Why are car dealerships closed on Sundays?
Answer: Because of blue laws.
Let’s think about this a bit. Assume that:
- Purchasing a car requires money.
- Purchasing a car requires time.
We may logically infer that:
- Those who purchase cars have money.
- Those who have money generally have jobs.
- Those who have jobs generally work Monday through Friday.
- Those who have jobs generally do not work Saturday or Saturday.
Thus, we may conclude that:
- Car buyers with jobs are often forced to purchase on Saturday.
- Allowing dealerships to remain open on Sunday would benefit buyers by giving them more time to make decisions.
July 26th, 2004 at 1:27 am
You should outline your proposal for revised weekend hours, which I think was quite on target.
July 26th, 2004 at 8:31 am
While it is agreed that most people who purchase cars have money, I’m not as sure about the Monday-Friday assumption of your “people who have jobs” description. The following article discusses this:
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/05.27/15-24_7.html
To quote: “Presser’s research found that the “standard” workweek is hardly the standard any more. Only 29 percent of employed Americans work between 35 and 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, she discovered. One in five Americans works mostly nonstandard hours, and one-third of all employed Americans work weekends.”
So, when you say “jobs”, I think that’s being a little general. Do you mean ‘certain *kinds* of jobs’ or…. what? And it should also be noted that those who do not work the standard M-F shifts can also make a good deal of money, so the income with which to purchase a car need not be made on a M-F schedule.
Getting back to the nebulous “jobs” for a moment, your main point (that of wanting people to work on both Saturdays and Sundays so you can be better served), requires that people have… that’s right, you guessed it, “jobs” on the weekend. If enough people demand this, then the M-F “job” would become a smaller and smaller portion of the workforce as a whole (which is a point we reached a long time ago). So are we now proposing some sort of class system of jobs? The ‘higher’ classes work their M-F shifts, and the ‘lower’ classes are expected to be there for them Saturday & Sunday, so all of the upper class purchases can be made with convenience? When do the lower classes by *their* cars?
Finally, you say: “Allowing dealerships to remain open on Sunday would benefit buyers by giving them more time to make decisions”. Given everything you’ve remarked upon previously in this post, I think that this actually translates to: “I work M-F. I do not wish to shop for a car during the evenings, only on the weekend. I wish to shop for the car on Saturday, think about it overnight, and then go back on Sunday and purchase it.” If I’ve mistranslated here, then please correct me. But it seems to me that if you’re really wanting more time to make a car-buying decision, a Saturday-to-Saturday time frame would seem much more satisfactory than a Saturday-to-Sunday period. Wouldn’t it? Unless your car is completely falling apart, the longer waiting period would make more sense. And most people don’t wait until their car is on their last leg before purchasing another one. Not if they work Monday - Friday and have money. :-)
And, what is up with the dealerships in your area? Aren’t any of them open during the evening? Ours are down here.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:51 pm
I work in the automotive industry and I do not want to see the car dealerships allowed to open on Saturday and Sunday. The workforce in the dealerships need a day to count on for rest and family time. If the dealerships were open these peolpe would not have any free time. The dealers are only interested in the bottom line and not in the little guy struggling to make ends meat and have a life outside of work.
February 13th, 2005 at 10:51 am
I have always thought it was ridiculous that dealerships were closed on Sunday. While it is true that many more people now work a non-traditional week, this is untrue for most professional occupations, which still follow a M-F schedule. In addition, those who are capable of purchasing more expensive vehicles almost always work during the week, and often late into the evenings. Maybe the dealers should be like hair salons and close on Monday instead, that way they would still be able to offer employees a day off.
And just to address the comment above, what is wrong with a private business only beinig concerned with the bottom line?
