Sunday trading - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

davocol · 10-06-2002, 00:09

Can someone tell me why the two ford dealers I went to visit were both shut today ? One week after a car has been released and there is no sign of it. Whereas their Holden counterparts (Patterson Cheney, Ringwood) have got bloody balloons, banners and most importantly people in their showrooms. You would have thought dealers would want to capitalise on a new model. Pretty pathetic in my opinion given the amount of people who shop for cars on Sundays. What�s the story? Are they not allowed to open on a Sunday.

FordLover · 10-06-2002, 00:32

maybe the sales men had family commitments. or some did and some were sick. theres plenty of reasons. maybe they didnt want to open. i spose if someone really wants to buy a barra or annother ford (as opposed to it's holden counter part) they will wait one more day.

Futura97 · 10-06-2002, 00:36

I thought its against the law for a car yard to be open on sundays....

davocol · 10-06-2002, 01:16

Quote:

Originally posted by FordLover
maybe the sales men had family commitments. or some did and some were sick. theres plenty of reasons. maybe they didnt want to open. i spose if someone really wants to buy a barra or annother ford (as opposed to it's holden counter part) they will wait one more day.

That is no excuse, they will never a make a decent profit saying that. Every sale that is missed is lost revenue. You can't expect people to wait, if they want to buy a car then you should be open for them. If they don�t have staff who are dedicated to their job then they should get new staff. If Holden are open then they should be open also. With a lot of dealers crying foul about sales you would think they would want to increase them not miss out on them.

Quote:

Originally posted by xf_xr6
I thought its against the law for a car yard to be open on sundays....

Well if it is then there are a lot of crooks in my area. Car City is open which comprises of about 10 yards, both holden dealers were open and a few others. Ford have not been open on a sunday in a long time.

Aussie Pete · 10-06-2002, 03:51

I have seen friends who are business owners wanting to buy a car, but the dealers were always closed when they had time to shop - Sunday. Result was they ended up driving older and older cars because they never had time to shop.

Look at car dealers in Sydney - most sales occur in this time because it's the only time many families can get together to make the choices.

Futura97 · 10-06-2002, 18:55

If people only have time to look at cars on sunday with the family, then they can still walk around the yard looking for something.

Then the person interested in the car can call the yard, and organise a time for them to demo the vehicle at your workplace etc..

Most of the people i know with car yards do this

Ms Ratt · 10-06-2002, 22:54

In Sydney I can tell you that the car yard's are open Sunday's and most public holidays.

Why do I know this? because while most people have been enjoying their nice LONG weekend off I have been sitting out the front of my dealership with three other salesman!

However on Wednesday when everyone is at work I'm going to be sleeping!:btonge: :btonge: :btonge:

mattrichter · 10-07-2002, 16:28

I don't know about other States ... but ins SA there is no Sunday Trading in the Automotive industry.

And that is the way it will stay for at least the next year.

It is easy to look in from the outisde and say "why aren't they open??" but it isn't as simple as that.

Most people who work for car dealerships work very long hours, six days a week. (including late night shopping)

I have a life outside of work, and would hate to see Sunday on the work roster.

Also, studies have shown that it is more beneficial to car yards to have a day where customers can browse through the stock without the pressure of a salesman looking on.

So .. although it can look like a lazy option, this is a very hard fought and well informed decision.

chevypower · 10-07-2002, 17:13

Perth dealers need to know how to open later than 12 on a Saturday before they worry about Sunday trading.....
Luckily I live in Melbourne!