Whether it be escaping the monotony of staying inside or transitioning to a new mobile lifestyle, the coronavirus pandemic has caused a surge in RV sales.
When the pandemic first hit the nation, RV dealers had cause for concern regarding inventory that hadn’t yet sold. But now, seven months in, the biggest concern is keeping up with the public’s high demand.
Zabukovic RV in Pueblo, Colo., is a family owned dealership that has served the community since 1989. Ryan Zabukovic bought the business from his father just three years ago, so for him the pandemic experience was unnerving.
“We had my full years’ worth of inventory on the lot with not one person being able to come in when they shut us down,” Zabukovic said. “We had a pretty normal January and February, but I had roughly 80 trailers and fifth-wheels on the lot – all brand new. I was scared to death.
“Buying the business three years ago and then doing everything we have to get it where it’s at up to this point, it could all be ruined within months because I didn’t lay anyone off. I just kept trying to work everyone essentially.”
Zabukovic was able to keep the shop open because the business sells propane and parts for repair.
“But that was about all we could do,” Zabukovic added. “So, I have all this inventory, brand new and I can’t show it. I can’t even entice people to come out here and look – we weren’t even allowed to advertise to sell.”
Click here to see the full story from Alexis Smith from the Pueblo Chieftain.
After about a month and a half, Zabukovic said, the business was able to make sales. The catch was it was restricted to online-only sales.
“It is really hard to buy an RV online only,” Zabukovic said. “It’s kind of like buying a house. People want to come in and look at it, touch it, feel it, and see how everything works.”
