Head of auto and truck dealers opposes bill allowing Sunday sales

Talk about it

You would think that a business would want to be open as long as possible.

But the head of the Wisconsin Auto and Truck Dealers Association does not favor a bill in the Legislature that would let car dealerships be open on Sundays.

The so-called “Blue Law” has been on the books for decades and a dozen other states still ban car sales out of respect to the Sabbath.

But dealers association president Bill Sepic says being open on Sundays will bring added costs like labor and utilities.

And with GM and Chrysler on the brink of bankruptcy, Sepic says the extra business day could actually make it harder for dealers to avoid closing for good.

Even though it would be voluntary, Sepic says competitive pressures would quickly make it a necessity.

Sepic argues the restriction is actually good for business.

He says it gives staffers a day of rest, and it still lets customers look at vehicles even if they can’t buy them on Sundays.

Tags: auto sales, news, wisconsin, sunday