What is so facinating about closing time?

[westernrvparkow]

We close our office and store at 10PM. After about 8PM it slows down, save for the late check ins. After about 9:30PM we start cleaning, vacuuming and getting things in line for the next day, since the office and store is a ghost town. Then at 9:55 you can almost count on one or two groups to come in, wander around the store aimlessly, picking up and examining every item in the store, not taking any hints that we may be ready to close, such as us turning off the display lights, putting the covers over the computer terminals etc. They will inevitably stay until about 10:15 and then mosey on out without making so much as a ten cent purchase. I know this is common throughout all retail and extends into the dining industry as well. I have a good friend who owns a high end restaurant, and he has the same experience, some diner will linger for an hour after closing and finishing their meals, not ordering anything more expensive than a refill of their ice water, oblivious to the employees who would like nothing more than to close up and go home. And to top it off, he says they are always bad tippers, a problem I don't have to worry about. Just what is the big thrill?

[powderman426]

demoon wrote:
You own a business, they are your customers, they paid to be at your place. Get over it and worry about more important things.

X10

[winnietrey]

I have often wondered, do these same folks, leave their work a 5 oclock on the button. Or do they stay later to tidy things up. While working off the clock

[Atlee]

I have opposite reaction when I go in a store at 15 minutes to the closing time on the door, yet no one wants to wait on me since they've pretty much already closed the store down.

If you want to leave at 10pm, close the store at 9 or 9:30. Then everyone is pretty much happy. They can get served, if they want to be served up until closing, and you can still get out of the store at 10pm or a few minutes afterwards.

westernrvparkowner wrote:
We close our office and store at 10PM. After about 8PM it slows down, save for the late check ins. After about 9:30PM we start cleaning, vacuuming and getting things in line for the next day, since the office and store is a ghost town. Then at 9:55 you can almost count on one or two groups to come in, wander around the store aimlessly, picking up and examining every item in the store, not taking any hints that we may be ready to close, such as us turning off the display lights, putting the covers over the computer terminals etc. They will inevitably stay until about 10:15 and then mosey on out without making so much as a ten cent purchase. I know this is common throughout all retail and extends into the dining industry as well. I have a good friend who owns a high end restaurant, and he has the same experience, some diner will linger for an hour after closing and finishing their meals, not ordering anything more expensive than a refill of their ice water, oblivious to the employees who would like nothing more than to close up and go home. And to top it off, he says they are always bad tippers, a problem I don't have to worry about. Just what is the big thrill?

[HappyKayakers]

You might be talking about 2 different phenomena here. The late night diners are self-absorbed, inconsiderate people who think the world revolves around them.

The late night browser in the camp store may just be way out of their element. It's late and they don't have their normal routines available. They don't want to go to bed and they haven't learned the fine art of silent meditation while star gazing or staring into a campfire. So, they wander into the store while the lights are still on. Guess I'd rather have that than them making another beer run in town.

[camperpaul]

Put up a sign:

NOTICE:
ALL PRICES
DOUBLE AT 9:30

[RoyB]

You will probably want to close up when folks are in the store but being the good host you all are you will stay until the last one leaves...

You're just gonna go in the house and watch Johnny Carson anyway...

Roy Ken

[paulsang]

demoon wrote:
You own a business, they are your customers, they paid to be at your place. Get over it and worry about more important things.

Really?
While I understand your point of having more important things to worry about, the thing is the OP pointed out that they never actually buy anything. That statement is, most times, true. But at the same time, you don't want to irk them for they might come back the next day to pick up what they need.

I always taught my managers to be polite yet firm in stating 'I apologize, but we are closed for the evening." It is about how you handle it.

As for tippers in the restaurants? Well, they weren't going to tip anyway. But that doesn't mean you automatically give poor service. A reputation for poor service late night is difficult to overcome.

[bfast54]

Gotta go with..............Human Nature.....................put a deadline in front of a LOT of people, they will push it.


Why not have fun with this........................Post "Closing time" as...................9:43 P.M...........................that way, you are done by 10:00p.m.................Course, you will lose the last minute person , who really wants to grab something...................but, hey, your blood pressure will be lower.


But, it could be worse...........................people might not Come In At All...................so be thank-ful, they are there.:W

[demoon]

You own a business, they are your customers, they paid to be at your place. Get over it and worry about more important things.

[John___Angela]

Happens on an RV lot too. I kinda get it though in this environment. People on their way home from work, don't have a chance to shop during the day. Many are buyers as they have jobs and can afford an RV purchase. Depending on the day I'll close the gate a bit at 6 to send a gentle message but at the same time if they ask I encourage them to look around. Many appreciate it and come back at a later time with the significant other to look again and eventually buy. It can be tough for the working crowd to shop for RV's or even parts.

[Eurocamper]

lanerd wrote:
You know, I think a simple "Sorry folks, we're closing in five minutes"...would be sufficient to get the procrastinators heading for the door. If not, start turning out the lights....

You would think, but it just makes some people dig in their heels harder.

[lanerd]

You know, I think a simple "Sorry folks, we're closing in five minutes"...would be sufficient to get the procrastinators heading for the door. If not, start turning out the lights....


Ron

[FunnyCamper]

another usual rant on people's behavior. like Markiemark said, close at 9:30 and you will be done at 9:45 instead of 10:15 🙂

[Cloud_Dancer]

Stopping at the office when checking in is all the time I want to spend there. If I have a question later, I use the phone.
And, I NEVER go to restaurants late (don't want anybody staring at me with THAT look).
A self-contained fully-equipped motorhome has its advantages. I like to fix my own dinner, and breakfast. In fact, overnighting at Walmarts works great for me (don't have to bother anybody).

[camperpaul]

robsouth wrote:
As guess they are waiting to see if Mickey Gilley was right when he said "The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time".

X 2

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zDGqLyTNy0?