March 14th, 2006 at 3:31 am
I have been in the Auto Industry for a few years now and am a Manager in California. We are open Sundays. Where we are able to spend all day while some friends are doing things with the Church as well as other friends take the boat on the lake so we can be there for you..the customer who could not fit it into there schedule to come in some evening or on a Saturday to purchase a vehicle. Don’t worry, no owner out here will close and lose that hard earned money. After all your time is far more important then ours. Funny when I was in Europe they actually close several businesses just for lunch. And there economy seems to be doing just fine even closing on a Sunday…just a ponder from the other side of the fence…
June 11th, 2006 at 9:49 am
I read Laura’s comment and say WHAT EVER. That?s BS. Have you gone to a dealership and seen the amount of employees they have. Are you saying when one employee takes off for a day they ALL have to go with him? I have never seen my office take a day off together. It is hard to look in the evenings and go back on sat to drive a car and decide between several. NOT every dealer is going to have the exact color, year, make, model, interior design and interior color. It?s Sunday and today a dealer is going to get my business on a new 30k truck, because he is open on Sundays
August 18th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
What states have blue laws preventing them from selling cars on sundays?
October 22nd, 2006 at 10:39 am
I work a non-traditional schedule as discussed above. I rarely know when I will have a day off but I am always a little disappointed when I end up with Sunday off. I do like to watch football but say I need to get a lot done that day. It’s difficult what with the ridiculous blue laws.
I’d like to respond to Matt’s post as well, which I thought was a bit nasty. Matt the personal attacks are a waste of time. Trying to paint the author as some sort of class hating ass is just stupid and childish.
Yes, many Americans DO work Monday through Friday. No, that does not make them a “better class” of people, nor does it make them elitists. Your attempts to somehow pigeon whole 9-5ers into this category is just ridiculous. My garbage man works mon-fri. Is he an elitist? What about the doctor who works on call (Sundays! gasp!) is he lower class?
I think you need to spend less time clouding the issue with your zany “class wars†nonsense and get back reality.
Blue law’s no longer serve ANY rational purpose. Why does the government get to determine what days are suitable for auto sales and which days are not?
The answer can be found in your local church. Blue laws are laws built around old Judea Christians values (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, many laws can be linked to or are shared by Judea Christian ideas of right and wrong)- people still argue to this day that should blue laws be repealed drinking will go up and church attendance will go down.
I say SO WHAT!
Adults should be able to choose! Why should the rest of us suffer (suffer is an exaggeration of course) because christians/catholics/muslims/whatever are afraid that their fellow believers CANNOT HANDLE the responsibility of being able to have a drink or buy a car on SUNDAY? It’s DUMB!!
Personally I don’t care if they (those hanging to their faith by a thread) can’t handle having choice. Being an adult is about making the right choices and I think many religious leaders would tell you that being a good follower of (insert any religion here) also requires free choice. Lets use Catholics as an example to illustrate my point. A good catholic CHOOSES to obey the word of god (as he understands it) and CHOOSES to do the right thing and CHOOSES his path. Blue laws aim to help make those right choices easier by removing temptation at the cost of inconveniencing the rest of us. I say no more! Repeal these outdated and unconstitutional laws now.
January 24th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Let’s look at this rationally.
Other than the size of the spend, what’s the difference between buying a car or a TV or a sofa or a pair of shoes? All require someone to buy, someone to sell, and an exchange of money. Appliance stores, furniture stores, and shoe stores are open on Sunday. And they are well staffed by people who are working a non-traditional work week. They frequently open at noon, and work a short day, closing at 6 PM, allowing their people to go to church with their families in the morning, if they desire.
So, why is it that car dealerships are different than any other business selling a product to a public that wants to buy on Sunday?
The answer is that there is no difference.
This is just an archaic law that has no relevance in today’s business world.
February 8th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
um helloo that didnt answe the question.. thats just saying why they shouldnt be closed on sundays durrr
June 1st, 2007 at 1:44 pm
The real reasons are due to financing. If a customer were to buy on Sunday, credit reporting agencies are closed as are banking institutions. If they approve you on Sunday without the credit bureau, run your account on Monday to find you were declined they have to repo that car and sell it as used even if they only had it for a few hours.
July 12th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I think one of the reasons that car dealerships are not open on Sundays is because it takes more than just the dealership employees for someone to buy a car. For example, Financing companies and banks would have to be available for approvals and the issuing of bank checks.
It would be a very large hassle for someone to buy a car on Sunday and probably not worth the customers time.
