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Why are Car Dealerships Closed on Sundays?

  • Things To Know
  • Xavier Sabastian
  • 6 minutes

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Did you know that car dealerships are closed on Sundays? Now that we pointed it out, you might find it strange! Read on to know more!

Car dealerships can be busy almost every day of the week, but especially on Saturdays when people usually have the day off. Even though people also have Sundays off, they might not be able to buy a car on that day due to rules. Why don’t car lots sell cars on Sundays?

Car dealerships are closed on Sundays because of Blue Laws.

Laws that go back hundreds of years say that you can’t sell cars or anything else on Sunday. All of them can be traced back to Blue Laws, which were in place before church and state were split. Even though these laws have been thrown out in many states, they are still in place in a number of them.

Car Dealerships Closed Sundays

What do you mean by Blue Laws?

Blue laws are rules that say some businesses can’t sell things or do other things on Sunday. From the 18th century on, the laws were tied to religious standards, which meant that people had to attend church. These rules concern the Sabbath, which calls for a day of worship and rest. For many people, that day is Sunday.

Once upon a time, only some businesses could be open on Sundays. People were not allowed to buy, sell, travel, play sports, or do any other public entertainment.

Since church and state no longer work together, many states have eliminated their blue laws. But there are still states with their version of “blue laws” that say car dealers can’t sell cars on Sunday. Some states also have rules about when and how cars can be sold on Sundays, such as a certain time limit.

States where Car Dealerships are closed on Sundays

Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are the 13 states that don’t let car dealerships sell cars on Sundays. Seven states have laws that make it hard to sell cars on Sunday. For example, car sales may only be allowed in a certain county or during a certain time. Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah are those states.

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Car Dealerships Still Closed on Sundays – Why?

There may be different reasons a dealership closes, such as problems with the bank, employees, or the business’s cost. Since banks are closed on Sundays, it’s easier for dealerships to do business and for auto loans to go through. Many dealerships are open six days a week, so employees often work long hours. Sunday may be the only day they can take off.

Some dealerships are closed on Sundays because the number of people who quit their jobs goes up when they have to work seven days a week. By closing on Sunday, dealerships can save money on operational costs, like turning off lights or closing showrooms. If dealerships were open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, their bills for electricity and other utilities would be higher.

Are Blue Laws the only Reason?

But what if you live in a state where buying cars on Sunday is not against the law? You may still have to wait until Monday. Many dealerships close on Sundays to give their staff a day off and make payroll easier.

Some dealerships say there are other benefits, such as more efficiency and happier customers and employees. Since turnover is bad and most people can’t work seven days a week, it’s not a good idea.

Online car shopping also cuts down on the need for big Sunday sales. Dealerships sometimes keep a small staff or stay open only by appointment so customers who have already bought a car can pick it up.

Because mechanics are so important, service stations are often open on Sundays.

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Sunday car sales are most restricted in New Jersey

Most counties in New Jersey have gotten rid of their “blue laws,” but Bergen is one of the few that still has them. The last vote in a county to get rid of the laws was in 1993, but the laws stayed in place. Strangely, Bergen County is home to five of the largest shopping malls in the United States. Because of this, traffic is better on Sundays but is pretty bad on other days.

Buying a car on Sunday is against the rules

Sunday is not a day when you can’t buy a car. The rules are there so that the car lot can’t sell you a car on Sunday. A dealership selling cars on Sunday might break their state’s licensing and bonding obligations. This could lead to fines that are much bigger than the money they make from you.

Options for Buying a Car besides a Sunday

Some dealerships that stay open only work their employees a little hard in other ways. People also like incentives and rotating days off, as long as everyone has to take at least one day off per week.

Also, many big dealerships pay their salespeople a salary that isn’t based on how many cars they sell. Even though this may not increase sales, it keeps employees from leaving and makes them more likely to take time off.

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Repeal Efforts are Underway

Some state residents and lawmakers think banning car sales on Sunday is old-fashioned. States like Illinois, Texas, and New Jersey have recently tried, or are in the process of trying, to get rid of the old laws that make it illegal.

Sunday or a Monday, Car Expenses are a Reality! Your Solution = Way.com

No matter what day you buy your car, you must put aside a budget for its maintenance. Car insurance is mandatory; no two ways about it. You can get your car insurance from the dealership you are dealing with or an agent. If you are unhappy with the options from your car dealership, use your thumb to tap Super App Way.com and get affordable car insurance quotes.

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