Stop Us, Before We Open Again

Radley Balko | December 9, 2008

Oregon's car dealerships are asking the state's legislature to help them cut costs—by forcing them to close on Sundays.

Oregon's struggling auto dealers plan to ask the Legislature to impose "blue laws" prohibiting car sales on Sunday.

The day off would help them cut costs during an economic downturn that has already put 19 Oregon dealerships out of business this year. Nationally, sales of domestic cars declined more than 35 percent in 2008.

Greg Remensperger, executive vice president of the Oregon Automobile Dealers Association, told The Oregonian newspaper his members strongly favor the measure.

[...]

If lawmakers don't approve the restriction on Sunday sales, Oregon dealers could opt for a voluntary pact among themselves. Dealers, however, figure a state law is needed to ensure that nobody takes advantage of the others' closure.

I've been told by contacts in the liquor industry that the biggest opposition to repealing Sunday sales laws related to alcohol tends to come not from moral crusaders, but from long-established liquor stores, who don't want the hassle of staying open all week.

Comments

Cosmo|12.9.08 @ 1:28PM|#

Damn fundie wingnut car dealers.I can't believe the Theocons have so much power in Oregon.

|12.9.08 @ 1:36PM|#

I've been told by contacts in the liquor industry that the biggest opposition to repealing Sunday sales laws related to alcohol tends to come not from moral crusaders, but from long-established liquor stores, who don't want the hassle of staying open all week

Yup. Exactly the case in Connecticut. Just extending closing time from 8PM to 9PM was a huge deal, and the biggest opponents were the liquor store owners. Beyond the reduced hours, they love the fact that people overbuy booze for Sunday parties and holidays because if you run out, you can't go to the store and the party is over.

|12.9.08 @ 1:39PM|#

Same thing here in Colorado. Every time they talked about repealing the Sunday prohibition on selling liquor, some jackass who owns a liquor store would speak up against it.

Thankfully, they finally did repeal that law, one of the few things that a state legislature packed full of Democrats hasn't managed to screw up.

|12.9.08 @ 1:41PM|#

I've been told by contacts in the liquor industry that the biggest opposition to repealing Sunday sales laws related to alcohol tends to come not from moral crusaders, but from long-established liquor stores, who don't want the hassle of staying open all week.

I've been told by contacts in the legislature that opposition also comes (indirectly) from bars and restaurants.

|12.9.08 @ 1:44PM|#

Radley, I don't know if any but we transplanted Hoosiers know that some states actually force liqueur stores to close on Sundays. Although, those badly enough in need from my hometown of Fort Wayne could drive 25 min. to Ohio for a resupply.

|12.9.08 @ 1:48PM|#

Oregon dealers could opt for a voluntary pact among themselves.

Collusion in restraint of trade? There's a novel concept. Maybe they could establish minimum prices, while they're at it.

Naga Sadow|12.9.08 @ 1:49PM|#

Episiarch,

What? Your liquor stores close at 9? Thats crazy talk! One day you citizens will become progressive like us South Mississipians who in our benevolent wisdom don't close liquor stores till 11*. Plus the casinos are 24/7 if you feel like paying the upcharge.

*This applies only to the region of Mississippi known as South Mississippi. Neither region likes the other.

|12.9.08 @ 1:51PM|#

Speaking of regulatory arbitrage, when I lived in the Northwest Corner of CT, we used to, on occasion, close down our favorite local pub, and then drive over to New York, for another two or three hours of revelry.

|12.9.08 @ 1:57PM|#

Greg Remensperger, executive vice president of the Oregon Automobile Dealers Association, told The Oregonian newspaper his members strongly favor the measure.

I think I see a potential cost reduction.

They could get rid of Greg.

Naga Sadow|12.9.08 @ 1:59PM|#

No, no, no, P Brooks. Greg is an integral member of society. Think of him as a window breaker! The economy should flourish with types like him.

|12.9.08 @ 2:08PM|#

One day you citizens will become progressive like us South Mississipians who in our benevolent wisdom don't close liquor stores till 11

Dude, in some states (like Arizona) you can buy hard liquor at the gas station. Came as a total shock to me.

Plus the casinos are 24/7 if you feel like paying the upcharge

Our casinos are on Indian property and can do whatever the hell they want and the state can't say Jack Shit. Which includes being open 24/7, allowing smoking inside, and serving alcohol at all times.

daveylee|12.9.08 @ 2:14PM|#

Here in Minnesota, we have a ban on Sunday sales of liquor AND automobiles. It's always been this way, or at least for as long as I can remember.

|12.9.08 @ 2:17PM|#

I didn't know the Oregon Automobile Dealers Association was run by the candle makers. Just think of how much money they could save by only opening one day per month!

Naga Sadow|12.9.08 @ 2:17PM|#

What! Arizona huh? I'm marking that down. I meant the casinos down here. I forget that CT has Indian casinos. I still wouldn't go though. I like what is left of my scalp.

