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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.