Car Servicing on Sunday - your thoughts?

Richieno9

Hi Guys,
I run a garage on the southside of Dublin and have recently being getting a lot of people asking were we open Sunday for work. I have been thinking about opening up for Sunday work but I just wanted to throw it out there and see if it is something that you think is a good idea or not.
Cheers,
RIchie

Steve

Great idea!
I don't think people would mind paying a few quid extra for this either if the only other option is taking time off work to get a service done.

Richieno9

There would be no extra charge for sundays

ShayK1

can't see any problems with it as long as you can get your mechanics to work.

iMax

Great idea richie, however I think a 10% surcharge would be acceptable. You are providing a premium service & you could always pass it on to your mechanics as an overtime payment.

iMax

----> Call it "Sunday Service" !!

helimachoptor

Hey OP I think its a great idea, a friend of mine works in a family garage and opens alternating saturdays and sundays. He is kept quite busy and tbh everything is done off the books so he keeps 75% of the profit and the garage gets 25%. But i think they are going to try and take on a part time mechanic to work weekends.

Richieno9

To be honest I'd like the garage run on a 7 day basis but I don't think we will need to incur extras as we would operate on a shift basis.

Eoin

Richieno9 wrote: »

I run a garage on the southside of Dublin

I'm telling Al on you!

JHMEG

stevec wrote:

I don't think people would mind paying a few quid extra

iMax wrote: »

Great idea richie, however I think a 10% surcharge would be acceptable.

:eek:
I don't pay any extra on Sundays in Superquinn or Lidl or Tesco or the Cinema or the Leisure Centre etc. So if someone starts charging extra for Sundays they'd soon get the name of being a rip-off merchant, and I'd definitely avoid.

I think Richie you'd find that Sundays would probably be quite successful. If not, you can just stop doing them again.

OldmanMondeo

JHMEG wrote: »

:eek:
I don't pay any extra on Sundays in Superquinn or Lidl or Tesco or the Cinema or the Leisure Centre etc. So if someone starts charging extra for Sundays they'd soon get the name of being a rip-off merchant, and I'd definitely avoid.

Or Kwik-fit or Advance, who also open on Sundays.

Great idea, But having used to work Saturdays and Sundays years ago, I would hate to be working them again. Kinda fecks up family life or heading for some social hours down the pub on a Sunday.

ImDave

I'd definetly say there is a strong market demand for that. I would definetly use it anyway.

craichoe

JHMEG wrote: »

:eek:
I don't pay any extra on Sundays in Superquinn or Lidl or Tesco or the Cinema or the Leisure Centre etc. So if someone starts charging extra for Sundays they'd soon get the name of being a rip-off merchant, and I'd definitely avoid.

I think Richie you'd find that Sundays would probably be quite successful. If not, you can just stop doing them again.

All of the aforementioned supermarkets factor 7 day openings into their prices, its just that the consumer perceives it differently. You couldn't run a business without passing on the extra cost for the convenience to the customer.

So he could either:
A. Raise the cost of a service altogether to cover his costs on a sunday, in which case you'd be fine with it.
or
B. Raise the cost of a service done on a sunday and keep his weekly prices the same.

Hey has to pay his staff Sunday rate at the end of the day.

unkel

Good idea. I'm confident you'll be busy on Sundays!

Cmar-Ireland

I reckon you would get enough business on a Sunday not to have to charge a premium amount.
Lot's of people cannot get the time during the week for servicing so "sunday service" would be a benefit to them.

Great idea OP, best of luck with it if you do decide to go for it!

Stephen

I would definately use a service like that. I work about 12 miles from home, so during the week is a real pain in the ass for me. There's a local independent garage here that services cars on Saturdays and he's doing a roaring trade as far as I can see. I've used him myself

JHMEG

craichoe wrote: »

Hey has to pay his staff Sunday rate at the end of the day.

There is no legal obligation to pay more on Sunday. As goodwill it is often the case that people will get time off in lieu, which would suit everyone as I'm sure Mondays are quiet.

cabrwab

Well i think it would be a good idea. You may have staff arguing with you, but working out something with them alternating weekends and giving them a decent schedule in advance may keep them on your side! That way you ain’t affecting social lives too much!

I assume your an independent garage.

