Have you ever gone to a business
By firecracker
@sacmom (14192)
United States
January 1, 2010 2:03am CST
thinking it would be open, but when you get there it was closed?
I did that yesterday when I went to The Bird Shop. I had promised my oldest that we would go there to look at the birds. As they are normally open until 6pm (Monday - Friday) I thought we would still have some time to look around before they closed. So we left the house around 4pm and got there just after 4:30. However, when I pulled into the parking lot I noticed it was empty. Strange, but I decided to pull up to the front of the store anyway. I noticed that their "open" sign wasn't on and then I saw the closed sign. They had closed 2 hours early due to it being New Year's Eve. Ugh! I had driven all the way there for nothing! LOL Oh well, at least I know better now when it comes to their holiday hours.
So, what about you? Have you ever gone to a business thinking it was open and it ended up being closed for one reason or another? How did you feel? I know how I felt. Like an idiot. 
LOL
Happy New Year everyone!
LOL
Happy New Year everyone!8 people like this
32 responses
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
1 Jan 10
Yes, of course! I do that all the time with the Dollar stores, some of the them in my city stay open until 22:00, but some only stay open until 20:00. We go and try to open the door and it's locked. I feel like a big dummy not knowing the hours. 
2 people like this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
1 Jan 10
Yup, and we've even beat on the doors because we swore they were open. Hehehehe.
2 people like this
@tinkerick (1257)
• United States
4 Jan 10
LOL! Many, many times.
- The grocery store changed their hours for the winter - I forgot.
- The ice cream place closes early, either due to no business or weather - we usually go last minute before closing.
- I can never remember Aldi's hours on the weekend. They used to be closed Sundays, now they're open.
The big one was - I was taking my son to Target because he had a gift card to use. Lo and behold when we get there - it's gone! Literally! They had demolished the building and were rebuilding it from the ground up. There was a big banner saying come back in October (this was in the summer). Talk about a shocker.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
4 Jan 10
Oh my gosh, it was completely gone? Wow! And here I was shocked when a Target here remodeled the garden center. LOL I was also shocked to see the same Target was open this past Christmas Eve. I was expecting it to be closed but took a chance and went there anyway.
Happy mylotting!
Happy mylotting!1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
9 Jan 10
I am very careful to only go somewhere when i know that it will be open (I have to take busses and taxis everywhere so I want to be extra careful not to go to a closed business) and if I am not sure if the place will be open or not, I will call them first. my husband, on the other hand, likes to rely on luck, and will often go to a closed place by accident.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
19 Jan 10
OOPS! I just responded to this one again. LOl I must have found it in a MyLot digest somewhere, not realizing that I still had the notification in my e-mail. LOL Too funny!!! LOL Oh well, whatever. Maybe I burned some calories typing. haha
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
19 Jan 10
Hmm, maybe!
Don't worry about it danish. Accidents are bound to happen...even in mylot! LOL
Don't worry about it danish. Accidents are bound to happen...even in mylot! LOL
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
1 Jan 10
Wow, I feel really badly for you. That has never happened to me before. I do notice that a lot of stores and businesses close early on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. So I try to get there earlier on those days or just don't bother going.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
1 Jan 10
Thanks, but there's really no need to. At least it wasn't a complete waste as I was able to pick up some dinner on the way home.
Happy mylotting!
Happy mylotting! @afiyanajav (37)
• India
1 Jan 10
Hi Sacmom
New year's eve at my place is fun filled and the stores are open because they expect a lot of business compared to the usual day.
I haven't had the kind of experience that you had but the shopping malls and the restaurants are very much in business.
In case if there is a situation if I am thinking that if the store will be open or not, I will pick up their number from online by searching it on internet or call the 24 hrs helpdesk to give me the number of the store and then call them before actually taking a ride to that particular place.
Maybe this advice will help you in future Sacmom.
Happy New Year and keep MyLotting.
2 people like this
@px_yeap (269)
• Malaysia
1 Jan 10
well...in this period of time....it happens quiet often...many stores i went either got purchased by other store or closed down for good...and it was like what only 2 months ago i was there...and go there again...it is gone!!! maybe the economy is real bad after all!
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Yep, you know it's bad when the stores close down for good. 
