Store Hours

[proudestmonkey]

I can't understand why dealers are not open on Saturdays until at least 3 p.m. Often, I get out in my yard on Saturday morning and start fooling around. Sometime during the morning, I might break something, or realize I need to do some kind of maintenance, and, whoops, its too close to noon to make it to the dealer. Then, I might have to wait a week to go there because I can never get there after work on the weekends. I'd say, pick one night to be open until say 7, and then be open on Saturdays until at least 3, from first day of spring until first day of fall, at least.

 

[aesanders]

I would like to see some later midweek hours as well. I work 8:30 to 5:00. A couple dealers stay open till 5:30, but by the time I'm able to get their, it's about closing time so I just wait for the weekend.

So for me, the only time I can visit a dealer (unless I take off work) is 8-12 on Saturday. Just does not seem like much time to be open to the public.

I'm sure most people (at least around me) have the same time constraints. Just about anything else I want to shop for has later hours. New car, TV, Appliance, Stereo, car parts, furniture (you name it) I can go after work and see them. I think this is part of the reason the Box stores are having good success with lawn tractors. They just are open for people to shop and buy.

 

[aesanders]

By the way, this is a good topic and maybe should be moved to the main page to get more response. I have often wondered why dealers do not have longer store hours.

I can see closing down the parts department and just keeping the show room open longer.

 

[ReadingKubota]

Thanks to everyone so far please keep the ideas coming it is proving to be great input we really appreciate it. Can anyone tell me as per aesanders suggestion how I can move this to the main page?? I started here to get the loyal KUBOTA peoples input first Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Maka]

We are a bit different in this. In the dead of winter we are only open from 9-4 Monday-Friday. It is pitch black by 3:30 and no one is doing anything so we close it up. On Sat. year around we are 9-2.

During the spring, summer and fall we are open 9-5 Monday through Friday but I am thinking about going 9-6 Monday
through Friday.

I am always in by 7am so if anyone comes early they are helped but officially we are open at 9am.

We just watched over time to see what worked best and the way we do it now seems to be really good for our customers as well as us.

Good luck. Maka

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Farmers can manage to get to the dealer through "normal business hours". Those who punch the clock need "after hours service" sometimes. Back in the day, I raced dirt bikes. My favorite dealer would stay open late on mondays to help with all the guys who broke something over the weekend. That way, parts could be ordered to be ready for the following weekend. Maybe a couple extra hours on mondays. Saturday hours seem to be best for the weekend shoppers. Seasonal hours (spring through fall) should reflect the added use most tractors/implements see.

There's one dealer (mostly a service center) in my area that will post a phone # on their door for emergency service. We pay extra, but they keep one service tech and one parts man on call. I'm not suggesting that for every dealer, but imagine the potential business if you're the only one in an area doing such.

 

[caylor]

I really like the idea of evening hours once or twice a week. That would be really convenient for a working stiff like me and I would be able to plan around needing to stop by the dealer.

I have no issue with the 8-12pm on Saturdays. Dealers and salesmen have families too!

 

[daTeacha]

Tractor dealers around here open at 7:30 or a bit earlier 6 days a week. They close at 5 or 5:30 M-F, at noon on Saturday. The one I worked with on my recent purchase is more than happy to stay late if you're already there or if you let them know you're coming in.

Just a thought for you guys who are dealers -- car dealerships here stay open two evenings a week and people are pretty accustomed to the idea. The hours are basically until 9:00 unless things are really dead then they close prior to that. It would seem logical for the tractor stores in a certain area to have some commonality in hours so people would feel like they could look at several brands in one evening. They might not get that done, but the idea that they could might be enough to get them out.

On the flip side, if someone wants a tractor, they will find a way to get to the store when it's open or they'll call to see what they can do. Maybe the extended hours wouldn't generate more traffic, just move it to a different time.

 

[NoMo]

I think extended hours on Saturday and Monday (evening) would be best for the 'normal' non-commercial client.

They could get parts/service for those Saturday afternoon needs or come in Monday after they get off work for those needs that arose on Sunday.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I don't like the one or two nights open late. It always is the wrong night!

I think open till 6 each week night and till 1 on Saturdays is a huge help. You might even advertise that you are happy to try to accomodate later hours by appointment.

No matter what, the later evening hours, I would NOT expect that the whole place would be staffed. Being able to pick up special order parts or maintainence items is far more important than a parts manager sitting there at 7:30pm.