August 28th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Because customers are time wasters, they waste salepeoples time when they (salesperson)should be spending it with thier family. Tire kickers are grosss and salepeople dont get paid to answer questions…
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:22 am
In illinois they are closed on Sundays because back in the early eighties the union tried to come into the sales department and closing the dealership on Sundays was a big enough consession to keep it out
October 28th, 2007 at 12:17 am
I’m reading R’s comment and I wish i’d see this worthless piece of mexican, nigger or white trash shit die of starvation.
What the fuck do you think a car salesman is paid to do, you garbage pail?
October 28th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Go have quality time with your fucking family and don’t even bother working. This way you’ll get exactly what you deserve - NOTHING!
November 1st, 2007 at 5:26 pm
On average dealerships that open on Sunday do not have enough increase in business to justify being open. When you factor in the cost of employee moral it doesn’t make sense to be open on Sunday. For every person who would like a dealer to be open on Sunday there are 100 who prefer to be able to come walk the lot without being bothered by a salesperson. This is why Monday is the second best day of the week for most dealers.
November 10th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Having just moved to the east coast from California; the blue laws blow me away! People can make their own decisions whether to shop or not. Give ‘em the option! I mean what freaking year is this anyway? I personally find it maddening that I can’t go look for a car tomorrow. I work M-F and am pretty tired at the end of the day. I prefer to shop during daylight hours and need a new car ASAP. This is rather lame!
December 1st, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I have been the gsm of a car dealership for 14 years and i have worked sundays before and now i am at a dealership that follows blue laws. First dealers are open 9-9 monday thru saturdays if you cant make time to buy a car within that time there is something wrong with your time managment.Second Dealers that open on sundays DO NOT sell more cars than those that arent. Third most customer prefer to shop on sundays without the “hassle” of a salesman around.But there is something to be said about satisfing that 1% that need to buy a car on sunday. And Fourth and last we are forgetting this the industry that we all feel the rigth to buy the products for or under cost and after you ve acomplish that call the poor salesman a crook cause he or she wants to make a profit to support his or hers family. So in exchange let them spend one day a week with their family the only day that more than likely all members are off and kids are home from school. Let’s think about others not only ourself.
December 13th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I have not read all of the resposes, and do not wish you because I know those of you that have off Sunday do not mind the people that work there having it off. However my husband is about to have to work seven days a week because of someone that makes the money and doesn’t have to be there can and he doesn’t mind paying a fine. Think about those people that are overworked, and need the one day off to be with there family, and need a day off of rest. I hope my husband does not collapse from being treated like this is China. If you buy a car on Sunday you are suporting someone elses rights being taken away from them. Would you want to work seven days a week?
January 13th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
they should be open!!!!!!!!!!!
February 6th, 2008 at 1:16 am
The reason auto dealerships are closed on Sundays is quite simple…..depending on the state that you are shopping in. Certain states have laws that PROHIBIT auto dealers from operating on Sundays. The rationale is that shoppers deserve to enjoy a day to walk lots and not be hassled by a salesman. Therefore dealers are forbidden to be open on Sundays (in most states). Believe me, if they were allowed to conduct business on Sundays nothing short of the law (or in very rare cases a religious conviction) would prevent them.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
The questions people ask on the net make me say “Hmmm”, but here’s my February reply to this now very old question.
I am a new and used car sales consultant. I sold cars in the USA and recently started selling cars in Toronto, Canada. The dealership I worked for in the US was like a country club for years; it was one of the few dealerships in Dade County that closed on Sundays and our customers waited until Monday for our great deals. Once the dealership joined a large group, no sooner than the following Sunday we were advertising “Open 7 days a week.” We were opened from 12 pm until 5pm at first but I wouldn’t be surprised if the hours are now the same as during the week, which is 9 am until 9 pm. Here in Toronto we do 9 am to 9 pm Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 6 pm on Fridays and Saturday and I think there is only 1 dealership that is open on Sunday here. Friday evenings in Toronto has long been wind-down time for workers so everyone is in relax mode by 3 pm on a Friday and by 12 noon on hot summer days. Saturday would be a great day to extend hours to 9 pm as they do down South so customers can come in when the mall closes. I find we actually compete for retail selling time with unrelated business. Having said that, why in hell do people who work so hard already need to stand around in a showroom for one more day in order to please so few?
