Can anyone tell me why bike shops only open for half a day on Sunday?

**Winston001** · 21st February 2010, 23:03

There have been quite a number of bike shops close up and down New Zealand over the past 5 years - and you want the survivors to work longer hours??!!

Have a look around next time you are out in a city/suburban shopping street. Very few small shops open beyond Saturday morning.

**Brian d marge** · 22nd February 2010, 01:18

:slap: I knew I had it wrong

oh well I work for myself now:slap:

I always received me standard wage , Some places started at 9 until 6 or 7 or as is here in Japan 10 until whenever ( official close at 7 but,,,,,,,,,)

Last place I worked in was 10 until whenever and Tuesdays off

( and lick road clean wid tong )

Stephen ( who now works for himself and has just finished at 10.30 on sunday nite :slap

**kave** · 22nd February 2010, 04:25

The reason bike shops close on Sunday is that they are staffed by motorcycle enthusiasts as opposed to people who actually give a shit about customer service.

**YellowDog** · 22nd February 2010, 05:08

As a consumer it would be very useful to have bike shops open on the day I don't work. Especially when that is the day you may be doing some serious work on your bike and may need to get out of an emergency.

I did ask at Holeshot Takapuna as to why and receoved the same answer. We ride, we race, we love bikes. Sunday is our day!

Fair enough however the dealer open on Sundays will sell my bikes - me thinks.

I hear Pack & Save are thinking about stocking Suzukis

**Lurch** · 22nd February 2010, 05:47

Originally Posted by merv

What I like when I am overseas in great countries like Aus and USA (laugh if you like) the shops seem to open late and close late though the bike shops aren't open all weekend from what I have seen. This makes a lot of sense to me. Office workers go in before 9 and go home at around 5, shop workers go in by 10 and stay until 7, 8 or 9pm.

I agree, opening your retail store between 9am and 5pm on weekdays only like many shops do is one of the most dim ideas ever conceived. I would much rather that some stores such as the LBS would take a monday or tuesday or whatever weekday they like and open up for even a half day on Sunday.

**SS90** · 22nd February 2010, 07:35

After 15 years in the industry, I have to say "screw you all who think we should be open on weekends at all"

Enthusiast? maybe......slave? hell fuck no!

You want to come in to the bike shop and talk about bikes and drink coffee, ok, cool.

when do we get such an opportunity?

People who work in bike shops need their free time too, and sure, I appreciate it is an enthusiasts market, and provisions must be made.

But please never forget that the people who work there are (by in large) enthusiasts too, and as such, we require " a weekend" as well.

Like I say 15 years in the industry, and I had to move to Europe to FINALLY get weekends off.

Bah!

**ckai** · 22nd February 2010, 07:36

Originally Posted by merv

What I like when I am overseas in great countries like Aus and USA (laugh if you like) the shops seem to open late and close late though the bike shops aren't open all weekend from what I have seen. This makes a lot of sense to me. Office workers go in before 9 and go home at around 5, shop workers go in by 10 and stay until 7, 8 or 9pm. So they can hang out their washing before work (yeah right) drop off the kids at school etc while the office workers knock off early, get the shopping done, go and pick the kids up from creche or whatever and get the dinner on etc then the shop worker comes home all sweet I reckon.

Agree, this is a good idea. I know of one shop in the states that does this and people love it (closed Sunday's though). But if you have kids that are young and at school, you'll only see them 2 days a week. That'll be rough.

Personally, I think all shops should be closed at least one day a week. I've bitched a few times when someone hasn't been opened (e.g. either just closed at 1 on Saturday or for the whole Sunday) but I've learnt and gone in earlier next time.

Customer Service is one thing. Living for the customer is a bit too much. Especially when the customer is an office person who only weeks 5 days and when you want something on the 6th day they say "tough". A bit one sided?

**Big Dave** · 22nd February 2010, 07:40

Another reason is working on Sundays is a complete PITA.
Good on them for not making their staff do that crap.

And also if it pisses Dipshit off it's got to be a good thing!

**trustme** · 22nd February 2010, 07:48

Does anybody know what the best trading days at Cycletreads & Motomail are ? Just asking

**SS90** · 22nd February 2010, 07:56

If the market allowed them to close on the weekends, then it would likely be Friday.

Just like a Lawyer, or a Dentist, or the post office, or most car workshops, or anywhere else that requires a knowledgeable experienced staff....... Most retail business's don't qualify for this by the way.........

Basically pretty much anywhere a customer that comes into a bike shop on the weekend works during the week (demanding) them to be open to service their needs on their "day off"

**Robert Taylor** · 22nd February 2010, 08:38

Originally Posted by FJRider

Perhaps when bikers buy more stuff IN motorcycle shops ... instead of on "trade me" or similar internet sites, they could afford to open all weekend ...

EXACTLY. The whole deal that you mention is self perpetuating. With what I do ( suspension backup for distributor teams etc) I have recently completed 7 x 7 day weeks on the trot. Lots of pressure. Thats an extreme example and Id sure like some time at home well away from motorcycles. 5 day weeks would be great.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 22nd February 2010, 08:43

Originally Posted by pritch

How do you spell hypocrit?

h-y-p-o-c-r-i-t-e I believe.

**IdunBrokdItAgin** · 22nd February 2010, 09:05

Originally Posted by Hitcher

No motorcycle shops in Wellington open on Sundays. The closest motorcycle Sunday shopping is ANZA in Palmerston North, thanks to the associated car yard business. Hop on your bike and go for a ride.

Good point - no shops open on sunday at all, half day (ish) closing on a saturday - just shows that I gave up trying to get to bike shops at the weekend a while back.

A lot of the comments so far have alluded to the consumer demanding that bike shops be open 7 days a week, a bit off the mark.
I think that consumers would prefer a bike shops to swap weekend day open for a week day closed (or - open later with a later finish as one comment stated). Not open more - just open at more consumer friendly hours. I am only talking about parts and sales here - service workshop is a different kettle of fish.

It all seems a bit self perpetuating to me:
bike shops compete against on-line importers (for gear/ parts) and private sales (for bikes),
bike shops can't afford to up staff (in order to open extra hours) (not sure if true have taken this from comments posted on here),
bike shops not open at consumer popular times
hence why the on-line importers are so popoular (always available) plus private sales usually go iout of their way to arrange viewing times.

Bike shops have one great advantage that on-line importers don't - you can try stuff on to make sure that it fits (for parts) and you get MTA guarantee (for bike sales).
And, while you are trying stuff they have the oppurtunity, to sell you other things. I for one have walked out of bike shops with stuff that I wasn't looking for when I went in. If it is about pricing then (apart from the obvious crazy flips in NZD rates) push the customer support angle. Most people are happy to spend slightly more if they trust the person - as opposed to an on-line entity.

The only time I get items on-line are:
When I can't get the item in NZ (happens a lot).
The difference between the NZ retail price and on-line price is too great (more than 15% diff would entice me to buy on-line).
There is a second hand bargain where the item is effectively as new.

This thread was just supposed to start a consumer point of view on the matter. I prefer buying from bike shops but just feel that the opening hours are a bit limiting.