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
1 Jan 10
If it's any consolation you are not alone my friend, you certainly won't be the first person who has done this and won't be the last. I myself have done this on a number of occasions, mainly at the gym! Thinking the gym would be open at the normal times during the Christmas period but obviously not on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve. I have gone along at my usual time and found the gym is all in darkness! Grrrrrr. And that was a 25 minute walk carrying all my gym gear. Happy New Year dear friend x
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
4 Jan 10
You mean to say that you have to have your own home first? 
Why didn't someone tell me? No wonder there's no room for mine. Oh well, at least I'm still able to work out at home, even if it is a little cramped. LOL 
Why didn't someone tell me? No wonder there's no room for mine. Oh well, at least I'm still able to work out at home, even if it is a little cramped. LOL @sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Poor wolfie. Just another reason why I'm glad to have a home gym. It's never closed!
Happy mylotting!
Happy mylotting!
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 Jan 10
Hi sacmom...it's a pain, isn't it. I went to the post office to collect my mail the day before Christmas Eve. I was expecting 2 small parcels which had been sent to me the previous week on the same day.
The post mistress was busy sorting mail but I said I could wait for today's mail was there anything else for me. She gave me my mail, including one of the small parcels. I said I was still waiting on one that had been posted the same time.
I went back the next day to collect my mail and there was a sign on the door saying it was closed...whaaat?! Why didn't she tell me the previous day she would be closed? She knew I was expecting something. I was so mad. She must have heard me swearing at her and she came out as I was walking away and asked if I wanted my parcel.
I think she is required to be open anyway...
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
4 Jan 10
LOL. I have an even more interesting encounter. The shop was closed forever! There was no notice and I keep loitering around from front to back and back to front. An uncle from the neighbouring shop told me it has been closed for good 2 months ago.
Yes, closing early on new year's eve is something I always preamp myself. Afterall, I also want to knock off earlier on the eve of any holiday, especially christmas and the new year! Happy New Year!
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
4 Jan 10
Looks like you got me beat! LOL At least the store I went to was only closed for the holidays. Though at the rate things are going I wouldn't be surprised if they closed their doors forever. 
Happy mylotting!
LOL At least the store I went to was only closed for the holidays. Though at the rate things are going I wouldn't be surprised if they closed their doors forever.
Happy mylotting!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Jan 10
I've been to the library and found it closed, only because they added extra days of closing because of budget cuts. I always call stores first if it's just before a holiday. I was disappointed in my library but understood--they had announced days of closing but added one unexpectedly.
Oh, I remember now! I went to the Big Lots in my town last summer only to find it closed because it had gone out of business. No advance notice to the public, just open one day and closed the next. I was sad but not surprised, a lot of stores are going out of business these days.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
3 Jan 10
A local business is sometimes not open depending on the owners availability. We went to his store twice with it not being open, not we call first before showing up. Everytime we go there we spend money, lol, but we only go to the store ever so often.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
4 Jan 10
Nope, it was none of those things. They were moving the bird cages around.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
3 Jan 10
Maybe they were taking down stock, or putting up stock? Hmm... I don't know. Maybe even closing their doors?
1 person likes this
@wolveren (1586)
• Cebu, Philippines
2 Jan 10
Hmmm. I had my share of like experiences. Was really a bummer. That is why today before going anywhere I make sure they are open or not. As much as possible I would try to get their phone number. Make a short call and ask if they are open. Cheers!
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Yep, making a quick call first is always a good idea. I'll try to remember that next time.
Happy mylotting!
Happy mylotting!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Yes I have..a few times. Here..there are businesses that close on Wednesday. No particular reason really just that they aren't open on Wednesday..lol..I have went to pay a bill or get something and they be closed and I think..dang..it's Wednesday. I think it may be because of church or something. I can see things being closed on Sunday but Wednesday bugs me..lol..I think just about everything is closed on Christmas and New Years around here so I don't even try anymore. I just try to have everything I need before a holiday rolls up. Happy New Year to you to my friend.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Jan 10
That's just the thing though, I didn't go on New Year's, I went on New Year's Eve. LOL I figured they'd be open during regular business hours on this day at the very least.
So, there's a business that is closed on Wednesdays, huh? Strange. I'd like to know why that is. Maybe you can ask the next time you go there.
Happy mylotting!
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Jan 10
Oops, dang it! I didn't even see that. That's what I get for responding when I was half asleep! LOL
Thanks Jen!