Richard|12.9.08 @ 2:20PM|#

I have a feeling that having to work on Sundays isn't going to be a problem for auto dealers much longer.

Geotpf|12.9.08 @ 2:21PM|#

In California, auto dealers can be (and are) open seven days a week, and the only restriction on liquor sales is from 2 to 6 AM. Personally, I would repeal the 2 to 6 am requirement, as it applies to bars as well, so all the drunks are on the roads at the same time.

|12.9.08 @ 2:22PM|#

I forget that CT has Indian casinos. I still wouldn't go though. I like what is left of my scalp

They only scalp your wallet.

Naga Sadow|12.9.08 @ 2:25PM|#

Epi,

Only if you don't know how to count cards.

robc|12.9.08 @ 2:29PM|#

I've been told by contacts in the liquor industry that the biggest opposition to repealing Sunday sales laws related to alcohol tends to come not from moral crusaders, but from long-established liquor stores, who don't want the hassle of staying open all week.

Ditto in KY. Louisville allowed Sunday liquor sales starting a few years ago. The small, non-chain liquor stores will the biggest complainers. 17% more employee costs for the exact same revenue is what they claimed.

|12.9.08 @ 2:33PM|#

Only if you don't know how to count cards.

You can count a 6+ deck mechanically-randomized shoe?

|12.9.08 @ 2:35PM|#

Illinois has had mandatory closing of car dealers on Sundays for years, for the same reason.

|12.9.08 @ 2:43PM|#

Even if you can count cards in a modern casino operation (very, very remotely possible, I suppose), you will get spotted, shown the door, and blacklisted.

So make the first bet on a high-probability hand a good one! It could well be your last.

Pepe|12.9.08 @ 2:55PM|#

Seems like it would make more sense for a car dealer to close on Monday and be open Sunday. People generally go shopping for cars when they aren't working I would think.

The wackiness of local liquor laws is always a fun part of traveling around the country.

I like being in California where the laws are relatively sane. Although the 2AM last call does encourage drunk driving. It doesn't help that a lot of cities shut down most of their public transportation around midnight and that outside of San Francisco, getting a cab in most CA cities is expensive and inconvenient.

What is the logic of kicking people out of bars at the peak of their drunkenness and at a time of night when hardly anything is open and transportation options are limited? It's pretty much Denny's or drive home in a lot of places.

SpongePaul|12.9.08 @ 3:09PM|#

Even if you can count cards in a modern casino operation (very, very remotely possible, I suppose), you will get spotted, shown the door, and blacklisted.

So make the first bet on a high-probability hand a good one! It could well be your last
_______________________________________
Bah just find the dealer with the 10 or 6 card non mech shoe and count away, i do it everytime i go, play small $5 tables and have fun and alwyas leave with 300-500 in the wallet. mech shoes and autoshufflers are non countable

|12.9.08 @ 3:25PM|#

mech shoes and autoshufflers are non countable

Hence, my reference to a "modern casino operation."

|12.9.08 @ 4:14PM|#

Dude, in some states (like Arizona) you can buy hard liquor at the gas station. Came as a total shock to me.

That's nothing. Arizona used to have drive-thru liquor stores.

Treylis|12.9.08 @ 4:36PM|#

We still do, actually.

|12.9.08 @ 4:50PM|#

You cannot be barred from casinos in Atlantic City for card counting. I'm not sure of the prevalence of CSMs in those casinos since it's been a while since I've visited there -- no need to go there when the CT casinos are so much closer.

Publilius|12.9.08 @ 5:56PM|#

For many years, the auto dealerships in the Detroit metropolitan area had a gentlemen's agreement to stay closed on both Saturday and Sunday. Every now and then, a new owner of a dealership would decide to be open on Saturday. On the next Saturday, salesmen from other dealerships would show up and break windows and get in fistfights with the salesmen at the open dealership. One Saturday like that was enough to convince the new dealer to get with the program.

|12.9.08 @ 11:00PM|#

Maybe they should REALLY cut costs and allow the dealers to open ONLY on Sundays!

ed|12.10.08 @ 7:36AM|#

If lawmakers don't approve the restriction on Sunday sales, Oregon dealers could opt for a voluntary pact among themselves

Priceless.

|12.10.08 @ 8:01AM|#

i remember once giving a presentation on a drive-through strip club. does arizona still have those?

New World Dan|12.10.08 @ 11:30AM|#

I'm more surprised that liquor stores and car dealerships aren't pushing to be closed on Monday and Tuesday. But hey, what do I care? I'm only 10 minutes from the Wisconsin border and Wisconsin will never ban Sunday beer sales.

|12.10.08 @ 12:23PM|#

On the next Saturday, salesmen from other dealerships would show up and break windows and get in fistfights with the salesmen at the open dealership. One Saturday like that was enough to convince the new dealer to get with the program.

I had no idea car salesmen were in the UAW.