Posted by Shawn Friesen - Director of RVT.com on Feb 26, 2010
Step aside Stephen Colbert. We may not be sponsoring an Olympic team this year, but the RV Nation is alive and well and growing stronger every day! RV owners stretch across the depth and breadth of the nation’s demographics. U.S. RV ownership levels have reached record highs in recent years. According to the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, one in 12 Americans who own a vehicle also own an RV. The RV Nation is 8 million strong and growing. RV ownership has increased by more than 58% since 1980.
Who owns RVs? According to RVIA, the typical RV owner is 49, married with kids, a homeowner with an annual household income of $68,000. New RV owners aged 35 to 54 are the fastest growing segment of the RV Nation. Affordability, low living/travel expenses, family values, superior comfort and portability are the main draws attracting people to the RV lifestyle.
The recession actually increased RV ownership. RV manufacturers did hit a small bump in the road, but they were among the first to rehire and even increase their work force to keep up with RV demand. Any minor losses in new RV sales were made up in increased used RV sales, particularly on online RV sales sites like RVT.com. RV buyers looking for a cheaper lifestyle or inexpensive way to travel with their families are finding great used RV bargains on RVT.com. Isn’t it time you discovered what your neighbors know and explore the joys of RVing?
Posted by Shawn Friesen - Director of RVT.com on Feb 24, 2010
In our last post we talked about the advantages of adding YouTube video to your RV sales ad. The newest tool in RVT.com’s dynamic RV advertising package, video is now an included feature when you advertise your RV on RVT.com. There is absolutely no extra charge to add video to you RV ad — it’s all part of RVT.com’s extraordinary customer service.
Want to see what video can do for your ad? Click here to take Motor Home Specialist’s video tour of the new 2010 Coachmen Freelander Dreamer. The first thing you’ll notice is the bold yellow VIDEO stamp that makes video ads stand out in the classified listings, calling buyers’ attention to your ad from the get go. Next, notice that video ads still include RVT’s standard 12 pictures and unlimited text. Scroll down to the video screen. Make sure you turn on your speakers, then click on the video icon to watch as MHS CEO Donny O’Banion takes you on a tour of the Freelander’s unique features.
Notice how video allows O’Banion to talk about and explain features that might not be apparent just be looking at them, such as the Freelander’s durable composite exterior. He opens panels, cupboards and drawers to let viewers peek inside as he walks around and through the vehicle. It’s an excellent demonstration of what video can do for your RV ad. Adding video to your online RV ad lets you have a personal conversation with buyers that will lead to faster sales.
Posted by Shawn Friesen - Director of RVT.com on Feb 22, 2010
Adding video to your RV ad is the newest, coolest, smartest way to sell your RV online. With thousands of motivated RV buyers shopping online, RV sellers need to grab every opportunity to make their RV ad stand out from the competition. Adding a YouTube video to your online RVt.com ad maximizes your ad’s exposure. Videos run instantly on your ad and on RVT.com’s YouTube channel.
The latest tool in RVT.com’s impressive RV sales arsenal, adding video to your RV ad allows distant buyers to take a guided tour of your RV. It’s the next best thing to actually being there! As you walk around and through your RV on film, potential buyers get a truer feeling for the spatial dimensions and features your RV offers than they get from photos. Video allows you to demonstrate special features in action; for example, how quickly and easily a kitchen dinette converts into sleeping berths or the amazing dual space uses available in toy haulers.
Real estate agents have been using videos to increase home sales for years with outstanding results. Now RVT.com makes it easy for RV sellers to upload a video tour of their RV into their ad. You can upload your RV video in a number of formats; just follow the simple instructions on RVT.com. Sign up for the RVT.com monthly newsletter to learn how to create the perfect RV sales video.
Posted by Shawn Friesen - Director of RVT.com on Feb 19, 2010
More than 55% of RV sales nationwide occur between two private parties with the majority of buyers and sellers connecting at online sites like RVT.com. Experienced sellers say the most important factor in the RV selling process is setting the sales price. Too high and you won’t get any offers. Too low and you lose out. Low prices may generate a lot of contacts from prospective buyers and guarantee a quick sale, but you won’t earn as much from the sale of your RV as you should.
You have to be realistic in setting a sales price for your RV. Some RV sellers lose potential sales by pricing their used RVs like new. The key to setting a fair market price is to know the average value of RVs that are the same model type, age and condition as the one you’re selling. You can get a general idea of your RV’s worth by checking the Kelly Blue Book or NADA price guide. Use RVT Price Checker to narrow your price and find out what other RV sellers are asking for the same model. Search for similar RVs and compare your RV’s features with what other sellers are offering on RVT.com. Remember to factor in differences in age and condition.
In deciding on a listing price, allow some wiggle room for negotiating with potential buyers. Everyone loves a bargain. Set a sales price a bit above what you actually want get for your RV so you can “come down” to clench the sale.
