Comments on: Dealers Close on Saturdays to Keep Employees Happy https://www.ceoutlook.com/2021/07/21/dealers-close-on-saturdays-to-keep-employees-happy/ News, analysis and comments on the car audio and electronics industry Sun, 25 Jul 2021 14:44:48 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.3 By: Raymond Crawford https://www.ceoutlook.com/2021/07/21/dealers-close-on-saturdays-to-keep-employees-happy/#comment-18714 Sun, 25 Jul 2021 14:44:48 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=83326#comment-18714 We also are closed Sunday and Monday. I’ve been in the business for 37 years, 6 days is not worth it for me and my employees love it.

]]> By: Bryan https://www.ceoutlook.com/2021/07/21/dealers-close-on-saturdays-to-keep-employees-happy/#comment-18713 Fri, 23 Jul 2021 18:03:28 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=83326#comment-18713 Several of our competitors decided to close on Saturdays and our Saturday business nearly doubled. As long as that stays the same, we will remain open on Saturday.

]]> By: Bashir- Car Audio Express San Jose https://www.ceoutlook.com/2021/07/21/dealers-close-on-saturdays-to-keep-employees-happy/#comment-18712 Fri, 23 Jul 2021 17:38:40 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=83326#comment-18712 Covid has changed a lot for both consumers and shops.

We have embraced the appointment system. We now prefer drop off and leave instead of customers waiting for their cars. I don’t believe we have lost any business because of this shift and has allowed us to work at a better pace and put out good installs.

Most mechanic shops are closed Saturday & Sunday so the shop being closed on the weekend is not news to consumers. Many car audio specialty shops are heading into that direction.

]]> By: Erik https://www.ceoutlook.com/2021/07/21/dealers-close-on-saturdays-to-keep-employees-happy/#comment-18711 Thu, 22 Jul 2021 21:04:34 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=83326#comment-18711 I am working through trying to make this decision. Years ago, we were open M-F 9-6, Wednesday 9-9 and Saturday 9-3. It was indicative of the “old days” when customers would stop in Wednesday nights to have repaired radios reinstalled, hang out, eat pizza, etc. When I took over the company several years ago, we started noticing that by 7pm on Wednesdays we were burned out. It would carry over into Thursday and we would be exhausted finishing the week. We started closing at 6 on Wednesdays. Now, we are at a crossroads where I feel the business is more custom and consultative than ever. It seems like the phone calls that come in after 4:30-5:00pm are never that serious. I feel that anyone that wants to set something up with us is making a concerted effort to call or email us earlier in the day or later at night if they are really serious about doing something. Then, once something is sold, parts are being ordered more than ever, and the job is being booked out. COVID also resulted in less “waiters” and customers are definitely making more of an effort to drop things off. During the height of the COVID lockdown, we started coming in around 7:30 to get a head start for the day, since the showroom was effectively closed. Depending on the workload we would leave 3:30, 4:30, etc. Well, getting here early and having a free hour before the demands of retail seemed to pay off but now our schedule is effectively 7:30-6 or whenever the last client needs to come in to pick up. I am considering going 8-5 during the week but am so hesitant to change the “old ways.” It is encouraging to hear from others that sales volume does not seem to change after making the adjustment. I think it is due to the changes in our business where it is going more appointment based, specialty parts are being ordered just in time, etc. I welcome any advice, comments, or dialog from others who are weighing these changes. Personal life matters too!

]]> By: Isaac https://www.ceoutlook.com/2021/07/21/dealers-close-on-saturdays-to-keep-employees-happy/#comment-18710 Thu, 22 Jul 2021 15:50:43 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=83326#comment-18710 Good to hear. The work/life balance in America has become terrible, with jobs expecting 110% out of employees and not giving a darn if they get to enjoy themselves off hours. Glad to hear there are some smart bosses out there who realize a refreshed employee is a happy one. And a happy employees is a productive one.

]]> By: Gary Woodward https://www.ceoutlook.com/2021/07/21/dealers-close-on-saturdays-to-keep-employees-happy/#comment-18709 Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:32:48 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=83326#comment-18709 we take sunday and monday off. seems to work out well.

]]> By: Cory https://www.ceoutlook.com/2021/07/21/dealers-close-on-saturdays-to-keep-employees-happy/#comment-18708 Wed, 21 Jul 2021 23:05:38 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=83326#comment-18708 I’m a small shop in western New York, where the majority of my customers are returning customers or referrals. For summer we switched to (4) 10 hour days so we always have a 3 day weekend. It’s only myself (46) and my salesman (35) and we both have 10 year old sons on summer vacation. We decided to take an extra day and spend it with them after all the craziness of the past year. We are WAY more productive and I haven’t had a customer complain yet, and honestly if they did I wouldn’t care. I’m making enough to pay him, bills, and myself. Sometimes being a small shop has its perks.

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