The Nuñez family set out across the dealership lot, looking for a brand new truck, and not a salesman was in sight.
They had already researched models and prices online and were heading out to closed Tucson dealerships to get a firsthand look at what they like — all without the help (or hassles) of sales staff. They could because it was Sunday.
"It's easy to look around with nobody hounding you," said Reuben Nuñez while looking at trucks with his family at the Jim Click Ford dealership at 6244 E. 22nd St. Earlier the family had browsed at the Tucson Auto Mall across town.
Like many Tucsonans, the Nuñezes have learned all the local new-car dealerships are closed on Sundays.
The practice goes back decades, dealers said, and there are two main reasons: A longstanding gentlemen's agreement exists among new-auto dealers in Tucson to close that day, and many say it wouldn't make financial sense to open anyway.
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Jim Click found that to be the case after he opened his first local dealership in 1971.
"We tried Sundays for about four years and realized there were not more sales of vehicles than (at) those who were closed," said Click, who has 17 dealerships in Tucson and Green Valley. "Since then everybody has been closed Sundays."
Some dealers, as well as customers, say it's a good thing for shoppers that the dealerships are closed on Sundays.
"It's a remarkable thing with Tucson that we have dealers who can come to an agreement together," said Mike DiChristofano, co-owner of Broadway Volvo and vice president of the Tucson New Car Dealers Association, whose 20 or so members are all new-auto dealership owners and managers. "For consumers it's a day to shop freely."
But one of the area's top used-car dealers questioned that logic.
Dave Aufmuth, owner of Aufmuth Motors, said being open on Sundays is a smart business move. His dealership is open seven days a week — a fact Aufmuth points out in advertisements — operating a 50,000 square-foot warehouse at 3981 N. Business Center Drive.
"Weekends are the busiest time during the week," he said. "Buying a car, truck or SUV is usually the second major purchase next to a house. You need both decision makers to be there together."
But some car browsers find the Sunday closures convenient.
"We try to avoid car salesmen," said Stacy Jauarone, while looking with Brent McCraney at SUVs last weekend. "Here we get to look around and see everything we want without somebody coming out to give you a sales pitch."
The impact on sales
No state or local laws prohibit auto sales on Sundays. Indeed, in the Phoenix area, several dealers open.
The Tucson dealers' closing tradition might have broken down if it didn't make financial sense. In a given week, there are only so many sales, and one more day won't make a big impact for dealers, said Neb Yonas, general manager for Chapman Automotive Group's new Tucson operations.
"It's not hindering business. There's just not much business on Sunday," Yonas said.
In 2004, Chapman bought the Beaudry Group's Tucson dealerships — Acura, Audi, Honda, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Saturn and Volkswagen.
"We agreed that Sunday should serve as a day off for employees. It's an agreement that was here before us and we have no intention of breaking it," Yonas said
When Chapman arrived, dealers wondered if the company would open on Sundays, said John Hornbeck, general manager at Mercedes Benz of Tucson, 6001 E. Speedway.
"That was one of the biggest concerns we heard," he said.
But Chapman decided to close on Sundays, even though its Phoenix properties are open.
Tucson isn't so unusual when it comes to closing auto dealerships on Sunday, said Bobbi Sparrow, president of the Arizona Auto Dealers Association. The Phoenix-based group represents about 250 new car and truck franchise dealers.
Around the state, dealerships that choose to close on Sundays aren't reporting any sales loss, Sparrow said
"You'll find that most (dealerships) in the state are closed on Sundays. That's just the way the market runs," she said. "A lot of people respect that dealers are at home with their families on Sundays. It's tough to run 24-7."
Said DiChristofano: "I would say that in the 34 years we've been operating, we've never had a customer say 'How come you're not open on Sundays?' "
Lower overhead costs
It may be illegal for a group of owners to decide to agree to close their doors as a collective, but it is not considered collusion if dealers decide independently to close their doors, said Nancy Bonnell, antitrust unit chief with the Arizona Attorney General's office.
"The whole key is the agreement. But if dealers independently agree to be closed, there is no violation of law," Bonnell said.
DiChristofano said any local dealer could open on Sundays.
"There's no way that we'd do anything illegal. It's all voluntary on everyone's part," he said.
And there's no recourse for dealers against anyone who chooses to open on Sundays, DiChristofano said.
In addition to assuring at least one weekend day off for sales and finance staffs, Sunday closing reduces overhead, he said.
"A lot of dealers know the benefits of it," DiChristofano said. "A lot of people see it as an advantage."
To drum up business locally, the Chapman dealerships will sometimes advertise, "silent sales on Sunday" in print ads, Yonas said.
Stores might be closed, but the dealership invites shoppers to take a look at cars that feature special rebates or discounts and offer as much information about vehicles as possible, Yonas said.
"Sundays are nice. People like to window-shop and look, and people take comfort and take a leisurely stroll through lots," Yonas said. "If something catches their eye, they're able to contact us on Monday."
"Here we get to look around and see everything we want without somebody coming out to give you a sales pitch." Stacy Jauarone, browsing SUVs