Posted by Shawn Friesen - Director of RVT.com on Feb 17, 2010
As anyone who has been watching the Olympics knows, Vancouver doesn’t fit Americans’ typical view of Canada in winter. With temperatures far more moderate than those in many U.S. states, Vancouver isn’t the frozen land of ice and snow most Americans imagine. Caught between towering, snow-capped mountains and a gorgeous island-dotted bay, Vancouver is an amalgam of cosmopolitan sophistication and rugged outdoor wilderness. Temperate winter weather and a favorable exchange rate have many RVers heading for Vancouver instead of the American sun belt in winter.
A country of avid RVers, Canada has always been a welcoming RV destination. RV parks are well maintained and many parks in temperate British Columbia are open year round, particularly at popular destinations like Vancouver Island, Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum. Vancouver Island, dubbed “the island” by locals, attracts a growing number of full-time RVers — both Canadians and Americans – who enjoy the slower pace and quieter island lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle across the water in Vancouver. Outdoor activities, an extensive walking path system, interesting museums and lovely scenic views of the ocean and inland waterway are among the winter delights on Vancouver Island.
For Canadian RVers, wintering in Canada rather than the U.S. offers considerable financial benefits, not only in exchange rates but in medical insurance costs. By wintering in Canada they avoid hefty out-of-country insurance surcharges. For Americans, a winter in Canada is a unique opportunity to make friends with our foreign neighbors and enjoy the outdoors.
Posted by Shawn Friesen - Director of RVT.com on Feb 15, 2010
Michelle Obama launched a national program last week aimed at fighting childhood obesity. About 32% of American children and teens are obese or overweight, according to government statistics. Childhood obesity significantly increases a person’s risk of developing weight-related health problems like diabetes and high cholesterol. People who are overweight as children are more likely to struggle with weight problems as adults. And with more than 25% of U.S. adults already struggling with obesity, what’s good for your kids will be good for you.
For outdoorsman and adventure journalist Eugene Buchanan, the “Aha!” moment came when he read that U.S. children and teens spend an average 44 hours sitting in front of TVs, computers or video games. Building on his own family experiences, Buchanan has written a guide to help parents plan and execute outdoor travels and activities with their children. His new book, Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids, shows parents how to make outdoor activities with their children happen. He provides plenty of helpful tips on how to handle the logistics, avoid the pitfalls, maintain patience and maximize the fun while camping, fishing, hiking, skiing and paddling as a family.
Buchanan’s favorite way to keep his own family active? RV camping. Buchanan uses RVing as a launch platform for many of the outdoor activities he enjoys with his children. He recommends RVing for families inexperienced with the outdoors. An easy and comfortable way to get your kids — and yourself — up off the couch and moving, buying an RV is an investment in family togetherness.
Posted by Shawn Friesen - Director of RVT.com on Feb 12, 2010
Online RV classified ads aren’t just for individuals buying or selling RVs. Popular high-volume online RV sales sites like RVT.com offer RV dealers a tried-and-true way to build customer traffic and increase RV sales. With a decade of experience in online RV sales, RVT.com has the technical expertise, highly developed customer support services and proven RV buyer traffic volume to help RV dealers move new and used RV models of all types. We have proven experience working with RV dealerships throughout North America where RVT is the recognized leader in online classified ads.
According to J.D. Power & Associates, 80% of customers research vehicle information and prices online before making a purchase. With more than 15,000 RV shoppers visiting RVT.com every day, advertising on RVT guarantees RV dealers a consistently high volume of motivated RV buyers. You just can’t duplicate that potential sales volume anywhere else.
RVT.com offers RV dealers two user-friendly ways to list your inventory online. Log on to our easy-to-use dealer management site to update, track and manage your RV inventory manually or use RVT’s datafeed connection to launch automatic daily inventory updates. RVT’s friendly customer service staff can help you get your inventory online in as little as 48 hours. Click here to order RVT’s free Exclusive Dealer Media Kit and join more than 450 dealers in the U.S. and Canada who are already benefiting from our dealer service.
Posted by Shawn Friesen - Director of RVT.com on Feb 10, 2010
What’s your favorite stretch of road? In Overdrive magazine’s 11th annual nationwide poll of long-distance big-rig truckers, the 455-mile long segment of I-40 that traverses Tennessee was voted the best highway segment in the nation. For truckers, time is money so they’re more interested in how quickly they can get from here to there than they are in scenic views. High-quality highway stretches that offer smooth road surfaces, clear roadway markings and easy construction detours qualified highways for high rankings. I-75 and I-10 through Florida came in second and third, respectively in the poll.
Overall, Florida was judged to have the best highways, followed by Texas, then Tennessee. Pennsylvania had the worst roads followed by Michigan with New York and California tying for third. The worst highway? I-10 through Louisiana. Shrinking revenue and state budget cuts hit many state highway departments hard, leaving fewer funds for highway repair and improvement. $21.8 billion in federal stimulus funds apportioned for more than 10,000 transportation and highway projects is expected to turn that around this year.
While a good road is a pleasure to drive when you’re RVing, RV travelers place greater value on scenery. The more leisurely pace of RV travel leaves plenty of time for scenic outlooks and breathtaking views as you drive around a bend. A new crop of recently announced National Scenic Byways gives RVers 42 new travel destinations to plot into their summer travel plans. Happy trails!
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