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
1 Jan 10
Hi sacmom, yes indeed. Here businesses open in the morning with banks closing at 2pm for the day, and some offices closing at 1, 2 or 4pm. The shops and things stay open until 2pm and then close until 6pm when they re-open, but they mess it all up on Wednesdays when the shops close at 1pm and don't reopen in the evenings.
So it all got a bit confusing this summer when with no announcements the shops suddenly all closed at 1.30pm, leaving me very hot and put out outide one place I'd just walked ages to reach to find the lock already on the door before 2pm, as it meant either hanging around in town, an hours drive from home, until 6pm or going back the next day.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Hi thea. Wow, that is confusing! I'm glad the stores around here aren't like that or I'd have trouble remembering it all! LOL
Happy mylotting!
LOL
Happy mylotting! @sid556 (30960)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Hi Sacmom,
I think we all have done that one. Don't be feeling like an idiot. It could happen to anyone. Some stores keep normal hours on the holidays and others don't. How would you know? The store I work in was to close at 10PM. We had signs up all week long and we close early on every major holiday. Still, come 10pm, the parking lot was filling up. I didn't lock up until about 20 after.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Thanks sid. I don't so much now, but I did when I got there! LOL What's really bad is that I had been visiting this store with my youngest prior to this so I should have known better about their holiday hours as it was posted right on their door. But I never noticed it as it is covered with so many different papers. Oh well, I guess that's what I get for not taking a better look!
Happy mylotting!
Happy mylotting!
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
4 Jan 10
Well, when it comes to festive periods, i will try to be out or be shopping as early as i can, for i know, most places will close early, for celebrations, or because of slow sales.. hehe ^_^
BUt the times i faced with places not opening, are due to their off days.. haha =D LUckily for me, it's just walking distance for me, and i can always opt to eat somewhere else since they are closed.. hehe ^_^
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Jan 10
When we drove to Nevada on Christmas day, we were expecting, at a minimum, for McDonald's to be open so we could grab some lunch on the way. Nope. So we had to stop in at Safeway and grab sandwiches. The McDonald's in Tahoe was open but none of the ones down here were.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Jan 10
I learned the hard way a few years ago that McDonald's aren't open around here on Christmas. I had checked a few in the area for my husband. However, Jack In the Box was open (their drive thru anyway). They're always open. You should have went there instead! 
Oh, and I know you won't believe this, but it was raining pretty good that night too! Right here in California! Who knew it was possible? 
LOL
Happy mylotting!
You should have went there instead!
Oh, and I know you won't believe this, but it was raining pretty good that night too! Right here in California! Who knew it was possible? LOL
Happy mylotting!
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Jan 10
that would be back a couple months ago when i needed to go to walgreens and it was sunday after 6pm and i said of course its open
i mean arent they supposed to be 24 hours? then listen to everyone complain with i told you so, after going all the way over there. not all of them are 24 hrs.
i mean arent they supposed to be 24 hours? then listen to everyone complain with i told you so, after going all the way over there. not all of them are 24 hrs.@sacmom (14192)
• United States
3 Jan 10
I found that out when I had to go there a few months ago. Fortunately for me I found out through the Internet before I actually went there. LOL
Happy mylotting!
LOL
Happy mylotting!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jan 10
The instance I can think of happened to me the day before New Year’s Eve. My door handle broke and it is very awkward not being able to use the driver’s door as you can imagine so I asked my husband to go and buy a new one and take it to our mechanic to fix it and...You guessed it, closed! So now I have to wait until tomorrow, most aggravating but I guess the mechanic is entitled to a break too!
1 person likes this
@wickedlove (326)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Does a public pool count as a business? I went with my sister on day to go swimming at our public pool. We had our bathing suits on, and walked up there. This was in the summer when the pool would normally be open. When we got there, we found it to be closed and the only ones there. But it wasn't all bad. We were swinging on the swings, deciding what to do when a newscast van pulled up. They thought the pool was open also. So they did a segment with my sister and I on how we wish the pool was open, and do we hope to see the changes that would be made once remodeling was done. So even though the pool was closed, I wound up on the news that night. First time ever on tv and it felt amazing.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
2 Jan 10
Yes, it sure does! Even though you didn't get to go swimming it sounds like you had a pretty exciting day! 
