How Manitoba RV and boat dealers are coping with inflation
RV and boat supply shortages during the pandemic made getting the vehicles tough to obtain, but with stock back to pre-pandemic levels, other challenges are now on buyers' minds.
Nikki Spence is looking to buy an RV and boat for her family to use this summer.
"Being able to take up residence at a place that's different than in the city and just being out on the water and being outside. Just having that easily accessible," she said when asked why she wanted one.
Spence was among the attendees at the Mid Canada RV & Marine Show on Sunday.
Derek Roth, a presenter at the event, says COVID-19 sparked many to look into buying boats and RVs.
"The pandemic did many things, and one of the greatest to come out of it is that many people rediscovered the areas they live already," said Roth. "You don't have to travel great distances to enjoy the places we have here in Manitoba."
Roth said as demand increased during the pandemic, supply chain issues greatly hampered the availability of products.
"It's not just the manufacturers saying we can't provide more product. It's their manufacturers that can't provide the product. You've heard of microchips in the vehicle industry; well, there are all kinds of things."
Roth says a lot of the supply issues have been resolved, but there are still lingering challenges.
Dave Amey, a sales advisor at Transcona Trailer Sales, says his company's stock has returned to normal, but prices are still higher than before.
"We've seen a stabilization now, finally. Due to lots of reasons, as we all know, lettuce, butter, everything has gone up. Right now, we are sort of seeing a stabilization."
Another issue driving up prices is interest rates.
"It's certainly a talking point," said Amey. "They affect all of us whether you're making a purchase or it's your mortgage. You need to factor that into your budget for sure."
The Bank of Canada's key interest rate now sits at 4.25 per cent, the highest it's been since 2008.
A factor that gives potential buyers some pause.
"It certainly would influence our decision, definitely more than it would in the past," said Spence.
"They kind of suck now, but prices have gone up considerably. It's not affordable to everyone now," said Aaron Arnason, who was also at the show.
Roth said the price challenges aren't deterring buyers set to spend their summer outdoors.
"Yes, it's an increase, but if I were to calculate what it is in the difference, it's not enough to say, 'okay, we aren't going to pursue this purchase,'" he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.