I usually use a garage down the sticks at the weekend for my sevicing as it suits me because i will more then likely be in that area anyway.

groupb

JHMEG wrote: »

There is no legal obligation to pay more on Sunday. As goodwill it is often the case that people will get time off in lieu, which would suit everyone as I'm sure Mondays are quiet.

Its got nothing to do with goodwill . Its the law. You can't make anybody work overtime.

agent_smith

this is accarsales we are talking about here ?
if so i know quite a few people that would be happy to get their bmws serviced on a sun. Much more convenient. At the moment you will find you have to turn away business because where accarsales is located is not the easiest to get to during rush hour traffic, so dropping a car in hte morning and picking up in the evening is a pain in the hole.
A sunday opening would nicely get around rush hour traffic.

Sandwich

Handy of coarse, but they dont need to. They know you're going to get it serviced anyway, probably at the same place, at a time thats less convenient to you rather than them. Also would you pay the increase costs of labour? Id prefer not to.

JHMEG

groupb wrote: »

Its got nothing to do with goodwill . Its the law. You can't make anybody work overtime.

Working on sunday does not equal working overtime.

You need to familise yourself with the law before quoting it.

unkel

He's already stated he will not be increasing prices on a Sunday. No point in discussion it any further....





And it might change his mind

Steve

unkel wrote: »

He's already stated he will not be increasing prices on a Sunday. No point in discussion it any further....

+1

I feel responsible now (cause of the flak) for suggesting that people might be prepared to pay a bit more for weekend work. I stand by it though - if I had to pay €50 more for a service, still costs less than a few hours off work on a weekday.

JHMEG

stevec wrote: »

+1

I feel responsible now (cause of the flak) for suggesting that people might be prepared to pay a bit more for weekend work. I stand by it though - if I had to pay €50 more for a service, still costs less than a few hours off work on a weekday.

Or you could service it yourself on a Sunday for less than €50 all in;)

Steve

JHMEG wrote: »

Or you could service it yourself on a Sunday for less than €50 all in;)

doubt it, wouldn't consider working on a sunday for less than €500;);)

niceirishfella

i think its a good idea...........fair do's.

Just make sure you go to MASS/Church/Service/the mosque in the morning and keep god/Alah on yer side!:D

Seth Brundle

I think its a great idea. I have very little time on my hands these days that it may mean that my car can get a proper service rather that DIY soon!

jjbrien

you would also be required to pay your staff time and a half for working on a sunday so you might need to factor into your price but good idea

JHMEG

stevec wrote: »

doubt it, wouldn't consider working on a sunday for less than €500;);)

You're cheap!

JHMEG

jjbrien wrote: »

you would also be required to pay your staff time and a half for working on a sunday so you might need to factor into your price but good idea

Incorrect.

unkel

Enough on the cost / labour laws etc. aspect of working on Sundays. That's not what this thread is about. Further postings of this kind will lead to bannings

JHMEG

unkel wrote: »

Enough on the cost / labour laws etc. aspect of working on Sundays. That's not what this thread is about. Further postings of this kind will lead to bannings

You might make a statement so on costs etc and put it to bed finally? I would except I'd get banned.;)

unkel

Don't push it, JHMEG. I dislike banning people and I generally try my best to avoid it

Richieno9

Keep the opinions comin lads.Thanks for all your input so far. Looking like it will be a good idea.

HashSlinging

Richieno9 wrote: »

Hi Guys,
I run a garage on the southside of Dublin and have recently being getting a lot of people asking were we open Sunday for work. I have been thinking about opening up for Sunday work but I just wanted to throw it out there and see if it is something that you think is a good idea or not.
Cheers,
RIchie

I think if you were to offer late hours you'd be onto a winner. finish at 12 mid night, lots of people would be interested in that rather than a sunday service..I think the tuning factory do a similar thing on thursdays and fridays and are very busy.

Of course the ultimate would be to operate 24/7

faceman

Sounds like a great idea Richieno9 and Id imagine once word gets out there, you wont be short of customers on a sunday either!

shanel23

I think it's a good idea too- you can get your car NCT'd on a Sunday so why not serviced too.

Might you run into problems if you need certain unforseen parts on a Sunday - I don't know if motor factors or distributors are open on a Sunday ?

jimmycrackcorm

I'd happily pay 10% extra for servicing on a sunday. Already paid that for type fitting and tracking as it saved me taking a day off work.

Richieno9

If the faceman says its good then its good!!

mvpr

shanel23 wrote: »

I think it's a good idea too- you can get your car NCT'd on a Sunday so why not serviced too.

