Auto parts isn't usually such a dramatic line of work. Maybe you need a total change. Sounds like you have experience working independently - the hard way. Maybe you can build on that.
So, just as a disclaimer, this is going to be a few paragraphs of me just complaining about some things and trying to find some consolation about my decisions because I feel like trash.
Mid-July I left my chaotic job that I had been doing general manager role in the absence of one and not being paid for it 60+ hours a week for 3 months. Me and one other person were running a large auto repair garage alone and short on techs.
The job I went to was a dealership parts job that was fairly peaceful and it was a brief relief until there started to be problems with the business. I don’t want to make it too identifiable but they had four locations, and two of the locations suddenly went under because the owners were keeping severe financial problems a secret. One of the remaining locations is known to be struggling, and the fourth is supposedly alive and well.
One of the ones that went under was the one at which I had been hired. They called me the same day and asked if I could come down to “talk”. I agreed and they offered me a position in parts at their “alive and well” location. I accepted as it was better than being unemployed. I was one of three people that survived the implosion there so I felt complimented as well. There were people much more senior than me that didn’t make it.
It was a totally different system to get used to and all new people so I was essentially starting a second new job in 2 months. I don’t like being incapable and a stranger so it was rough for awhile and weighing on me, but I’m getting better.
So, the story we’ve been told is that basically, this company has a fifth location in another state that’s a gold mine and long-established. They were using that place’s income to keep the new locations in my area afloat. The “alive and well” location I got transferred to shares the same manufacturer with the gold mine, while the other three locations were different brands. This is key because that’s their reasoning for the “alive and well” location will not have the problems of the others. They tell us they made a financial agreement with “alive and well” brand regarding a future project that they’re not allowed to provide “alive and well” funds from gold mine to the other 3 brands until a certain date, but could still provide gold mine funds to “alive and well” location. This was simultaneously the reason for the collapse, and why “alive and well” will be okay in the long run.
That’s all reasonable and believable so I decided to get comfortable and settle down.
After a couple weeks, the other surviving location had an issue with a vendor that supplies things, we were told that our company had a contract with vendor for x number of employees, due to people leaving out of nervousness they fell below that number so the contract was broken, thus the conflict. A few of us called the vendor directly to inquire and they flat out told us it was non-payment of bills. Now... nobody is surprised this location was not paying bills, they’re in a deep hole... it was that they lied to us that disturbs me. That scared me enough to get me browsing Indeed.
About that time, a friend texted me that a long-established and stable dealer nearby had a parts position open, and that a connection that works there in another dept was willing to vouch for me. I looked it up and it was posted online as a salaried position. I lept at the opportunity and applied immediately.
They called me a few days later, I set up an interview and went the next day. I interviewed with the parts manager and it was a good interview. Here’s where I started to feel weird though.
Just as we were finishing up the general manager comes back from lunch, and starts to talk to me. Cue second, unexpected interview where he asks me all the same questions as the first guy, while the first guy stands there, except more intense. We were just finishing up again when a third guy who I still don’t know who they were walks in without really introducing himself. Cue third, unexpected consecutive interview with more or less the same questions while the first two guys sit and watch. It was incredibly awkward. This third guy also got very, unusually deep into my past jobs and life.
Also, the Indeed ad was misleading because the position was not salary like the ad said. It was not a positive first impression.
On top of that, something minor is that I’m somewhat introverted and socially awkward. I’ve never had a problem interacting with coworkers but this parts room seemed extremely small from the outside and it seems like they keep four people back there so I worry about being unhappy in a cramped space.
So, they said they’d call me in a day or two. After a week went by I already convinced myself that they didnt pick me and maybe it’s for the best. Maybe I panicked and I’ll be okay where I am long term. My gut was telling me not to do it just because of all I experienced since, and I don’t dislike my current place, I’m just afraid of the potential instability.
Then they called me, and I didn’t answer. They called me a second time and I was at work, they said to return their call later without telling me anything. I stressed for a couple hours and texted him that I assume he was contacting me with an offer, and I had to respectfully decline and apologized.
Afterward, the friend who set me up asked what happened, and the connection that works there said he was disappointed... it’s over now and I can’t take it back.
I just keep going back and forth on if I made a mistake or not. The feeling to not go through with it was just so strong.
Sorry this was long, thanks to anyone who read this far. It’s just a couple months worth of anxiety and frustration coming out, and hoping for someone to justify myself to me if that makes any sense, ha. Part of me wishes I just toughed it out longer in my previous job, but 60-70 hours a week was wrecking my personal life among other offenses by upper management.

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