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Setting Operating Hours - Location Availability

5 min read Beginner For Owner, Manager Updated about 2 months ago
Quick Answer
Operating hours in RecSystems are controlled through your rental schedules (timeslots), which define when bookings can start and end. Add hours information to your location descriptions and pickup instructions for customer clarity.

Setting Operating Hours

Operating hours determine when customers can pick up and return rentals at each location. In RecSystems, availability is controlled through your rental schedules (timeslots), with additional hours information in location descriptions.

How Operating Hours Work

RecSystems controls availability through timeslots (rental schedules) rather than location-level hours:

  1. Timeslots define when rentals can start and end
  2. Locations provide addresses and pickup instructions
  3. Location descriptions communicate hours to customers

This approach gives you flexibility—the same location can have different hours for different equipment types.

Setting Availability Times

Through Timeslots

Your rental schedules control booking availability:

Timeslot Setting Purpose
Start Time Earliest pickup time
End Time Latest return time
Days of Week Which days are available
Seasonal Dates When the schedule is active

Example: A Full Day Rental timeslot with 9:00 AM start and 5:00 PM end means:

  • Pickups available starting at 9:00 AM
  • Returns due by 5:00 PM
  • These times apply to all units using this timeslot

See Setting Rental Schedules for detailed timeslot configuration.

Communicating Hours to Customers

Since availability is controlled by timeslots, communicate your hours through:

Location Description

Add hours to your location's description:

Example:

Lakeside Marina is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM during summer season (May-September). Winter hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Friday through Sunday only.

Pickup Instructions

Include hours in pickup instructions:

Example:

Our office opens at 8:30 AM. Please arrive 15 minutes before your rental time. Last check-ins accepted at 5:00 PM.

Location Contact Info

Add a note in the contact section:

Example:

Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM Daily (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Off-Season: Fri-Sun 9 AM - 4 PM

Different Hours for Different Locations

If locations have different operating hours:

Example Setup

Main Marina (Open Daily)

  • Units use Full Day timeslot: 8 AM - 6 PM
  • All days enabled

Remote Dock (Weekends Only)

  • Units use Weekend timeslot: 9 AM - 5 PM
  • Only Saturday and Sunday enabled

How to Configure

  1. Create separate timeslots for each schedule
  2. Assign units at each location to appropriate timeslots
  3. Document hours in each location's description

Seasonal Hours

For businesses with seasonal schedule changes:

Summer Hours

  • Create timeslots valid May 1 - September 30
  • Longer hours: 8 AM - 7 PM
  • Seven days a week

Winter Hours

  • Create timeslots valid October 1 - April 30
  • Shorter hours: 9 AM - 4 PM
  • Weekends only

See Seasonal Schedules for detailed configuration.

Holiday Hours

For holiday closures or special hours:

Using Blackout Dates

Block specific dates when you're closed:

  • Christmas Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Your vacation

Using Special Timeslots

Create holiday-specific schedules:

  • Extended hours for holiday weekends
  • Reduced hours for slow periods

See Blackout Dates for blocking specific days.

Customer Experience

Customers see hours information:

During Booking

  • Available time slots based on timeslot settings
  • Can only select valid pickup/return times

In Confirmations

  • Location address and pickup instructions
  • Hours you've added to descriptions

On Your Booking Site

  • Location pages show descriptions with hours
  • Available dates/times reflect timeslot settings

Best Practices

Be Consistent

  • Match timeslot settings to actual operating hours
  • Update descriptions when hours change
  • Keep all locations' information current

Be Clear

  • State hours prominently in descriptions
  • Include seasonal variations
  • Note any exceptions (holidays, etc.)

Be Helpful

  • Explain what happens at check-in
  • Mention arrival time recommendations
  • Provide contact for questions

Example Combined Description

Lakeside Marina

Hours:

  • Summer (May-Sept): Daily 8 AM - 7 PM
  • Spring/Fall (Apr, Oct): Fri-Sun 9 AM - 5 PM
  • Winter: Closed

Address: 1234 Lakeshore Drive, Austin, TX 78703

Check-in: Please arrive 15 minutes before your rental. Check in at the harbor office, then staff will escort you to your boat.

Contact: (512) 555-1234

Troubleshooting

Customers booking outside my hours

  • Check timeslot start/end times
  • Verify correct days are enabled
  • Ensure seasonal dates are set

Can't set different hours per location

  • Create separate timeslots for different schedules
  • Assign units appropriately
  • Each location's units can use different timeslots

Hours showing wrong on booking site

  • Update location description
  • Verify timeslot settings match stated hours
  • Check seasonal date ranges

Related Articles:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set operating hours for a location?
Operating hours are controlled through your rental schedules (timeslots). Set the start and end times on your timeslots, and add hours information to your location description and pickup instructions.
Can different locations have different hours?
Yes, by assigning units at each location to different timeslots with different time windows.
How do I communicate hours to customers?
Add operating hours to the location description and pickup instructions. This information appears in confirmations and on your booking site.
What about seasonal hours?
Use timeslot seasonal settings (valid from/to months) to control seasonal availability. Create separate timeslots for different seasons if hours vary.