty of small shops in the world that dont have contracts. Nor do I bet he'll sign one. However, dont ever let him owe you money more than a week's pay.

Usually they'll hold a week, to get the books squared away, but if he is paying you cash, just get the dough each week, and if he cant pay, you arent out much.

As far as your name because of his practices, hey, if his shop is full he's doing well, if he has no work, find a better place. I wouldnt sweat your rep for 6 bucks an hour, sounds like you are just building it