# Businesses closing before closing time **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 16, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024 "2013-11-16T00:04:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![svd678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@svd678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svd678)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/21 "2013-11-16T04:56:17Z")
A long time ago I worked in a drug store. We had a regular customer who tried to watch her favorite TV show, and then get to the store during the final ads, before it closed. She did that every night. We never waited for her. She was trying to pick up the last edition of the paper. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/22 "2013-11-16T05:15:51Z")
> [@tenacious\_j](#): > > I would be disappointed but ok, unless it happened to me more than once. Everyone has something they need to leave for once in a while. They should post a note, but people forget. > Now, if it happened all the time, or if it were a cleaner or repair shop who had my stuff, I would say something or not come back. Yeah this is what I would do. If it was a one-time thing, eh, no biggie I’ll come back. And I’d probably try to come back at a more “solid” time. But if it was a chronic thing, or they had shitty hours to begin with and cut the hours even shorter unexpectedly, then I’d be done with them. I’m a small business owner and there’s only 2 of us. Sometimes, we just can’t be here. 99.9% of the time if both of us aren’t here it’s not because something more fun is happening. It’s because something stressful is happening and the fact that both of us aren’t here makes it more stressful. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/23 "2013-11-16T05:24:46Z")
If I’ve called ahead and indicated I was on my way and I find them closed - I’m unlikely to go back. If I’m pushing the time, its my own fault - I’m disappointed, but really, not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/24 "2013-11-16T06:18:56Z")
The owner of a popular hardware store in the historic district of my town passed away. It was the place you could go when you needed a piece of hardware that hadn’t been made since the 20’s. Very popular. Always Bustling. When the son took over, suddenly the place opened late, closed early. The second time this happened I stopped going. But also items weren’t restocked. The owner finally closed, pleading in the local paper that the big box stores took away all his business. A friend of mine sent a scathing letter to the editor (published) covering all the things I mentioned, then some. I always thought there was some tax scam involved in the probate. Lower the value of the business or something to reduce the tax burden. Anyway, they tore down the store, now faux colonial condos are going up. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/25 "2013-11-16T10:10:03Z")
This actually happened to me a few weeks ago. I decided to try a Chinese restaurant I hadn’t been to before. Their website said they were open until 10:00. I just wanted something to go and got there about 9:40. The woman at the front desk told me that the kitchen closed at 9:30. I was somewhat annoyed, but tried it again about a week later and went a bit earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/26 "2013-11-16T10:22:44Z")
I’d be annoyed if there was no note. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/27 "2013-11-16T11:24:46Z")
It can be annoying, especially if it happens repeatedly. My husband and I tried on three occasions to have breakfast at a new place in town and it was closed each time. They didn’t last long. When we had our deli, my husband and I would argue about this. He felt it was no big deal if people saw a note with an explanation, but I was dead set against closing during scheduled open hours. For our location, you’d have to park and walk to our door before you’d know we were closed. I could see that pissing someone off. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/28 "2013-11-16T11:36:32Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > You ever have to leave work early for an appointment? > You ever go home sick in the middle of the day? Honestly, not more than once every couple of years. I think if you are going to run a small business, you have to be the sort of person who can consistently be there, or have good back-up plans in place. If you, for example, have regular crippling migraines, or are a single parent without consistent support for childcare, or any other thing that is likely to pull you away unpredictably, then I think that alone would be enough to make you unsuited for running a very very small business with a storefront. It sucks, but being able to Absolutely Show Up is just part of the gig. Assuming that it’s the kind of place where I could reasonably expect to get my business done in ten minutes–I am dropping off or picking up–I would be very annoyed. Whether I would go back would be complex decision based on other easily available substitutions for the place. If it were the dry cleaners, I’d probably never go back, because there is another one a quarter mile away in every direction. A specialty repair shop that had been highly recommended? I probably would, but not if they were closed twice. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/29 "2013-11-16T12:39:14Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > In Britain, early half-day closing is usually on a Wednesday; but occasionally one goes to a town where it is a different day. In which case, with most shops shut, one rolls with it. That’s a bit outdated isn’t it? There are no shops in my town that have an early closing day, as far as I am aware. I remember it sometimes being the case in smaller towns, many years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/30 "2013-11-16T13:09:29Z")
