When to shut down Saturdays

[btk]

I belong to the school that you must be open Saturdays- just to stay in the game. I am now overseeing a service/parts department that is a long way from break even and the future seems to be slow or flat growth at best for about a year or so, I am starting to think that since the shop is not fully utilized during the week, why not shut down Saturday, trim some expense and wait till the shop is fully utilized mon-fri before revisiting Saturdays. Most of the competition is closed on Saturdays. Looking for reasons on why we should stay open or any thoughts on Saturday.

[pjpeery]

btk

are you open all day saturday?

maybe try just a half day .. w/half crew

or

we are open late 8pm on monday nites
this works for us .. and no saturdays

paul

[robc]

I haven't crossed this path with Saturday yet because the shops I visit would not see their Sat customer during the week - so it isn't an option to close then and fill the work week. Just make sure that would not be your case.

But I am seeing more shops close their night crew and similar decisions in place. The first step - how much is routine maintenance/CP and how much is really just carry over, used cars and warranty.

== Rob ==

[btk]

They run a 1/2 a crew on Saturday and Monday and are open a full day on Saturday-1/2 of day wont really save any expense.

ROBC- I agree with you and that is my problem, will they still come to see us during the week, if my competition was open Saturdays I would not even consider it. But this store is high on expense(mostly personnel) and the shop just can not produce enough right now-especially since they have 3 great techs and 6 APPRENTICES-that are just killing the store quality and productive capacity-I have tried so many avenues to attract better techs it just wont happen fast enough. I did just hire a shop foreman who is training and overseeing the apprentices now but they have a long, long way to go and that is why I am anticipating slower growth then normal next year.
Any thoughts?

[zekensted]

Could being opened on Saturdays be part of your problem attracting quality techs? I know our Saturday schedule cost me a Service Advisor.

[btk]

Unfortunately I have not even had a technician apply, I would pretty much give him the schedule he would want if we had to.

[chevytech]

Shut down on Saturdays and use that as a hiring feature. Other that that all I can suggest is up your pay, forget that 30% BS. Pay what you must. Remember, if a tech only makes you 1/2 the labor rate. Thats 1/2 the labor rate you did not have. I know the bean counters that have the percentage button worn out on their calculators are blowing a fuse now but thats the way it is. I feel your pain. I would not want to be a manager in todays market.

[westover6]

We are open on Saturdays with 2 techs and a lube tech. Saturdays are what you make them. If your advisors don't buy in and they schedule the appointments it will fail. My techs are more productive 135-140% on Saturdays. They work every other Sat as do the advisors(8-3). I give my techs the option of taking a hald day off during the week if they work Saturday, in 2 1/2 years 1 tech took the 1/2 day off.

[topshop]

The more hours you are open (Sat, eves, nights), the better for the business...assuming you handle the expenses and scheduling correctly. I would put the techs on a 4 day work week if you are open 6 days. Ask the staff for input. Spread the staff and hours around fairly. This is the age of the consumer. Market your extended hours and take customers away from others with lesser hours. Many expenses are fixed whether you are open 10 hours a day or 24. The realization of this can be seen by looking at your local fast food place, grocery store, etc, etc. The shop/service dept of the future in major areas will likely be open 24/7 to catch as many customers as possible.

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Tom Ham
AutomotiveManagementNetwork.com

[Lhansen]

Two areas that I have not seen addressed in the responses might shed some light on the slow Saturday scenario. First, the sales department MUST introduce purchasers, new and used, to Service. It starts up front and the dealership sales staff needs to , or give the Service staff the opportunity to, educate the customers. I can't tell you the number of stores I work with where the customer does not even know that there are Saturday or late night hours available. (and there have been for several years)
The second area deals with how agressive your advisors are at scheduling Saturdays. Listen to your advisors when they are on the phone booking appointments. How often do you hear "When do you want to bring it in?" What you should hear is "I have availability Thursday at 9 or Saturday at 10:30. Which would work out best for you?"
Too often, advisors let the customer manage them rather than managing the customer.
Take look at the appointment logs. If the advisor working Saturday is booking light, you might want to have a talk with him/her. If you use a DMS appointment booking system, it's easy to see who booked the appointment.
THANKS!

Linda


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Linda Graham Hansen
Auto Dealer Focus www.autodealerfocus.com

[This message has been edited by Lhansen (edited 11-13-2006).]