Might you run into problems if you need certain unforseen parts on a Sunday - I don't know if motor factors or distributors are open on a Sunday ?

+1

What if the car needs something unexpected replaced and you dont have it in stock? The car will end up staying in til Monday.

Also, I would imagine that anyone wanting to use your garage specifically will be less likely to book in midweek. You might end up with a lot of spare time on your hands Monday through Friday.

I say try it, see if it works! Plenty of interest from boardsies anyway...

HashSlinging

what was wrong with the after hours servicing I suggested, most people work 9 - 5 I thought from a customer service and profit point of view this would be the best option, most people would prefer to keep their weekends, including mechanics, I've had to take days off to get my car serviced in the past, surely this would be a better option rather than taking up a couple of hours on a sunday. Late night opening for all types of things is very popular in other counties, especially popular for people doing shift work.

Eoin

HashSlinging wrote: »

what was wrong with the after hours servicing I suggested, most people work 9 - 5 I thought from a customer service and profit point of view this would be the best option, most people would prefer to keep their weekends, including mechanics, I've had to take days off to get my car serviced in the past, surely this would be a better option rather than taking up a couple of hours on a sunday. Late night opening for all types of things is very popular in other counties, especially popular for people doing shift work.

Personally, it would be at least 2 hours after finishing work before I'd get home, pick up the car and back to the garage, so that's 9PM before we even get started. That could be cutting it close for anything over a small job. I'd find it much easier to put aside time on a Sunday, but that's just me though.

HashSlinging

let say you drop the car off in the evening and collect it the next morning. As a matter of interest do you wait in the garage while your car is being serviced.?

I usually drop it off and go home.

Eoin

HashSlinging wrote: »

let say you drop the car off in the evening and collect it the next morning.

If that was an option, then I'd just leave it in some morning during the week. I've no parking at work, so I can neither drive it in for an evening appointment, nor pick it up in the morning and go to work. Weekends are my only realistic option.

HashSlinging wrote: »

As a matter of interest do you wait in the garage while your car is being serviced.?

I usually drop it off and go home.

I pretty much have to hang around as I live too far away from the garage. It doesn't bother me too much as AC have a nice waiting area, plus I just bring my laptop and do some work or something.

HashSlinging

yeah suppose it would suit people in urban rather than rural areas.

NBar

Richie open a little coffee shop as well and sell papers and really finish of the Sunday morning

galwaytt

JHMEG wrote: »

Or you could service it yourself on a Sunday for less than €50 all in;)

ooh, that'll be interesting. Oil at Eur 35/ 4L, Oil Filter Eur 9, Plugs Eur10.

So, you don't do air/fuel filters, then..........?

Guess which 'fsh' history Santa Fe to avoid in years to come, then.......:rolleyes:

JHMEG

galwaytt wrote: »

ooh, that'll be interesting. Oil at Eur 35/ 4L, Oil Filter Eur 9, Plugs Eur10.

So, you don't do air/fuel filters, then..........?

Guess which 'fsh' history Santa Fe to avoid in years to come, then.......:rolleyes:

These get done every service which is every 6000 miles:
Oil €24 for 5L (Maxol 10W40 SS).
Oil filter €8 (OEM, not spurious)

The car only takes 3.5L so every one service in four I don't need to buy oil.

These get done every 3 to 4 services depending on when needed as :
Plugs €18 (NGK. €4.50 x 4)
Air filter €30 (again, OEM)

Fuel filter is every 120,000 miles in my car according to the manufacturer.

Average cost is about €50, maybe even less.

I dunno what you're rolling your eyes at? The car gets well looked after -- it gets serviced more often than recommended by the manufacturer (9,000 miles), using only OEM and quality parts.

kluivert

NBar wrote: »

Richie open a little coffee shop as well and sell papers and really finish of the Sunday morning

This is the best idea of them all, why dealers dont provide this service I dont know. A small coffee in a dealers would make a mint.

I think Sunday isnt a bad idea but I think opening on Saturdays should be sufficent enough.

NBar

kluivert wrote: »

This is the best idea of them all, why dealers dont provide this service I dont know. A small coffee in a dealers would make a mint.

I think Sunday isnt a bad idea but I think opening on Saturdays should be sufficent enough.

I know two dealers in Dublin who provide coffee and biscuits and the days papers and car mags