A business that isn’t open at its stated hours, especially without explanation, is not exactly demonstrating competence or trustworthiness. It’s not necessarily enough on its own to make me never go back, but it’s not a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/31 "2013-11-16T18:17:35Z")
I don’t regard it as “poor planning” for me to arrive at a time when the business claims to be open. A place that regularly fails to adhere to their stated hours of operation may well wind up being more of a pain for me to deal with than they’re worth. Certainly, they can choose (or be compelled by circumstance) to operate that way. I can then make my own choice about whether their other qualities make trying to guess when they’re _really_ open worth it to me; it’s a business decision on my part. If I only have one data point (my first time there they were closed when their posted hours claim they are open), then whether or not I give them another shot will of course depend on a lot of things, including available alternatives. There is no single answer for all situations; it’s a question of whether this negative feature of the place is outweighed by other factors. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/32 "2013-11-16T18:22:38Z")
I’m surprised that one obvious choice was left out of the poll. I would be annoyed but it wouldn’t stop me from going back. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/33 "2013-11-16T18:31:11Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > The mechanic closes 10 minutes early and I can’t pick up my car till tomorrow ( or worse yet, Monday)? Gonna find a new mechanic. View from the other side of the counter. Did the shop know you were coming to pick up your car that night? Or did you tell them you would get it tomorrow, and then finding a bit of extra time decide to grab it tonight? If they knew you were coming and closed early, go find somebody else. If you just dropped in unexpectedly and are upset they aren’t there, go find another shop we don’t need your your drama. (Yes I have fired customers) ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/34 "2013-11-16T18:35:13Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > If you just dropped in unexpectedly and are upset they aren’t there, go find another shop we don’t need your your drama. (Yes I have fired customers) It’s not “my drama” if you’re not there at the time you say you will be, whether that’s a direct, personal statement or advertised business hours. It’s your unprofessionalism. As would be firing a customer for expecting you to be open when you say you will be. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/35 "2013-11-16T19:25:23Z")
I’d be annoyed but likely to give them at least one more shot. Assuming I got into the business next time, I’d mention it and see if they had some reason (“Yeah, the manager had an emergency…”) or at least apologized. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/36 "2013-11-16T19:25:32Z")
It would annoy me (especially if I changed my schedule to get there before closing) but I would go back again (not as near to closing!). ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/37 "2013-11-16T20:26:48Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > View from the other side of the counter. Did the shop know you were coming to pick up your car that night? Or did you tell them you would get it tomorrow, and then finding a bit of extra time decide to grab it tonight? > If they knew you were coming and closed early, go find somebody else. > If you just dropped in unexpectedly and are upset they aren’t there, go find another shop we don’t need your your drama. (Yes I have fired customers) . I really doubt that any of the mechanics I’ve ever used actually made a note of what I said when they called to tell me my car was ready and I’m sure I’ve never been asked if I was picking it up today or tomorrow. The places that actually do close\* usually say something like “we’ll be here till 6” . If I get there at 5:50, it’s not “my drama” \*A couple of shops I’ve used do payment and key pickup in the 24 hour convenience store - and if I got there and they were closed I absolutely wouldn’t go back unless there was a really obvious reason, like crime scene tape all around the place. Other than that, you had my number to call me and tell me the car was ready, use it to tell me you’re closing early. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/38 "2013-11-16T20:53:52Z")
What bothers me is how many places keep their clocks set 10 minutes in advance of the actual time, and make out like they’ve stayed open until their stated closing time when they really haven’t. To put the burden of missing out on _you_ for not having your watch advanced like theirs. That’s just obnoxious. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/39 "2013-11-16T21:37:28Z")
I got home around 1 am from a late flight last night and swung by Taco Bell, because they’re almost the only place around that says they stay open until 2 am on Friday night (Sat. morning). Sure enough, they were closed, more than an hour early. This was irritating, and it means that I now don’t trust their schedule; if I need a very late meal in the future, I’ll start by looking somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024/40 "2013-11-16T21:53:54Z")
Meh. It’s fine. It’s their business, they can do what they want. Though one time I dropped off my bike and then couldn’t get it back for a week; I was on the verge of calling the police. The regular closing times in this godforsaken country upset me far more. Everything here closes at stupid-o’clock! I don’t understand how you’re supposed to work and get regular-life-stuff done. It only works if you have a 1950s-wife/maid. :mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-closing-before-closing-time/674024.md?page=3)