Remember folks, we are commissioned sales reps, most people can find the time to see a lawyer or doctor who charges a fee, yet they ask us to be available to offer free service on Sunday as well? What’s the next request that we open 24 hours so customers can do test drives during the night when the streets are less busy?
If half the dealerships in the US could trust each other they wouldn’t worry so much about being closed on Sundays, but unfortunately someone would break the code.
Have a great day guys, peace.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
after working in the car sales industry imo Sundays the dealerships are closed because we are too hungover or coked out to come in the next morning
February 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am
The Polish people /Polish race is the best in the World. In Chicago The Polish people make the life worth living there. The rest of Chicago citizens can fuck off. The poles are the greatest. Long live the Polish people. Why are Poles soo good? They are Gods chosen people.
February 24th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I am a nurse, and we work weekends and still make time for our families. The simple fact is that when a business is open 7 days per week, you work every other or every third weekend, and get a day off during the week to compensate. So the argument that it is for the good of the workers doesn’t hold water.
Car sales are a business. If the dealers found that staying open on Sundays would net them a profit, they would lobby to have the blue laws rescinded or changed, and they would stay open. And you would hear few complaints from the salesmen if they were making a profit.
I am far more apt to believe (as a few have commented) that it is the closing of financial institutions and credit bureaus on Sundays that justifies the closure. I do think that it will be interesting to see if with the information superhighway open 24/7/365, and with an increasing demand for expanded business hours, if it will change.
March 16th, 2008 at 8:25 am
I am looking to buy a new car. I also work 50+ hours a week M-F. Saturday I work with a local charity during the day and at night my husband and I hang with family and friends. That leaves Sunday to shop. For everything, not just cars.
As for the comfort of the dealership employees; your businees is retail. Commission or not. You are not doctors or lawyers. You are car salemen. All other retail employees are subject to the seven day work week.
The bottom line is I will not take time off of work to get this reshearch done. Therefore most of my research has been online. I have cut my list down drastically of those I will see in person due to the time constraint. I can’t imagine that is what employees of the dealerships want to hear as it may have been your option that I cut and you lost any chance of that sale.
I think the saleman adversion to 7 day work week may be that as a commission employee they would feel drawn to be there. Take your due time off, but let us shop!
April 20th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
What an interesting blog topic. After calling several car dealerships in New Jersey, only to lean they were not open for Sunday business, I googled the “Are car dealers closed on Sunday” to find out that we (NJ) are not alone.
A few comments on everyone’s thoughts: Firstly, as we progress into a new era of work, more and more people will not be working 9-5. We are working from our homes as the independent workforce continues to expand and with this tectonic shift will come new buying patterns.
For example, test drive the car during lunch hour at work or during an evening. Then buy the car online - after all, it is a commodity, right?
THE PERSON WITH THE CASH IS IN CHARGE!
You the consumer are calling the shots. If you don’t like the no Sunday availability - take your business elsewhere.
Actions speaking louder than words. If people started purchasing cars elsewhere - it would continue to effect the bottom line - not to mention that you can buy a vehicle in a different city or state - and pay significantly less than larger populated area. Then, get the car serviced at your local dealer.
Try to take this disadvantage and turn it into the consumer’s favor.
But the problem: they are closed on Sunday and you want to buy the car immediately and drive hope with it. How do we get around this.
IDEA #1: Don’t buy on impulse. Do it in several dealer visits. Make them quick. Go in, test the car and offer to call them back. This will take 30 minutes. Then contact competing dealers via email, telling them exactly what you are going to pay for the car. Tell them you are going to pick the car up on Sunday and make an appointment.
IDEA #2: Get pre-approved - get your financing in order. if you insist on buying a new car, post your desire to shop on Sunday to car dealers everywhere. Find our who is willing to make an appointment. I would think a salesman would be glad to set up a super qualified appointment.
Hope this helps…meanwhile, I still don’t have a car!