Businesses and their crazy hours

[mac78]

For those of you that work, do you find it is hard to get to businesses during the hours they are open? I stopped into a little store on Wednesday, walked into the door at 5:25, and saw they closed at 5:30. I asked the man if they were open any evenings later than 5:30, and he said, "No, I don't want to be". I wanted to say to him well maybe you should think about it as it is the women of this world that are the main shoppers, and how do you expect us to shop if you are always closed the hours we are not working.

I called an antique mall shop that is about 20 miles away. Asked them for their hours......M thru F 10 to 5. What, once again, how is a working person to shop. Yes, they are open on Sat from like 10 to 4, but my Saturday's are so busy. Just wondering, do you find that businesses are not "Hour Friendly"?

[cheapdiva]

Personally, I think almost all stores should be closed on Sundays. All the big box stores are open 10 -12 hours a day Monday through Saturday and that accommodates just about anyone's schedule. I think this seven-day-a-week-shop-till-you-drop mentality has reeked havoc with family life. The Europeans are a great example of making family a priority (and time away from work and stress) and in many countries there, shops close mid-afternoon on Saturday and don't reopen until Monday. If you run out of milk -tough.

But I know you mean smaller, privately owned businesses. I would talk to the owner and tell them you would love to give them business but you work until 5 and your Saturday's are busy. Ask them to consider staying open just one night during the week till 7 or 8. Maybe suggest you'd consider working part time for a nice discount or if you know someone who only wants to work a few hours a week, suggest them. I'd also point out that if they don't find it increases their business, they could stop doing it within a few months.

The street behind our house is a little historic shopping district and the shops stay open until at least 6 just to get business from folks stopping in after work and because there are a few restaurants on the street and people will drop in to these shops.

In this economy, businesses need to bend towards their customers or they won't last.

[ChapterTwo]

Personally, I think almost all stores should be closed on Sundays.

You'd love it in Bergen County, NJ, cheapdiva! We have what I feel are the antiquated Blue Laws, prohibiting sales of certain things. Soooo, when we need something on Sunday, we have to go to the next county.

[CohenCottage]

I don't like the idea of nothing being open on Sunday b/c we do most of our shopping and errands on Sunday!! We can't buy alcohol at all on Sundays in GA. I have noticed that most antique shops and stores close at 5 and it makes it impossible for me to go b/c I work all day on Sat. too. My friend has a clothing boutique and they stay open until 7 during Spring and Summer and it's great to be able to pop in after work!

[Lisa S]

I like the idea of people minimizing their work hours. If they don't need to be open late to make a buck, more power to 'em. Small business owners are kind of like school teachers ~ lots of hours are worked behind the scenes. It's hard on a family.

[Gigi]

How about this---In the sleepy little Eastern Shore town we have our beach house- it's not unusual for shops to closed at 2pm- yep-that's NOT a typo.

[Lisa S]

They gotta enjoy the sun too! I guess that means their making enough money early in the day. I want that kind of business! :p

[Suz]

I work in a small private office in the medical field and the owner is a mom and working woman. She was only on site 3 days a week until she brought me in. Between the 2 of us we cover 4 1/2 days a week.(we close at noon on fridays).

When I first started with her back in 2003 I asked her why she didn't keep later hours or open on Saturdays - she said she wanted to be able to spend time with her family and that if people really needed/wanted to come in to see us, they would somehow find the time. She is 100% correct. We are doing well --people will find the time to come IF they want to.

I am so glad we are closed on Sat and cut it short on Fridays--it makes for a more relaxed workweek for us and our staff and makes the weekend seem a little longer than what it really is :) I guess we all look at the "work smarter not harder" philosophy.

On the flip side, when I want to hit my favorite "cottage" stores after work-- unless i finish early, I have to wait until Fridays or Saturdays b/c most of them close at 5pm. But they have to have a life too--it's not all about work ;)

[chyna]

I find the 8-5 business hours annoying too. Guess it saves me money though since I can't go in and hand over some of my savings. Doesn't surprise me much when they go out of business though. If you can't cater to those who work then be prepared to not make much money. :mad: Here's a whopper, my bank where I have my savings has those limited hours. Nothing like taking my paycheck or actually my savings part of my paycheck and make it difficult to get back out. One good reason why we took all our accounts out of there for checking and into a more accomidating bank.

I may be wrong but I think those European stores re-open later in the afternoon and into the evening. I wouldn't fault a small time shop owner for doing that. A little siesta would be good for a person. Wish we did that here at work. :p

[Gigi]

On the flip side~ online shopping is open 24/7 :D

I ALWAYS try to shop local to give back to the community-and usually have to go on a day off to some of the shops---everyone is soooo right- family time is most important. And life on the shore is easy going---and slow...I like that!

[chyna]

I'd probaby be less annoyed if I didn't work clear out in the middle of a cow pasture and nothing on my way to or from work.:( Sadly I have to look forward to being sent into town for title work to be able to pop into something quickly. :p That was one of the huge pluses to working in retail was that you usually have a day off during the week. :D But then working in retail is a far from well paying job and the hours stink. Or at least they did for me. :rolleyes: